The synth pioneer says he’s ‘slightly nervous’ about sharing the experience online.
Over his remarkable 40-year career, Gary Numan has been a pioneer on many fronts.
1 songs like Are Friends Electric?
Credit: Suzi Pratt/FilmMagic
Partnering withPledge Musicand letting fans in on the creative process.
Theyre alternative and independent and I saw them as a great model.
That album came out in a more conventional way, he says.
I was quite disappointed and I wanted to find a new way.
There are so many opportunities now.
You get the feeling everyone is winging it slightlythe internet, social media, and other opportunities.
It seems to be a bit of a golden era for bands.
Numan is taking a similarly freewheeling approach to the sound of the music, too.
During a recent recording session, he says he went in with no preconceived ideas for lyrics.
Im doing one later today where Im just singing nonsense, he says.
Im singing ideas that come to mind.
Some of it is really badly doneIm hitting the wrong notes.
But Im going to put that out so people can see the process.
When I go into start an album, I have a clear objective.
With the pledge campaign, Ive not done that.
Im going into it with a blank canvas.
While his recording sessions have an improvisatory vibe, Numan admits hes had to keep a strict work ethic.
The Pledge campaign has deadlines, which is good in one way, he says.
You have to focus.
You cant f about.
It brings you pressureIm not sleeping properly.
But Im out there every day slightly on edge of panic.
But its a good thing though!
So far, the sessions have yielded around nine pieces of music.
I would like it to be sort of heavy and dark, he says.
Its ridiculous how amateur it sounds, he says with a laugh.
There are some notes [on the synths] where its speeding up or slowing down.
There was no MIDI or anything like that in those days.
And I had no experience with synths, really, and no idea what I was doing.
But it was still really excitingit was great.
For a list of Numans upcoming tour dates,head to his official website.
