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INFLUENCES
KEN
Whenever I listen to an artist I really appreciate, I always ask myself, "Who inspired them to make music? Who were their influences?" I was late to songwriting and playing guitar though I did love writing lyrics, "Bare Trees" being my first serious song I wrote at 16 about the death of my father. In my high school band, our guitar player Eddie Class would guard his guitar from me, shooing me off whenever I got near it wanting so badly to try out some chords. I learned how to read and play music on saxophone (mainly jazz) until I learned I could sorta sing. My HS band teacher was a large influence - I'll always thank John Linder for his patience and instilling the love of music for life. I taught myself guitar out of books (Heart's "Nada One" was one of the first songs I every played all the way through sitting alone in my bedroom). Toad the Wet Sprocket was probably my biggest songwriting influence not only with lyrics but also song structure. All the bands and artists on my list have found their way into my songs at some degree from the Sunday's jangling shimmery acoustics, to Karen Peris '(Innocence Mission) interwoven and beautiful lyrics to the rawness of Juliana Hatfield cutting songs to Mark Kozleks' (Red House Painters / Sun Kil Moon). As you can tell, I've always gravitated to strong female singers and songwriters. They are the artists that inspired me to continue writing songs. More recently, I'm loving Bon Iver's old and new stuff. Deer Tick is just so gritty and the Gingerly's are so much fun (they remind me of All Girl Summer Fun Band!) Phoebe Bridgers is my newest infatuation both with BOCC and her solo stuff. Her lyrics are so mature for a 20 something artist. The Wood Brothers and Old 97's remind me what I always tried to aspire to but never quite attained, and the kings of gypsy jazz, Les Doigts de l'homme - I sit in awe wondering how the hell they arrange and perform such masterful works.
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Last 10 artists added to Spotify:
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The Clash - Train in Vain
We are Between - Modest Mouse
3rd Planet - Modest Mouse
Spiked Flower - Swervedriver
The Curse of Being a Girl - Kashmir
Future Me Hates Me - The Beths
Pathways - Ezra Glatt
The Best I Ever Had - The Swellers
1985 - Bowling for Soup
Dusty - Soundgarden
SCOTT
My musical journey began very early in my life. Right about the time I was learning school band instruments I discovered Rush with songs like "Spirit of the Radio" and "Tom Sawyer". I was hooked! Down went the alto saxophone and into my lap went the electric bass. I pursued bass throughout my scholastic years; finally ending up in LA where I attended the Bass Institute of Technology. Meanwhile a whole slew of shreddy guitarists emerged onto the scene, along the likes of Eddie Van Halen with "I'm the One". I became addicted to practicing! Until....
Later in life I started gigging in clubs and bars, and I realized the power of a great song. I saw Elton John make Dodger Stadium cry singing "Your Song". The Beatles , with songs like "Day in the Life" became my teachers. Even though I learned their notes years ago, I was now learning their songwriting techniques. The 90's came and songwriting bands were plentiful. Jellyfish was a huge influence on me, and still is, with songs like "Joining a Fan Club", and their Beatles meets Queen style of production. Toad the Wet Sprocket was a mellower option, and I imagined sitting around a campfire and singing "Woodburning".
Frustrated with the LA music scene, I decided to move back to New Jersey, where I quickly landed work teaching music and gigging around with bands. My wife got me hooked onto the Indigo Girls with "Galilleo" and their influence remains today. I also was turned onto three bands...Phish...wow!... jamming around those amazing songs like "Stash"...inspring! Ben Folds Five came onto the scene and absolutely blew me away. "One Angry Dwarf" became my soundcheck piano noodle riff. Later on a friend, knowing I was into Jellyfish and the Beatles, asked me if I had heard of Elliot Smith. I listened, and listened and listened. Every song was one that made me think, "Gee, I wish I wrote that!". "Son of Sam" made me sit at the piano and go, "Ok, now what ARE those chords he's using?"
Listening to my music here, you will find traces of these influences, and so many more collected along the way. I hope my music can influence you to pick up an instrument too. Having music in your heart is a blessing.
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