I've noticed some people I know that make music are terrified of even unintentionally "copying" some band they like. Ironically, these same people make some of the most bland, generic, uninspired or just poorly executed music I know of in my local scene. Don't be stupid - BE influenced, KNOW your (micro)nieche, OWN it. The uniqueness comes naturally.

songwriting is an adventure of the deepest kind

What I love about songwriting is the battle between the songs you have to fight to write and the songs that come out quick and easy, because it’s so refreshing when a song flows and you know you’re on the right track.

Oh typical. Just as I put the finishing touches to my smashing cardboard boxes LP......

I've struggled with writing music for 15 years now. Suddenly after all this time a big breakthrough happened when I realized, all I had to do is keep recording anything I can think of. Those songs that I could naturally finish, ended up as having my sound to them. It's simply because most of us artists have a limited field in which we can create. You find your field, you've found your sound. Another thing is not caring if you're making a hit or not. If you write a thousand songs one of them will eventually make it, right?

Geez Graham... Why do I always have the impression you talk to me personally? I have been in a rut for a while for that exact reason... wanting to reinvent the wheel. This video is like a wake-up call. Thank you for that! You have a real talent to motivate people. That's for sure!

Great advice! I'm influenced by so many different artists, so I trust that if I pick out the parts I like best and combine them, my sound WILL be unique.

I learn my favorite songs on guitar, drums, etc and take inspiration from them. It has really helped me at looking at how they put together the songs and has helped me write my own songs

Graham, please don’t ever stop doing what you do, man. Since I discovered your channel I’ve learned a lot of things that have truly helped Me and have made My work better. Thanks to you I’ll be able to build My home studio, which has been My dream for a really long time, but having so many misconceptions and misleading ideas about equipment and such, and also because I live in an country where everything is almost twice as expensive, made it almos impossible until you “cleared up” the idea for Me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for this. Your channel has been practically a blessing. And not only because of the tips and lessons, but also because of how amazing you are at giving Me hopes every time I feel discouraged. You’re simple awesome! Greetings from the Dominican Republic!

Just discovered your channel tonight. I've had a bunch of recording gear sitting around for a few years at home in hopes that some day I will compose something great to record with it. You just made me realize how I've been getting it all wrong all this time. As other people have said before, this video was a wake-up call. I can't thank you enough for it. I'm taking it all to heart.

I actually feel weirdly relieved after this video, still haven't record my music, but definitely will start that, and will work on developing my own sound. Thank you man!

Graham--thank you for your videos. I was a professional touring musician for several years, but stopped playing when I had a family. Had to get a real job, etc. Now, 10 years later, I'm coming back and playing music again. Getting ready to make a purchase to get some recording gear. I have so much music that has built up over the past decade, and now it's time to put it out there. Your mentality is refreshing.

You're the best. You're absolutley right! Thanks Graham. I Needed this.

Thanks Graham. This was exactly what I’ve been thinking about for the past few months. I really needed to hear this.

Right about everything. For all the new and young musicians out there. Stop wondering where or what your sound is or will be or when it will get to you. Anytime you pick up your instrument whether it's to practice or to arrange an idea for a song, or to cover a song, don't fix all of your mistakes, chase some of those mistakes around your instrument because it will take you exploring and exploration brings discoveries. It's the same with a band. The goal isn't to start a new genre. The goal is to go exploring through all of the genres.

There's a reason you were on Pensado's Place - because you absolutely deserved it!. Much appreciation for all you do.

You are such an inspiration Graham. You definitely let your light shine like a city on the hill. Thank you!

Interesting approach. I never had any problems with being influenced by specific artists - I would deliberately try NOT to sound like a specific artist. Since I was nowhere near that artist's skill level in performing, the gaps and glitches in my performance skills would lead to a different sound that the artist I tried to imitate. So I didn't have a problem with sounding too derivative.

The whole world needs to hear your advice because it’s pretty motivating.

A lot of your stuff is old news to me, but the thing I like about you is the fact that you always have something new for me to learn, in spite of that. I know all the basics of mixing, but your talks about workflow and finding your sound and business are immensely helpful. And I still use many of your suggestions and tips to this day. So, thanks for helping make me into the musician that I am.

just subscribed. thank you for blessing us with this knowledge. this was confirmation for me. in a nutshell, your sound is you being innovative, taking inspiration from here and there, mixing it with your creativity and re-presenting the material(inspiration). so it really boils down to the way you are engineered as a human being.

