AeschTunes

Here’s an article I wrote a couple of years ago.  I interviewed seven songwriters from the underground synthpop/electronic scene, to find out about their thoughts on their songwriting, as well as try to gain some insight into their songwriting processes.  I did try to submit this to a couple of internet sites, but no go.  So I will self-publish it here.    Hope you enjoy. 

THEY WRITE THE SONGS
by Lesley Aeschliman

When you listen to music, do you wonder about the songwriter behind it and how the song came to be?  Here, seven electronic and pop songwriters share their thoughts on their craft.

Most of the songwriters had the muse hit them around the age of 15.  Dave Montana from Storybox, however, recalls he began writing before then: “I can’t remember what age exactly, but it was way before my teens.  I recall making up melodies in my head all the time.  At that age where everyone has an imaginary friend, I had an imaginary band.  I used to fantasize about writing songs with my imaginary band.” And Joe Ramey from Eight O’Clock Vendetta began playing in cover bands as a teen, but didn’t begin writing his own music until his early twenties: “I didn’t actually start writing my own music until I was like 21.  The band I was in at the time, Stranger, also did originals, and the keyboardist, Lloyd Cooper and I hit it off and he encouraged me to write and we wrote together for awhile before I moved on to write by myself.”

Many thoughts and ideas inspire these songwriters; however, one of the recurring themes is love and relationships.  Other influences include the news, internet media, and nightmares.  Kirk Hilbelink from The Dignity of Labour says: “Most of my songs have been inspired by a personal event, or something that affected me deeply.  But I try to write the lyrics in a way that they can be applied to more than one scenario, as to not be too specific that only a scattered few can identify with it.”

The best thing about writing music, according to these songwriters, is being able to create something and share it with others.  Ron Hetrick from Scar Chemik states: “I think it is truly awesome that, just like conceiving a child, there was nothing and now there is something.  Creating music is simply an awe-inspiring act.”  And Joe says he likes the fact he can record songs for posterity: “I record a snippet (song) of myself at that time, and then it’s there to view whenever… going back to hear the old songs can sometimes make you cringe, but I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Most of the songwriters said they come up with the music first, then write the lyrics; Monty Singleton from Dimension Zero and David Vesel are the exceptions.  Monty says, “I keep a notepad with me at all times to write down song titles, lyrics, or just general concepts.  After that, I usually lay down beats and riffs in the studio.  Then, I pick the favorite phrases from my notepad that share a theme and turn these lyrics into vocal melodies over the music.”  And David explains, “I always write the lyrics first.  Then I let them bounce around in my head and melodies form more or less spontaneously and organically.  Once it has developed in my head to the point where I know what it should sound like, then I begin arranging the music for it.”  When it comes to writing music, Joe says, “Usually the music first, and with no theme in mind most of the time.  Just seeing what fits… and then naming it something off the top of my head before saving it and moving on until some other future time that I revisit the song, if I ever do at all.”  And Aaron Nagler from Someone’s Story states, “Melodies almost always strike me at the most inopportune time… but the best ones stick with you no matter what. Usually I’ll just keep singing gibberish to the melody until I come up with some lyrics, and then I’m off.”

Most of the songwriters said they don’t have a particular audience in mind when they write.  Monty, however, explains that he knows who his audience won’t be: “If I can get Ashlee Simpson fans to be completely repulsed by my music I know I’m going in the right direction.”

The songwriters cited several other songwriters they felt have influenced their music.  The list includes John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Martin Gore, Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, Mike Patton, Billy Joel, Vince Clarke, Neil Finn, Neil Tennant, Phil Collins, Sting, and Howard Jones.

Is there a particular song the songwriters wish they had written?  Dave answers, “If I have to choose just one which is almost impossible I’d have to go with “Yesterday” (McCartney) just because it is the most covered song in the history of popular song.”  Aaron adds, “Financially, “Jingle Bells.”  From an artistic standpoint, “You’re Not the Girl You Think You Are” by Neil Finn.”  Ron says: “The songs that have truly humbled me are Depeche Mode’s “Everything Counts” due to its many parts, a-ha’s “Hunting High and Low” due to its amazing emotion and Pet Shop Boys’ “King’s Cross”.”

Some of the songwriters shared a final thought about songwriting.  Dave talked about being a gay artist: “I have been asked before why if I am an “out” gay artist, my songs are not about gay stuff.  The answer is I prefer to write in universal terms.”  Aaron stated, “I’m crazy for a well written, classic pop song.  Trends and genres will come and go, but a classic, well written song will last forever.”  Joe adds, “I just hope my music can be something that others will listen to when they’re sad, alone, or happy and want to remember those times even if they’re bad.”  And Ron concluded with, “I am always amazed at how personal some people are about their song-writing.  Refusing to interpret their lyrics, talk about their creative processes and such.  Why?”