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What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.

I always wanted to play guitar so one day when I was about 24 I bought myself some cheap guitar from Target. And from there, I discovered that it came easy for me to create my own stuff and I got sucked in to it. As far as Tender Glue, it was a process and a struggle to discover what it is but I think I’m getting there a little step at a time.

Provide us with some info about your latest release…

About two years ago, I moved from Brooklyn to Manhattan, after getting an opportunity to live in affordable housing. When I saw the studio apartment that I got, there was this closet that I immediately envisioned making a little recording studio, which was actually a bad idea, but I was too stubborn to change it since I already decided the album name was going to be called “Closet Leftovers”. Before I even started recording, I already made an album cover which is a picture of a little chair that I screwed into my wall and put my red hat in a doggie bag on top of the chair. I also put white duct tape with the name of the album and Tender Glue, which ended up invisible since I manipulated the picture with exposure afterwards. But if you look closely, you can still see it. It took almost the whole day to take that picture. So now about the recording and why it was a bad idea: Not only can you hear the high pitch static noise and interference in the monitors, you could also hear everything going on including the dishwasher or cell phones. I had to sit on the floor with the mic close to the ground to record vocals because it was the only place that the mic wouldn’t pick up those noises, which I later realized was caused by the electric panel and all the wires that were next to the closet. I tried different options to eliminate the noise but nothing worked. Sometimes it could get claustrophobic and the lack of air didn’t help either, but my vision for the album kept me going.

Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?

I guess what I feel, hear and see what’s around me or once been. Music-wise I don’t have specific artist or bands. They’re always changing. I never really looked up to anyone but I always respected honest art. When I was about maybe 8, I entered lip singing competition and won as a Freddy Mercury of Queen. I don’t know if that means anything, but it was weird because I was a very shy kid.

In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?

I often joke that Tender Glue is instrumental music with vocals in it. To be specific maybe indie alternative dreamy diy post folk punk? I’m not good at self promotion. It’s not much different I guess. I always ask myself who I sound like and I like hearing from pleople who they compare my music to.

Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…

I’m sorry to disappoint again but I don’t have any favorites if it comes to albums, movies, colors etc. If it comes to books I have trouble to concentrate while reading a book. I could read a page 5 times and still don’t know what I just read but I always admired people who like reading books. So on dessert island I would probably try not dying.

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Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?

I would say I prefer creating music in a rush free studio. I enjoy playing live but it’s been a hustle. Eventually I would like to find decent people to travel and play live shows with as much is possible if opportunity strikes.

Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?

The first that came to my mind it’s the time I recorded bass solo line in “Endlessly” of the new album. So I was struggling to come up with something for the solo part for a while and I decided to just take a break for a shower. As I undressed to take a shower I got sudden idea for the part so I rushed to my closet studio and spend quite some time naked playing this solo bass part. Now whenever you hear the bass solo in “Endlessly” you can picture naked hairy monkey playing bass. I don’t know if it’s disturbing or funny but I remember saying to myself, “You couldn’t just put some pants on?”

Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?

I think “Dear Peri”. It happens unexpectedly and wasn’t planned for this album. It is about a tragic and sad story that happened a year ago. It took me a while to share this story because somehow it felt wrong for me to do it. You can find about the full story here.

Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?

Yes. I’ve been working on another artist’s EP that was released on Don’t Label Me Records. The artist’s name is Lavender Bones and the EP is called “Quiet Steady Love” – So you better listen to it! 🙂 Also, Tender Glue is playing a show on August 11 at Pianos NYC. So if anybody will be around that time, come hang out with us. I’m looking for the right people to play in Tender Glue, so if there’s anyone who plays guitar, bass or drums or if you know someone who will fit Tender Glue’s style, feel free to reach out. You can contact me at dontlabelmerecordsnyc@gmail.com. Thanks!

Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…

Curated by: Christos Doukakis

Recommended listening:

Connect with Tender Glue:

Official Site: tenderglue.com

Facebook: facebook.com/tenderglue

Instagram: instagram.com/tenderglue

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tenderglue