R.E.M.’s side musician Ken Stringfellow has told Murmurs.com how the band’s bold approach to making a record revolutionised the way he records his own music.
In an interview with Ethan Kaplan, Stringfellow, who also plays with Peter Buck’s other band the Minus 5, said working on Reveal gave him a more “spontaneous” outlook on the recording process.
Stringfellow last month released Soft Commands and has been busy helping out with R.E.M.’s forthcoming album, scheduled for release in the first week of October…
EK: The new record seems to find you wearing your influences on your sleeve, most notably the Beach Boys with “When U Find Someone.” Was this a conscious thing?
KS: Well, it’s like using digital samples. There are all sorts of evocative tones from established musical forms out there, it’s fun to quote them and recontectualize them.
EK: Whats with the Holst’s “The Planets” progression on Any Love?
KS: It’s one of my favorite pieces of music, and I wanted to see if any one would notice!