Inspired #314 - Sam Brace
Skinny Lister guitarist Sam Brace drops debut solo single ‘Panic’. He took a moment to talk us through his inspirations.
Who are your top three musical inspirations?
David Bowie, The Beatles and Kate Bush. Bowie because ever since I was aware of him I’ve been fascinated by one of his era’s or other, no other artist has held me as interested for as long, all of his music from the very start of his recorded work, through to Black Star has held me in some kind of magical rapture at some point or other! I continue to be amazed and I was blown away by the new single You’ve Got A Habit Of Leaving Me from ‘lost album’ Toy the other week which was actually a reworking of a song he released back when he was Davy Jones and the Lower 3rd in 1965. Blew me away like no other track has done this year.
The Beatles, probably obvious, but my parents had Revolver, Rubber Soul, Sgt Peppers and Abbey Road in their record collection, I remember being fascinated by the covers more than anything else when I was a kid and wondering what kind of sounds might be on there. I fell in love with them back then and they have always been around me ever since. I don’t listen these days as much as when I was a teen, I think I overdid it, but I still firmly believe they are the best foundation anyone could ask for when first forming your musical psychology.
Kate Bush, I’ve always been aware that I loved the big songs since forever, but about 10 years ago I was having a tough time at Christmas for one reason or another and I had a emotional connection with December Will Be Magic again (which I always thought was just another Christmas song I think), but then I really listened to it and became fascintated by every morsal of it, and that was that, I bought every album she ever made and listened to them on repeat for the next 12 months. The way she constructs songs and the strange things she does with them is all pure genius for me.
What city do you find the most inspiring?
Probably London, another cliché perhaps, but I’ve lived there for 25 years and the memories along with the history of the place always give it an electricity that pretty much no other city can match. I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world on tour with Skinny Lister so have taken in quite a few other big names, I also love LA, Tokyo, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and I’m currently living in Thessaloniki in Greece, with my Greek partner, we escaped here 15 months ago just as the first lockdown was kicking in and im finding myself falling in love with it more and more as time goes on.
Who is the most inspiring person to you?
Kind of tricky to think of a most inspiring individual, I keep thinking of heroes of which I have loads, but real life inspirational characters is tough! He’ll probably hate this, but I want to say my writing partner, Adam Tarry is a constant source of inspiration to me, every time he sends me new ideas or a new song foundation I’m amazed at his creativity and ability to string something magical together that we can then bring to life. It’s a real honour to be able to work with him again after all these years. We actually grew up togther in Hastings, seriously, we did primary school and were in our first ever bands through secondary school but lost touch after I moved to London for Univerity, and now we’re back together again after a bit of gap.
What were the inspirations for your recent single ‘Panic’?
SB: I’ve asked Ad my writing partner to contribute here, but from my side of it, I think we were trying to come up with an anthemic sort of apocalyptic sound that refected the vibe of what was happening around us, I’m always trying to create a feeling or emotion when I’m working out the musical detail of the songs, so that’s the kind of vibe I was trying to inject.
AT: Panic (like all the songs) remains entirely open to the listener's interpretation.
It was written in March 2020 when the world was beginning to take significant interest in the spread of coronavirus. At the time I figured it would be just another "bird" or "swine" flu and that the press and media were being reactionary about the threat it posed.
The song explores themes of media-induced fear, but also the idea we might one day be plunged into a post-apocalyptic world for real. As the song progresses we begin to unpick a story seen through the eyes of 2 lovers willing to make any sacrifice to survive in the ruins of society. Which sounds pretty heavy I guess!!!
Finally, how do you hope to inspire people?
SB: I really hope people just like the music to be honest with you, I’ve been lucky enough to experience sell out crowds singing back every single word to every song you play at them with Skinny Lister, if we can even get anywhere near close to that with this project, it would be an incredible achievement. We’re already blown away with the reaction to this first song, I just can’t wait for folks to hear more.
AT: The best music I have ever heard makes you feel like you're not alone: In the moment, in the universe, in the way you remember the pivotal and defining moments of your life. If you can truly catch hold of a sentiment and then succinctly express it in a way that resonates with the listener, you inspire them to feel a stronger emotional connection to the world and the people around them.
It feels to me like we could all do with a few more of those feelings of connection these days, and if the music we're making can play any part in that aspiration - I'll sleep well at night.