Interview With Pete Scott
Have you always been interested in music? What is your story and how did you start making music?
I have always been interested in music. When I was about ten/eleven years old, a famous brand of jeans had a huge advertising campaign which featured old blues and R and B artists such as BB King and Screaming Jay Hawkins. I didn’t know what category it came under but I was automatically hooked. Then I was given a Beatles album and then I wanted to hear music all the time. I still do
What are you working on now? Any future releases we can look forward to?
I’m always writing and coming up with ideas. I have only just released two new songs so at the moment I am concentrating on promoting them as much as I can. I have songs I wish to record and it’s certainly in the pipeline
What Is Your Ultimate Goal In The Music Industry?
Quite simply to let my music reach as many ears as possible. If it reached the scale of bands such as Mumford and Sons or the 1975 that would be incredible but having the public like and appreciate my music is definitely a step in the right direction.
What Has Been The Biggest Challenge In Your Career Thus Far?
I have felt frustrated with promoters letting me and my band down plus I have dealt with several individuals who have ripped me off. I have to admit it made me very reluctant to want to continue with playing, writing and performing but after a lot of reassurance from my nearest and dearest, I am back doing what I love
How do you go about writing a song? Do you have a melody in your head and then write the other music for it or what’s Your typical songwriting process?
Typically I pick up the guitar and something comes out organically. Lyrically if I have a title then I have a theme to write around, a bit like writing a story. It has to do a lot of the time of how I’m feeling, if something dramatic or joyous has happened and also, I work in a mental health hospital. Dealing with the patients provides me with inspirational stories to use in my own words
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
The internet has made it a lot easier to reach a larger audience and in that respect it’s a very useful tool. It has made the industry more competitive though as there are now so many more people out there trying to find success. I am grateful for the various different groups on platforms such as Facebook which means there is much more of a support base and I hope people see it like that.
List some famous musicians currently on your playlist?
The 1975, Mumford and Sons, Gomez, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Oasis, Bombay Bicycle Club Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Metallica, James Brown, Northern Soul, Ocean Colour Scene, the Clash, Otis Redding,, Toots and The Maytals, Bob Marley, The Courteeners
What Did You Do Before You Started Making Music?
I have always worked in parallel with doing music. I either worked and still work as a mental health support worked which I am incredibly passionate about or I worked in retail at HMV. I was a working musician for many years doing studio work and doing covers gigs in the evenings. I have sung with members of the Stax Revue and Muscle Shoals session players and have written and recorded with Jah Wobble (formerly of Public Image Limited and has worked with artists such as Sinead O’Connor and Peter Gabriel)
Would you have any advice for young people wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Write and record as much as you can. Work on your social media presence which can feel like a full time job in itself or get friends to help to take the pressure off. Make yourself a little team if you can so you can focus more on the creative side
If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?
I would hope that the executives still want to hear and are open to hearing good songs and not be too reliant on whether an artist has several million followers. In an ideal world I would like the record companies to scout pure talent again. Maybe it’s a fantasy but back in the day, if you look at the artists that influenced us, that’s how they were chosen and became successful
How do you feel about originality?
Originality is nigh on impossible now. Every single chord progression has been used. We as performers are original because we are all unique as artists in how we perform, sing, play an instrument and the words and sounds we create. If we focus on our own creativity, that makes a one-off.
Is there anything else we should know about you? or Something that you would like to add?
I am forty five years old, been performing for over twenty five years, battled with cancer, mental health problems and watched relatives slowly fade away. The one thing that really blesses me every day is music; whether it is creating or listening. I thank God that I have been blessed with the gift of being able to produce something out of nothing and that those who hear seem to like it. I’m not planning on giving up anytime soon either.
Links to Where Your Music Can Be Purchased: