” Tender Glue (noun): Not a person. Not a band. Music made by an urge to create.”
The latest Tender Glue release “Time Machine (Live from the Flat)” is nothing short of stellar and a brilliant addition to a discography that’s been built over the last decade.
I caught up with Tender Glue member Tom to talk about growing up in Poland, how they started creating songs and the making of the recent live album.
CMM-What was the first music that really made an impact on you as a kid and what artist or band did you enjoy the most?
Tom-Growing up in Poland, I was exposed to a mix of musical influences. We had access to channels like MTV and the German station VIVA, so I was constantly hearing English language music from a young age. At the same time, I listened to a lot of Polish music as well, which definitely left a mark on me.
Some of my earliest memories include listening to Sade and Simply Red with my mom, and hearing Queen or Black Sabbath, which were some of my dad’s favorite bands. I also remember family tent camping trips that lasted for weeks, or sometimes even months, where we would blast Polish classics like Lady Pank, Budka Suflera, or Wilki through the open doors of a car parked near the campsite. Those moments still carry a strong sense of nostalgia.
CMM-When did you start playing music and writing songs? What eventually led to the formation of the band?
Tom-One of the earliest moments I remember was being home sick as a kid, watching TV. A melody from a show ended, and I found myself continuing it in my head and adding my own lyrics. I was surprised that I could do that, but I quickly pushed the thought away, thinking it wasn’t something I could really pursue.
Then, when I was about 12, my brother traded his brand new soccer ball for a broken guitar after getting hustled by some hooligans. When he brought it home, I was excited to try it. I even attempted to fix the neck with scotch tape, but it was too far gone. Eventually, my mom threw it out.
Years later, after I moved to the States, I bought myself a guitar for Christmas and started teaching myself how to play by watching YouTube videos. I was around 23 when I was strumming some chords, and melodies and lyrics started coming faster than I could keep up with. That became my first song, “Dumb,” which I eventually recorded for the latest studio album Not So Very Nice. That’s when Tender Glue really started taking form.
CMM-You recently released a record called Time Machine (Live From The Flat). What was the process for the session like and how did it differ from previous recording projects?
Tom-The original idea was to record three songs from each album with live video, almost like revisiting the past and giving the songs a new take. The rest of the album came together naturally after that.
We recorded everything in my apartment, which is also where we usually practice. I asked a few friends to help out with filming, but I was also in charge of both the audio and video production, so things got a bit chaotic.
In the videos, you can actually see me stepping into what we called the “time machine.” It was just a box I built around my computer, which I used to manage all the recordings. After each performance, I would jump back in to stop and reset everything. It was a very DIY process, but it felt real and meaningful.
CMM-If you could compose a score for any film director, who would it be and what would the film be about?
Tom-People often tell me Tender Glue sounds like it could be in a Wes Anderson film, which is a great compliment. I think the raw, honest tone of the music would also fit well in a more indie style film, something by A24, perhaps. It would be incredible to score a movie that’s intimate, emotional, and a little offbeat.
CMM-What do you have coming up next? Any new recordings or shows?
Tom-I just played my final show at a small wine bar, which felt like a full circle moment since my first show over ten years ago also took place in a wine bar in Brooklyn. I’m currently working on my last three songs, which feels fitting since I started with a small EP back in 2015. After this, I’ll be saying goodbye to Tender Glue. It was a meaningful and fun journey but it’s time to move on.
