Aly Macpherson is a singer/songwriter currently based Aberdeen who performs a wide range of styles – both originals and covers. He caught our attention when we heard his track I Care Less as the Seasons Pass which we played on the last Sunday Sessions.
How would you describe your music?
Im not sure how I describe it but the most common way others have is indie so I usually just stick with that.
What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, TV, or other media?
Not a lot of major things have happened to me so almost all of my songs are just fictional stories. I think this gives me some freedom to write about anything I like and explore ideas that I never would if I wasnt a songwriter. It may sound silly but what inspires me most is music, particularly a wide array of genre. I have a degree in music and one of the earliest things I learned at uni was to be able to pick up inspiration from anywhere so I try to listen to as many genres as possible.
What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
I really like that ‘click’ moment – the moment in songwriting when you just know how the song should go or when you find the perfect lyric. I’m also a big fan of playing live with other musicians, its an absolute joy, something I do miss out on as a solo artist.
Who are your main musical influences?
First and foremost is always Paul Simon. I’m blown away by his songwriting talent and how everything he makes is crafted. I’m also a big pop punk fan, anything happy and full of energy. As I say, I try to listen to as much as possible and pick apart what I like about that genre or what I dont.
Of your own music, do you have a favorite? If so, can you pin down why it is your favorite?
“I care less as the seasons pass” is a big one for me, mainly because it sounds exactly how I wanted it to in my head which is very rare when recording music. I also really like “My Ms Brown” off of my first EP, which was my final year project at uni. The rest of that EP is pretty rough around the edges but I was very proud of that one song.
What are your top five favourite albums of all time? Why those albums?
Graceland by Paul Simon is definitely my favourite. Its just so well done and has such a unique sound. I love the percussion so much. Im a drummer primarily so anything with lively drumming always strikes a chord with me.
Appetite for destruction by Guns n Roses is another. I was a bit of a “rock” kid growing up, wearing all black with long unkempt hair. That was one of the first albums I purchased myself and so now its very nostalgic for me to listen to. Thats also why I love American Idiot by Green Day. It was the first album I was ever given and its brilliant. I particularly like the lyricism, even though as a kid I had no idea what any of it meant.
Rumours by Fleetwood Mac is an obvious choice. Im going to go out on a limb and assume that everyone would agree with me. Its a very beautiful album and amazingly produced as well.
I actually might put California by Blink 182 as my last, only because of how fun it is. Really like the energy, it sounds like they were having a lot of fun making it.
How have you found Lockdown?
Not great. I liked it at the start, I actually was glad as I wanted some time to work on the EP, but now its been 6 months and id love nothing more than to get back to the gym and back to going out and doing things. Nowadays I spend most of my time not doing a lot. Im unbelievably lucky to have kept my job and to have been furloughed for all this time and am incredibly grateful, it feels silly to complain about not having much to do when others have struggled in significantly worse ways.
What can we expect from you within the next 6 months? Any releases planned?
