Interview with Aidan McGuire
Hello, welcome back, I hope you’ve had a good rest and Christmas if you celebrate! For my last post of 2020, I thought I'd switch it up a bit with an interview. I pulled some strings and got the chance to talk to the wonderful Aidan McGuire who is releasing a new single Head in the Clouds on the 2nd of January 2021. I loved speaking to him and I hope you’ll love hearing what he has to say.
How was the recording process for this song?
“It was interesting. The song was written in February and from March, I had been trying to record it in my bedroom several times. The song was very different back then from what it is now, it was acoustic; slow type of thing. I had about 5 different demos on my laptop and I got really close to the real song. I changed so much from the original song, changed the time signature most notably and that really brought the song to life. I got so close with this backing track that I had. I just couldn’t get it to sound good, it was almost there and that was probably about May or June. I just sat on it from May until about December. Then I saw on Instagram, a guy called James Connolly, who is lovely, saying he had some free slots at Glass Onion Studio in Birmingham and if anyone was interested they could message him so I did and I went to the studio. It was amazing, he got the exact sound that I wanted. He also played the drums and the bass on the track as well. It was a lovely vibe, yeah, can't wait to go back.”
How did this differ from your previous recording experiences?
“Most notably, it was the first time I have ever been in a studio so that was an amazing experience. Also, I’ve never sat on a song for this long. With the other two, I wrote it and recorded it pretty quickly. Never Again was done in about two hours and Submarine was done in about a week. So I’ve never sat on a song for that long and never perfected it that much.”
Do you think that perfecting song allowed the song to really become the best it could be?
“Oh yeah, absolutely. I could have very easily recorded it on my phone, the first draft and that would be it. I could have posted it and people would have listened to it but I don't think people would have cared that much. Obviously, people would care, like my mom and dad but most people that listen to me maybe wouldn't have replayed it. I’m hoping with this one that people will want to listen a bit more than the other two. Also, it completely changed the song. I can’t stress how much the song has changed.”
What was your inspiration for this song?
“So I was on holiday, in St Ives in February. And one of the days the beach looked very miserable and I’m not going to lie, I was miserable as well and I just thought it was a nice comparison. It just got it out.”
Is writing songs useful in understanding your emotions?
“Yes, I don't really do it often though. If I have a very strong emotion, I tend to do something else. I write songs if I’m bored. When I’m bored, I want to try and put effort into something important.”
The song is incredibly written, how do you tend to write songs?
Is there any method you use?
“Not really, usually I’ll have a hook written down on an instrument of some description, whether it be a nice chord progression or drum. Never Again was built around that drum loop. And then usually it’s something I really like and then I write some lyrics to it. That’s it really, I don't have a particular method to it.”
What is your favourite part of the song?
“There's a bit after second verse, the second bridge and it all gets a bit weird and maybe abrasive. But honestly, I wish made it more loud and noisy but some people might not want to listen to it. It’s not a compromise but if I was to change one thing, I would make that louder and weirder.”
What are your top three favourite albums of 2020?
“Oh, don’t do this to me! Well, Fetch the Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple, you knew that was coming. Obviously, she's an icon. Then, Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers because I’m that sad girl crying to herself at 2 in the morning. Third one, Morning Kiss at the Acropolis by Halloweens. It’s the side project of two of the members from the Vaccines. A great album, takes inspiration from disco and Elton John. I don’t even like Elton John but I like this a lot. And they spoke to me on Twitter two weeks ago so now we are practically best mates.”
Who are your main influences?
“I have a lot because I like a lot of different types of music. But for this song, the main one was a song called You Don't Own Me by Lesley Gore and that was the song that really influenced it. I liked the drumming pattern and chord progression and time signature. Also the drama of it, I really wanted it to sound dramatic. How Glad I Am by Nancy Wilson. That had a big part to play. Production wise, when it was my dodgy home studio, that was mainly influenced by Billie Eilish and her brother. That industrial sound which is infused into all her music. I could waffle on forever about the synths. There’s one in there inspired by Cavetown.”
Do you think music videos are important for releases?
“As a promotional tool, yes. A great music video means that most people will be re-watching it and will grow to like it. It’s not necessary but can be important.”
What genres would you say your music falls into?
“Indie, Pop probably, maybe some synth stuff. I don’t know really. Indie is a big umbrella term so I always say that but if someone came up to me and gave me a genre, I wouldn’t tell them they are chatting out their arse you know?”
You run a magazine called Loud Mouth, Do you enjoy interviewing other musicians?
“Yeah because if I didn’t I wouldn't do it. The interviewing bit I love but the writing up I hate. It gets quite boring. But actually having conversations with people in the industry about music is incredible and I’ve made good friends.”
Who are your favourite musicians in the Midlands/Birmingham scene?
“The New Consistent. He’s just released a new EP called Stories from the 01905. But it’s incredible. It reminds me of Mike Skinner, like the earlier Streets stuff like Original Pirate Material. Also, The Novus, they are lovely, lovely people and they make banging tunes. The Butters Aliens, they are a great punk band. Birmingham has an amazing punk scene which I think is very underrated so if you’re looking for some new punk, look to your home city.”
Do you have any plans for 2021?
“No not at all, because if you make plans, they will get cancelled at the moment unfortunately. Although, I’ve got a gig at The Sunflower Lounge, supporting Dune Boy who is another great local artist. Going to a few gigs myself but apart from that, nothing.”
Shout out to anyone?
“James Connolly, @jamesconnolymusic on Instagram, because he really brought the song to life and I couldn’t have done it without him. Also, of course, Mom and Dad. They’ve been very supportive and paid half of the studio time, been nothing but helpful throughout. And also Seamus Donnelly for gracing me with his beautiful artwork for the single.”
Lastly, my favourite question to ask anyone,
Who would you invite to a dinner party dead or alive real or fictional?
“How many can I have?”
You can pick three.
“ I’d have Jeff Mangum from Neutral Milk Hotel because he is one of my favourite song writers, I’m that type of kid that loves ‘In the Aeroplane Over the Sea'. I want to ask him so many questions, mainly why do we not have any music since 1998 Jeff? I’d have Ian Dury who is my favourite lyricist of all time. Although, apparently he’s quite an arsehole but I would want him there you know? And finally, Scott Hutchison from Frightened Rabbit because he wrote my favourite album of all time, 'The Midnight Organ Fight'. We could have an amazing discussion about song writing because I would want to know all their takes on everything and ask them so many questions. Those would be my three.”
Aidan has a new single out on the 2nd of January and you can find his music on most streaming platforms. His instagram is @aidan._mcg and here’s a link to spotify.
I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed it and thank you to Aidan again for answering some questions for me.
I hope you are doing well, and finish off the year with lovely celebrations.
See you in 2021,
Lots of love,
Leah.
P.s if you have any feedback or want to talk with me please either dm me on instagram @leah_nott or email me leahdotnott@gmail.com.
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