Podcast Summary
Exploring new sounds and genres with versatility and dedication: Elvis Costello continues to push boundaries with his unique blend of high-minded and open-minded elements, showcasing his versatility and dedication to exploring new sounds and genres in his music.
Costello, a musician and writer, has been creating exceptional music since the 1970s, ranging from punkish pop to country western, and always bringing a unique, postmodern flair to classic songwriting. His newest record, "Look Now," showcases his ability to blend high-minded and open-minded elements, resulting in a rich and dense, yet gritty and funny, modern and traditional album. Costello's collaborations with various artists and orchestras throughout his career demonstrate his versatility and dedication to exploring new sounds. He values the opportunity to express different aspects of his art and to grow as a musician, rather than replicating past successes. Costello's approach to music and creativity reflects the changing landscape of the music industry, where hierarchies are less oppressive and artists can explore various genres and styles without being confined to one sound.
The scarcity of recorded music in England led to a reliance on live performances: The scarcity of recorded British music during mid-20th century England fueled the value and excitement of new talent, with the Beatles being a notable exception who initially struggled to gain recognition due to their Northern English accents.
The scarcity of recorded music in England during the mid-20th century had a significant impact on the music industry and the discovery of new talent. The BBC's agreement with the musicians union limited the amount of recorded music that could be played each day, leading to a reliance on live performances and interpretations by dance bands and light music ensembles. This scarcity sharpened the wits of those who managed to get their music out, with the Beatles being a notable exception. Initially overlooked by major labels due to their Northern English accents, the Beatles eventually signed with Parlophone, a comedy label, before gaining widespread recognition. The rarity of original British music made it all the more valuable and exciting when it was finally heard.
Elvis Costello's upbringing shaped his identity and love for Liverpool FC: Elvis Costello paused his recording career to focus on live shows, creating affordable and interactive performances to engage with fans and showcase his diverse musical catalog.
Elvis Costello's upbringing in London and Merseyside influenced his sense of identity and love for Liverpool Football Club. He grew up feeling at home in both places despite the cultural differences. Regarding his music career, Costello took a break from recording and focused on live performances due to a lack of demand for his 2010 album and the passing of his father. He also wanted to spend more time with his family and bring home a larger income. Costello created affordable stage shows, such as "Spectacular Spinning Songbook," to perform his vast repertoire of songs. These shows were not elaborate productions but rather a way to engage with his audience and showcase his diverse musical catalog.
Elvis Costello's Live Shows: Unpredictable and Inclusive: Elvis Costello's live shows were known for their unpredictability and inclusivity, with audience members invited on stage to be go-go dancers. Later shows incorporated multimedia elements, and his memoir reveals personal stories in a non-chronological, fictionalized way.
The musician Elvis Costello's live shows were unpredictable and inclusive, inviting audience members on stage to be go-go dancers. This created a unique experience for both the performer and the participants, resulting in unexpected and memorable moments. Costello's later shows incorporated multimedia elements, including a television set and family photographs, adding to the semi-theatrical and semi-scripted performances. His book, "Faithful Music and Disappearing Ink," is a non-fiction account of his life and career, revealing personal stories that are at the core of his music. Costello intentionally arranged the book out of chronological order and used fiction in some episodes to evoke mood rather than reveal identities. The use of his real name in the book instead of his stage name, Elvis Costello, was a simple marker to distinguish between his music and his personal stories.
Creating a protective persona for artistic freedom: Artists can adopt a creative persona and put up a guard to focus on their work and express themselves freely without distractions or interruptions.
The artist discussed in this conversation recognized early on that the persona and brand created around him in the music industry could be limiting and potentially dangerous. To escape this, he adopted a creative persona and put up a guard to focus on his work. This persona, which included not speaking on record and being enigmatic with his lyrics, was a deliberate choice to create a space for him to express himself freely without distractions or interruptions. The artist acknowledges that his lyrics are full of clever and memorable phrases, but the themes or plots can be enigmatic and open to interpretation. This approach allowed him to maintain a level of mystery and intrigue, while staying true to his artistic vision.
Elvis Costello's Unique Approach to Songwriting: Elvis Costello believed lyrics should be heard with music, drew inspiration from painting and cinematic editing, preferred uncovering hidden stories, never wrote about rock and roll or indulgence, and maintained a critical distance due to lack of confidence in his looks and popularity.
