The World Is Finally Ready for Beverly Glenn-Copeland

September 28, 2020 7:43 AM

[Glenn-Copeland] also belongs […] in the tiny group of people whose lives could be a realistic inspiration for a young, queer artist today. I wanted to know how he did it: How did he make it to 76 years old so completely unjaded? As a young person, he explained, “I was very independent of what other people thought. I didn’t really care.” It was only in his teens that he learned psychiatrists considered queer desire “to be an emotional disease.” But he “never gave it two thoughts. I just considered they were out to lunch.”

– From a biographical essay about Beverly Glenn-Copeland and his music by Josephine Livingstone.
posted by Kattullus (11 comments total)

And another in The New Yorker by hua hsu.
posted by stevil at 7:57 AM on September 28, 2020 [2 favorites]

I was super pumped to learn about Glenn-Copeland in the New Yorker this month. Electronic music pioneers, singer-songwriter folk composers, and early queer musicians are three of my main musical interests - distressing that I had not heard of him before. I've been listening to his albums frequently for a couple weeks now... Hoping to watch the documentary this week.
posted by latkes at 8:10 AM on September 28, 2020 [3 favorites]

another how the hell had I got this far through life without hearing this? from me?

Keyboard Fantasies could well be the best album ever recorded in Huntsville, ON. Huntsville isn't a place one might associate with music at all: it's all forest, cottages and lakes.
posted by scruss at 8:23 AM on September 28, 2020 [2 favorites]

Been seeing Glenn-Copeland everywhere in little bits and pieces since the album was reissued, so I’m excited to drive into this profile!
posted by Going To Maine at 8:31 AM on September 28, 2020 [2 favorites]

He's on Spotify, BTW. I'm currently listening to La Vita and so far, it's banging.
posted by suetanvil at 9:26 AM on September 28, 2020 [1 favorite]

I've been listening to a lot of Windham Hill and other 80/90s new agey music during these work from home/don't see your friends in person times and at some point Spotify started recommending Beverly Glenn-Copeland albums--they are all great, but Keyboard Fantasies is an especially beautiful synthy balm.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 9:32 AM on September 28, 2020 [2 favorites]

I just watched the documentary Keyboard Fantasies: The Beverly Glenn-Copeland Story over the weekend at part of Frameline, the San Francisco LGBTQ film festival. Unfortunately the festival is over but hopefully there will be future opportunities to see the documentary. The Q&A from the festival is available, though.
posted by larrybob at 10:30 AM on September 28, 2020 [4 favorites]

Thanks for these articles! I ran into Primal Prayer somewhere in the last year and loved it, but I didn't know much about the artist.
posted by away for regrooving at 12:58 AM on September 29, 2020 [1 favorite]

For anyone in Ohio, the documentary larrybob mentions above is going to be available for online screening for a few days starting Oct 10th as part of the Dayton LGBT Film Festival! I thought it really captured the magic of Glenn Copeland's personality -- the director said she wanted it to be a conduit for Glenn's energy to be able to touch more people out there in the world, and it works. (Disclaimer: I volunteer for this festival.)
posted by Pwoink at 7:08 AM on September 29, 2020 [2 favorites]

Keyboard Fantasies is sending me back to the 1980s in a great way, like I'm a tiny child and chill beats are on Sesame Street soundtracking a marmoset in a tree or a changing seasons montage.

Also not to get too grim but it's so nice to hear about people like this while they're alive and making music, not just as an obituary.
posted by Hypatia at 8:33 AM on September 29, 2020 [1 favorite]

He is the best. MoMA hosted a screening of a couple short docs about him (both wonderful) and a performance sometime last year and it was truly a revelation. His spirit is a balm on the world, and his love for humanity and for the kids today changing the world is invigorating.

Here's a lil clip of him talking about hope in these times. I recommend it.

And here is a stand-out track from his recent LP. "Get up and dance / Can you hear your angel singing? / Get up and dance / Calm your fear …. You are all you need"
posted by wemayfreeze at 11:01 AM on September 29, 2020 [1 favorite]