it sounds like me!
on taste, and finding a sound
Today we finished work on a tiny song which is now a whole song! It’s being given a final mix as we speak, by my pal James. If some of you remember, I was working on this one, about new years eve:
I can’t wait for you to hear the finished version. I was thinking about it today and it really feels like more of a piece of me is coming out in this song. Maybe some of it has to do with leaning more into rock? I remember when I did my tiny song project, the first song where I went “wow what did I just do” was this one:
And one of my favourite podcasters, Andy Pizza, commented on it saying that it felt like a real piece of me came out in that song. It felt like such a compliment and a boost to hear that.
I think any artist in any medium can tell you that it’s hard trying to find their style. Especially since style is an ever-changing thing. But when you feel like you don’t know what your real essence is — that thing which sits at the heart of everything you make — it can make you feel like you’re not really making anything of value.
When I was in 3rd year at university I joined the student radio society and made friends with a bunch of people who introduced me to most of my favourite bands and artists today. I discovered Mountain Goats, The Magnetic Fields, Guided By Voices, The New Pornographers. I heard Pavement for the first time, as well as the unavoidable Holland 1945 by Neutral Milk Hotel (which I have good memories of dancing to in my living room on my 20th birthday party).
I loved the simple, earwormish songs of The Magnetic Fields. The rawness of Mountain Goats. ‘Game of Pricks’ was such a short sing-a-long that had the fuzz and drive of something which seemed darker and hopeful at the same time.
As well as the music, I felt like I was making friends with people who liked and understood the stuff that I would like, as well. There’s nothing better than making friends with people who share your taste, and can help you expand it. We would just have the same references, and when I was introduced to new stuff, it felt like it was the kind of stuff that I was meant to know.
I love a lot of different artists and genres, and I’ve tried to write in many different genres. One day I might show you some of those attempts! I went through a Grimes phase, a Bjork phase, a Peter Gabriel phase, a country phase, a “Capital Radio” phase, a folksy phase, etc, etc…
When I listen to the final mix of this new song (James just sent it through as I was writing!) I get a little feeling of making sense, and like it might fit in a playlist of the songs I got introduced to at university. And it feels like me.
a bandcamp friday announcement
Bandcamp Fridays are supposed to be empowering for artists but why do they feel like it’s Grovel Fridays instead? (“pleaaaaase, pleaaaaaaaseee buy my music 🥺”) Anyway, today you can buy anything from my Bandcamp catalogue and all the money goes to me! For example, normally when someone buys something for £5 on Bandcamp, I get £3.80. This time I will get the whole five pounds! And you know what I’m gonna do with that money? MAKE MORE MUSIC FOR YOU AND FOR ME.
Go give yourself (and me) a little treat of more music.
things i liked
✶ There is a website where they are currently ranking all the apples. Apple Rankings is a very detailed and interesting website which will make you want to go to the grocery store.
✶ This translation book of English phrases, written by a Portuguese man who translated phrases to French, and then to English, is full of special things. You can read the whole thing here, but here are some of my favourite phrases from it:
Here is a horse who have a bad looks.
Gentilman, will you have some beans?
A bad arrangement is better than a process.
✶ I’m going through a Guided By Voices phase right now so please expect a lot of GBV links in the future:
✶ This is…. so good:
That is all for this week! As I’m writing this it’s 11:21pm and I am more than ready for bed. So if this email reads as if it hasn’t been proofed, that’s because it has. I am LOGGING OFF. I hope you have had a good week, be good, do things, et cetera…
And finally you may “like” this post by clicking the ❤️ and claiming your coveted prize!
Olivia 🎸