If you regulary visit NOTHING BUT HOPE AND PASSION you might have already figured out that we share a decent amount of love for Belgian indie band AMATORSKI and their haunting and beautiful songs. The group just released its new album From Clay To Figures via Crammed Discs. Dreamy and melancholic little pop moments that still remain a certain amount of grace. One can only assmue how many different influences can be found within this music. The easiest way is to ask the artist directly. We invited songwriter and singer Inne Eysermans to write about seven songs that influenced the new album. And even more than this. It’s about learning from other artists and their working ethics to achieve a better musical output for yourself. That’s what the artist has to say about her choices:
Most of these tracks I listened to during the last year, some of theme were constantly present. All of them have been, one way or another, an inspiration. Still, I will not listen too much to music when I’m actually creating new songs, because sometimes I hear its arrangements meeting the songs of AMATORSKI, even when I am not aware of it. What I have learned from these songs? They all have their own idea and were made in a particular period, and it’s to a creator to come up with a good idea in that period.
Find out about the music that inspired AMATORSKI on their new record and beyond. Featuring NICK CAVE, DAMON ALBARN and… well, also legendary German 80s icon PETER SCHILLING. Discover it on the following pages.
1. LAUREL HALO – ‘Years’
She’s one of my favorite musical artists/producers at the moment. What inspires me about her music is how her vocals are moving in and out the music to tell their stories – piano arrangements or electronics are moving in field recordings (check out her new album). It’s always beautiful and smart.
2. NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS – ‘Push The Sky Away’
I listened a lot to this album when I was on my way to Denmark, a year ago. He’s a genius: it seems so easy but it really isn’t. I learned about synth pads, organs, beats, delays, vocal rhythm in musical arrangements. The general idea is that it sounds as though it has been stripped down, with a lot of space for his touching words.
3. ANNA MEREDITH – ‘Nautilus’
I can feel the heart beating in this extreme track, filled with horns. The horns seem to march in their own kind of world, indoctrinated. And then its marching groove suddenly changes by the rock beat. I like it when you can actually hear the different characteristics of musical instruments in their arrangements.
4. PETER SCHILLING – ‘Major Tom’
This is one of my favorite 80’s tracks. I love the eighties for its melodies and sound. As for this track, I am pleased with the verses, but I am mostly just waiting for the chorus, for this extreme feeling of happiness. It’s a song that will be present in every DJ-set I make, or simply and honestly in every week of my life.
5. KAREN GWYER – ‘Trapeziodal weekly’
CASIO beats/synths! Perfect music to drive with. And she’s an OPAL tapes member. I love these kind of labels, with a specific sound and attitude that identifies well with the artist.
6. GLENN GOULD – ‘Goldberg Variations’
This piece grabs my attention from the very first second to the last, that is 47 minutes long. Gould was a storytelling musician, one of the greatest interpreters, producers and sound designers. I was not surprised when I read that he also made several radio documentaries. What I find interesting is that he was always looking for the analogy between life and music or sound.
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7. BOBBY WOMACK, DAMON ALBARN & LANA DEL REY – ‘Dayglo Reflection’
Damon Albarn is a great artist in every project he takes on. I suppose it means that he has got a good understanding with other artists and their music. This is both a great song and wonderful performance. The organic feel between beats and drums/percussion was definitely an inspiration for ‘From Clay to Figures’.
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