Introducing #119 - Sid Stone
Let us introduce you to multi-instrumentalist Sid Stone, who earlier this month released his romantically jazz infused track ‘For Lovers’. He took a moment to talk to us about us about long songs and growing up in West London.
Hey Sid, so your track ‘For Lovers’ is out now - can you tell us what it is about?
It’s sort of a tribute to all the great love songs that inspire me, old school type songs that speak about love in grand and romantic terms. As Time Goes By - Dooley Wilson is a great example, Glory of Love by Otis Redding as well. I love songs like that, the formal songwriting, the purity in the meaning. And writing about that subject matter made me feel really warm so I tried to get that out and into the record.
You hail from Somerset, what is your favorite thing about the area? Where do you go for adventures?
I’ve been living in Somerset recently, but I actually grew up in West London, Shepherd’s Bush, which is where I live now. My favourite thing about the area is the chaotic, multicultural and slightly wild feel that it has. The Uxbridge Road, Shepherd’s Bush Market, they’re always buzzing with some sort of energy, not always good vibes to be sure but it’s a real and authentic place. And for adventures it’s The White Horse, my local pub. Good sorts in there. Always an adventure to be had.
What are your key musical influences?
Lots of jazz, old school songwriting, The Beatles, D’Angelo, bit of classical/choral music. I love harmony, and beautiful melodies. But I also love drum and bass and hip-hop, things that sound big and fat and full of attitude. So it’s a weird mix I can’t lie, but such is the privilege of the modern musician, we have the whole of recorded music to draw inspiration from, might as well mix it up a bit.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never listened to you before?
It’s like pop being made at closing time in the pub. An honest and dishevelled type of soul music with heady British aromas and a glint in the eye.
What next for Sid?
Straight to the Top of the Pops! Or whatever the modern equivalent is… No I mean I’m working on music that I’m really excited about with lots of amazingly talented musicians. So putting that out. Sharing with people. And then I guess more of the same. Lots of collabs, lots of different projects, a whole glittering mutli-coloured mess of shite.