Chris DeLine

Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artist. In this, the third edition in the series, Vancouver-based solo artist Victor Scott describes various bits and pieces that made up a handful of songs from his latest album Good Times.

On Good Times:

With Good Times I wanted to continue the soundtrack approach from Happy Days, but smooth out some of the rough edges. “The Red Dragon” is one of the few songs on the record where I can tell you where every part is from. It’s like a big bold fruity homemade plonk. It started off with a lot of Dubliners and back in the day, even more Pogues. A nice saucy sea shanty, but classy like a Parisian musette. In an alternate universe this song would have accordion on it. If the song had a bibliography, it would be Nathaniel’s Nutmeg by Giles Milton, a book my wee grannie in Edinburgh sent me.

“Want U Need 2″ has that funky Indonesian music with the detached love lyrics that take me back to the eighties. A mix of the Talking Heads, New Order and Prince.

“Fallen Arrow,” in my mind, is a cross between R.E.M., Bruce Springsteen and The Cult. I wanted to try to create one of those songs that has lyrics that come from that small place inside myself, but deliver them in a hooky poppy way. Sort of like “Dancing in the Dark.”

“Dance Dance Party” is a tribute to all the kids who dance to songs and post them on YouTube, particularly to all my friends who filmed themselves for my video for “Gotta Go.” There’s a video in that thar song. – Victor Scott

[This post was first published by Culture Bully.]