The First Song I Wrote
I wrote so many awful songs starting out – none I would want to remember. But I do have a vague memory of writing a song with my friend Zip in my bedroom in Byron when I was maybe 15: he played guitar over some stock drum loop we found in Acid Pro 1.2 and we both proceeded to write really clichéd rap lyrics.
The Last Song I Released
I worked with Peking Duk on their new single Take Me Over. I co-wrote it with them and Ben from Safia. Great dudes with forward thinking electronic pop music. I’m pretty confident this one will do quite well
Songwriting Secrets
I’ve never had rituals or a specific process when it comes to writing. I didn’t grow up playing instruments or learning music theory, but I did realise early on that I wanted to know the basics and have a decent knowledge of how to play piano. I’m so happy I took the time to do that because it helps me work quickly in the studio with session musicians and other songwriters. One thing that I’ve picked up over time is the importance of first instinct and vibe when writing. Getting lost in technical elements of a song is the quickest way to ruin a vibe in the studio in my opinion, like if someone decides to start EQ’ing a kick while I’m writing I’ll switch off.
The Song That Makes Me Proud
The most successful song I’ve written is Boys Like You for 360, but I think I’m most proud of Child. There’s obviously things I’d change about it now but I love that we wrote a super personal, almost five-minute song that ended up being as successful as it was, and it ticked none of the boxes sonically of what other songs did at the time on commercial radio. I put down the original idea of that song (chords/chorus and rough beat) in 30 minutes or so one morning before 60 arrived at the studio, albeit finishing the song took probably two months!
The Song That Changed My Life
I don’t really have a particular song but Michael Jackson’s Dangerous is a very important album to me. I know it’s not Thriller or Off the Wall, but to me being seven years old and hearing it while it was current was incredible. From as early as I remember I always had an affinity with R&B music and I think it started with Dangerous. It definitely didn’t come from my parents’ influence.
STYALZ FUEGO’s has been busy in the studio producing Peking Duk’s newest cut Take Me Over feat. Safia. Head to Soundcloud to see what all the fuss is about.
