My Glass World
In this interview, My Glass World’s Jamie Telford discusses “This Perfect Summer,” a deceptively sweet song confronting climate anxiety and environmental destruction, the creative contrast between melody and message, and the visual concept behind the single. He also reflects on the forthcoming eighth album, Extraordinary Renditions, exploring its more personal themes and the intuitive collaboration that continues to shape the band’s distinctive sound.
1. “This Perfect Summer” carries a deceptively idyllic title while exploring extreme heat, environmental destruction and climate anxiety. What inspired you to write the song, and how does its meaning feel different now compared with when it was originally written?
I think there’s an obvious inspiration in the hot summer we have all just weathered and the international climate crisis. I was aware more of the potential for this rather than the reality which has just been brought home to me. When it was written it was based around what had happened around LA and in California and. Ow it seems relevant everywhere.
2. The lyrics paint striking images of dead birds, failed crops, disappearing water and burning landscapes. How did you approach turning such serious and complex environmental concerns into a song without losing its musical accessibility?
A lyric is just a lyric after all, however I was trying to contrast the sweetness of the music with the acidity of the message. I think that was my overriding thought and it worked out suitably. I go for basic message first and then consider how that can be developed into a more nuanced message
3. The accompanying video by Simon Miles contrasts happy, everyday imagery with scenes of environmental devastation. How did you feel the visual concept complemented or expanded the message of the song?
The visuals had to work with the lyric or it wouldn’t have worked at all so Simon had a strict message to evoke..I think he did that end though even having the control I’ve got you can’t fence everyone in and police their output or it becomes more of a chore and less of a creative delight for them.
4. My Glass World blends rock, pop, jazz and classical influences, often resisting easy categorization. When writing a song like “This Perfect Summer,” how do you balance the darker subject matter with the groove, atmosphere and melodic side of your music?
Balance is a problem but it has to be accessible as well…so I refer to my earlier comments. Sometimes you just have got the groove and hope you can get the message over as well, although I have fallen foul of this approach before.. main th8ng is not to be bland musically or lyrically. It’s too easy and pointless.
5. “This Perfect Summer” is taken from your forthcoming eighth album, Extraordinary Renditions. What can you tell us about the album’s overall character, and what makes this collection of songs different from your previous work?
I think it’s more poignant than some of the other albums and has more personal messages as part of the “normal” material whatever that means. Songs like The Other Side for example have a personal philosophical message contained within a normal song with a hook.
6. The album marks another collaboration between Jamie Telford and Sean Read, with the recording process moving between Scotland and London. What was the atmosphere like during these sessions, and what are you most excited for listeners to discover on Extraordinary Renditions?
Well, we usually come together towards the end of the process. I usually work the material up into it’s finished outline then we add Sax/trumpet via Sean and backing vocals as necessary and mix….I think I discovered how seem less and easy it can be working with someone who knows how the music goes down without having myself or himself repeat themself to get a point across.. it can be a very intuitive process and it’s not always easy to find someone to do that with.