November 6th, 2007
Musical Rooms Part 1: King Creosote
“I have no singular space in which I create music. I’m very much in the “lyrics first” class of the song-writing school. I write a fair amount of lyrics, but only when they leap into my head. This might happen on the train, last thing at night, cycling… Sitting down to put music to the words is trickier in that I would probably do this at home, after all my other jobs are done, and quietly too as I’ would have already put my daughter Beth to bed. But first I’d put the kettle on and have another go at Jet Force Gemini on the N64.
The most important stuff for me to have depends on the space I’m working in at any given time. So for the scribbling down of ideas on a train, I’d need a booked Great North Eastern Railway seat at a table. At home, a paper, pen and a low wattage lamp on my bedside table, if I’m cycling it’d be a long downhill section with the wind at my back… and a backlog of regrets. For stringing chords together? A guitar or piano.
I might be in these spaces often - I’m always travelling it seems, and as for cycling I do this only in spring and autumn, but the ideas choose their moments. I’m not home a lot just now, and very busy when I am, so I’m afraid my song count for 2006 into 2007 is low. In order to spend some decent time at writing I’d have to book me a holiday, then just stay home away from phones and emails, and dig out all those notebooks and scraps of paper.
In creative terms, it’s essential for me to work alone. And well, if inspiration comes wherever it comes, there’s a different backdrop to every lyric. The music writing part is done in my home, or certainly houses I’m familiar enough with to be left alone in, so I have my creature comforts and timely distractions. The main thing is it never gets to feel like a proper job.”
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King Creosote is prolific Scottish musician Kenny Anderson who has released 24 albums to date. He is currently supporting Squeeze on tour and his new album, Bombshell, is out on 679 Recordings. More info and MP3s at http://www.myspace.com/kingcreosote. His Dublin date at Tripod tomorrow is postponed, but will be rescheduled.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Brilliant idea Sinead.
Every time I pass the door of my own office/study/space I shudder at its unsuitability for inspiration.
Dark and cluttered, with an over-abundance of cables for computer, printer and internet (I’m still, as a sticks-dweller, living in the anachronism of dial-up), and a mantelpiece sagging under the weight of books, it really is quite depressing.
So thanks for enlightening us.
Shane
November 6th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Is that yer man from the Beta Band…..very odd chap that……
November 6th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Shane, thanks so much. It’s the kind of series I’m usually nosey about and like to read, so I figured someone else might feel that way too.
Manuel, it’s his brother that was in The Beta Band as far as I know.
November 6th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Hi Sinead - Glad to see you’re back blogging … the wrist back in action, then? Cheers, Dec
November 8th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Cheers Declan, am slowly getting there. It’s a bit less sore every day.
May 29th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
[…] up, it’s King Creosote. After that, pieces will appear fairly regularly and there’s some interesting folk lined […]