If you are anything like me, you find your band or your favorite artist and put all your time and energy into supporting them. Then you easily forget that there are other music and other artists out there that are waiting for you.
For me, my favorite band is Louden Swain, and through them, I have been introduced to so many other talented musicians. Jason Manns being the most prominent in the “Supernatural” family. However, through Jason Manns, he has introduced us to many talented artists, such as Hayden Lee and the subjects of this article and the next. Abraham Drennan and Emad Alaeddin.
So I set out to find out more about these artists and what makes them tick.
For this interview, I asked Abe some questions about his new album The Iglu Sessions and what it has been like to work with “Supernatural” fan-favorite Jason Manns.
Abe Drennan. Photo courtesy of Tony Devlin
Melissa Rothman: When did you first know that you wanted to be a musician and songwriter?
Abe Drennan: When I realized that singing and playing my songs was more cathartic than any self-help book, songwriting became my therapy. I always kept, and still do keep a journal to document and keep track of events, happenings, feelings, and inspirations. It was a moment in my apartment while living in Montreal, Canada sometime in my early twenties. It was in the middle of writing one of my first songs called “What Lies Behind” that I realized that I could take my journal writings, turn them into songs, sing them out and release the tension or emotion connected to the writing. I lived above a busy Greek restaurant so I could always sing as loud as I wanted to. It was a feeling of freedom.
MR: Who have been your major influences in music and have you used any of their musical influences or techniques in your own music?
AD: U2, Tragically Hip, Xavier Rudd, Jack Johnson, Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, Barenaked Ladies. Every one of these artists has inspired me in some way either lyrically, vocally, or musically. Yes, if what I hear or feel from them takes root within me, I will use that inspiration to craft a song. Sometimes it sticks, sometimes it doesn’t. For instance, the song Beautiful Way on the new album was inspired by Jack Johnson style rhythm guitar and Xavier Rudd’s use of C#m chord. Sometimes it’s the little things.
MR: You were introduced to Jason Manns through one of his fans, Josephine Neville, what was it like working on that project with him? And did you expect it to lead you to make an entire album with him as the producer?
AD: I really had no expectations when we started the project of recording the single, “Spirits Soared” for the album. Josephine was determined and had a strong vision for the song. She connected Jason and me in Inuvik, Northwest Territories to record it. This started a chain reaction that seemed to unravel naturally. I had no idea who Jason was and after our first phone conversation, felt excited to work with him. We spent a weekend together in the Iglu Church working on the song, he and I also played a concert in my living room for my friends and family and by the end of the weekend, we had decided to dig in on the full album together.
At the time I also had no idea what I was getting myself into and very quickly realized that my songs weren’t ready to record and my projected timeline for the project was going to have to change. Jason inspired me to sharpen my senses and dig in deeper. He also has a great ear for vocals and harmonies. He has done some amazing work on them. There was so much back and forth between us via text and email, sharing tracks on Dropbox, etc. Working from such a distance had its challenges but we managed well. He helped me craft the best songs I could and drew out the best in me. I hold a lot of gratitude for our process and his honest feedback. I’m really proud of what we have accomplished. From the start, I felt he had my best interests at heart. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Jason Manns and Abe Drennan while recording “Spirits Soared.” Photo courtesy of Jason Manns
MR: What can people expect from your album? What kind of music will the listener hear when they hit play on that first song?
AD: I’ve described the album as personal accounts of living on the land of the Inuvialuit and Gwich’in people in the Western Arctic. There are songs of loss, hope, and healing for the future. You can expect acoustic guitar, vocal harmonies, percussion, drums, and bass guitar. My father plays harmonica on a song, my sister does some harmonies on a few tracks, my eldest son, Malakai sings on a track.
The single “Spirits Soared” will be released in the coming months. The first song is called “Beat of the Land.” This song is about my connection to the earth and my gratitude towards Indigenous people. I recorded two guitar tracks in the church for this one and they are played simultaneously. Gives the song some neat acoustic depth.
MR: You are a teacher. How has that influenced your music?
AD: My guitar is always in my classroom. I have used it every day to help the students transition from one activity to another. If there is a lull, I always play a song to fill the time. This past year I was hired as the music and drama teacher for my school. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have my passion and job intersect.
