[RJDG14]

I've attempted to use my guitar, voice, keyboard and various software in an attempt to create a modern sounding piece, although what I come out with almost always has an 80s sound. I try and create other styles, but it always ends drawing back to an 80s indie style (think Waterboys or Icicle Works). Others at my secondary school have also attempted writing songs, and in many cases they are coming out with something modern (like the top 40 stuff). I prefer my style but it doesn't sound very current and most my age don't get it. Should I alter my style, or is this just where I naturally fall on how I play and write music?

[Mark Ryan]

I've attempted to use my guitar, voice, keyboard and various software in an attempt to create a modern sounding piece, although what I come out with almost always has an 80s sound. I try and create other styles, but it always ends drawing back to an 80s indie style (think Waterboys or Icicle Works). Others at my secondary school have also attempted writing songs, and in many cases they are coming out with something modern (like the top 40 stuff). I prefer my style but it doesn't sound very current and most my age don't get it. Should I alter my style, or is this just where I naturally fall on how I play and write music?

My advice to you for what it's worth is this.
When writing songs, ALWAYS be true to yourself. Never try to write a hit song. As you get older you will naturally develop a style which YOU enjoy listening to, and if you achieve that then you've done a great job. If others enjoy listening to it then that's a bonus and should be treated as such. There's a lot of people out there who love 80's music remember, so if that's what you're producing then produce it and enjoy it.
Mark

[Boydie]

Just to provide some balance - and to stir up the discussion a bit  - I think you can try to write a modern sounding hit (if that is what you want to do)  and your natural style will still show through

I don't mean to self promote but I would suggest listening the episodes 2 and 3 of the SongwriterSelect podcasts: http://songwriterselect.com/

Here we take a look at 2 "retro" sounding songs ("Uptown Funk" and "All About That Bass") and discuss how they feel both retro and modern

IMHO for a song to sound "modern" and commercial it is really important that it:

Uses a modern sounding vocal - nothing dates a song more than a retro sounding vocal

Uses modern "sounds" - I would really suggest investing in a modern sample library to give you all the swooshes, risers etc. which are key to achieving a modern sound

Uses a really tight "arrangement" - usually:
Verse - Pre Chorus - Chorus - Verse - Pre Chorus - Chorus - Bridge - Chorus - Chorus - Chorus etc.
If you follow this structure you won't go too far wrong and the song will "sound right" to most people

Drums - you also need modern drum sounds - I personally like building my basic pattern from scratch and then embellish it with some loops that you can add in and take away

Dynamics - part of the modern sound is to have your song generally "build" but also include some noticeable "drops" and "impact moments"

Eg. Verse 1 might be drums, bass and vocal, the pre-chorus might introduce keyboards and a percussion loops, the chorus then includes a big synth pad and more percussion, verse 2 now drops to include drums, bass, vocal and the extra percussion loop now stays etc. etc.


I would suggest picking your favourite "modern" song and we can take a look with you to show you what it is doing and how it works - you can then emulate these "tricks" without copying the song

[tone]

Great replies from both Boydie and Mark there, and both very valid. I'd like to chip in too:

Although it can be difficult to be different at your age, it's something to be really glad of as you get older (not much older either). If you want to get out there and gig, record, release your music, having your own style is going to be one of your best assets. So don't try to water it down. By all means, try to identify what makes it sound dated (if that bothers you) - but don't sweat it too much.

Personally I love the first 3 waterboys albums and would love to find that sound!

But don't forget, part of your sound is just your personality. And that's something to hold onto also - so many people out there trying to make their way in music but not getting very far, in part because their music doesn't have any personality.

To summarise today's lesson: be careful what you wish for.

[Maltese_Falcon]

I think Tone hit it on the head, music without personality can be produced exceptionally well but yet get absolutely no recognition because it doesn't offer anything new. 

A lot of commercial pop music is produced clinically and by teams of highly experienced people who all work towards a common goal.  It costs thousands and thousands in studio time.  Rock music tends to still be worked on by a sole producer/engineer with the band rather than by a team of people like commercial pop but all big producers do have their own styles, which is usually something they've taught themselves after years and years of producing music.

My advice would probably be try to let go of any pre-conceived idea you might have of what 'modern' music should sound like, and do your best to learn the fundamental concepts (EQ, compression, separation, etc) and then whatever you produce will probably sound pretty good, and modern. 

[adamfarr]

I can't resist responding as The Icicle Works are one of my favorite bands EVER - fantastic songwriting, energetic drumming, proper basslines. Maybe the guitars are a little reverby and jangly for today and the synth sounds are very much of that time, so you might avoid those sounds if you don't like them.

Since the 80s the main innovation has probably been hip-hop and there is a lot of that influence in the top 40 - but there are still guitar-led or piano-led bands who are happily unbothered by this (and I have to say I have probably heard quite enough pseudo-rap pop songs or breaks in pop songs). Though there might be some drum sounds at least that we could borrow...

You obviously listen to a lot of music past and present and for sure this is the right way to get to a position of making musical decisions and finding a style that make you happy (which really is what this is all about...).

Right, off to listen again to "In the Cauldron of Love"...

[Wicked Deeds]

Sounding like The Icicle Works - all that remain's is for you to offer thanks to the songwriting Gods! Ian McNabb is a fantastic writer 'A Factory In The Desert', 'Melanie Still Hurts' and many more that I wish I had written. Ian McNabb is a Brilliant lyricist and a master of melody!

Stick to your guns fella - you won't go far wrong with this style.

Paul

[Wicked Deeds]

Used to include 'The Cauldron Of Love' in the set list when I played with my band The Vanity Rules - a classic song that I can still play after all of these years .... "Beneath a grapefruit moon we would roll in the grass" - majestic!

[adamfarr]

Great to meet some fellow McNabb appreciators here! We And RJDG14 should form a tribute band. Not sure I am worthy, though...