Elvis Costello, in his discussion about creating the album "Imperial Bedroom" in 1981, revealed his unique approach to songwriting. He believed lyrics should be heard alongside music, not just read as poems. Costello also drew inspiration from painting and cinematic editing to create complex, multi-angled songs. He was less comfortable writing about shared experiences and preferred to uncover hidden stories. Costello admitted he never wrote about rock and roll or indulgence in a celebratory way, always maintaining a critical distance. He also shared that he never believed he had the good looks and confidence for popular success, despite growing up in the world of show business and British music.
Grew up with a love for music and performance influenced by father's career: Despite a cynical view towards stardom and industry, found fulfillment in creating and performing own music
The speaker grew up with a deep appreciation for music and performance, influenced by his father's career as a dance band musician. However, he never aspired to be a pop star himself, feeling a sense of distance from the glamorous and glittery image of stardom during his teenage years. Instead, he found fulfillment in creating and performing his own music, despite holding a cynical view towards the cruel and corrupt aspects of the music industry and society as a whole. The speaker's diverse and interesting body of work reflects his complex perspective on the world.
Elvis Costello's Determination to be a Songwriter: Elvis Costello's unwavering belief in his songwriting abilities led him to persist, adopt a new name, and eventually secure his first record deal despite initial skepticism and challenges.
Elvis Costello's determination to be a songwriter, despite facing skepticism and being advised to pursue a career in pop music, led him to discover his unique voice and eventual success. Starting out, Costello was convinced he was a songwriter, not a performer. He faced challenges getting his music recognized, with English publishers favoring American musicians. Undeterred, he persisted, adopting the name Elvis Costello and becoming the resident singer in a London club. His big break came when he knocked on the door of the little record label Stiff Records with a demo tape. Initially, they saw him as a writer for other artists, but eventually, Costello's quirky style and unique voice shone through, leading to his first record deal and the beginning of his successful music career.
Working other jobs while pursuing a creative career: Embrace new models and adapt to the changing music industry landscape to make a living as an artist, while passion and dedication remain essential.
Creating art and pursuing a creative career, especially in music, can be challenging and may involve working other jobs while trying to make it. Elvis Costello shared his experience of working as a computer operator while writing songs and releasing singles, even as he was still employed. He acknowledged the role of talent, hard work, opportunity, and luck in achieving success. However, he also noted that the music industry has undergone significant changes, with ownership and control shifting to large corporations and digital platforms. This has made it more difficult for artists to make a living from record sales alone. Instead, he encourages embracing new models and finding ways to adapt to the changing landscape. While success may not be guaranteed, the passion and dedication to creating art remain essential.
David Crosby's Unique Vocal Style: Influences and Embracing Diversity: David Crosby attributes his unique vocal style, including the use of vibrato, to a mix of personal influences, cultural backgrounds, and popular trends. He encourages artists to embrace diverse music styles and not dismiss them based on biases.
Music and artistic expression are shaped by various influences, including personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, and the evolution of popular trends. David Crosby, a renowned musician, discussed his unique vocal style, which includes the use of vibrato. He attributed this to a combination of influences from his father's music, the need to fit words into songs, and the reintroduction of the technique into popular music by Chrisy Hine. Crosby also shared his thoughts on the importance of embracing different music styles and not dismissing them based on personal biases. He emphasized that every genre has its merits and that artists should be open to exploring various sounds and techniques. Furthermore, he acknowledged the physiological aspect of his vibrato and saw it as a natural part of his vocal abilities rather than a handicap. Overall, Crosby's insights offer a fascinating look into the complexities of musical inspiration and artistic expression.
Personal stories of raw singing and vocal training: Appreciating the unique qualities of untrained voices and the emotional resonance they can bring, while also recognizing the value of vocal training and the importance of pursuing music passions despite challenges
The power of music transcends language and training, and the unique qualities of a singer's voice can evoke emotions and fascination. The speaker shares her personal experiences with a friend, Nancy Pivonotto, who wanted to make a record with a more raw and untrained sound, but found it challenging to let go of her vocal training. The speaker also discusses her appreciation for singers with distinct techniques, such as Bobby Bloom and Rodenko, and how the timbre and emotion in their voices can resonate with listeners regardless of language or belief. Additionally, the speaker reflects on the unexpected path her family took into music, and how a chance event led her grandfather into the British Army band, ultimately influencing her own career. Despite the uncertainties and obstacles, the speaker expresses her unwavering belief in pursuing her passion for music.
The artist's work and creativity are interconnected: They view themselves as a dedicated worker, trust collaborators, and maintain creativity and independence through consistent effort and focus on next project.
