Guy Raz - Sylvan Esso: Their Songwriting Routines, “Hey Mami”, the Durham Scene, and Creative Surprises
Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn of Sylvan Esso discuss their creative process, which involves improvisation and responding to each other's musical ideas. They describe their songwriting as a dynamic and intuitive process, often inspired by spontaneous sounds or ideas. The duo's first album was a significant success, reaching the Billboard charts and leading to performances at major festivals. They emphasize the importance of their personal and professional partnership in their music creation. The conversation also touches on their move to Durham, North Carolina, where they established their own record label, fostering a supportive music community. They reflect on their journey, the unexpected success of their debut album, and their aspirations for the future, focusing on continuous creativity and collaboration.
Key Points:
- Sylvan Esso's creative process is highly improvisational, often starting with spontaneous sounds or ideas.
- Their debut album was unexpectedly successful, leading to major festival performances and TV appearances.
- The duo's personal relationship is integral to their music, influencing their creative synergy.
- They moved to Durham, NC, to build a supportive music community and established their own record label.
- Future aspirations include continuing to surprise themselves with their music and maintaining their creative partnership.
Details:
1. 🎧 Intro to The Great Creators
- Silvanesso's first record reached the top 40 on the Billboard charts, demonstrating significant commercial success.
- The band has performed at major music festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza, highlighting their popularity and influence.
- Celebrated their 10th year together with an anniversary edition of their first self-titled album, marking a decade of creative partnership.
- Nick and Amelia's songwriting process is compared to fishing, indicating a spontaneous and exploratory approach.
- They have established their own record label in Durham, North Carolina, showcasing entrepreneurship and commitment to their craft.
2. 🎶 Musical Childhood Influences
2.1. Emilia's Early Singing Experiences
2.2. Transition to Performance and Band Involvement
3. 🎤 College Days and Musical Beginnings
- Mountain Man, characterized by three-part harmony and minimal instrumentation, was formed in college, blending elements like magicals, stunt yodeling, and Appalachian folk tunes with themes of sex and humor.
- The band gained significant attention after a song was featured on Pitchfork, which led to international tours, particularly in the UK, leveraging MySpace for promotion, a critical factor in their early success.
- Realizing the financial viability of their music career, the band pursued it seriously after receiving interest from booking agents, supported by family despite touring logistics concerns.
- Proactively managing their career, the narrators booked a tour through cold calling, demonstrating initiative after graduation and quickly transitioning to a European tour.
- Nick, another narrator, had a long-standing desire to pursue music, balancing this with bartending jobs to support himself, reflecting adaptability and commitment.
- Challenges during the transition from college to professional music included balancing touring with financial stability and managing logistics, which were mitigated by their proactive and adaptable approach.
4. 🎹 Transition to Electronic Music
- The transition to electronic music was sparked by a pivotal experience in adolescence, where exposure to the UK electronic duo AER inspired a shift from instrumental proficiency to composition and musical ideas.
- This change redirected educational pursuits from performance to composition, leading to studies at UDB Milwaukee before leaving to join a band, demonstrating a significant career pivot.
- A focus on developing a personal musical identity was established through solo performances using electronic setups, including a laptop, MIDI controller, and distortion pedal, highlighting the technical adaptation required for electronic music performance.
5. ❤️ Meeting and Collaborating
5.1. Initial Meeting with Nick
5.2. Collaboration with Nick
6. 🏡 Moving to Durham and Band Development
6.1. Amelia's Move to Durham
6.2. Nick's Move to Durham
6.3. Durham's Music Scene and Merge Records
6.4. Band Development and Collaboration
7. 🌟 Breakthrough Success
- The song 'Hey Mommy' reached number 39 on the Billboard 200 and was named the number one song of the year by Paste, marking significant commercial success.
- Performing on The Tonight Show soon after the album release highlighted their mainstream recognition and appeal.
- The band's initial response to their record's success exceeded expectations, as they did not fully anticipate such widespread acclaim.
- Preliminary plans for success were surpassed by actual events, providing both surprise and excitement for the band.
- Releases like 'Play It Right,' 'Hey Mommy,' and 'Coffee' marked a shift in public interest and traction, surpassing initial expectations.
- Despite having only a 12-inch single, their East Coast tour sold out, demonstrating rapid growth in popularity and audience engagement.
- Maintaining an air of mystery contributed to their unique appeal, drawing in audiences intrigued by their enigmatic presence.
- The band was protective of their music, believing it spoke for itself, and intentionally fostered a sense of mystery to enhance their allure.
- This breakthrough success enabled the band to explore new artistic directions and influenced their future projects, setting a foundation for sustained growth.
8. 📝 Creative Process and Songwriting
8.1. Introduction to Collaboration
8.2. Songwriting Approaches
8.3. Inspiration and Flexibility
8.4. Lyrical and Melodic Development
8.5. Routine and Discipline
8.6. Goals and Output
9. 🎵 Running a Record Label
- The record label supports a wide range of music styles, reflecting a broad and diverse artistic experience.
- The label is not exclusively for Sylvan Esso music; it also produces and releases work for a variety of other artists.
- One of the prominent artists currently is Tim Bernardes, an accomplished guitar player and singer from São Paulo.
- The roster includes artists like Raina Tropical and Brazilian jazz pianist Amaro Fras, showcasing diverse musical talents.
- The label re-released the first record of a band called The B Ottero, highlighting its commitment to preserving and promoting unique music.
- Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the label marks a significant milestone with its debut record, showcasing its longevity and influence in the music industry.
10. 🔮 Future Aspirations and Reflections
- The band has released four studio albums over the past decade and is currently working on their fifth record.
- The creative process remains surprising and dynamic, indicating a strong sense of innovation and adaptability.
- The band aims to continue making music and sees their work as a byproduct of evolving personal relationships.
- There is no intention to stop making music, reflecting a commitment to ongoing growth and change.