My first two records were more energetic; Phantom Moon is subtle, quiet; so these various reactions are just something I expected.
About Duncan Sheik
Duncan Sheikis an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. Sheik is known for his 1996 debut single “Barely Breathing”, which earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
More quotes from Duncan Sheik
If I were to do this over I’d play a lot more shows before I made a record.
American singer-songwriter and composer
Ultimately, if I’m really moved by something, it’s going to go on the record and that’s that.
American singer-songwriter and composer
For my second record I had gotten ProTools (program) and started to familiar myself with hard disc recording.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I’m a pretty big P.J. Harvey record fan and you can really hear New York in his record.
American singer-songwriter and composer
The difficult thing about a pop record is that you’re given guidelines: it has to have 3 choruses, and then it must be between 3 minutes fifteen seconds and three minutes forty-five seconds.
American singer-songwriter and composer
The experiences of promoting my first album were really something; there is so much illusion in my environment (touring and pop music) that I wanted to clear away.
American singer-songwriter and composer
A real foolproof way to do it is play your stuff by hook or by crook and build up a grass roots following.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I make the kind of music I like.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I also wanted to make a record that was about other things than romance, yeah, after two years on the road singing all the songs from the first album, I got kind of tired of that.
American singer-songwriter and composer
My first two records were more energetic; Phantom Moon is subtle, quiet; so these various reactions are just something I expected.
American singer-songwriter and composer
It’s inevitable your environment will influence what you do.
American singer-songwriter and composer
Simon Hale, the British arranger, does all string and wood arrangements on my records.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I privilege the music over the lyrics.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I’d have these weird experiences where I’d just be walking down the street with this chord progression in my head, this happened more than a few times, and I’d walk home and find a fax in my machine and it would match the music in my head.
American singer-songwriter and composer
Things come to me pretty regularly. There is never a shortage or a backlog.
American singer-songwriter and composer
But really important, perhaps most important is the craft; how you make your record, the creation of these sonic worlds you want your listener to hear.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I think my Buddhist practice has a profound influence on my life and encompasses my creative projects.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I try to make sure that the Buddhism is more or less implicit in the music rather than explicit.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I think in a way I was probably completely naive about what it takes to make something become a hit.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I wouldn’t say that I’ve had a tough life by any stretch of the imagination.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I started playing music at a pretty young age.
American singer-songwriter and composer
But I can’t really say there is too much modern music that I’m blown away by at this moment.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I mean, at the end of the day when I’m making a record, what I want to do is what I do.
American singer-songwriter and composer
Lately I’ve been a workaholic. I’m in the studio all the time and I’ve helped to produce a couple of artists.
American singer-songwriter and composer
My second record was all about big ideas – I was trying to make big statements about the culture, about life. I think in a certain way, I was a 27 year old kid with a guitar.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I actually am always a music first person.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I feel fortunate about being able to make the music I want to make and getting away with it.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I got a publishing deal with BMG, they were supportive, and some money to record demos.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I actually think sadness and darkness can be very beautiful and healing.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I’m fortunate I have this coterie of musicians around me to help take music to next level. Being surrounded by so much creative energy, so many creative people really feeds that creativity in me.
American singer-songwriter and composer
Happy music doesn’t tend to move me much.
American singer-songwriter and composer
So I started chanting when I was nineteen, which was about twelve years ago, and it really had a huge impact on my outlook, happiness, and general creativity.
American singer-songwriter and composer
Because of my Buddhist practice, I’m never lacking for inspiration.
American singer-songwriter and composer
I certainly wouldn’t say that my life is a disaster, but there have been moments where I’ve felt like that.
American singer-songwriter and composer
And frankly, when I made that record, hit songs were not what I was trying to achieve.
American singer-songwriter and composer
So, once I’ve written a song, you know, I’m pretty happy with what the song is on its own terms.
American singer-songwriter and composer