After breaking through with his much-loved debut EP 'September Surf' last year, emerging artist Scrimshaw Porn is back once again to deliver his innovative new single 'Edgar Allan'.
Inspired by the legendary poet Edgar Allan Poe, this new outing sees him in a fresh and renewed spirit throughout. Brimming with broad and emotive textures, a sweeping atmosphere, and shimmering vocals at every turn, he returns to the fold with one of his most dynamic efforts yet.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The piano. Specifically, my Grampa Erl's 1892 rosewood Steinway. It was the centrepiece of my living room growing up and my dad is still a prolific player. We still do 3 & 4 hands on that piano. I used to play along with whatever was on the 8 track or reel to reel at the time.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Before I could go to the record store and buy my own, I'd pick from my parents’ stuff -Queen, the Beatles, James Taylor, Carol King, Carly Simon, Santana, Dave Brubeck (ooh!), Miles Davis, CSNY... I really should get an 8 track player as I seem to have inherited dozens of albums that sadly, live in milk crates in my basement. Maybe in my next car. Anyway, in the early teen years, I took a shine to all the new wave British stuff - The Cure, The Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen, The The, The Fixx, Depeche Mode, Psych Furs, New Order, Tears For Fears, etc.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Hmm. Big picture, other than Making Out, which was a tear off single in Mad Magazine and definitely my first personally owned single, I think it was The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths. The sleeve adorns one of the walls in my recording studio. Johnny Marr. Holy shit. And yes, Morrissey, amazing.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There are many but since I’m being pigeon holed, I’ll say Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears. It is a perfect song and dare I say the very best song in its genre in the 80’s. The drummer does a hi hat pattern that is kind of the reverse of what most drummers would do, the soaring guitar work, the vocals -astonishing. It is a timeless song. I’d take Escape by Rupert Holmes as a back up. That man knew how to produce. I had that 45 with Him on the flip side. Ok, last one. No one could ever reproduce Wild World by Cat Stevens. The first time I ever really listened to it was when I was considering going to UVM and the upperclassmen who were hosting me were off doing something and I found the cassette in the room and put it in. I was very stoned and very moved. Definitely made me cry. I rewound and played it at least 15 times in a row. I could go on.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
A lot of my stuff begins on the piano. Also, the text chain to myself is extensive -I sing melodies, lines, bass lines, percussive lines and little catch phrases that occasionally go on to write themselves into a song. I really don’t feel like I’ve ever written a song in a formal way, like Beethoven did after losing his hearing. My songs always write themselves, meaning I just improvise over whatever has made itself the basis for that song. Having a good set up in my studio, which I built about two years ago, has increased my musical output for sure. I often bounce the song to my phone and bluetooth in my car to flesh out vocals and filter out elements that don’t work well. In my studio, I use a pencil and typing paper to scratch out ideas and vocal lines and I listen and change things over and over and over until I like it. It is common for me to nearly hate a song I’m working on out of sheer redundancy. I like a cocktail or 3 before singing.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I am currently in love with Drinking Salt Water by Mildfire. It’s not so much the artist for me but more about the song. It’s unusual for me to like everything from a particular artist but I’ve not heard a bad song from Spoon, Band of Horses or Tame Impala. I love Gorillaz. Mood dependent, Beastie Boys. I really didn’t love Taylor Swift until I watched Lover on SNL. Wow. That girl is as good an actress as anyone.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
If it meant hanging out pre-show, then I’d have to say The Cure. I’d really like to hang out with Robert Smith and although their stuff is generally guitar driven, and mine is not, I think the audience would dig Scrimshaw Porn. Same for Radiohead / Thom Yorke.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I like when people actually listen. There’s a lot of thought that goes into good writing and recognition is very flattering and very satisfying. In a live context, there is simply nothing better than gelling with dear friends on stage in a packed house.
And what is the most frustrating part?
There’s nothing worse than someone who blathers on when you’re trying to show off your latest work. Repulsive. I can’t stand when people listen to new music on a phone. Ugh. Sounds like shit.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I am still waiting for this. Please advise. Thanks!
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Scrimshaw Porn's new single 'Edgar Allan' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.