INTRO BY MADDEN LEVIN
INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY
PHOTO COURTESY OF GIVE ME MOTION
A guy who solely hopes that people take inspiration from his music, Give Me Motion is an incredible musician and person. On his most recent tour with Secret Midnight Press, we were able to catch up with him a bit to learn about some exciting new content being released soon and why making people inspired was his main goal. Be sure to check Give Me Motion out on social media, as well as on music streaming devices. Trust us, you won’t regret it!
At what age did you realize that you wanted to be a musician?
"I sang and played piano when I was about 8, but it wasn’t until I plugged in an electric guitar and heard Weezer and Ben Folds Five that I thought that I could write songs and play on stage. I was mortified of piano recitals, but playing guitar and singing in band seemed much more feasible."
Where do you find most inspiration when creating music?
"In the moment. For me that means whether I’m just noodling on an instrument and I like the pattern and I then want to build it out into a song or I’m overcome by the emotions I’m having in reaction to an event in my life or an event that continues to be on mind. But it always comes from gettng swept away by the moment."
What was the process like creating Extra Ordinary?
"It was a long process. It took me about two years because I had a full time job and I went on a few tours. Jeremy Hatcher, the producer of the record, also was hopping between LA and Nashville and our timelines didn’t always overlap, so instead of rushing the process we just worked when we could. We recorded most of Extraordinary, WYBT, Autumn, and LDL/Indebted in one block and Usually, Now that I know it, and few unreleased tracks in another block, making small adjustments and overdubs along the way."
What song are you most proud of from the record and why?
"I’d have to say Usually Helping. I came to Jeremy with only the chord progressions, a loose melody, and the chorus of 'we are usually helping each other' sung in a lower register. So we built out the entire song with no lyrics which is very very unusual for me and I spent a lot of time writing and rewriting the lyrics. I wasn't finding anything that was working; I wasn’t even entirely sure what the song was about, but I had to finish it. After finally prompting one writing session with other songs opening lyrics I found 'shakedown 1995' helped me write the entire song. Now I think it’s my favorite song on the record."
In what ways, if at all, do you think your music has changed over the years?
"Extra Ordinary was certainly my first attempt at 'plugging-in' after years of Give Me Motoon being a primarily solo-acoustic endeavor. It’s the fastest and loudest I’ve played since being in bands like Eight Bit Brendan, Expansion Pack, Edisson and Too Hot to Kill.
I’ve also found the ukulele to be a great device for simplifying song structures and chord progressions. Having a uke a round has greatly influenced how I write music now."
What do you hope people take from your music?
"Inspiration. I want people to be inspired to do the hard things in their life and to follow their arrows like I’ve followed mine. I want to be an example that consistency and perseverance are just as important as talent."
Is there anything we can expect from you in the near future?
"I’ll be re-releasing a 12 song album of fully remastered songs I’ve put out via YouTube over the past seven years. It’s titled 'There Goes Summer' and will be out mid May. I’ve also FINALLY FINISHED a music video for WYBTWIBT and it will be out May 14. It's got tons of great footage from my adventures on the road and out at sea. It's sure to inspire you to put some motion in your life. Also expect some live tour recordings and different versions of Extra Ordinary songs released on my Patreon!"