Was downloading a bunch of old tunes this morning and got to thinking about my influences...
When learning to play guitar, my repertoire consisted of whatever I could cull from my monthly Guitar World, a subscription I got from my Mom every year for Christmas. I learned classics like Stairway and Sweet Home, The Joker and Carry on Wayward Son, and mid-nineties rock like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. My high-school band also shared a rehearsal space with some older guys who played a lot of R.E.M. and U2, so I learned some of that material as well. I also used to jam with a drummer that let me dub a bunch of his alternative rock like The Connells, Live's
Mental Jewelry, Fishbone, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Collectively, this all drove my early songwriting: anthemic song structure, intricate guitar parts, and a bit of lyrical angst.
In college, Nick introduced me to the folkier side of classic rock in the form of Richie Havens, John Martyn, and CSN&Y. Richie Havens, in particular, influenced my live acoustic playing -- The Waystation covered many of the songs Richie covered, using the same ringing, rhythmic style. I also spent a lot of time playing along with The Allman Brothers Band trying to solo like Dickey Betts. And, I couldn't help but be influenced by collegiate staples like The Grateful Dead and Phish.
Although I bought Wilco's
A.M. in college, I didn't think much of the band until I heard
Being There, which remains a huge influence. I suddenly heard a style that wasn't alternative, wasn't made-for-jamming, and wasn't metal. I heard folk & classic rock influences, but it still sounded fresh. And, it opened me up to incorporating country music, something I had dabbled with, more confidently into my own sound.
Lyrically, my biggest influence is John Mayer. I discovered his music on MP3.com, before he released his self-produced debut,
Inside Wants Out. I remember seeing him in Chicago, with literally 5 or 6 other people that knew his music, and introduced myself. My best lyrics share something with his style; blending syncopation, observation & detail, and a self-effacing quality. And looking back, I think all my best songs connect with people for the same reason John Mayer's songs connect with people, they are true to self.
In terms of production, I cite Guster's
Lost and Gone Forever, which was produced by Steve Lillywhite. This album took Guster's unique format (two acoustic guitars and a percussionist) to its pinnacle. After the album, Guster started incorporating a standard drum kit and writing more straightforward (but enjoyable) alterna-pop. Since The Waystation employs a similar lineup to
Lost and Gone Forever when playing with Alexander Rea, that album remains a standing reference for me.
In the last few years, both The Killers and Cake have influenced my production style. The Killers
Hot Fuss is probably the loudest and most compressed record I've heard, and Cake's records are just incredibly dry. A compressed, dry, right-in-your-ear sound is what I have pushed for on the last few records.
Boiling it all down, the five albums most influential albums to me are:
- Wilco, Being There
- John Mayer, Inside Wants Out
- Guster, Lost and Gone Forever
- Richie Havens, Live at the Cellar Door
- CSN, Crosby, Stills & Nash
Nick? Bob?
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