Dave Stewart is the co-founder, guitarist and songwriter for the pop duo Eurythmics, which he founded with singer Annie Lennox in 1980. As half of Eurythmics, Stewart wrote one of the most enduring hits of the early 1980s – “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” – and achieved great success both on the charts and in the marketplace. Since leaving the group, he has built a solo career as a producer (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Jon Bon Jovi), film composer, recording artist and entrepreneur. He is currently part of a new duo, Platinum Weird.
Musician Dave Stewart (Eurythmics, Platinum Weird) sits down with Artists House to discuss his career in music and what he has learned along the way. He discusses his creative process, the synergy between art and commerce, how he works with other musicians, the importance of connecting with your fan base, the process he uses for writing music for films, how he is preparing for the future of music, and more. He also discusses some of the technologies he has embraced to try to keep ahead of the curve, such as music mail (an invention of his which was intended to be like email for music), and an immersive online musical experience called 3DTV that relies on a technology he dubs “the music bank.”
Dave Stewart, a musician and producer, offers advice to aspiring songwriters. Stewart suggests to just begin writing. The more you write, the easier you'll be able to find a pattern in your creative process. He also advises having your work performed in a public place. It is a simple way to get feedback.
Dave Stewart, a musician and producer, talks about his beginnings in music. He explains how the tape recorder, his brother's guitar, and albums sent to him from Memphis opened him up to the world of music. Stewart also explains the events that have led him to where he is now, from being involved in the London underground music scene to being signed by Elton John. He also discusses the upside and downside of being a polymath.
Dave Stewart, a musician and producer, talks about the importance of ego. An artist needs to be able to think they're material is good enough to share with thousands of people. Stewart points out that the confidence issues generally reside in the singer. Stewart also discusses the significance of the audience. The audience provides a temporary family and feeling of home for artists.
Dave Stewart, a musician and producer, talks about who a collaborator is, his work with Gwen Stefani and Mick Jagger, the twists of collaborating, and the difference between a producer and a collaborative songwriter.
Dave Stewart, a musician and producer, talks about his experience in a band called The Tourists with Annie Lennox. He explains Annie and his transition to their band, the Eurythmics. Stewart also discusses how they came up with the Eurythmics' unique sound - cold electronic with soulful vocals. He also talks about Gilbert and George and how they were influential. Also in this segment, the video, Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This, is covered. Stewart explains that the video was based on surrealist filmmaking and that it launched their entire career.
Dave Stewart, of the Eurythmics, talks about how he became involved in film music, his work with Ted Demme and Robert Altman, and his work on the movie Alfie with Mick Jagger. Dave talks about his many successes in the film industry and the principles and relationships that craft the best possible film score.
Dave Stewart, a musician and producer, talks about location. He explains his connection between location and inspiration. Different locations cause different inspirations. Stewart also discusses the home location of bands that break, such as Franz Ferdinand and Coldplay. The up and coming bands are not from the major music cities, and thus are able to develop a unique sound.
Dave Stewart, of the Eurythmics, shares his viewpoint on the new recording technologies. Stewart explains that artists, such as The Beatles, were making great music even when they didn't have 72 tracks. Also in this segment, he talks about the difference between microphone placement and using an equalizer. An equalizer adds to or subtracts from the original sound while microphone placement simply changes the sound.
Dave Stewart, a musician and producer, talks about various ways of getting noticed such as being in a commercial or starting on an indie label. Furthermore, he discusses the similarities and differences between art and commerce. He points out that bands need not sacrifice their artistic style even though there's pressure to do so.
