Name/Band Name: Stuart Newman
Where are you based and what area do you play in? Brighton, UK
Website: www.stuartnewmanmusic.com (music, video, free downloads)
How many years has your band been together/ have you been performing?
About 3 years I guess.
How old were you when you started playing?
Well, I started playing a musical instrument maybe around 10yrs-ish, Taking music seriously, maybe from 20/21yrs.
What instruments do you play? What influenced your choices?
I do the song writing, vocals, guitar and piano… piano was something I was gently pushed towards when I was
younger, but guitar took over due to circumstance really. I’m largely self-taught in both. Singing somehow materialised over that.
What instrument do you wish you played?
Well, the next logical one might be drums. But I think I’ll stick to exploring my existing set.
What genre would you call your music? Have you always been into this genre?
I write mellow-indie-rock… my early work is more acoustic… I listen to these genres, but probably listen to more pop-punk/emo, 60s, rock, indie, Alt-things… My listening is more aggressive and more energetic than my writing perhaps is.
Describe your music.
Lyrically driven melancholy rock.
Do you think the internet has helped musicians or hindered them?
Both. It’s hurt the old-school and helped some of the new. Generally, until the internet establishes itself, it’s hurting things overall. The rug has been pulled from under the industry and people are frantically weaving a new one. It’s an interesting time to be an artist.
Do you use social media? How do you promote yourself?
Yes. I have my website (https://www.stuartnewmanmusic.com) and some of the main social networks. I promote myself through hard work and
through doing the best I can do with what’s available to me. Determination and hard work.
Do you enjoy other art forms?
Yes. Big stand-up comedy fan, films… I dabble in enjoying the ‘paintings’ side of art, but nothing like as much as the first two mentioned.
Who are the musicians we should all be running out to listen to?
Run back in time and listen to The Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel. Find what you like and absorb it fully. The more time you spend with your music collection the more you’ll get from it.
Why is live music best?
I don’t agree it is, not for me anyway. It’s great for those who like it and there are lots available if that’s your thing. It a great time to be a music fan, no doubt.
What advice can you give to people just starting out?
Be prepared to work much harder than you think, for no reward, for a long time. Then reassess if it’s what you want. Then work harder.
How much time do you spend on writing? Practising? Performing?
As much as I can. If I’m not working on something, I’m somewhere thinking about it, thinking what the next step is, the next thing to do.
How do you hope to develop musically?
In ways I couldn’t even go into without boring the socks off you. I have many ideas beyond the ones I’m currently working on – I think you have to. Especially if you’re in it for the right reasons and for the long haul. Onwards and upwards. Keep writing, keep failing, keep getting up, keep succeeding, keep the passion.
Do you get involved with politics? Should art and politics mix?
I’ve written political stuff. If you have no thoughts on politics or never engage with it, what are you doing really? Walking around only looking at what’s in front of you? I’ve written political stuff and also write stuff that can have more of an alternative edge to it. So I guess, to answer your
question, art and politics can mix, but not for the sake of it. You need to know why you’re doing what you’re doing. That’s just command of your own artistic self.
What do you wish you had known earlier about the music industry?
It’s a jungle and you’re naked and hungry until you go out and find the tools and things you need. You’re owed nothing. Prove things, don’t say things.
When is your next recording coming out?
Well, I’ve recently released a new single, so it’ll depend. There are plenty of things to explore for people eager for music, videos and things. Plus, it’s currently on free download. So dig in.
Will you remember us when you are famous?
If you subscribe to the rock’n’roll myths. If you can remember much – you’ve done it wrong… Who are you again…? What are we drinking?
Finish this limerick: There once was a muso from…
There once was a muso from Brighton,
Whose senses all started to heighten,
He wrote some songs down,
Playin’ all chords with a frown,
Who kept writin’ until it they were right on.
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