It’s time for Track of the Week.
This week, we caught up with recent BIMM Bristol Graduate George Clement about his latest release, ‘All Went Grey’. The wordsmith reflects on how he felt during the past 18 months, with lyrics that discuss the more challenging parts of living through a pandemic, backed up with a punchy indie tune.
Take a listen and discover more about George’s influences and inspirations for the track below.
What was your inspiration when you began writing the track?
The whole lockdown situation mainly. I remember in early 2020, hearing people write songs about what was going on. I remember thinking, it’s pretty early for all this, until a year later when I kind of lost myself and my mind. I would walk for hours in one direction just to do something, but I didn’t see anyone. It was peculiar. All the lyrics refer to little things that I went on during that time.
Are there any artists that inspire you when writing?
My two main points of reference are MARINA and Twenty One Pilots, I love them both so much, and that’s always the vibe I try and aim for. However, for this track, I was in the middle of listening to IGOR by Tyler, the Creator, for the first time and was inspired by some elements of his artistry.
What is key to your sound, and how do you make your music stand out?
OOOoooo, I suppose being somewhat clever with words and being mainly piano-driven? Those are just the things I enjoy. For this song, it was everything I was influenced by, the little things I utilised!
Everyone who helped with the song lifted it up to make it something I am super proud of. Betty’s drums were fantastic, Ru and Marta’s vocals were heavenly, and the song’s end is probably my favourite thing ever. Beth is such a production wizard it is insane. The whole time, I was like, ‘Hmmm, maybe we can try this’, I would take a sip of my Fanta, and it would be done. My music is a collaboration and a collection of everything I love. Everyone is unique in that aspect as we are all made up of the many things we enjoy.
How does your songwriting process work?
The last time I did one of these I always said words first, but that has changed. I’ll come up with a super fun motif or idea for a piano or bass part and then roll with it until I have a skeletal structure for a song. Then the words often come after, either on a subject that I’ve wanted to vent about for a while or just how I’ve been feeling. It’s like an awkward time capsule of how I’ve been doing!
Describe your sound in 3 words…
Quirky, Indie trash.
How has studying at BIMM helped you develop as an artist?
I’ve just finished my last year, so I’ve been thinking about this a lot! I remember joining BIMM as a super shy person who couldn’t play on stage, who was fascinated that people had their stuff on Spotify.
I had no idea how I was going to do anything I wanted. I’ve left with a plan, I’ve come out of my shell, and I’ve just grown up, ya’know? I’m releasing and playing music to people, which is insane to me as three years ago, that was my end goal and now it’s just my first step. I’ve met great people who have helped to shape me, and I’ve learned a lot. I’ve developed a lot as an artist but also as a person. Found my niche in music and found out a lot about myself!
What’s next for you?
Hopefully, more releases and gigs and stuff. I’m taking a little break to work and recover from ***DEGREE***, but I want to get out there more, mainly because things are opening up. I would love to stop making ripples and start making some waves.
