ilsantino On the Making Of “The Girl”
Can you share any interesting or unique musical elements or production techniques used in "The Girl?"
“The Girl” is a gorgeously upbeat and funky contemporary pop track with loads of retro touches! It was produced by Greek-born, LA-based producer Kid Moxie whom I reached to after hearing her collaboration with Depeche Mode on 'Wagging Tongue', DM’s most recent single.
Kid Moxie has a very cinematic production style and on this track she weaves a rich sonic tapestry of ‘80s power-pop synths, jazzy rhythm guitar licks, insanely infectious hooks, and a driving dance beat. Weighing in at 129bpm, “The Girl” is a track that must be danced to, to be fully appreciated!
It’s hard for me to be in any way objective about what songs it might sound like but the two tunes that do immediately spring to mind are “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn and “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk, featuring Pharrell Williams.
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of "The Girl?"
I wrote most of this song in a few hours while on holiday with my family in Wexford some years back. The impetus came from a misunderstanding on the beach one day…my wife thought I was looking a bit too intently at a lady walking her dog when in fact I was just having a bit of a daydream and (totally innocently!) staring off into the distance! Things got a bit heated and I found myself wondering how on earth the row had started and hoping it wouldn’t spoil what had been until then a very nice day. Luckily, I had my notepad with me and rather than getting defensive, I started scribbling down a few thoughts which became the lyrics in song’s chorus. Everything else came pretty quickly except for the bridge which took a few weeks to figure out but it really flipped the song’s sentiments when it did finally arrive and made everything much more interesting!
What has been one of your favorite memories along the path to making "The Girl?"
I’ve worked with several artists and producers on different versions of this song over the last year or two. Each mix has had its own distinctive mood and textures, and all unlocked different qualities in the track. However, one variable has been consistent across all of the different mixes…I’ve given each producer total creative control over their version of the song and provided very little by way of direction beyond sharing a few thoughts on possible reference tracks. Each producer has totally put their own stamp on ‘The Girl’ and taken the song in directions I hadn’t expected. Kid Moxie’s version is a top-notch contemporary pop tune with lots of subtle nods to ‘70s disco and ‘80s electropop. It took a few listens to get into but now I just can’t get enough of it!
How has your music evolved since you started as a singer-songwriter? What have been some key milestones in your artistic journey?
I guess one of the ways my music and songwriting has evolved over the years is that I used only to be able to write from personal experience, in terms of things that had happened to me or emotions I was feeling. While using music to make sense of my interior world and what was happening around me was a great place to start as a songwriter, it was ultimately quite limiting. These days I still write in the first person but much of the music explores how other people might be feeling or what they may be dealing with, often based on encounters with family, friends, random strangers or people in the public eye! This outward focus is much more rewarding and grounding, it also gives me a great sense of perspective in terms of my life, and my own issues and challenges.
In terms of career milestones, starting to work with producer Conan Brophy during the lockdown in the summer of 2020 was a major turning point. I had collaborated with lots of other talented musicians and producers during my career but Conan was unbelievably tuned into what I was trying to do from the very first song we worked on together. Since then we’ve partnered on a bunch of tracks including older ones I felt had, as yet, unrealised potential and brand-new stuff I’d just finished writing. We’re set to release an EP early in 2024 and have also nearly a full album of newer material that we’ve collaborated on. We’re also planning a series of live shows in the new year. I can’t wait to get out and perform these songs!
How do you channel your emotions and connect with your audience during live performances?
The last few years have been difficult as, between the pandemic and some very acute health issues, I haven’t been able to play any live sets. However, we have several shows planned for early-2024 and I am really excited about those.
A lot of pals are at their happiest and most comfortable in the recording studio. For me, that’s simply a means to an end and live shows are where all the magic happens. You never know if a song is any good until you perform it in front of an audience.
I’ve played good shows and I’ve played some terrible shows. In terms of channeling emotions and connecting with the audience, I try to find a way of relaxing into the set and getting a rapport going with the crowd and other musicians. You can’t please everyone and it’s tempting sometimes to focus just on the folks who don’t seem to be having a good time but that’s a real drag and to be avoided at all costs. Often times it’s only when I make a mistake or something goes wrong that I find myself starting to loosen up...
My first ever gig was an acoustic set in an iconic venue in Dublin, The Cobalt Café. Things got off to a very ropey start that evening when it turned out the venue's piano was badly out of tune and a number of the keys were broken!! We were all pretty uptight at the start of the show but after the pianist played a few bum notes, everyone got a fit of the giggles and that broke the tension. The rest of the night was great fun!
The golden rules for me are to be authentic, have fun, and make sure the audience and other musicians know how much I appreciate their being there.
