Backyard Rockstar - A Rock Band by Proxy
Published
1-1-2026
Type of Work
Creative Work - Music
Advisors and Contributors
Gerry Kennedy (Songwriter/Vocalist) Matt Sibthorpe (Mastering Engineer)
Abstract
Backyard Rockstar is a single release from singer-songwriter Gerry Kennedy’s forthcoming album ‘Our Joint’, with lyrics by Kennedy and music collaboratively developed by Kennedy and Tom Glover. Emerging from an ongoing remote collaboration established during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project reflects contemporary independent production practices shaped by remote workflows, limited budgets, and increasingly hybridised creative roles within music production. The collaborative process evolved from acoustic singer-songwriter arrangements into fuller band-oriented productions. While early works incorporated contributions from remotely located musicians as a response to the shutdown of live performance and studio activity, Backyard Rockstar continued this expanded production aesthetic through a largely solo-performed instrumental approach. Acting simultaneously as producer, recording engineer, mixer, and multi-instrumentalist, Glover performed drums, guitars, bass, percussion, and keyboards to construct arrangements intended to retain the energy and cohesion of a live band performance.
A central creative challenge of the project was recreating the interaction and musical responsiveness typically generated through collaborative ensemble performance while working independently. Without the spontaneity of rehearsal-room experimentation or input from multiple performers, arrangement and performance decisions required a highly deliberate approach to dynamics, phrasing, layering, and instrumental interplay. Recording processes focused on manufacturing performances that felt interconnected and musically conversational despite being tracked by one individual over numerous passes.
Citation
Glover, T. (2026). Backyard Rockstar - A Rock Band by Proxy. [Staff Scholarship, SAE University College] Creo