As a music journalist, I get sent an awful lot of music, and as a journalist who specialises in post punk music, I've experienced every corner of that wide genre.
The issue is, the majority of bands all seem to be variations on a theme. I love that early 90s pixies inspired sound like any other alt rocker, but how many times do I have to hear a fuzzed up guitar riff with a bend at the end of it? It's been 30 years since that sound was new and it's time for a change. Many bands are doing good work, Do Nothing are experimenting with funky groove rhythms and Black Midi are bringing progressive No Wave to the masses.
In my own music I do everything I can to change things up and keep things fresh. Before I write a song I will spend time listening to afrobeat, hip hop, 80s shred guitar, metalcore, Motown. Anything other than the direct influences of alternative rock. Because I've spent so much time in that genre, that influence will bleed through regardless. So why not experiment with new sounds and ideas? There are thousands of songs written every day, and hundreds uploaded online every second. You have to be different, you have to stand out. That's the whole point of being alternative. I just wish everyone understood that. The world would be a more interesting place if that were so. So once again I implore you. If you are making music, make it weird, make it new. And once you are done, send it to me.
Peace, Love & Cowbells,
Oscar