Back in the 1960s, toward the end of the last century, there was an awful lot of really incredible music reverberating from boxy upstairs bedrooms, school annexes, town halls, and most importantly for history's sake, from recording decks in St. John's Wood, West Hampstead and Holloway Road (lest we forget the indies - A.I.R., I.B.C., Lansdowne, Regent Sound, Olympic). Each note masterfully captured by ultra heavy-weights working their magic:
George Martin,
Shel Talmy,
Mickie Most,
Andrew Oldham,
Joe Meek,
Glyn Johns,
and countless others who sadly, may never find their way into history's celebrated pages. Another important factor for 60s music was in the "liberation" over the Beeb's stranglehold on radio playlists, by the growing numbers of offshore Pirate Radio Stations - Radio Caroline, Radio London, Radio Veronica, Capitol Radio, Radio Essex, Radio Scotland, Radio Jackie, King Radio; the list goes on.
(At this point, you're probably thinking, this is all beginning to sound like a bad History Lecture which, well it is, a bit. so let's move on, shall we?)
The point being influences. The Soft Sound is heavily influenced by the 60s, the 70s and by pop music in general. But all the while being fully aware that that was then and this is now, not trying to re-create any specific era as a statement of fashion. But we all have our influences and rather than try to pretend otherwise, Soft songwriter julien morris says:
"Without a doubt, the sixties sound is what did it for me. It all just seemed so...dare I say, magical. And to me, it's all about the melodies. Overall, I think the sixties provided the most sound songwriting, the most pleasing melodies and the most incredible sounds imaginable. That's certainly not to imply there hasn't been anyone since - that would be nonsense. There are loads. But I think any songwriter worth his salt must, in deference, give due nod to the sixties songwriters."
ACTUAL INFLUENCES: NAMING THE NAMES
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