Nerijus Glezekas

Nerijus Glezekas (born 8 April 1985) is an American singer, musician and songwriter. He is the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of the alternative rock band The Relevant. He is recognized for his musicianship, substantial lyrical work and charismatic stage personality.
Glezekas has recorded two full albums with the band Heart-Set Self Destruct and has produced two solo albums since 2005.
== Early life ==
Nerijus Glezekas was born 8 April 1985 in Kaunas, Lithuania. At the age of 8 he got his first drum set and showed tremendous interest in it. After some guidance from his father Ernestas Glezeckas and numerous private lessons, Glezekas had his first musical performance at the age of 8 (1993) that ended in a standing ovation and first article written in next day's newspaper Kauno Diena. His early drumming performances at the age of 14 were with professional well-known Lithuanian musicians, triple his age were taking place at music club Elfu Selsmas in Kaunas.
== Life in United States ==
At 16 (2001) Glezekas moved to Buffalo Grove, Illinois in the United States of America and immediately started looking for the bands to play with. In 2004 Glezekas recorded his first five original songs at Jerry Soto studio Soto Sound Studio. In 2005 he joined newly formed band Heart-Set Self Destruct which accumulated many local shows and numerous national acts. In 2007 Heart-Set Self Destruct released their first album Victims Like Me at Dan Malsch studio Soundmine Studio, PA. In 2008 the band was signed under Soundmine MusicWorks record label. Same year the band played at Vans Warped Tour '08 and many other Midwest shows. In 2009 second album Bridges to Burn was recorded and released. Soon after, Glezekas decided to part ways with Heart-Set Self Destruct and started writing his own original music. The transition from drummer to a vocalist/guitarist was pretty smooth since he already knew how to play guitar and singing came naturally to him. In 2011 Glezekas recorded his first full album Vacant at Black/White Studios (currently known as Formless Audio recording studio). In 2017 he recorded his second original album Beyond Simplicity. For this album as well as for the first one- all instruments recorded were played by Nerijus Glezekas himself. In 2017 he made his debut as an official singer/songwriter and immediately started a search for other musicians to have a CD release show and to form a long-term band. Same year the band called The Relevant was formed. 
== The Relevant ==
The Relevant is an original alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois.
The band consists of:
Nerijus Glezekas- lead vocals, guitar
Ran Romanelli- guitar, vocals
Matthew Malec- bass, vocals
Gintaras Milius- percussion, keyboard
Aaron Allan- drums, vocals
The band formed in 2017 when Nerijus Glezekas decided to work on this project. Gintaras Milius and Ran Romanelli joined in as a wonderfully unique addition of percussion and lead guitar. Followed by incredibly talented duo- bassist Matthew Malec and drummer Aaron Allan. 
Their music is an infectious alternative rock with every lyric being a story. "You feel their impressive storytelling come to the fore as they sing about life’s struggles, social injustice and love endeavors, with an honest tone that has you closing your eyes and imagining the world in a simpler form. There is much to admire about their atmospheric energy which seems to have you floating into the sky above, to find a better place that is away from any messy drama." 
The Relevant has over 30 songs in their repertoire and a lot of passion to share with the world.
== Lyrics ==
Glezekas' lyrics incorporate deviant indirect messages for psychological, political, and social injustice matter. Great majority of the songs are written during dark months of the year- fall and winter, and bear colossal emotional attachment to each one of them. Glezekas' lyrics are stories based on true historic events ( Exile, On the Other Side, Don't Give Up), undeniable social and environmental issues (The Truth is Gone) and hypothetical affection hardship (Waiting for You). Every lyric is thought through to be felt through by the listener. Also, Glezekas' stage image is a reflection of the story world Glezekas created in his lyrics.
Don't Give Up is a song about Lithuanian partisans and their fight against the Soviets. Nerijus Glezekas' great-grandfather Kazimieras Venckaitis was a secret communicator between Lithuanians. He had played an enormous role in Partisan War against Soviets resulting in disastrous Siberian exile of the whole family. In 1983 K. Venckaitis died without ever seeing a liberated Lithuania. Glezekas had heard this story many times growing up and got inspired to finally sing about it.
Exile is based on a true story about Glezekas' grandmother and her family who have been exiled to Siberia by Soviets after WWII. She has spent nearly 10 years in a hard-labor camp before escaping it. This song reflects a harsh reality of uncertainty, inhumane conditions and longing for home. 
The Truth is Gone is touching a vast majority of social and environmental affairs. From global warming, to endless war, diseases and unsatisfactory human appetite for profit. This song is a search for one-fits-all truth. "Highly passionate track filled with scintillating soundscapes that has you feeling so wildly reflective, as you wonder what has happened to this rather strange world we live in. Made with a tremendously delightful complexion and featuring an uplifting energy, this is a stunning single that will have you thinking much deeper than before."
On the Other Side is about the rise and fall of Berlin Wall- nation divided in half.
== Influences ==
Nerijus Glezekas grew up listening to his father's vinyl collection which mainly consisted of various blues artists, Howlin' Wolf, Taj Mahal and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Blues naturally came into his life. Later on, his musical preference included artists like Tommy Castro and Keb' Mo'. Glezekas doesn't listen to rock music in excess because it intervenes with his style of writing the original music. One band that he always turns to is Dream Theater- it's ballads like Through Her Eyes, Hollow Years and many more do their therapeutic magic and build emotional strength.
== Discography ==
Heart-Set Self Destruct
Victims Like Me (2007)
Bridges to Burn (2009)
Solo
Vacant (2011)
Beyond Simplicity (2017)
Category:American singers
Category:American people
Category:American songwriters