who influences me as a creative person.

Creativity comes very naturally to me.  I’ve been creating in different mediums my whole life.  It started with paints and crayons when I was a toddler and developed into music in my early adolescences.  I also like to try new mediums as a different type of creative outlet.  I create for multiple reasons including as a stress reliever, out of boredom, or even practicality.  I feel very comfortable to just create without thinking, also to create deliberately.  When I create without thinking I just do what comes naturally, however when I create deliberately I try to imbed an effect or emotion in which the audience can recognize.  Creativity is a balance between my brain and your ‘soul.’

Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol is a huge influence on my creative endeavors.  While Andy Warhol was primarily a graphic artist and I am a music artist his styling and use of text and subtext changed the way I create and view works.  Arguably his most famous piece of work is the Campbell’s soup can.  The text of this piece is simply a can of soup but the subtext is in the use of irony.  The irony is a common everyday object is being turned into high-class art.  This, to me, is what his quote “Art is what you can get away with” Is all about.  This is probably the biggest influence Warhol has had on my creative works, simply to do what I want and see if others respond. 

Warhol also used contrast and affinity to emphasize different sections in his painting.  His use of bright colors and sharp lines allow the view to easily identify the subject matter of the painting which can be seen in Moon Walk.   This simple way of directly telling your audience what to focus on has influenced me in the way I create at times by making me ask myself “Will the audience have the basic tools for interpreting my art?”  Although I recognize every audience member will have a different interpretation I want everyone to have the same general idea.  

Tokyo Police Club
Tokyo Police Club is a Canadian indie rock band from Newmarket, Ontario.  They have influenced me as a creative person with their impeccable use of text and subtext and incredible use of tension and release.  One of the best things about this band are their lyrics.  The lyrics are a crucial part in the success of this bands music as the lyrics have many possible meanings, there is a lot of subtext.  Dave Monks, the singer and lyricist of Tokyo Police Club, uses double entendre in a unique way for indie bands.  Monks also use an unreliable narrator at times to help the audience better understand the story of the song and to open a more personal dialogue between the audience and himself.  The band as a whole create a lot of tension and release within their music.  A lot of songs start quite mellow and abruptly change to upbeat and fun.  Listening to this band has helped me fully understand the intense change in emotion a musician can bring over an audience.  Tokyo Police Club is a truly creative and original band.      

Watch the video for 'Citizens of Tomorrow'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOi3F00oJtI