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WHO INSPIRES ME

Joel Wybrew

There are of course different areas of my life in which I’m inspired by different kinds of people and things. As this site pertains to my musical endeavours, that shall be my focus in addressing this fairly broad topic.


Alrighty, here we go.


First off, I’m actually a drummer. While I use a keyboard for all my composing, drums are by far what I’m most capable at playing (which is not to say I’m exceptionally acclaimed as one!). It turns out that a proficiency on the drums isn't all that helpful writing orchestral music! My earliest musical inspiration here is a fictional character: Freddy Jones, kid drummer in the movie School of Rock. The actor who plays him, Kevin Clark, died a few years ago. May he rest in peace. Jack Black, the main actor in School of Rock, inspired me generally towards music with his prolific zeal for music. I grew up with hardcore music (Carpathian, early Parkway Drive), and this has forever been a part of my music taste and what I draw from. I appreciate bands that create what some might call “extreme music” in artful ways, really saying something with what they do. Fit For An Autopsy or Above, Below come to mind.


Compositionally, two particular scores and their composers immediately come to mind. These are Howard Shore’s absolutely incredible work for the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, and Jeremy Zuckerman’s work for the show Avatar: The Last Airbender. Both of these are very dear to my heart. Jeremy has personally played a significant role in spurring me on in the early days of getting into composing, taking time to respond to a young, high schooler me messaging him online. My first ever piece for piano was dedicated to him. I sent it to him, telling him how it was titled Inspiration as that’s what he was for me. He said it had a nice use of tension. I’ll never forget the elation in that moment, being 15 years old and getting feedback from my hero. We’ve chatted a couple times since then. He firmly remains one of my heroes musically and personally.


I’ve never spoken to Howard Shore. Mate, if you’re reading this, hit me up!


Joining the ranks of my biggest inspirations are a few names who make all the sense in the world, and many more that are rather unexpected, at least for me. There are some people whose work I’ve simply listened to a lot, felt connected to, and think have influenced the style and feeling of my work even if the styles I write in are completely different to their own. Steven Wilson is probably the largest one in my life to mention. His interweaving of rock and more filmic musical elements, with touches of jazz and metal and other genres besides created a certain kind of beauteous and melancholic style that I fell in love with some years ago, and certainly draw from now. It isn’t his sound that I would say I replicate, but it was he who I think really opened me up to the more artistic side of myself, and showed me the many, many ways one can musically narrate intangible parts of the transcendental human experience. In less frilly words, I was totally oblivious to how some of the feelings and experiences that we all go through could be described through music and genres like his.


Another one that I love but sound nothing like is Jon Gomm. Again, a whole dimension of musicality useful for expression I would have never otherwise considered. The way he plays guitar is powerful, and the things he can achieve with just that instrument blow me away. Passionflower will always be one of my favourite songs. Weakness is not your weakness. <3


Along the road, I’ve been touched by many composer’s sounds – Thom York, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Aurora, John Williams, Lior, Ásgeir. I feel like no matter what I create, there will be a tiny spark from each of these people in it. Hip hop became a big part of my life when I was 11. Since then, artists like Lecrae, the 116 crew, KB, Earl Sweatshirt, NF and Eshon Burgandy have maintained a steady place in my influences. These people keep my engagement with rap and hip hop very much alive. Propaganda is the reason I write poetry.


I could go on and talk about other fancies I have had with Chet Baker, Elton John, Queen, Hildur Guðnadóttir, or Northlane. I could talk about how perhaps one of my biggest musical inspirations is someone who doesn’t write music but instead writes books with such lyrical and poetic prose that it stirs music in my heart without fail, like the patient, cut-flower sound of a man who is waiting to die, but that might drag on forever.


And I haven’t even gone on about Hans Zimmer yet, who is actually one of my all-time favourites. But we'd be here all night!


That's all for this one.

 

The first rendition of this post ended there, but there's a slightly different category of people who greatly inspire me that would be tragically remiss to not discuss here, even just briefly.

My first high school music teacher, Phil Horneman (I just knew him as 'Mr Horneman'), started me on the drums, and pushed me just the right amount. In many ways, he started it all. I feel very fortunate to have run into him at the Cooma cinema a few years back and tell him that.


Tom Collett was my next high school music teacher, and he brought youthful energy to the room. I recall his investment into my first composition assessment. In many ways, he started my compositional journey.


Matt Charlesworth was then a mentor, supporter, and advocate for myself but also many young musicians. I did my work experience in his studio (one of very few in my town). He took my under his wing in more ways than one. I massively respect and admire him to this day, and I still have the golden SNES controller :) I don't know where I'd be without Matt, but it would be less cool.


The particularly influential teachers at AIM - Simone East, Mark Oliveiro, Jonathan Dower - each showed they actually cared. 10/10 humans. Mark continues to be a part of my journey now, giving me opportunities and connections like a champ.


Michael Henderson. You'll see his name all over this site. He'd barely heard my music when he first took me on a public project. But he trusted me anyway. Foolish decision, but also incredibly kind.


I've had various friends join me in my musical journey. Bentley, Luke, Antonio, Dean, Jessie, Grace, and others. I've jammed or gigged with you and all of that experience, these connections, help form me into the artist and person(!) I am today.


My parents have always had my back and been on my side. Mum's shown up to gigs, and particularly my dad has never held back from telling me how proud he is of what I've done - not because of accolades (I don't have any lol), but because I've committed to something I love. He's always been hugely encouraging about that. Hot damn if that ain't inspiring.


And how could I not mention Kate? Her love and support is seen and felt in a million ways. No, a billion! She's encouraged me to pursue my passions through difficult times, given lifts, helped carry gear, answered my countless orchestration questions (having played in them herself), and been an all-round OG. My adoration for her and our journey together have inspired many lyrics and melodies, which you will never hear and be the better for it.


I'm far too sappy and sentimental for my own good, I know it. But I don't care. You're welcome.

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