A collaborative, evolving audiovisual soundscape, the core of Teddyboy is created from the mind of a single person using only what is available in the moment. Alive on stage, breathing in the reverb and built up and over and over, Teddyboy is a man, a collective, no one, the down in the dumps drive by drive-through drive-in smashed the guitar run the string through your gut and play the right thing, the right way baby, wherever you’re going.
Written, produced and performed by the artist, “Promises, Promises” is the first of two singles recorded this past winter by Teddyboy at his RabbitxRabbit studio in East Nashville. The second single “Separate Ways” will be released in February of 2017 with a full EP entitled “Mountain Science” to follow soon thereafter.
In this interview spotlight, we chat with Teddyboy about influences, the digital music world and much more.
Q&A along with links and the video for Promises, Promises below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
Teddyboy was started in Nashville, where I’ve lived for a little over a year now. My songs have always been about exploring the simple question of “What are the the things between us?” That is to say: “what are the things that we share as human beings that bring us together and what are the things that keep us apart?” With Teddyboy, that exploration is supported by soundscapes and arrangements consisting of drum machines, guitars, and synthesizers. My goal is to make music that conjures up what I’m trying to express as well as to take the listener on a film- like sonic journey. And if it’s got a great groove even better.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
When I moved to Nashville it was with the full intention that I was starting over. I had spent the previous couple of years in a loud guitar rock band and once that was over I wanted to go back to my first love which was writing and recording in my studio. I dreamt up Teddyboy before I knew what the music would sound like. That’s a holdover from my time studying performance/live art in Glasgow, Scotland. The form informs the content. The first Teddyboy stuff was all covers, I did Peter Gabriel’s “I Go Swimming,” a tripped out version of AC/DC’s “Can I Sit Next to You Girl,” and Kate Bush’s “Hounds of Love.” I did this to get my feet wet in my new studio in Nashville. The more time I spent working in my new space, the more I got excited about what was happening. It’s a really satisfying thing when an experiment mutates into something that you actually want to share with people., and that desire to share my art is a constant motivation.
Who or what are your biggest influences when it comes to your creativity?
Music has always been about making connections for me. As a kid my favorite records were the ones that made me feel like I wasn’t alone in the world. I like artists that are always exploring and pushing the envelope. I listen to a lot of music, watch a lot of movies and read a lot of books, the latter of which really informs my songwriting more than anything right now.
How is your new release different than previous ones? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
“Promises, Promises” is the first original song Teddyboy has released. It started as a little drum and bass groove that swam around in my head for a couple months, then one day all those lyrics just spilled out. I had been out on tour playing bass for another act, and on a long night drive back home we listened to a presidential primary debate on the radio. I think that probably gave me the push to write the song. I had one day off to get all my ideas down before they would vanish back into the creative ether. “Promises, Promises” is not a political song, but it could be, if that’s what gets you going. Political or not, it’s hard work to have any real control over your life. There are lots of decisions that are automatically made for you that you just have to go along with. We get made a lot of promises that are never kept, and we’re taught to just accept it and move on. I think this song is just trying to see through that a little bit.
Do you face any challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? On the flip side, how has technology helped you (if it has)?
I think the internet is about the sharpest double edged sword there is for musicians. On the one hand, it’s incredible that artists can curate their own work and put it on the internet to share with people. The ability to begin to find an audience by putting out music without the help of a record label or PR firm is truly unprecedented, and has given some artists a degree of success that might not have otherwise happened. However, the focus may be too heavy on how much an artist has to be personally available to any and all on the social network, and in turn is graded on that aspect of their career, regardless if anyone is buying or listening to the work. I think at the end of the day, that may be counter intuitive to the art, and to what an artist is.
How do you feel about streaming services? Any romantic attachments to the physical formats: vinyl, 8-track, cassettes, CDs?
I’m a long-time vinyl junkie. For me personally, owning music I love is a big deal.
Where can we follow you online and hear more music?
Teddyboymusic.com will pretty much point you in any direction you want to go, but there’s also Facebook (Facebook.com/teddyboymusic), Twitter (twitter.com/teddyboymusic) and Instagram (Teddyboymusic16.) You can also subscribe to the Teddyboy bandcamp which can be found at www.teddyboymusic.bandcamp.com.
Anything else before we sign off?
There’s plenty more music coming up on the horizon! A second single release called “Separate Ways” will be out in February and then an EP I’m currently working on called “Mountain Science” should be out in the late spring. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to check it all out!