Soooo, sooo many great lessons from Graham! And once again great inspiration! Thank you Graham for all that you! Bless u brother!

I'm just getting back into music making (my home studio is being setup this month!!!), but I've been following you for years. Seems I chose the right time cause so far, your later videos are EXACTLY what I've needed to hear. Thanks as always Graham. #noexuses

I'm so glad I found Graham!!! You're a Godsend! So helpful & humble. Wondered 4ever how I could afford to get my songs recorded...because of you, I realized I can do it MYSELF! & cheaper! I'm one of the lucky ones who's songs are already composed TOTALLY in my mind. Can't get them out quick enough. Can't wait to start recording them for myself too. THANK YOU Graham!!!

I’m a rapper oriented beat maker, and what I love doing is letting the rapper I’m working with ghost produce the beat.

I have you a round of applause after I watched this 💜

Graham, this was FANTASTIC. Thank you much for the precious tips - pure gold.

Excellent video. This topic deserves more coverage. As different as your sound and mine are, you always make your content relevant.

2023 and the algorithm showed me this, still relevant!! Gotta love Graham! Thank You for helping us starting musicians!

One thing that has really helped me is listening to a variety of music, and create a variety of music. For myself, I listen to Classic Rock, Rock, Punk, Pop Punk, Metal, Metalcore, Deathcore, Japanese Idol Groups, etc. etc. I have created songs in each of those genres, and then what I call my "normal" music, is all of those influences rolled into one. You can manipulate song structures and moods to create something that is unique. Some people can pick out the different influences and say "hey this sounds like ____", but no one will sound exactly like you. You'll always have something special to offer once you do develop your sound.

Aahhh man!!! your words makes damn sense.... Love your work... Keep giving knowledge 😊😊😊❤💪

Can I just say... I'm developing as a fashion practitioner and this hits me. Good advice for any artist regardless of domain.

This really helped me thank you so much, I’ve been trying to understand what I like and how I want music to sound and my voice so this was amazing it helped a lot 🥳🥳🥳🥳

I am inspired by this video to start making new music. Thank you, Graham!

Yoo, great topic, answer is super on point!

Very well said. Thank you for this, Graham.

This has been an inspiration to me, a new songwriter and producer. Nicely done, and TYVM!

man... you're on point!!! My last album was southern fried affair.... blues rock with country/rockabilly/reggae tastes. this new album we're working on is layered on punk and grunge with a hint of Pink Floyd lol I'm adhd as a songwriter lol

I started playing guitar in 1985, like you Graham, I wanted to be a ‘Rock Star’ like Guns n Roses, AC/DC, Poison and many more rock superstars. But as I learned classical guitar in high school, and my parents couldn’t afford rock guitar lessons. I took up Bass guitar and joined several ‘pub’ bands after high school. I then unfortunately had a serious motorcycle accident and I thought my music dreams were over. But now 21 years since the accident my music dream is alive and burning again. I don’t have as much rock influence as I did in my teens as I’ve now mellowed into the ‘Country’ genre. I feel that’s my appropriate sound as I write and record songs about life, love and loss.

This is great advice! Ive been doing these things for a while and slowing finding the techniques I enjoy using

Thank you thank you very much,am 20 years old and i am a writer learning about my sound and the growth is amazing cause at first i just liked writing in one genre and at this point i write in many genres but i still remain me cause its just like painting with a different brush

Thanks for all the advice.

you are awesome man thanks, I felt this

So good man. Thank you.

Wow he literally explained how my workflow is. Great video to show others who are stuck

Thank you so much for this video 💕

luv ya videos man very informative keep up with good work ❤️

Such a great teacher, Graham! And even The Beatles were influcenced by american folk, Chuck Berry and Motown. But that band is so original.

I haven't heard a speech before which uses words that couldn't be used better. Like thank you man♥♥

Wow, this was strangely inspiring. It's like you're talking directly to me.

Totally awesome!! Now I get it!! Confirmation is a Beautiful thing!! Thanks much!!

Thank you for the way of think, really helpfull.

This is just exquisite thanks man

Thank you for the motivation and positivity I needed this 👍🏼

how timely! i was JUST thinking about trying to make music in the style that really inspired me while listening to an EP from an artist who's writing in the way that i would never think to write.. but then i started second-guessing myself and thinking "what's the point if they already did it.." until i saw this video, where you specifically said, essentially, "go for it"!!) i'll take it as a sign and go make some music now!)

