Interview by Marisa Whitaker
Glom are a self-described NYC slowcore shoegaze indie rock band and if you even know what that means the secret police will be dropping by to deport you shortly but until that moment y’oughta be awares that local “late to the party” musician/band GLOM have glommed onto a great bill this coming Tuesday at SONY HALL but not really “glommed” it’s just we liked how that sounded featuring four outstanding local rock ‘n’ roll combos all of whom currently popular on the teen beat scene putting on their best togs and taking the stage at the very same venue where the Beatles first played for Queen Elizabeth way back in 1963 and told the assembled royalty to rattle their jewelry rather than applauding…
…and you too can be a part of history not to mention a party to future history unfolding before your eyes just by attending next Tuesday and witnessing the performance and one thing we’ll say is that GLOM will surely be the glommiest band on the bill—only fitting given the band’s chosen nom de glom—as one of grittiest/grungiest/goodest bands out there with just a spritz of glimmer and glitz serving as balm for these troubled time so do yourself a favor and get obsessed with this band to a nearly unhealthy degree but no need for doxxing since you can stalk ’em in person instead on 8/26 and now for the interview…
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Marisa Whitaker (Deli Magazine): What’s your name? Do you go by Glom?
Sean Dunnevant: My name’s Sean.
MW: Nice to meet you, Sean.
SD: Nice to meet you. [adjust bow-tie]
MW: Tell me about the Sony Hall show. What made you want to say yes to the show?
SD: I’ve always wanted to play a show in that area, the Broadway area, so I got excited to see that address and theater. Correct me if I’m wrong, it used to be another theater that had a different name before.
MW: I don’t know. I was here in 2021, and I still think it was called Sony Hall, so it must have been before my time.
SD: Regardless, I think playing around all the lights and stuff is cool to me.
MW: You’re a local musician. There are the standard rock venues like Mercury Lounge, Baby’s All Right, and Bowery Ballroom. What’s important about being in the New York music scene and playing a different venue? What makes playing a new spot unique and fun for both the audience and you?
SD: It’s important to get outside your comfort zone. I feel like in New York, you find your routine, and that can apply to any situation, whether or not you’re in a band. But when you’re in a band, and you get to a certain point in New York, you play the same three venues all the time until you progress to the next level. So it’s fun to have the opportunity to play at a venue in the most trafficked area in New York for once. I think it’s interesting. It changes it up for everyone. Make it more of a destination.
MW: What can you tell me about this bill? What do you think of all these guys? Have you ever played with them before?
SD: Never played with any of them before. And I’m excited to play with them.
MW: What do you know about their music?
SD: I think they all have their own unique sound. I think that’s why a lot of times in New York, specifically with local shows, it’s usually somewhat more mixed as far as styles. And I think that this show is interesting because everyone is rooted in the indie rock thing, but everyone has their own spin on that. With this show, it’s a good mix of vibes.
MW: What is your favorite part about being an artist in the local New York music scene?
SD: It’s the inspiration. With New York City, there are so many things going on, whether it’s music or any sort of art, like fashion or whatever, and being able to be a part of it, and receive inspiration from just pure osmosis of being around the scene. I think that’s a unique New York thing. Every city has a similar scene, but not every single thing all the time, like New York does. I think that’s why the New York music scene is special.
MW: What are some of your favorite bands in town?
SD: I like a band called MX Lonely a lot. We played a show with Caitlin Starr, and she was really good. We also played a show with Starcleaner Reunion once, and that was really cool. Also, Public Circuit.
MW: Besides Caitilin Starr, I haven’t heard of any of those bands. Goes to show how big the scene is.
SD: It’s a slightly different scene from the downtown scene. This is more of a Brooklyn scene.
MW: Would y’all consider yourselves part of that scene?
SD: I don’t know if I consider Glom a member of any of the scenes in New York. Neither here nor there.
MW: I’ve come across so many different pockets of kids in town, and that’s really cool for you to be able to blend with the downtown scene at this upcoming Sony Hall show. What do you think is unique about that? What do you enjoy about there being so many different pockets and learning about so many different bands?
SD: It goes back to the inspiration thing. There are so many other pockets of scenes within New York City, so going to a different one is interesting because you see something that you would never have seen before. In the crust punk, hardcore scene in New York, they’re doing shows in abandoned train yards and stuff like that. That’s something that you wouldn’t really ever see in the Brooklyn or downtown scenes and venues. It’s really interesting to see all of them exist at the same time, and there’s so much to be learned from each of them.
MW: Totally. Are you going to do anything different in your performance at Sony Hall?
SD: Probably not. But you never know. I had this idea, this fantasy idea, to show up on stage with the Kiss makeup on. That might not be this show; that might be a different show.
MW: Give me a heads up before. I would love to be there.
SD: Okay, sounds good. I will. Don’t worry.
MW: What are you most excited about for the Sony Hall show?
SD: I need to look at the map again, but I always look for an excuse to go to a Papaya Dog or a Papaya King. So maybe after this show, that’s what’s gonna happen. I don’t know if they’re still open, but we’ll see.
MW: I guess you really love Times Square, huh?
SD: I actually do like Times Square more than you’d expect. We filmed a music video there last year. It’s got a bad rap, but at the same time, there’s a reason why tourists go there. It’s cool, okay?
MW: Why should people not hate on Times Square? … Or transplants who think they’re too cool?
SD: That’s the better question because I, myself, as a transplant, I’m gonna say that you gotta appreciate all of New York for what it is. You can’t just be like, “I only like lower Manhattan.” That’s not enough for me. You gotta love it all.
MW: Thank you so much for your time. I’m stoked for the show. I can’t wait to be there. I’ll be headbanging front row.
SD: Thanks so much. Bye.