121normal

121normal is the ongoing studio project of Michigan based multi-instrumentalist Glenn Poorman. Glenn's instruments include the Chapman Stick, electric and acoustic guitars, basses, piano, and all manner of synthesizers both hardware and software based. The material ranges from ambient to rock, progressive, and cinematic with the occasional guest vocalist. The project itself is named from the location of Glenn's first home studio.

While working with Conditioned Response in the early 80s as the groups lead guitarist and writer, Glenn began building up his cassette based home studio. He used the studio to branch out and write/record music without the constraints of what could be performed by a live band. Glenn's influences were an eclectic mix ranging from the Chameleons and U2 to Jean Luc Ponty, Pat Metheny, Vangelis, and Tangerine Dream. Back then, he was as likely to find inspiration in a film score as he was from a song on the radio. During the mid to late 80s, Glenn recorded several cassettes that were circulated among friends and saw some radio play on local underground programs.

During the 90s, Glenn rebuilt the 121normal studio going fully digital beginning with a Roland VS workstation and eventually settling on a computer based setup running Logic Pro. The first project semi-released was a demo CD of solos performed using the Chapman Stick and live loops. Then in 2007, Glenn completed the project's first official CD release self-titled 121normal.

Glenn releassed his newest album Cinematheque in 2021.

Glenn Poorman

Glenn started playing the piano as soon as he was tall enough to reach the keys on the upright in his parent's basement. In 1971 he began his formal music studies playing the saxophone in the local school music program. In the summers of 77, 78, and 79, Glenn continued his studies at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in northern Michigan studying both classical and jazz.

Glenn attended Eastern Michigan University beginning in 1980 as a saxophone major where he also took on study of piano, violin, and guitar. Soon the guitar replaced the saxophone as Glenn's primary instrument and he started to play in some local bands and also began working in the first of his home studios where he discovered his love for the spacey sounds he could achieve through the use of audio effects and synthesizers. From 1982 to 1984, Glenn performed with Conditioned Response as the group's lead guitarist and the main contributor of the group's original music.

In 1992, Glenn joined local band Coup Detroit doubling on rhythm guitar and keyboards. After personnel changes resulted in Glenn moving over to bass, he picked up his first Chapman Stick in 1999 and soon found himself performing on the Stick both with Coup Detroit and as a solo artist. In 2000, Glenn began co-hosting the annual Michigan Stick Seminar in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 2009, the seminar moved north to the Interlochen Center for the Arts and became part of their College of Creative Arts curriculum with Glenn acting as artistic director.

As a Stick player, Glenn has been fortunate enough to study with some of the bext Stick players in the world including Greg Howard, Bob Culbertson, Jim Lampi, Steve Adelson, Tom Griesgraber, and the instrument's creator Emmett Chapman. As a guitarist, he has also had the good fortune to attend workshops with some world class fingerstyle guitar players including Lawrence Juber, Billy McLaughlin, Muriel Anderson, Thom Bresh, and Don Ross.