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Here are some of the artists who have inspired me........
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Magnolia Electric Co. Jason Molina (formally of Songs:Ohia) and his band have released two ground-breaking albums. Their self titled release "Magnolia Electric Co." (2003) and their most recent "What Comes After The Blues" (2005) feature some of my most inspiring tracks. "Leave The City" is one of my favourites from "What Comes After The Blues" and their Alt-Coutry sound is one that I admire.
Songs:Ohia Jason Molina's first band have released a vast collection of albums. Molina's lyrics are purely genius and I have been inspired by his use of imagery in order to take my songwriting skills to another level. This band are always worth a listen and I think my favourite album is their live album"Mi Sei Apparso Come Un Fantasma" (2001 - Left). I met Jason Molina in 2005 and was able to congratulate him on his fine work, he loved it (I think!!) |
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Ryan Adams What a guy! Not only was he in one of the most heartwarming alt-country bands of the 90's with Whiskeytown, he is totally in control of the whole alt-country scene at the moment. After covering the version of Oasis' "Wonderwall" on his "Love Is Hell" double album he's dueted with Elton John, Billie Joe (Greenday) and Emmylou Harris, the best harmony vocalist in the history of pop music. My favourite song is "Oh My Sweet Carolina" from his debut album "Heartbreaker" (left). This album changed the perception and style of my music. I cannot thank Ryan enough for guiding me down the path of enlightenment. This album and his many albums to come will always have a place in my heart (apart from "Rock And Roll", although "So Alive" is ok). So if you don't own any Ryan Adams then go and buy "Heartbreaker" right now! Enough Said! |
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Ida Ida embrace a broad template of musical ideas- from acoustic chamber pop, old time folk, and free improvisation to minimalist drones and shimmering harmonies. Their album "I know About You" made me shiver when I first heared the mind-blowing harmonies. Without realising it I have found that many of my newer songs have a certain Ida touch to them. |
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Karate In Karate's decade of performing and recording they have refined their sound to a streamlined rock hybrid that is hard to pin down, and they have slowly but surely forged a unique sonic identity that is all their own. Last year Karate celebrated their 10-year anniversary, and their new recording "pockets" follows 6 previous full-lengths, an EP and a number of singles, and over 600 shows in 20 different countries. Karate are officially my favourite band of all time. Geoff Farina (Vocalist/Guitarist) and "Karate" have inspired me in so many ways. I have realised that bands can escape the commercial market and still become some of the most appreciated musicians in the scene. I bought a beer for Geoff in Berlin in 2004 he was such a great guy and we talked for about an hour, and when he left the venue he waved goodbye to me...What a legend!! Karate disbanded after 12 wonderful years of making music together. They played their last show in Rome on July 10th, 2005. They will be missed but their music will always continue to impress and inspire for years to come. |
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Spinal Tap Spinal Tap are an awesome band and have inspired me with some of their classics "Big Bottom", "Sex Farm" and the magical "Stonehenge". A world without Spinal Tap would be like a world without a spine. Rock'n'roll Creation (a.k.a The Gospel According to Spinal Tap) is Tap's 12th Bootleg Album and at the time of it's release was reviewed as: "A pretentious, ponderous collection of religious rock psalms which inspires the question: on which day did God create Spinal Tap and couldn't He have rested on that day too?" If you haven't seen or heard of the legends that are Spinal Tap then do so by purchasing their film "This Is Spinal Tap" from your local music outlet. "Have...a good...time...all the time." That's my philosophy. |
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R.E.M Without a hint of hairy, macho, breast- beating or leather trousered, theatrical pomp, REM rose through the 1980s to become a major stadium rock act while sounding nothing like one. They were the standard bearers for alternative US rock and with the exception of U2, were the most popular rock band of the '80s and early nineties with fans and critics alike. REM marked the point where underground rock became palatable to truck drivers, farmers and the ordinary working man. I am a huge fan of R.E.M and all their work. One of the longest running rock bands with albums that span two decades, I have to say that R.E.M have been my main source of inspiration. Michael Stipe is an incredible songwriter and the band are a delight to watch live. My favourite song is "Country Feedback", I think because it was one that I would play with my brother from time to time. He introduced me to many of the bands that I love today. I remember the first song that caught my attention was "Bang and Blame" and I have followed their career ever since. New Adventures In Hi-Fi saw the departure of Bill Berry (drummer) and almost went unrecognised!! But in my opinion it is one of their most accomplished works, with songs like "E-Bow The Letter", "Leave" and "How The West Was Won And Where It Got Us" this album is a delight to listen to from start to finish and I feel it finally uncovered the raw passion and soul from within the band. |
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Nick Drake A singular talent who passed almost unnoticed during his brief lifetime, Nick Drake produced several albums of chilling, somber beauty. With hindsight, these have come to be recognized as peak achievements of both the British folk-rock scene and the entire rock singer/songwriter genre (VH-1). Drake's debut, Five Leaves Left (1969), was the first in a series of three equally impressive, and quite disparate, albums followed by Bryter Later (1970) which was perhaps his most upbeat effort, featuring support from members of Fairport Convention, and traces of jazz in the arrangements. Neither album sold well, and Drake plunged into serious depression that often found him unable to make music, work, or even walk and talk. He managed to produce one final full-length work, Pink Moon (1972), a desolate solo acoustic album that ranks as one of the most naked and bleak statements in all of rock. He did record a few more songs before his death, but no more albums were completed, although the final sessions (along with some other fine unreleased material) surfaced on the posthumous compilation Time of No Reply. On November 26, 1974, he died in his parents' home from an overdose of antidepressant medication; suicide has been speculated, although some of his family and friends dispute this. (Taken from the VH-1 website). Nick Drake has been an inspiration of mine ever since I found Bryter Later in my dads cd collection.I feel that his unique style of playing and his guitar tuning technique have been a great influence on some of my more recent songs. |
Here are some of Steve's inspirational artists....
the steve lowis website