When I taught grade 6 a few years back, I wrote a song with my class. I told them at the time that if they see this through to the end, I would put the song on my album. We went so far as to recording the kids in the Iglu Church singing their song “There for You.” It will be the 11th and final track on the album.
MR: Do you find it easier nowadays with crowd-funding to be a musician or creator? How do you think it has helped you in your journey to release The Iglu Sessions?
AD: Ya I think crowdfunding provides opportunities and opens up possibilities for people who want to pursue their passion. I had no idea what I was getting into when I decided to do a campaign. This is my first time doing one and it has been so much fun working with my team Jason, Erika Wolfe (designer) and Tony Devlin (photographer). Tony’s consistent support, patience, a keen eye, and creative skills jumped started this project and gave it a strong, visual edge. Once Erika jumped on board, all of this beautiful artwork fell into place. She designed the sticker, button, t-shirt, and the album cover. She is incredibly talented, patient, generous and supportive.
Tony and Erika have worked with enough people like me that they understand and revel in the creative process. The campaign is like the icing on the cake. It’s this brief moment in time where I step out of my comfort zone, ask for help, and celebrate with people what we have accomplished. Crowdfunding is a great way to build excitement, drum up support and connect with people.
MR: Speaking of crowd-funding. You have one of your own going on now via Indiegogo to help you finish up your album, where can people find that?
AD: Yes! We are getting close to the end. The support has been amazing for this! I’m incredibly grateful. It’s an Indiegogo campaign.
MR: How has it been to see work with other creatives? Do you butt heads a lot with your visions on direction things should go?
AD: I have loved the process! I realized early on in this that I was the learner and that I would need to do a lot of listening. I also knew I couldn’t shoulder this alone and after a while began to reach out. I craved hearing feedback, especially from Jason as I knew he would be honest with me. I got annoyed when I received praise because that wasn’t what I felt I needed. I also discovered that there are not many people who are willing to be honest and tell you like it is. I wanted the good, bad and the ugly. I tried not to take anything personally because it wasn’t productive.
There were some pills to swallow but I managed with lots of water! 😉 It was a process of letting go, integrating feedback and digging in deeper. I knew people were looking out for my best interests so I trusted them. I am so grateful for all the musicians. My friend Glen Brake (drummer on Moments in Time) jumped on board near the end of the project at a point when my hope was waning and said, “Abe you started strong, you gotta end strong!” I needed to hear this and it began the ascent to the finish line.
Glen, Ben, David, and Kwanza helped me finish the church recordings and carried the weight of the project with me at a point when I really needed it. I’ve described them as superheroes who just flew in and saved the day! Overall, so lucky to have so many good people to lean on.
MR: Overall, what has it been like to be a part of this whole process? Is there any part of it that makes you want to do it all again?
AD: Awesome. Tons of gratitude. This project has torn me down and built me back up again. It has been an incredible amount of work, has stretched me as an artist and as a person. I don’t make decisions lightly and there have been so many moments when I was required to decide. It has forced me to hone in and understand a little deeper my own creative process. I think most of all, I have learned that I have so much more to learn!
Working with so many wonderful people has been the best thing about all of this. It has been an honor and privilege to work alongside such selfless and talented folk, whose only agenda was to genuinely help. My wife Lisa and our children have witnessed me go through all of this with patience, support, and advice. I am so lucky to have them to ground me and help me stay focused on a bigger picture. I think the push and pull of the creative process, making decisions and settling are what I crave. I feel like I’ve honed a few of those skills and can’t wait to test them again!
MR: To close this out, since we are called Nerd Alert News; what do you consider to be your top nerd guilty pleasure?
AD: Definitely “Lord of the Rings” (LOTR). If Aragorn and Gandalf had a baby I would wanna be it! After my first year of teaching, as a gift to myself, I ordered a tobacco pipe just like Aragorn’s in the movie. I’m not a big smoker but you should see the looks I get when I pull that out at a party! Oh and I also own a wizard staff. Shhhhh.
I am excited to see what this album brings. Thank you, Abe, for the fun interview and welcome to the “Supernatural” family!
Written by Melissa Rothman
