With his highly-anticipated new EP 'Two' set to arrive later this month, multi-instrumentalist and producer David Brown aka CSK has been mastering the art of lo-fi instrumental music for many years and has now returned to deliver his latest groove 'Play'.
Working alongside longtime collaborator Matt Carter, 'Play' is a wonderfully rich and smooth instrumental composition that highlights the bright and varied texture he looks to bring to all of his work. With nods to the psych-rock sound throughout, this newest offering adds another warm and welcoming addition to his ever-growing catalogue.
So with his new EP nearly with us, we decided to sit him down to find out more about his origins and what has inspired him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I started by playing bass guitar and learnt to play along with Arctic Monkeys and Beatles albums. I think that style of playing still influences me a lot to this day. My heart is still with the bass guitar even now.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
I've always been inspired by people who are authentic at their craft without being a master at their instrument. Music made from the soul is much more inspiring to me than music rooted in theory.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
For me it was all about 2000’s indie rock. It was an amazing time for guitar music despite some of the cringe looking back. I’m quite happy to admit that I still listen to a lot of it now.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
That’s a really difficult one and I don’t think I can narrow it down to a single song. Watching the Vaccines at Glastonbury 2011 was a fairly pivotal moment for me. They were newly hyped and looked so in control of the performance in front of a massive crowd in the rain. I wanted to be on the stage more than anything.
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
I always listen to BBC 6 for the first couple of hours of the day. So whatever Lauren Lavern is playing.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Well my EP is instrumental so these songs aren’t really written about people. They’re more about moments or feelings. When I’ve written lyrical material previously though it has usually been about myself if anyone.
What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
My main musical project is with my band Slowski, and we recently played a sold out show in London which made all the hard work feel worth it.
Outside of music, what is your biggest passion?
I’m also a keen photographer and develop my own films and do all the darkroom side of things. Sometimes you just need to sit in the dark and be quiet for a while.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen music as my path; it’s more something I’ve just delved into by accident. I make music to fill the gaps in my music collection, and create something that I would be excited to hear for the first time. Maybe something where you travel a lot would be nice.
And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to stay productive through the coronavirus lockdown?
Get up early in the morning and make the most of the day. Start the day with a good coffee and stay busy and active. If you find myself watching dull television, then you know you should be writing and recording music.
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CSK's new single 'Play' is available to stream and download now, and his new EP 'Two' is set to drop on the 26th June. Have a listen to 'Play' in the player below.