Name: Gary Beals
Nationality: Canadian
Occupation: Singer, songwriter
Current Release: Gary Beals's The Melody Within is out via LRK.

If you enjoyed this Gary Beals interview and would like to stay up to date on his music, visit his official homepage. He is also on Instagram, Facebook, and Soundcloud.



Where does the impulse to create something come from for you? What role do often-quoted sources of inspiration like dreams, other forms of art, personal relationships, politics etc play?

The impulse to create for me comes from one of the reasons why I am here. To create is to be for me. It’s my contribution to the world. It’s allowing everything that is within to flow outwardly and whatever creation that turns into then that is what it should be.

My recent album, The Melody Within speaks to that very thing; discovering and embracing the melody within drawing inspiration from life experiences to craft my songs.

For you to get started, do there need to be concrete ideas – or what some have called a 'visualisation' of the finished work? What does the balance between planning and chance look like for you?

For me, it’s the balance between structure and spontaneity, and the need for concrete ideas or a visualization of the finished work depends on the nature of the project and the stage of the creative process.

The goal for me is not to control every aspect of the process but to guide it and be receptive to the unexpected, knowing that sometimes the most beautiful creations emerge from the flow of planned and unplanned elements.

Do you have certain rituals to get you into the right mindset for creating? What role do certain foods or stimulants like coffee, lighting, scents, exercise or reading poetry play?

I don't rely on specific rituals to get into the right mindset for creating. Instead, it's all about the significance of being present and honest with my feelings. I write and create from that authentic place.

When collaborating with others, it's essential to ensure I'm in a safe space where I can freely express myself without reservation.

What do you start with? And, to quote a question by the great Bruce Duffie: When you come up with a musical idea, have you created the idea or have you discovered the idea?

In practice, it's common for the creative process to involve elements of both creation and discovery. I often draw from my own experiences, emotions, and perspectives and with that it generates ideas. I’m also receptive to the world around me, allowing external influence to shape my work.

The act of creating can feel like a dynamic dialogue between personal expression and the broader world of inspiration.

When do the lyrics enter the picture? Where do they come from? Do lyrics need to grow together with the music or can they emerge from a place of their own?

In the songwriting process, I typically find that lyrics come into play after the musical foundation has been established. However, there are instances when they develop simultaneously.

There are also moments when a lyrical concept is born before the music is even created so it can vary.

Many writers have claimed that as soon as they enter into the process, certain aspects of the narrative are out of their hands. Do you like to keep strict control or is there a sense of following things where they lead you?

I don't prefer strict control in my creative process. I believe in allowing the creative flow to move effortlessly and I like to encourage embracing the spontaneity of creation.

Flexibility during the writing process is essential to me. My ultimate goal is to feel comfortable and free, staying in tune with myself. This way, whatever unfolds in my work is a genuine expression of my creative journey.

There are many descriptions of the creative state. How would you describe it for you personally? Is there an element of spirituality to what you do?

The creative state can be a deeply immersive and transcendent experience. It often involves a sense of flow, where I become fully absorbed in the process of creating, losing track of time and space. This is the perfect state where ideas and inspiration seem to flow effortlessly.

There definitely is spiritual aspect to creativity for me. I feel a deep connection to my inner being, the world, and a higher power during the creative process. Creativity becomes a means of self-discovery, and also a form of meditation.

There are times when I feel like I am channeling something greater than myself and for me, those are the best creative sessions.

When you're in the studio to record a piece, how important is the actual performance and the moment of performing the song still in an age where so much can be “done and fixed in post?“

The actual performance and the moment of performing hold importance as they convey the specific emotion needed for the song.

I always strive to capture a compelling and authentic performance during the recording process, giving way to a unique energy and emotion that can't be entirely replicated or replaced. My personal connection to the music in these moments, shape the overall feel and authenticity of the final piece.

The initial performance sets the tone and lays the foundation for a more powerful and emotionally resonant recording, so that when performed live a similar depth of emotion or energy is felt by my audience which is important to me.

Once a piece is finished, how important is it for you to let it lie and evaluate it later on? How much improvement and refinement do you personally allow until you're satisfied with a piece? What does this process look like in practise?

After completing a piece, it’s crucial for me to let it lie and later evaluate it objectively. This allows for balance between creative intuition and constructive assessment, ensuring that the final piece resonates authentically with my artistic vision while at the same time meeting the desired standards of quality and impact.

There is no specific duration of time set aside, it’s based on how the song feels to me and when I’m satisfied, I’ll know.

After finishing a piece or album and releasing something into the world, there can be a sense of emptiness. Can you relate to this – and how do you return to the state of creativity after experiencing it?

After completing a piece or album, the familiar sense of emptiness is countered by returning to a state of creativity through exploring new inspirations, collaborating, seeking diverse experiences, and maintaining a balance between reflection and forward exploration.

While I can relate to the feeling of emptiness, my recent album release has filled me with inspiration and excitement for what's next creatively, and I am open to opportunities that could elevate me to even greater heights.

I’m super eager to keep the momentum going, and looking forward to the journey ahead.

Music is a language, but like any language, it can lead to misunderstandings. In which way has your own work – or perhaps the work of artists you like or admire - been misunderstood? How do you deal with this?

Creating music can indeed result in diverse interpretations from listeners, and I don't dwell on misunderstandings as I believe these interpretations shape how the music resonates with them.

I value open communication, so I like to provide glimpses into the creative process and discuss the meaning and intention behind the music, which helps foster a deeper connection and understanding between me and my audience.

Additionally, I find that visuals play a crucial role in conveying the key messages I want to express through the music.

Creativity can reach many different corners of our lives. Do you personally feel as though writing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?

To me creating a piece of music is very different than performing mundane tasks like making coffee, as music provides a unique avenue for expressing what can sometimes be complex emotions and a variety of narratives that don’t translate the same when performing certain mundane tasks.