For my final project, I plan to create two to three original songs in the form of an EP or singles. I think doing an EP is beneficial to me as I think I will be able to produce more than one song so I can release multiple songs onto platforms at the same time. Also, EPs often act as promotional tools to grow a fanbase and make new listeners interested in you as just one song is not much to grow an interest in the artist. However, releasing singles over time can grow an audience and bring you more dedicated fans. You can also promote each one separately, so you would get more engagement on your work.
Genre Ideas And Inspiration
I am still yet to think about the genre of the music, as I am still experimenting with styles and I listen to and enjoy so many different styles of music. I would like to try to incorporate both electronic instruments and live recordings, however, and I would need to get the right balance of both. I think I could go down the road of R&B/hip-hop/rap, as I did something similar for project two and I really enjoyed the process and outcome. I am inspired by artists like ‘Logic’, ‘Kendrick Lamar’ and ‘Osquello’ to make songs in this field, however, this wouldn’t involve many recorded instruments, but I could put some in there if I do it well and it sounds good. To counter this, I am interested in new wave/indie/surf rock music, involving artists like ‘Current Joys’, ‘Dream, Ivory’, ‘Hoops’, ‘Surf Curse’ and ‘CASTLEBEAT’. These artists use a good mixture of electric instruments like drums and synthesisers but also recorded instruments like vocals and lots of layered guitars.
Weighing Up The Genres
The production side of new wave isn’t the most interesting, and I feel like it wouldn’t be much of a challenge to make songs like this as the sound is meant to be very lofi and unpolished-like. I think new wave is more complex in terms of melody and harmony as the chords are usually more interesting and are not just major or minor triads, but R&B has more intricate rhythms. Personally, I prefer listening to new wave/indie, but I enjoy the process of making much more production heavy songs like hip-hop and R&B, and this would be a good challenge and learning opportunity for me. I bought a midi keyboard recently and I tested it out by making a short song idea, taking inspiration surf rock; you can find the idea here:
Relating To The Wider Industry
Depending on what genre I choose to go with, this could mean a whole different target demographic and where I stand in the music industry at that time. For example, if I made an EP or singles that consisted of R&B and hip-hop, I would be tailoring to a fairly young audience that enjoys rap or more mainstream music. If I release these songs onto streaming platforms, these songs could get me more attention and growth as these genres are very popular and most people like them. But, if I made songs inspired by new wave and indie, I would be looking at a smaller yet more close community of again, young, listeners that are into less mainstream music and more obscure and out-of-the-box sounds.
Who Will I work With?
For this project, I plan to do most of the recording and production work myself, with minimal help from tutors unless I really need it. By doing this, I will be mostly independent and always learning new things by doing research tasks, as this is what I did for the production work in project two. However, as I am thinking of making new wave and indie inspired songs, I would need a singer who would also be willing to come up with some lyrics, if I make the melody for them. Also, depending on what genre I choose, I would need different styles of vocals and lyrics, perhaps even someone who can rap if I make R&B/hip-hop songs. I would be asking for a lot here, as I don’t know anyone who can do this! In terms of vocals and collaboration, therefore, I think the new wave/indie genre would be more suited to this as I know many people on the course who’s voice would fit on songs like this; like Lucy or Tom.