For most people, music is one of the most important things in life. It can inspire you, fill you with joy or even make you cry. But different music affects us all in different ways. Each week, I interview one of our writers or editors about the impact music has had on their life. This week, I talk to Kettle writer Dan Graham about his life in music.
Describe your taste in music in three words.
Melodic, optimistic, unconventional.
What’s your favourite musical genre?
Indie Rock/Alt Indie.
Your favourite band?
The 1975.
Your favourite song of all time?
Challenging to pick one, the track I’ve listened to most is Keane – ‘Bedshaped’.
What was the first album you ever bought?
Coldplay – Viva La Vida.
First gig you went to?
Razorlight – MEN arena – 2007.
What was the last song you listened to?
Sundara Karma – ‘Loveblood’.
Do you have any musical role models?
I admire all musicians because of the raw, natural talent it requires to create something musical. But, people like Jools Holland and Tom Jones are some of my biggest role models because of their pure interest and passion for music.
What’s your opinion on music videos?
Ones which are created successfully are really special, I think it’s interesting to mix visual and acoustic art together to create something which can please both the eyes and the ears.
In your opinion, what’s the most annoying song of all time?
Rebecca Black – ‘Friday’, or Cher Lloyd – ‘Swagger Jagger’.
Who do you think is the most overrated artist out there?
Although still musicians and still talented in some sort, people like Rita Ora and Nicki Minaj. There again, everyone likes different things and I haven’t listened to them much!
Where do you find new music?
Spotify/YouTube suggestions, what friends/family are listening to, articles online.
Do you play any instruments?
As much as it pains me to say it, no.
What song will always cheer you up?
Because of the positive memories associated with it when my brother and I saw them live; Amber Run – ‘Heaven’.
What song always makes you cry?
Because of the negative memories associated with it, Paul Simon – ‘You Can Call Me Al’.
What is your musical guilty pleasure?
Due to the negative connotations with the pair of them, Justin Bieber ft. Chris Brown – ‘Next To You’.
What does music mean to you?
Listening to music takes up a lot of my life and it can make me feel even happier or cheer me up when feeling down. Everyone has a relationship with music and it is an important part of society. Nothing can make you feel two polar opposite ways like listening to Blink 182 then Radiohead.
What do you love most about music?
The abundancy of it. The knowledge that somewhere out there, on the internet, in a record store or in a musician’s mind is a song/album that is my all-time favourite, I just haven’t found it yet. The art of mixing words with melody will exist until the end of the universe.
If you could sit down for a chat with any musician (dead or alive) – who would it be?
There is a long list but Freddie Mercury because of his song-writing abilities. I think Kanye West would have some stories and that would be cool. I can imagine the guys from Blink 182 being hilarious and irresponsible, I would dig that.
Tell us your best musical memory.
Seeing Amber Run in Newcastle was excellent. The surprise was that there was no expectation for them to be so good. In the end, they really connected with the small amount of fans at the gig and we got to meet them afterwards and they were really sound fellas.
What’s your best musical memory? Tell us about your life in music in the comments below!
