OneNamedPeter
OneNamedPeter is a British singer/songwriter. Peter because that’s his name. One because he writes, performs and produces all his music solo, with a little help from a computer. He also makes music videos and designs all his artwork. He lives at Latitude 50.89 North, Longitude 0.058 East (that’s Sussex, England). And he’s inspired by maverick singer-songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, David Bowie, Kate Bush and Bob Dylan. “I’ve always thought that the words are just as important as the music,” says Peter, who works as a journalist when not making music.
Moonbathing
Eine heiße Sommernacht, ...ich stolperte aus einem Nachtclub in Brighton, ging runter zum Strand, ...liege dort allein auf den Kieselsteinen, ...über mir Mondlicht, da dachte ich, diesen Moment darfst du nie vergessen, am nächsten Tag schrieb ich dieses Lied, so die Geschichte dazu. Musikalisch hat Moonbathing einen leichten 80iger Retro-Touch der durchaus seinen Charm versprüht, durch die fast hypnotisch wirkenden Vocals hört man dann genauer hin und entdeckt immer wieder Passagen die das Stück einzigartig erscheinen lassen. So we have to say Achtung: hypnozed by Onenamedpeter.
The Interview
Who inspired you to make music?
The great singer/songwriters. For me, that’s artists like Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Kate Bush, Neil Young, Paul Simon. Doesn’t mean I sound like any of them, of course!
What or who inspired you to "Moonbathing"?
On one level it’s literally about lying on a beach at night, under the moon. On another, it’s about defying convention; not doing what you’re supposed to. You’re SUPPOSED to go sunbathing, not moonbathing. I guess the key lyric is: “There’s a million ways I could mention/ to defy convention/ it’s gonna be lot of fun/ trying every single one”. My mission statement!
I dreamed up this song after coming out of a nightclub in Brighton (England) one rare hot summer night, heading alone to the beach, and - yes- lying there under the moon. I thought: never forget this moment, and wrote the song there and then in my head to make sure I never would.
What is your creative process like?
Words and tunes fly round in my head constantly. It’s exhausting! Occasionally I stop, get them down on paper, and see if they make a good song. Often they don’t, but now and then — and sometimes after months and years of these ideas growing in the dark — a song emerges.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Taylor Swift. I have some ideas for the follow-up to Folklore and Evermore, Taylor!
What is the most useful talent you have?
I think I have an innate talent for arranging songs. I usually know what instrument will sound good here.. and here.. and right there. And sometimes, of course, it’s a case of taking sounds OUT rather than adding them. The power of silence.
If you could change anything in the past, what would it be?
I’d do away with the idea of Original Sin. No apple of temptation, no fall of Eve, no casting us out from the Garden of Eden. Things are bad enough without laying that kind of blame and guilt on humanity
How do you feel the Internet (especially Social Media platforms) has impacted the music business?
Mmm. OK, the old gatekeepers of the music industry are gone, and good riddance. We musicians and songwriters all have a chance now. BUT… it’s mighty crowded in here! 60,000 tracks uploaded to Spotify EVERY DAY. The best stuff should rise to the top, but I'm not sure it does. I guess that’s where you bloggers come in.
Onenamedpeter is...?
One (ie a solo artist). Peter (that’s my name). The name comes from a centuries-old nursery rhyme: “Two little dickie birds/ sitting on the wall/ one named Peter/ one named Paul...'
What’s next for you?
Worldwide fame. Or, maybe, obscurity. Either way, I’ll keep making music.
