FEATURE:
Sounds and Visions
PHOTO CREDIT: Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels
The Concept of an Ambitious Album with No A.I. or Huge Technological Input
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THIS is me sort of cheekily…
IN THIS PHOTO: New York, NY/PHOTO CREDIT: Nout Gons/Pexels
circling back to an ambition of mine. Not one that can be easily fulfilled, it may be the case of writing songs and designs and let other people doing the performing. I have said in previous features how there is a real absence of influence when it comes to Steely Dan. Meaning the group – formed by Donald Fagen and the late Walter Becker – have a lot of fans but that has not translated to their sound being integrated into modern music. Maybe more in terms of attitude and feel, their brilliant and distinct lyrics and their compositional sound is barely heard today. I always wondered why that is and whether it is a case of money and not having time to be in the studio that long. I am returning to this thought now because, more and more, I am fascinating by real and genuine music without a tonne of technology. Photos that are natural and not guided by A.I. I am someone who hates too much A.I. interference. I use it for information generation and helping with research, though when it comes to creating stuff and adding images, it is something that I avoid. I know many musicians are fearful of the potential of A.I. regarding their music and how damaging it could be. In terms of my own musician ambitions, I have said before how I have a title in mind, American Grammar, where the music is influenced by Steely Dan. Including Lou Hayter (a Steely Dan) fan as a vocal collaborator. Actor Rachel Brosnahan as a featured vocal – speech rather than singing – on one track, I’ll Get to New York City One Day Soon. Other tracks and titles in mind. Eastside with Lana Del Rey singing beautifully the ingredients of this Eastside cocktail as the chorus, though the song is about a strange romance and the hidden paradise of a bar in Brooklyn. Another track, For Those in the Back Rows, about gender inequality and misogyny in music and the brilliance of women. Another, Katy’s Switch, about trans rights and transphobia. Hipsterlooza about generational gaps and someone older trying to vibe with modern music and TikTok. Long Shot about trying to approach a barista in a coffee shop in a dismal town and have this sort of awkward flirtation.
IN THIS PHOTO: Rachel Brosnahan/PHOTO CREDIT: Jackie Kursel for Interview
Negative Space about the struggles of living with other people and how that can be challenging. Can’t Buy a Thrill (the title is the same as Steely Dan’s 1972 debut album) about the harsh realities of life in the U.S. under President Trump, but also about excess. American Grammar about women’s rights, abortion access and the way the President wants to control women. Other songs look at minor celebrities, misguided love and wonderful characters. The main purpose of the album was to discuss big issues like women’s rights, the stripping of body autonomy and reproductive rights in the U.S., growing violence and divisions. However, there is humour and wit laced in. That is where Steely Dan comes in. Also, utilising session musicians for the songs without breaking the bank. The ideal of capturing everything at Electric Lady in New York City. Having piano, percussion, bass, brass and backing singers, everything as natural as possible and recording in a similar manner to how Steely Dan did. Having everything mixed without too much modern technology. Also, that desire extends to the album cover. I bemoan the lack of inspiring album covers. There are a few good ones from this year, but nothing that ranks with the classics. My idea was a hellish composition and collage of modern America. The title track about abortion rights and that being taken away. A pram in the bottom centre and instead of a baby, it is a sonograph with a red cross drawn across the image as woman either side look down and coo or are happy (they are pro-life and are dressed in 1950s clothing) whilst the expectant mother, played by Imogen Poots, is dressed in blue or like a prisoner, but she has tear-stained eyes. I am a big fan of Poots and want any excuse to include her, including a potential video. I also want Emilia Clarke on the cover. Other images around the modern U.S. and the themes of the songs combine into a cover that I hope can all be shot naturally in a studio and sits alongside the all-time best. Also in the shot includes bygone icons and depiction of politicians and famous figures. Characters in songs and nods to songs like Eastside and Can’t Buy a Thrill.
IN THIS PHOTO: Imogen Poots/PHOTO CREDIT: Victor Demarchelier for Tatler
More than anything, I wanted to launch something that goes back to a different time. Not just inspired by Steely Dan, getting a collection of great musicians recorded to tape. An album cover that seems like a classic. At is a time when musicians have even less money to make albums. All of what I have said seems too ambitious. That you may need to rely on A.I. and technology to save costs. Is that possible if you want to dream big when it comes to musicians and studios?! I do feel, inspired by a group like Steely Dan, that this kind of music, that there should be more of it. Not to say that too much at the forefront is samey or sounds too processed. It is exciting to think if building an album from scratch and having a list of potential collaborators, musicians and ideas for the cover. It may all come in expensive, though there are examples in modern music of artists using the minimum when it comes to recording. Getting that natural warmth and creating ambitious albums. I am fascinated by gaps in music and filling them. As a writer and not a musician, there would have to be a lot of delegation. In terms of A.I., the drawbacks are a lack of authentic emotional depth and originality, jobs and natural musicians being replaced, complex ethical and copyright concerns. You can also get a homogenised musical landscape, and over-reliance on technology which can lead to a decline in traditional skills. It is tantalising to think whether a dream music project could be realised. Bearing in mind costs and the demands of pulling together lots of musicians and being able to afford that without bringing in A.I. or cutting back. So intriguing to see…
WHETHER it could ever be possible.