Gary Beals on Returning To Music After 11 Year Hiatus & Growing Into His Authentic Self
Canadian R&B artist Gary Beals is a prime example of not letting his struggles consume him, and bouncing back with the best version of himself. Having taken a hiatus from music over 10 years ago, Beals went on a journey to find himself and make some necessary adjustments. Now with a new perspective and a more developed sound, he's ready to reintroduce himself to the world.
With Pop, Soul, and Gospel influences, Beals connected with many prior to his hiatus, and has solidified himself as an award winning vocalist who comes from a small town of Cherry Brook in Nova Scotia.
We recently connected with Gary Beals to talk about his lengthy hiatus, living your truth, why healing is important, evolving his sound, his new album, "Bleed My Truth", and a lot more. Tune in below,
Thanks for coming thru! How has 2021 been treating you?
So far so good! It's shaping up to be a great year! Counting my blessings and preparing for a few upcoming projects that I am excited about.
You're back to making music after a long hiatus. Why did you decide to take a step away from the spotlight?
A little while after the release of my second album in 2009, I actually began to lose the passion for music. I also felt I wasn't being the authentic being that I was always desired to be both personally and professionally. For years I had struggled with my sexuality and I was noticing the affect it started to take on my life.
My decisions and my engagement with others were being affected. My connections didn't feel genuine. I began to lose life direction because I was consumed by the struggle. I was losing parts of myself because I was too busy protecting parts of myself, so it was important for me to step back and really discover me.
Music was no longer fun and purposeful for me and it was then I knew it was time for me to take a break. I had to live. Take time to get to know myself. Experience. Travel. Step out of the spotlight and rediscover parts of myself. It was a time for me to reflect, heal, learn and grow.
Once I did that, I then began to embrace the whole of myself. The desire to create music came back and my love for music returned. It had been 11 years since my last release but it honestly felt like I never left and it's been an exciting journey sharing my new album, one that speaks to the authenticity of who I am.
What did you learn about yourself while you were away?
I've learned so much during this process. Our minds are powerful and whatever we feed our mind, alters the direction in which our lives take form. I learned there are moments to be still. I learned the importance of listening to my own body and not being afraid to express my thoughts whatever they may be. I learned to be patient with myself. I learned the power of who I am, the power of my voice and the greatness that lies within me.
I learned to trust my instincts more and to believe in myself far greater than what I did. I learned to be grateful and in that I'll continue to receive overflow. I learned that I am deserving of everything that comes my way because I put in the work and seek balance in life. I learned I am not one dimensional and I now embrace the many facets of who I am. I learned that the universe, God and my ancestors, will all conspire to make life everything it needs to be for me. I learned to go with the flow. I'm learning the pure beauty of life and I'm enjoying and loving it!
Music was no longer fun and purposeful for me and it was then I knew it was time for me to take a break
How has your sound evolved since then?
The results of doing the inner work of discovering myself has really affected so many other areas in my life; one being my music. My sound has evolved in the way that my music is now a true representation of who I am. It really embodies me. It's more genuine and authentic and that you can feel when listening to my latest album. My sound has matured.
I've learned to use different elements of my voice and have since discovered different parts of my voice that add more colour to my sound. The different inflections of how I use my voice add more variety to my sound. I embrace my falsetto more which is something I didn't always do. The growth has allowed listeners to be able to relate more to my music. My sound has more of a purity and freshness to it
So, you recently released your third studio album, "Bleed My Truth". What does that title mean to you?
It simple terms it means that I am now authentically walking in the truth of who I am. I really have come into myself. I'm still evolving and growing but with a different mindset. My blinders have been removed and I see the difference that makes. I also acknowledge that I once was not at this place and that my journey over the years has shaped me in a way that it was necessary for me to go through certain things in order to manifest my present being. "Bleed My Truth" means I now embrace "Me for Me". It feels amazing showing up as this human that I have become!
Art is a form of expression and to me real artistry is when you can express your true being
What do you hope listeners take away from the project?
I want people to really take in the album as a whole to get a better understanding of my journey, my growth and my experiences. I've poured so much into this project, that my hope is for the album to inspire people to feel a deeper sense of self and for it to allow people to just reflect on life.
I want people to be able to relate to the themes and connect with the content (the album and the music videos that support the album). I want people to feel themselves in the music and see themselves in the visuals. Most importantly, I just want listeners to enjoy the music. There's such an array of emotion to be felt throughout the whole project. There's a song for everyone on the album. The project is very eclectic in its sound and my hope is to take listeners on a musical journey!
"Blood Red Roses" is a vibe, especially it's visual. What type of emotions did you want to evoke with the track and video?
Awww, thank you!"Blood Red Roses" was actually the last song written for the album and it was inspired by my trip to South Africa in 2019. My trip was such a vibe, that I think it translates through the song and visuals. I really fell in love with South Africa, the place, the people, the music, the view of the land, the feeling of just being there had me always in awe. I also fell in love with afro beats and was inspired to give "Blood Red Roses" a similar vibe.
The emotions I want people to feel are celebratory because that's what the track represents. It's about celebrating each other, celebrating ourselves, celebrating diversity, celebrating Blackness, celebrating life. I want people to feel happiness, joy, gratitude, pride and love because that's exactly what I felt being in South Africa.
The official music video for this song, I focused on celebrating diversity with the video capturing a diverse group of people dancing through the streets which makes you feel a sense of joy and happiness. It also speaks to individuality. For the remix version, I wanted to give it more of an afro beats feel and for the remix music video, I wanted to celebrate Blackness. The video captures the many shades of Black! It gives a sense of pride, love and gratitude for everything that we are!
I really have come into myself. I'm still evolving and growing but with a different mindset
Why do you feel it's important for artists to tell their truth, oppose to following trends?
Art is a form of expression and to me real artistry is when you can express your true being. When you're at your highest form, is when you are your most authentic self and I feel that's what an artist's work should represent. When we think of the most successful and influential artists of all time it's those artists who authentically pour themselves into their art and their light completely shines through.
Your art is your truth so for art to be exposed, to me, it is felt most when there is truth behind it. Following trends is a fad and fads come and go but when you tell your truth you it's powerful, it's long lasting and alters the times. Art is most effective when it comes from a place of truth!
When did you know you were made for music?
From an early age I was drawn heavily to music. My first time singing in front of an audience was at church. The very first few times when I would sing, there was a certain reaction I received from the congregation that made me realize I was made for music.
What's one thing you wish more people knew about you?
That I am a foodie! I love food and trying different foods so if I'm ever in your city hunt me down to take me to the best food spot in your city. Gotta keep testing out my taste buds!
