AIM110 Project 1: Genealogy Tree of Musical Influences by Matthew Mccormick

Matthew McCormick

1033717_2 — 2024-06-06 13:11:41 UTC

Magdalena Bay

1033717_2 — 2024-06-06 13:27:11 UTC

This modern pop music duo has influenced me with both their musical and artistic concepts. Their creation of “atmospheric, intoxicating synthpop” (Curto, 2021) has directly inspired my own music production in creating sounds, melodies and chords that feel otherworldy while still standing on the grounds of pop music. I’m inspired by their artistic themes of existentialism and nostalgia alongside their visuals, full of mysterious and psychedelic elements which together leave me with that “wow!” factor after experiencing them.

Daft Punk

1033717_2 — 2024-06-07 00:23:47 UTC

Daft Punk have inspired me greatly ever since I was a child. From funk and dance fusion to electronic house tracks, they have influenced not only the style of music I produce but in the emotional landscape the music evoked in me, from passion and excitement through to melancholy, even feelings of love and affection. Growing up listening to their music has truly shaped who i am and I believe that is from both the composition and unique sonic elements they produced in their music.

Grimes

1033717_2 — 2024-06-07 00:29:23 UTC

"When they heard Grimes’ Art Angels, they were surprised to discover intricate arrangements and high-concept storylines" (Asaph, 2021).

The duo claims artist, Grimes, as one of their biggest inspirations to start their trajectory into creating pop music. "Opened up my perspective as to what pop music could actually be" (90.9 The Bridge, 2022)

Magdalena Bay heard the way Grimes integrated such experimentation into pop songs and were completely inspired to create music in that way like they had never done so before.

Progressive Rock

1033717_2 — 2024-06-13 08:12:39 UTC

"Thick-as-a-brick concept albums, an early embrace of synthesizers, overly complicated time signatures" (Dolan, 2015). These elements are seen in Magdalena Bay's composition as the two began writing music when part of a progressive rock band in high school, stated in their interview with Anthony Fantanto (2021). I see exactly how this influence has appeared in their music, particularly in their debut album "Mercurial World" which is a heavily conceptual album applying experimental arrangements and sounds I believe traces back to that prog rock influence.

Chicago House

1033717_2 — 2024-06-13 09:48:27 UTC

"We come from a House Music background"..."We emerged from that tradition" (Daft Punk, BBCRadio1, 2013). Daft Punk state how the influence of Chicago House music is truly a part of their beginnings of production. I hear the influence of specifically Chicago House in their first album "Homework", in the sound of the synths, samples and their use of 808 drum machines. I believe Daft Punk's Chicago House influence originally came from thriving in their home studio with these electronic instruments. Whilst creating this music, they infused it with their other musical influences.

Fiona Apple

1033717_2 — 2024-06-13 10:41:29 UTC

"I discovered Fiona Apple. For all the prog I listened to, she was my guiding star with melody and learning about myself" (Magdalena Bay, 2023). Mica Tenenbaum mentions how Fiona Apple influenced her writing even before they formed the band. I believe it's mostly in the emotional and psychological style of lyrics Fionna Apple writes in which the most influence comes from. "Matt grew up listening to her", "I discovered her through Matt" (Tenenbaum, Undertheradarmag, 2021). Both in Magdalena Bay's records and within their identity, Fiona Apple is present as an artist they look up to and love.

Disco

1033717_2 — 2024-06-13 10:41:54 UTC

Daft Punk “Pioneered 90's French house with their disco-inspired tracks” (Rolling Stone, 2015).

The influences of disco music can be heard in their instrumentation and composition. In Daft Punk's early works they take the elements of disco music like 'CHIC' style funky guitars, 4/4 drum beats and synths as they infuse it into dance and house records. Some of their music like "One More Time" takes a more direct influence, being considered more of a disco track than a house track, as Rolling Stone called the record "a reassuring disco classic for a weird new century" (2022).

George Clinton

1033717_2 — 2024-06-15 06:58:56 UTC

"Clinton was listed among Daft Punk’s influences on the track 'Teachers' from their debut album" (Discogs Digs, 2023). The duo directly pays homage to Clinton in the lyrics of 'Teachers' amongst others as an inspiration to them. I hear the influence of George Clinton in the funk elements Daft Punk uses in their records, which is heard from their earliest to their latest works. The funky riffs and rhythms in Daft Punk records such as 'Musique' I believe come from the inspiration of George Clinton's 'funkadelic' music style.