The Art of Longevity Season 9, Episode 1: Crowded House
Mar 9, 2024
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Discover the timeless songwriting skills of Neil Finn through Crowded House's classic albums. Explore the band's evolution and the intricate process of selecting songs for their records. Dive into the challenges of longevity in the music industry and the emotional impact of their music on fans. Reflect on the band's creative songwriting process and their anticipation for upcoming gigs and new music releases.
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Quick takeaways
Crowded House albums require time to appreciate, showcasing Neil Finn's songwriting skills.
Crafting an album involves thoughtful sequencing for a holistic sensory experience.
Band dynamics and enjoyment in collaboration enhance music quality and audience reception.
Deep dives
Navigating the Music Industry Challenges
In the podcast, the challenges of navigating the music industry are highlighted through the perspective of an artist. The discussion delves into the pressure of fitting into the industry's changing dynamics, where artists are expected to juggle various roles like videographers and influencers, alongside being musicians. The episode emphasizes the struggle for longevity and success within the competitive music landscape, shedding light on the prevalence of broken dreams and the intense ambition required to carve a path in the industry.
Artistic Evolution and Album Composition
The episode explores the artistry and evolution of creating albums, focusing on the composition process for the new record 'Gravity Stares.' The artists discuss the thoughtfulness behind sequencing tracks for vinyl, dividing the record into a more accessible first side and a reflective second side. They delve into the visual and auditory aspects of crafting an album, emphasizing the importance of engaging multiple senses and creating a holistic experience for listeners.
Music's Endurance and Connection with Audiences
The conversation shifts towards the enduring power of music and building a lasting connection with audiences. The artists reflect on their journey of creating music that transcends time and resonates with listeners across generations. They discuss the significance of live performances in strengthening bonds with fans and maintaining a dedicated fan base. Additionally, they touch upon the evolving music landscape, where success is redefined beyond traditional measures like award nominations, focusing more on personal fulfillment and artistic integrity.
Importance of Enjoying the Band's Company and Dynamic for Creativity
The podcast delves into the significance of band dynamics and mutual enjoyment among members in maintaining creativity and excitement in music-making. It emphasizes how bands, like Crowded House, benefit from a positive environment where members relish each other's company, fostering a healthier and more fulfilling creative process. The discussion highlights the notion that a band's unity and joy in collaboration amplify the music's quality and audience reception, setting them apart from solo projects
Challenges in Songwriting and Production Process
The podcast explores the challenges faced in songwriting and music production, shedding light on the evolving nature of creativity over time. It discusses the perseverance required to develop songs, navigate through distractions, and avoid over-polishing during the production phase. Furthermore, it touches on the thematic elements recurrent in songwriting, focusing on concepts of melancholy, redemption, and breaking personal boundaries. The discussion underscores the continuous strive for improvement in the creative process despite facing obstacles and the necessity to balance experimentation with the preservation of original essence in music.
Archiving and Musical Evolution
The podcast reflects on the archiving of musical content and the evolution of artists over time. It discusses the value of curating unreleased songs and demo material, offering insights into the hidden aspects of music creation. The conversation touches upon the challenges of preserving artistic integrity while exploring diverse musical styles and decisions in production. Additionally, it delves into the importance of maintaining a balance between creating new music and revisiting past works, acknowledging the intricate process of cultivating a musical legacy while embracing innovative approaches for future compositions.
Try playing a Crowded House record (any of them) then let Spotify play on…you will get just the best selection of really great songs. Go on, try it and you’ll see for yourself. This discovery may well make drivetime radio programming a heck of a lot easier, or possibly redundant altogether.
You may of course be a Crowded House fan and like, know this already. You may be a casual admirer, or even a sceptic. In which case, take the time to enjoy this shared revelation. But let me tell you that this is simple proof of Neil Finn’s songwriting skills. Certainly it’s more to do with that than mathematics.
I’m saying this as a recently converted fan. One of the deep pleasures (and deep privilege) of doing this podcast is that I can discover what I’ve missed, correct my own perceptions of some artists, and get up to fan-speed.
This band has made stone cold classic albums. Woodface, Together Alone, the debut album probably too. But each one of their seven studio L.Ps now including a brand new album Gravity Stairs offers a masterclass in high quality song and sound craft. Together Alone is a high point for sure but I particularly enjoyed the 2010 Intriguer album. Thing is, Crowded House records take time to love. They grow on you, something Neil Finn is well aware of:
"In general our records that may have been regarded as classic, have taken their time. Every album has been a slow boiler, requiring a lot of belief in it".
However, Gravity Stairs feels much more immediate than the band’s more subtle 2021 release Dreamers Are Waiting. Crowded House have cracked the code to a healthy longevity. Classic songs, great stagecraft, a relaxed attitude to ‘success’ and a continuous desire to create something new that’s actually good. Whether the new songs last as long as the old doesn’t matter too much when it’s the same writer, the same band that has made its mark indelibly.
One thing is for sure, those songs will probably outlive the algorithms.
