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Matt Berninger cited in a podcast for Pitchfork, the New York band, Silver Jews as a great influence on the band. Berninger stated the band's ‘free recklessness’ with their music, saying the “chaotic dissonance” (14:40) inspired their own. Berninger also stated in the podcast that the Silver Jews band was such an influence on him that they ‘changed him’ and he ‘didn’t care' if they sounded like Silver Jews. In a Pitchfork review of their first album, they were accused of copying Silver Jews, Berninger went on to admit the band had tried to make a Silver Jews record (Sodomsky, 2020). This demonstrates the tremendous influence Silver Jews had on the band.

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In an interview with CMT (2007), Swift stated, “I was influenced early on by all of the great female country artists. …Like…the Dixie Chicks. …[they] completely drew me in to country music.” Swift later credited the country group for inspiring her live performances, their incorporation of flamboyance while playing their own instruments is seen in Swift’s own performances. Swift has also been inspired by their songwriting, stating that she was inspired specifically by the band’s depiction of female rage (Newman, 2020). This is something Taylor has written about in her songs, such as ‘Picture to Burn’ and more recently ‘Mad Woman’ where she critiques sexism (1:06:00) (Swift, 2020).

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In a 2019 interview with people magazine, Taylor Swift named the former member of ‘The Beatles’, Paul McCartney, as her second biggest influence. Swift also named McCartney’s selfless nature as a performer, and his ‘unparalleled art’ as influence to her own which is clear in her current tour as she performs for 3 hours (Aramesh, 2023) . She also stated that she admired his knack for playing old and classic songs at his concerts. This is something she has incorporated into her concerts, even creating a whole tour around her old songs.

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Taylor Swift has named the country singer/songwriter, Shania Twain as one of her biggest influences. In an interview for TIME magazine (2009), Swift stated Twain’s strong and independent nature was of great influence to her; this is evident in Swift speaking out against her old label and re-recording her masters. Swift also shared in the interview, that Twain writing her own songs was influential on Swift’s decision to write her own music, stating, “That meant so much to me… knowing that the stories she was telling… those were her stories.” This is blatant in Swifts’ works such as her 2010 album Speak Now which she is credited as the sole songwriter.

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The National’s lead singer and lyricist, Matt Berninger, named Joy Division as one of the bands many influences. In an interview with The Scenestar magazine (2007), Berninger named Ian Curtis, the lead singer of Joy Division as an influence on his vocal performance, stating this could be due to a similar vocal range to the Joy Division singer. Berninger also quoted the drumming of Stephen Morris, of Joy Divisions, as a big influence on the style The National’s drummer, Bryan Devendorff. These can both be seen in The National’s song ‘Rylan’.

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In a 2020 interview for Pitchfork, Matt Berninger, the lead singer and lyricist for The National, sourced the London based band, The Smiths, as an inspiration for his own lyricism. Berninger stated that he connected with the stories Jim Morrissey, the lead singer and lyricist of The Smiths, wrote about, and singled out the song ‘Boy with the Thorn in His Side’ from the bands 1986 album, ‘The Queen Is Dead’ as inspiration for his own brooding storytelling evident in ‘New Order T-Shirt’ which talks about vivid memories, something everybody can relate to. (Sodomsky, 2020).

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In a 2004 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Missy Higgins cited Patty Griffin as an influence on her music. Higgins was inspired by the American singers’ songwriting, stating the ‘raw honesty’ in Griffin’s writing has inspired her own candid writing expression evident in her songs such as, ‘Where I Stood’, ‘Songs for Sammy’ and ‘The Special Two’ where she explores losing herself in a relationship, her deepest fears, and regrets in her relationships.

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Missy Higgins has named the Australian folk rock band ‘The Waifs’ as a big influence on her own songwriting in a 2017 interview with the Australian Music Vault. Higgins cited the bands story telling as a major impact on her own lyricism, she stated their ‘visual lyrics’ and ‘originality in their poetic lyrics’ created inspiration for the way she writes her own lyrics (3:20). Higgins also shared in the interview, she was inspired by their own folk, acoustic, rock style of music which, is evident in Higgins’ own unique style.

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On the ABC’s ‘Take 5 with Zan Rowe’ (2023), Missy Higgins has named Sarah McLachlan as one of her biggest inspirations. The Canadian singer/songwriter was a direct inspiration on Higgins’ identity as a pop singer, songwriter and artist. She allowed Higgins to create a candidness to her music and performances that Higgins had not seen in the pop artist’s of the 90’s. Missy Higgins has also shared that she was influenced by McLachlan’s piano ballads style music and her authenticity in performances. Higgins cited McLachlan as a ‘Direct inspiration’ for her first song ‘All For Believing’, naming McLachlan’s confessional and heart wrenching lyrics as the source of inspiration. (6:00)

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Missy Higgins has been a huge inspiration for me since I was 3 years old. Her intricate mash of genre and poignant lyrics which take you through the journey of a story have guided my own approach to lyricism and composition. Higgins' use of specific word choices create vivid imagery that captivates the listener. This heavy use of imagery inspires my own approach to lyricism. Higgins’ ability to mash genres such as pop, folk and rhythm and blues through incorporating different elements of each genre creates a versatility that I aspire to have in my own composition.

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The National have been instrumental in the development of my own music. Their instrumentation and production inspired me to want to become a music producer. Aaron and twin Bryce Dessner’s intricate productions create these visual soundscapes that submerge the listener into the song. This, accompanied by Matt Berninger’s lyrics, creates beautiful imagery for the listener. Their use of unique organic instruments, heavily layered to create intricate productions inspire my own and is the level of depth I aspire to in my work. Their utilisation of the entire stereo field submerges the listener and is something I strive for in my own productions.

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Taylor Swift not only inspired my desire to create my own music but continues to inspire me today. From her poignant lyrics to her genre swapping style, Taylor Swift has inspired me in every aspect of music. Her 2020 album ‘Folklore’ influenced the way I thought about lyrics, her mix of intricate storytelling along with Romantics style poetic lyrics have guided the way I write my own lyrics. Swift’s genre swapping abilities has also influenced my own songwriting, from her early country albums to her more recent pop albums, even her brief stint in Indie folk, inspires my own aspiration to be versatile in songwriting.

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Maja/Me