For this artist, their work and creativity are deeply interconnected. They don't view themselves as a "creative genius" per se, but rather as a dedicated worker who allows inspiration to visit them unexpectedly. The creative process for them can range from carrying around a phrase for years to a fully formed song appearing suddenly. The instrumentation and orchestration of their songs are also an essential part of the creative process, which they see as extensions of the composition. They trust their collaborators to help bring their vision to life. They've managed to maintain their creativity and independence by working consistently since they were young and focusing on the next project rather than chasing after wealth or fame. Despite their success, they continue to work hard to support themselves and those around them.
Adapting Music for Live Performances and Trusting Band Members: Trust band members to bring creative ideas, selectively incorporate additional singers for vocal harmonies, and maintain discretion for what truly enhances the songs. Effectively write down music and produce records to accurately represent musical vision.
The creative process in music involves adapting studio recordings for live performances and making decisions about arrangements based on the unique strengths and limitations of band members. The speaker, a bass playing singer and founder of a band, shares that they never had the patience or vocal abilities for intricate vocal harmonies during their last 15 years of performing. However, they've recently started incorporating additional singers and carefully selecting vocal arrangements to complement their music. The speaker also discusses the importance of trusting band members to bring their own inventive ideas while maintaining discretion about which parts truly enhance the songs. They credit their longtime collaborator, Steve Knave, for his musical talents and ability to follow his instincts, even if it meant letting him explore unconventional ideas in the moment. Additionally, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being able to write down music and produce records effectively, as they've learned over the years. In their experience, having a discerning voice during the production process was crucial for ensuring the final product accurately represented their musical vision.
Collaboration between singer and band impacts music creation: Freedom for singer in singing, instrumental support from band, unique collaboration with band's leader, and exploration of new musical possibilities lead to powerful music creation.
The collaborative process between the singer and the band in creating music can greatly impact the final product and the experience of the artist. In this particular instance, the singer enjoyed the freedom to have full control over the singing aspect while being supported by the band's instrumental contributions, resulting in a powerful and fulfilling experience. The singer also appreciated the unique collaboration with the band's leader, who was open to a different style of music-making and allowed for a dialogue in creating music. Despite the challenges of threading a story through existing songs and the fear of stalling production, the singer's persistence paid off with the creation of new, beautiful songs. Ultimately, the collaboration between the singer and the band resulted in a mutual curiosity and curiosity to explore new musical possibilities.
Exploring human emotions and relationships through intricate storytelling: This record delves into complex themes of love, loss, and self-discovery through raw, theatrical storytelling
The songs on the record explore the complexities of human emotions and relationships, particularly focusing on the intricacies of gazes and decoding people's intentions. These songs often revolve around discoveries and the impact they have on individuals, delving into themes of infidelity, abandonment, and the passage of time. The lyrics are not sentimental but rather raw and to the point, providing a glimpse into the characters' inner thoughts and struggles. The theatrical origin of the songs adds to their storytelling ability, allowing listeners to connect with the universal themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. The artist's ability to breathe new life into old characters and situations keeps the listener engaged and invested in the stories unfolding within the music.
Exploring human complexities and staying skeptical: People can be drawn into harmful situations, emphasizing the importance of questioning relationships and institutions
People can be drawn into potentially harmful situations despite their better judgment, as depicted in Elvis Costello's song "Jimmie Standing in the Rain." Costello discusses the intricacies of human interaction and the complexities of attraction, even towards those who are not good for us. He also emphasizes the importance of staying skeptical and questioning institutions and relationships, whether small or large. Costello's music reflects the ongoing nature of life's challenges and the importance of keeping a critical yet open mind. Ultimately, he sees himself as a jester, using his art to comment on the world around him. Despite the serious topics discussed, Costello maintains a lighthearted attitude and appreciates the opportunity to engage in conversation.
Exploring various topics and the benefits of podcasts like Stitcher Premium: Continuous learning and open-dialogue enrich our understanding of the world. Sign up for Stitcher Premium's free trial using promo code FREECONOMICS for exclusive content.
The hosts discussed various topics, from economics and sports to personal experiences and the benefits of podcasts like Stitcher Premium. They emphasized the value of continuous learning and the power of open-minded dialogue. Listeners can access more full interviews and exclusive content by signing up for a free trial on Stitcher Premium using the promo code FREECONOMICS. The Freakonomics Radio team includes Matt Frasica, Allison Craiglow, Greg Rippin, Rebecca Lee Douglas, Alvin Meloth, Harry Huggins, and Zach Lipinski. The podcast is also available on NPR stations and various podcast apps. Remember to rate and review the podcast to support the team's efforts in providing insightful and engaging content.