Gavin Rossdale // Bush
“A good song has fragmented fireworks. It needs to pull people in with interesting turns of phrases, word combinations that no one has heard before.”
Hear Gavin Rossdale of Bush explain why the painters Francis Bacon and Lucien Freud are far and away the biggest inspirations to his creative process. We also discuss why great writers are so important to his songwriting and how he gets so many ideas while walking.
(Audio note: I interviewed Rossdale while he was on his tour bus, so audio is a bit muffled.)
Kelsey Waldon finds the beginnings of spring and fall to especially conducive to songwriting. A good yellow legal pad helps as well.
Ready for some light summer reading? Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes isn't. He's currently reading Homer's The Iliad.
Kevin Morby’s writing process involves cheap pens, cheap paper, a good hardwood floor, and running shoes. Dental floss proves it.
Real Estate’s Martin Courtney is trying to make his songwriting process less “painstaking” by plowing through the initial stages and chipping away later. But he’s always got Strega Nona.
Laura Veirs find the best way to engage the muse is with a good side eye.
Erin Rae’s most effective songwriting process comes when things are glow-y and her phone is far, far away.
Walter Martin’s most efficient writing process involves not sitting down with the deliberate intent to create. Also: being hungover helps. Photo credit: Melissa Martin
Allison Russell and Aoife O’Donovan are celebrated songwriters—and working moms. This makes for a songwriting process in which the only ritual is recognizing that you don’t have one.
Matt Nathanson’s latest album Boston Accent was produced by Butch Walker. in this episode, they dissect why their creative relationship in the studio was so successful.