I went around listening to different sounds and musicians and their work always sound different from everyone else. My work is different, because I apply sounds that I like. I learned that there are so many types of musicians out there. I wanted to be that way too. I never think of a sound that I want to make. I just make it and then come up with weird things. It's like drawing. I just draw what ever I want and that's all. What I'm into these days is learning more about musicians that make music in any way they want whether it's electronic or anything. What I learned about music is that it's sound's played together to make vibrations. It's fun and I'm enjoying every part of it.

needed this so much

Thank you for existing.

This is so helpful man..and I agree so much with your thoughts on this✊🏻👌🏻👌🏻

Wow!!! This totally changes my perspective about being influenced by others. I have been going about this songwriting the wrong way. Thank you for this video:)

God bless u, Graham. Thanks!

Nice video Graham!

thanks man !!! inspirational, encouraging imitation as well as individuality

This is episode right here is why I am a repeat viewer. Nothing less then practical information. Whoever, replies or like the comment let us collaborate. I am a music producer/songwriter. I am totally excited to meet you. #Champion

As always... GREAT TIPS!!!! GREAT INFO!!!! GREAT VIDEO!!!!

Thanks helped a lot! Love your vids

Glad I watched this video. I've been stuck on wanting to have my sound be unique but thats not the way I should go about it. Time to jam out to my favorite bands!

Very valuable information, thank you!

Whenever ive been told my music sounds original, its when i have been trying emulate one of my influences. I have found that setting limits for the number of influences i draw from really helps keep me focussed, ive found that 3 is the one that works for me. I also think that 'sound' really means atmosphere or vibe, at least thats what i try to emulate from my influences. :)

Thanks for this great video, really so helpful. x

I couldn't agree more with collaborating with other musicians. I regularly work with a good friend of mine that is a blues guitarist (I am a hard rock/heavy metal guitarist) and when we get together and play we come up with some funky, bluesy, rock music. Without working with another musician I would have never been able to get that sound.

Love your channel, it has a lot of great home studio and recording/mixing info. I disagree with your premise that engineering and mixing is only a means to an end, at least for me. I'm a guitar player who is also a techie who loves recording and mixing sound, but I have no aspirations to make a hit song. I do it as a pastime/hobby for the fun of it. I love the gear, I love the learning, I love the process, and the music itself. I mean I'll just record a cover song for the fun of learning the song and recording it and mixing it my way. Yeah, maybe I play a mix I've done for friends if they are interested but I really just do it for me. I bet there are others who do it for the same reasons. Just letting you know there are people out there who aren't doing this just as a means to a (commercial) end.

Thanks for your guides, it is so usefull!

I just found your channel today but I love it already!

thank you this is so useful

I really appreciate this video.

Damn Graham, you've done it again! Great content as usual! Thank you :) I'm planning on release 4 EPs this year!!

Great video, very good points and advices ! Thanks

Thank you, u are a blessing.

You are absolutely right. Keep up

Greta Van Fleet: Led Zeppelin, Rush, and some others. Hey man, thanks for all of the videos. You're an inspiration!

what an important message and what a wise man. thanks very much

your teachings are rich

Thanks Graham. The Practical Man. Last seen Rick and Warren on Ricks channel mentioning You. Right on.

Great advice Thank you Graham

love your videos Sir....great information...great delivery thanks ..Scott Nicol.

Kind of having an existential crisis as a musician--I really appreciate this video.

i definitely dont listen to enough other music.. but i have experimenting way more with the idea that a track should be more of a spacial experience rather than just a "song." I want my stuff to feel cinematic... so with that foley, and real world field recordings has been amazing to really listen to and integrate..

Thank you Well said

The light reflection in your eyes is so confusing haha Amazing video, thank you so much for the thoughts you share with us! They really help me out.

Good stuff as usual, thanx for the inspiration.

Thanks man!

EXCELLENT! 👍👍

Verry good advices,, thanks!

thank you for the guide. really helpful. good continuation from mauritius

Hey I want to personally say thank you, this was a very informative video and I took from it. Thank you.

youre a really great teacher so thanks :)

Love it :) super wise and helpful :)

i found it really helpful. very good job!

You really are an incredible dude. I thank you 🙏🏽