MonoStone

I'm not sure whether there's a similar thread here... but I thought it might be good for us all to share any interesting videos we've found, where songwriters and producers give insights which don't only tell us about themselves, but might also be helpful and inspirational. And since we all have different tastes, we might get to see things we wouldn't otherwise find. There are so many I'd like to share... but to begin with I just found this one which is short but great to get some insight into how one of the great songwriters and producers works.

Special AKA - Free Nelson Mandela

I used to have to like that one in secret...it definitely wasn't cool to like that in Manchester in 89... but I thought it was great. Less so now.

Unfinished Sympathy - Massive Attack

Can't figure that one out...

It's not an easy question. It's hard to know who's influenced me. I know I'm drawn to atmosphere, and I think that comes through. That is probably influenced by some John Martyn stuff, I like that melancholy atmosphere. But I tend to cherry pick songs I like too...I mean I don't get into an artist and like everything by them... I like songs more than artists... and there are probably songs I aspire to, so maybe I'm influenced in that way. And I think the music that I didn't even buy as a kid, but that filled the radio and TOTP in the 80s probably all got into my head whether I want it or not, so it all influences me and likely especially the sound (which I really try to get away from). Outside of atmosphere/mood I suppose I wish I could write SONGS as good as those on Hunky Dory.... but I really have no desire to sound LIKE that, because that would be trying to be somebody else. I worked in a record shop in my teens, in the early 90s.... and listened to pretty much everything in the shop... I was stuck in the basement, during the week days it was dead so I'd go through all the records...play a track or two off each, put another record on... and then other staff would do the same... it was a big old Virgin shop and we had everything from really old obscure stuff to the chart stuff, so my head got filled with all sorts all day every day. And if I hear a new song I really love now, something about it will likely inspire or influence me... not to sound like it but to maybe try to get a similar feel....and I always miss what I'm shooting for, I don't think I've ever managed to sound like any music that's influenced me...but maybe that's a good thing. And I used to be in a band, and I think the way each member of the band played their parts has influenced me...because it's how I learned, or how we all learned together...and we rehearsed and gigged constantly for years so those people are bound to be some influence. As I say, I cherry pick elements too... I'll listen to a song and think 'I love the way they do that BIT', especially if theres a part that gives me a chill (like the WAY it's sung or the way a sound is used, rather than the notes/words) and not care much for the rest... so bits of songs (or maybe arrangement/production) sticks in my head and makes me want to do a complete song influenced by that little bit...to kind of make it the way I would have preferred it without the bits I didn't like, and muddled with other style influences which are subconscious or deep rooted...if that makes sense. And that's probably the way I'm most influenced and the way it comes out... Tough question...for me.... I gather my stuff comes out sounding a bit Floydy which I don't understand, based on comments I don't usually agree with (not that I mind such comments) ... and a bit 90s maybe, which I do understand, because that's when I was in a band, but do my best to avoid (because I don't want to be stuck back there). Rambled a bit there... couldn't think how to answer briefly.... but wanted to take part anyway

Hi Cole, Nice *chilled tune! Very nice mood to it. Dek *excuse the crap pun

Bungle In The Jungle - Jethro Tull

Ah well....we're all different... Sledge ---- Snow

A good opportunity to post my absolute favourite song of the past 3 or 4 years ... if you don't know it, try it - Porcelain / Snowbird

Yep

In some ways maybe one hit wonders are the best kind of song... Anyone in the UK in the 80s will always remember this one. I love it still. Swords Of A Thousand Men / Tenpole Tudor

Winner...

Am I supposed to give clues yet?

Nope

There is one...

Any opportunity to post the amazing - Solid Air / John Martyn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg_Utj4Aljc

This plays in my head every time I see Brandi from Ozric Tentacles (which really spoils their music) or Dr Emily Grossman (which kind of improves Duck Quacks Don't Echo) - Dreamweaver - Gary Wright

Nah just kidding... let's break the rules (and the universe)

Mine was listed first... UNLUCKY!! It could break the universe having two responses to the same title! You've really gone n done it now!

Oi!! I got there first!!

Song To The Siren - Tim Buckley

New Order did a song called Blue Monday Oh there have been several posts since the one I was responding to... this thread acts weird like that for me... Ignore my post then...

Looks like fun Richard! but I already have a good controller keyboard with pads etc... I'm just thinking about a real bass, even though I can play bass fine on my keyboard... I just fancy trying a real one. Yep, I imagine it to be fun... and I imagine I might come up with bass lines that I wouldn't on the keyboard/daw... if the bass is playable! And if I'm not too crap! I'll look at reviews

Nothing for myself but considering asking my wife to get me a budget bass guitar since i don't have a bass. But maybe budget is a waste of money... Maybe sticking to daw bass is better... Anyone tried gear4music own brand? Anything else would be too expensive to ask for...