Random Order is a talented Canadian artist who music I dug when I first heard it and I knew I had to interview him. This is what he had to say. New song Shame Shame Shame now out.
https://www.facebook.com/randomorder
1. How did you get into music?
I’ve always been surrounded by it. Older siblings rehearsed their band at our house. Coming from Nova Scotia it’s everywhere it’s in the blood.
2. What inspired the song Shame Shame Shame?
I wanted to do a remake of this song for several reasons…
I secretly like disco, no secret anymore. I have a mad respect for the woman who wrote it – Sylvia Robinson “the mother of hip hop” who essentially put hip hop on the map with the Sugarhill Gang.
I wanted to redo this song and make it current again by adding electronic elements but retain the disco vibe.
I had this idea that I could take this disco song and sing “shame on you if you can’t dance to”, make everyone dance like crazy and do a whole campaign around having no shame about who you are.
3. Were you happy how it has been received?
Incredibly happy. It’s become the #bewhoyouare anthem which is especially critical in this era.
4. How does a song start for you?
I really go with my instincts. Sometimes I’ll have the whole song in my head including other instrumentation and then there are times when I’ll start with a line like “Youth is a State of Mind” and write a lyric around that.
I’ve gone into the studio and added a chorus and changed lyrics to a somewhat dark song at the last moment because I’ve felt that it needed a positive spin.
5. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Inspiration is in the air it’s in the people it’s everywhere. Someone could say something and I’ll write an entire song based on one line that has absolutely nothing to do with the conversation. I often do the opposite of what’s going on in the world writing about love instead of hate, writing about a breakup when I’m in a fabulous relationship.
I write my best around water. I think being born on an island is the reason for that. Water is so relaxing and it’s an element we can’t control. Nature.
6. Has your songwriting changed from when you were starting out?
For sure. I used to write almost entirely about personal love relationships. Lately, I’ve been exploring other universal themes.
7. What has been the best piece of advice you have given about your
music career?
Like any other business don’t stop. Don’t give up on your passion. A lot of people give up in music not knowing that their time was right around the corner.
8. What do you love about your local scene?
I love that Toronto has an epic amount of talent. I moved here because of that.
9. Do you have set theme for your music or does it go with the flow and
changes?
Yes, and it relates to the Random Order name. I like to create and challenge myself by making hybrid music. I like to meld genres. I play the guitar and even though I’m getting more into electronic music you’ll still hear a hint of Tarantino style hooky surf sound in my music.
10. Do like to write without inspiration or distractions or do you need
a bit of both?
I don’t think I could write without inspiration and I definitely couldn’t write with distractions. I’m not a multi-tasker I’m hyper-focused on any given task. I turn off my phone/computer when I’m writing.
11. How important is having a plan in place for your music?
I think it’s the most important. Without a plan, you don’t have a start. You can change that plan as you go however you need that plan in the first place in order to get anywhere. Talking about things is the start and brainstorming is crucial however if you don’t have a plan to take a step towards it it ain’t gonna happen.
12. How important is your brand Random Order?
Incredibly important. It represents the concept that things can go together that normally wouldn’t. I love creating new yet familiar sounding music. I also love renegades – people who shake up the system knowing that it’s incredibly difficult to make those kinds of sweeping changes yet because of a strong impulse feel compelled to do so anyway.It’s my calling.
