5 Q&A With block channel
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind "Strictly Business" and the story it tells?
It is a warning for those who are about to embark on a new initiative or business venture where they provide the innovative ideas, creativity, hard work, loyalty and enthusiasm but rely on others to manage the legals and financials. Goodwill, pleasantries and a handshake can count for nothing when the money starts to roll in. Get 50:50 shareholding or befriend a good commercial lawyer before you give anything. Trust me…
Were there any challenges or obstacles you faced while creating this single?
For a new artist, the challenge is to engage the listener from the first few seconds so they stick with the track but without going too big too soon and giving it all away or worse succumb to a conventional pop structure and become cliché.
So in “Strictly Business” I hoped the sinister undertone accompanied by a “reverbed” vocal would generate just enough mystery to help the listener hold on. I must have played around with the vocals longer than the music in all honesty, replacing any hint of joy, with gritted teeth pain and resentment. The subject matter burns me…I suppose I am still the victim here and this track is catharsis, the combined drums and bass a reward to those who hear the full story within the four minutes. I hope I have achieved something punchy rather than self-indulgent, enough to grab an audience’s attention.
How do you feel "Strictly Business" represents your artistic identity?
I write what I know and I sing what I want. This music is me. I am my music. No tribute, no contrived algorithm, no distractions by what should be commercially successful and no swaying to populist opinion. Just me in the raw, sceptical cynical, independent. “Strictly Business” is a message and a warning from a victim. I suppose this is what block channel is, a representation of all of us who have been or will be victims whether through some form of self-harm, ignorance, exposure to third-party shithousery or a life of servitude.
In fact most block channel songs including “Strictly Business”, “il Capo”, “Oligarchs and Rocket Ships”, “Work Like a Dog”, “Middle Finger” and “Tik Tockk” should resonate with people who feel more than slightly disaffected by fellow humans and especially those in authority, suffering hubris who are currently our “leaders”.
Worth noting I have written some happy songs and love songs too…
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
I am one of over 8 billion people on the planet who think he is special, unique, creative and with a special story to tell. Deluded and vain with an innate desire to be heard and remembered.
I cannot read music, I have not been professionally trained as a singer and my guitar, synth and drumming skills are adequate. But I like what I produce and listen to it often. I think I am getting better and I have many more projects planned.
I love all music, from Prince to The Prodigy, John Grant to Jesus and Mary Chain, Idles to Iggy Pop, The Smiths to Spiritualised and I have grown up with a Walkman, iPod, Bose Headphones and now AirPods. I must have been plugged into over a million songs in my lifetime. Each one has shaped, influenced and inspired me to write my own. Music is energy. I want my music, my energy to live and transcend when I am gone. Even if it is only my family and friends who have listened to it.
Do you aim to convey any specific themes or messages through your music?
I write about my experiences of love, life, fear, anger, depression, frustration and elation as well as the external influences affecting the peace and security of my family and friends which is usually some form of insecurity caused by those who have power and are corrupted by it.
It’s a love and hate thing. Wanting to be liked by the people whilst frustrated by the people. Loathing the social media, algorithmic system but relying on it to get my music heard. Despising the Oligarchy and greed but needing them for my material. This light and dark, love and hate is found in all my writing and music from block channel’s first album “Sum of All My Fears” to its next release, “chiaroscuro”
