WAIM 192: Doug Gillard

Doug Gillard is a bona-fide guitar hero. His six string contributions to Guided By Voices, Cobra Verde, Gem, Nada Surf, and Death of Samantha have helped to carve out a brilliantly individual sonic space within the rock landscape. But Doug Gillard is far more than just a guitar god. He is also a terrific songwriter, arranger, and singer.

Gillard grew up in northwestern Ohio in a rural farm community sandwiched between Sandusky and Cleveland. An innate musical talent appeared as early as age 5 when Gillard first began writing songs, even sending early reel to reel recordings to his older sister who was living in Germany. As soon as he graduated high school, Doug made his way to Cleveland in search of music, film, and culture.

Almost immediately upon arriving in Cleveland, Gillard began playing in a series of outfits including Death of Samantha before joining Cobra Verde. Bob Pollard of Guided By Voices was so impressed with Cobra Verde that he enlisted them to become his backing band for the GBV album, Mag Earwhig. Pollard and Gillard would go on to have a legendary partnership that would result in a slew of incredible albums billed under the Guided By Voices moniker, as well as a series of terrific releases under the name Lightships and one record billed simply as, Robert Pollard and Doug Gillard.

In addition to his work as a collaborator and bandmember, Gillard has also released a half dozen full length records as a solo artist, including his brand new album, Parallel Stride. During our conversation Doug and I covered his early years in the Cleveland music scene and his experiences working with the mercurial legend that is Bob Pollard. We also hit upon the benefits of limitations in creativity, and discussed the effects of a childhood in the rust belt.

Let’s get into it.

Cheers,

Matty C

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End Credits

Thanks so much to Doug for joining me. You can find out all about his music, find tour dates, and learn more at https://www.douggillard.com/

The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C.

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