Brisbane’s Ryan Wyatt is a man of many musical talents. Launching his debut album Patterns last Friday under the moniker Project Montreal, he blends acoustic, electronic and orchestral elements into a richly layered alternative pop sound. With a background in jazz and an eclectic taste in music, we asked Ryan to share with us some of the artists and albums that have influenced his musical direction. Here’s what he had to say…
ALBUMS THAT HAVE SHAPED ME – RYAN WYATT
Hail To The Thief – Radiohead
Out of all the great albums this band has produced the one which I remember grabbing me and pulling me right into their music was Hail To The Thief. I have a feeling that this is one of their least liked albums for some reason – but I absolutely loved it. I really loved the way the songs moved through so many different sounds, textures and moods, as well as the way that there was no set ensemble or band sound throughout the record which I thought was interesting.
Magical Mystery Tour & Sgt Peppers – The Beatles
These two albums were just so adventurous! Not only are they amazing textually, they’re also adventurous sonically – if you go through and transcribe the songs there are all sorts odd and unsymmetrical structures and forms that amazed me in a song-writing sense. At the end of the day they’re just great songs.
The Freewheelin – Bob Dylan
This record absolutely amazed me, because of the power and longevity of Dylan’s music and the simplicity of the tools used to create it (acoustic guitar, voice and harmonica). An absolute genius who’s in a league of his own.
Diorama – Silverchair
The ambitiousness of this album blew me away when I first heard it. Completely moving away from the sound of previous albums and reaching out into a new environment all whilst reaching for something richer and more fulfilling. It was impossible not to feel inspired and moved by the determination and willingness to take a risk and follow a different direction regardless of how people receive it. (This also introduced me to Van Dyke Parks).
Pet Sounds – The Beach Boys
There is something so likeable about the songs on this record – I loved the way it’s layered and arranged.
Demon Days – Gorillaz
This is one of those albums that has just stuck with me for years. Such catchy song-writing combined with interesting textures and catchy grooves. Again it comes back to the idea of not having a set ensemble and just wanting to go off and explore.
The Firebird Suite – Igor Stravinsky
I remember listening to this so many times whilst making the record. I love the subtly within the layers of the orchestration as well as the journey through so many different moods and feelings – I spent many an hour listening to it with the score in hand highlighting and stealing ideas for orchestration for my album.
Pharrell Williiams
His work with N.e.r.d and the way he mixed rock, funk, hip-hop and electronics was really eye opening.
Rounds – Fourtet
I remember discovering Fourtet and listening to some of his Radiohead remixes. This album in particular whilst being an electronic album sounded so organic to me. The textures are so nice and there is such simple and powerful melody running all the way through the record. Very tasteful and incredibly musical.
Listen to and read a track-by-track description of Project Montreal’s debut album Patterns here, and catch him at one of his upcoming shows.
PROJECT MONTREAL ALBUM LAUNCH TOUR
Friday 3rd June | The Retreat w/ Tully on Tully | Melbourne
Saturday 11th June | The Oxford Arts Factory w/ Lamalo | Sydney
