The arts are the creative thread that connect Aaron David Gleason’s family. Having a mother who is an award-winning actress, a father who is a noted acting teacher, and a grandfather who hosted a beloved game show, Gleason was destined to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. And he loves it!
“I never thought of any other approach to the world than being an artist. Musician is a subset of that,” said Gleason, 46, singer-songwriter and founder of the indie-rock band Pleasantville along with singer-songwriter Emma Freeman who he met years ago while performing in The Fantasticks at Westchester’s ARC Stages.
The duo recently released its new full-length album, “These Embers”. “ARC Stages is a magical place. Stephanie and Adam Cohen work their fingers to the bone to make that place an ‘Arc’ where people can find community, love, safety, and art,” he said. Gleason’s wife, Stacey Bone Gleason, wears many hats there, serving as Arts Manager, director, and teaching artist.
For Gleason, reconnecting with Emma was the perfect collaborator to provide backup vocals. “What I would get back from her blew my mind. It became clear that this music was about my life now, and the people and community in it: hence, the band’s name, Pleasantville,” he said. The band recently performed at the Pleasantville Music Festival, along with Falafel Taco, Lucy’s, and ARC Stages. Videos for their album were filmed in and around Westchester, including Westchester Table Tennis Club, the local football field, Second Mouse Cheese Shop, ARC Stages, and more.
Gleason describes his music as focusing on original melodies and disarmingly honest lyrics that reflect his challenging life experiences. “I created Pleasantville and music out of the hardest time in my life. Hurricane Ida destroyed my house and mental health. I never thought I’d make music again,” he admitted. For Gleason, music is more reality than reality and the music that poured out was, “like finding water in the desert.”
Despite “These Embers” being his fifth album, he sees himself continually evolving and always keeping his music fresh and innovative. “I never rest on my laurels. Emma is a brilliant collaborator because she’s so pure and unbothered by distraction. She’s all about the art,” said Gleason, pointing to “Time Bandit” as the CD’s most unique song and first one he wrote for Emma to sing. “It’s about my relationship with my dad. All the love, frustration, wants for him, understanding of him. It’s raw and to the point. It’s also a complete story that ends with hope and humanity.”
Gleason’s family played a large role in propelling him toward his destination. He’s the son of Joanna Gleason, singer, director, and Tony-award-winning actress for Into the Woods, and Paul Gleason, Los Angeles acting coach. His grandfather is Monty Hall, host and producer of Let’s Make a Deal. “I grew up in Hollywood, California, an 80s kid when it was a bit more hippie and less expensive. It was the remnants of the 60s, now playing out with those retired performers now being teachers. I was lucky that they taught me,” said Gleason of Mildred Chase, his piano teacher and Renate Druks who taught him art composition. “Both are fairly well-regarded artists and they’re as real and vital as any members of the community.”
Surrounded by celebrities, Gleason maintains a fun-loving, oftentimes humorous personality with a professional drive to perform. “I don’t feel I’ve accomplished anything. I always think I’m one song away from accomplishing something. I had 25 years of hard lessons,” said Gleason who attended Emerson College and USC Film School, then pursued music full-time. In the 2000s he sang lead vocals in the band The Midnight Radio then performed under Aaron David Gleason.
Gleason credits his mother for being his steady support system, the family’s pillar of strength, and for shaping him into the artist he is today. “She’s one of my best friends, mentors, confidantes. When I arrived in New York 16 years ago, I was in a bad place. My work as a performer was erratic and that briefly hurt my reputation. She gave me some hard pep talks, but helped me with love and kindness,” he shared. “My mom turned me from a high ceiling but erratic performer, to a hard-working artisan who cares more about the greater project than himself.”
In 2021, mother-son worked together on “Hell or High Water”, an original autobiographical solo show at 54 Below in Manhattan that Joanna directed. Gleason also credits her for his life in Westchester with his wife and son. “She ran all over with us looking at houses while we were nine months pregnant! She’s the matriarch and we owe her our family’s sense of community, closeness, and family.”
Gleason’s father was also influential. “My dad is an artist, to his bones. He gave me the greatest gift – artistic rigor. He looks at colors and asks: What would that blue taste like? What would it sound like? I’m a student of observation, and my dad is the best observer of all,” said Gleason, also commending Monty Hall as more than a grandfather. “He practically raised me. Advice? Mostly to take leaps of faith and ‘go for it.’ He loved being proactive, whether that was in charitable situations, performance, life. His life was built around community. As far as business, he thought of entertainment as a fraught business. But he loved my music. And mostly he loved and encouraged my writing.”
Outside of music, Gleason enjoys life in Pleasantville, calling it THE spot in Westchester. “I love the local restaurants and businesses,” said Gleason who is also a trainer at Lifetime Fitness in Chappaqua. “I enjoy helping people be more hopeful and empowered about their health.”
Looking toward the holidays, Gleason basks in the jubilant season. “I plan to take a break from writing every day and dedicating my life to eating cookies and doing yoga in the snow,” he laughed. But music remains top of mind. “I always love seeing my wife sing Christmas songs at the Tappan Reformed Church.”
For Gleason life is good. “I couldn’t be happier,” he said, “I just moved my father to The Club in Briarcliff and now the Gleasons are all on the east coast, something I never thought would happen and I’m incredibly blessed.”
