Fingerstyle, electro-acoustic compositions inspired by coast and waves. Recorded with Godin, Gibson, Fender, and Taylor guitars. Songwriting inspired by Shakespeare, Joao Gilberto, and Hunter/Garcia. Published in 2025.
A lifetime of surfing and diving, Zen, and the cosmos all influence these ocean and water-themed songs. Modal and lyrical melodies blend the artist's clear baritone with narrative songwriting that soars from Earth to worlds beyond. Published in 2026.
Yggdrasil: the Norse mythologic tree that contains all nine worlds. The inspiration for musical tales of oak and redwood, gods and demons, and love and light. Percussion blends with electro-acoustic elements in a potpourri of styles. Published in 2026.
Eagle, O Eagle: An upcoming studio release featuring songs of flight and freedom. Guitar work and sound production combine with percussion and lyrics. Final mastering in the fall of 2026.
Grain of Sand, from the album, Eagle, O Eagle:
Light, from Yggdrasil:
After the Rain, from Surfing Earth:
Stop the Sound, from Certain Stars:
Eagle, O Eagle, title track:
Yggdrasil, title track:
All music, lyrics, and sound recordings: ©Glenn Vanstrum
ASCAP/Woodgem Music.
A pianist since age five and guitarist since age ten, I've been lucky to lead an interesting life, with stints in medicine, nature photography, classical piano performance, and writing.
Songwriting and guitar playing have been a continuing thread for me and now take center stage. I have published three albums and am polishing a fourth, to be released in January of 2027. My public performances occur regularly in San Diego at public and private venues, libraries, churches, and open mics.
Blending melody, harmony, vocal, and instrumental performance creates emotional and sensory textures that go beyond mere words and notes. There is enchantment in prosody!
Certain Stars, a first release of eight songs, uses pared-down, acoustic, fingerstyle guitar to create an intimate atmosphere.
Surfing Earth, a second album, ventures into broader realms, both celestial and emotional. Electro-acoustic energy and vocals still power the work.
Yggdrasil, the third collection, contains an expanded sonic vocabulary, venturing from folk into rock, blues, and jazz idioms. Forest and woodland themes predominate.
Eagle, O Eagle, a fourth album, continues to combine and synthesize many worlds: folk, jazz, bossa nova, rock, blues, and more.
Lyrics, though, lie at the heart of my songs. Veneration of nature and democracy, the nuances of love, and stolen bits of Shakespeare, William Blake, and Coleridge permeate every piece. Combining words with music to create magic is my addiction, love, and goal.
Glenn Vanstrum
Recorded albums all stream on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, TikTok, and other sites. Interested listeners should visit glennvanstrum.substack.com for more recordings and for essays on a variety of topics.