Review Fix chats with singer Gloria Loring, who discusses her new EP, the first of her lengthy and impressive career, detailing its creative process, origin in music and more.
Review Fix: How did you get started in music?
Gloria Loring: From the time I was a little girl, I wanted to be a singer or a teacher, so my finding so many musical and speaking outlets in my life makes sense, don’t you think? I started singing in grade school and the church choir, and quickly became a soloist. Both my parents were musical: my dad played trumpet in big bands and my mom was a singer for a while. My son Robin is the sixth generation musician, dating back 100 years, on my side of the family. What am I bad at? Ice skating and swimming.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Loring: It always starts with a spark, either music that’s already written or a phrase I hear myself say. Sometimes the words come quickly, pouring through me, as if I am suddenly finding a well I didn’t know I had. Other times I struggle, using a rhyming dictionary to prompt inspiring language. One song was very tricky with short phrases and complicated inner rhymes. I worked on it for two hours, then in frustration, I decided to go to Starbucks. As I pulled my car away from the curb, with no effort on my part my brain began to drop words into place until the missing phrase was complete. I love when that miraculous assistance steps in to help!
Review Fix: What is the best of you?
Loring: It’s not difficult to recognize when we’re having a “best of me†moment. We feel at ease, in alignment with what’s happening, loving toward those around us. So for me having those kind of moments as much as possible is the goal, as the song says, “for the rest of my life.†I’m on a search for peace, to be able to live my days as a compassionate presence, extending understanding and forgiveness.
Review Fix: Is it exciting to produce an EP for the first time in your career?
Loring: I’m very happy that after releasing 11 recording projects, I am adding one more to the mix. I recorded these tracks over several years and wasn’t sure what I would do with them until a friend suggested releasing an EP. I’m glad they will be heard by others because they are good songs and well sung. Some of my best singing ever actually!
Review Fix: Any lessons learned?
Loring: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is “Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind, always.†I’ve gradually realized the everyone is doing the best they can at any moment and that there are are deep reasons for bad behavior, so I try to be patient with everyone, as I hope they are patient with me.
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?
Loring: My favorite track is Love is (Still) the Answer. The minute I heard it, with music by Burt Bacharach and gorgeous lyrics by Tonio K, I knew I had to sing it.
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