Name: Malcolm Strachan

Nationality: Scottish
Occupation: Composer, performer, trumpet player, flugelhornist, vocalist
Current release: Malcolm Strachan's Point Of No Return is out via Haggis.

If you enjoyed this interview with Malcolm Strachan and would like to find out more about his music, visit him on Facebook, twitter, and Soundcloud.



Where does the impulse to create something come from for you? What role do often-quoted sources of inspiration like dreams, other forms of art, personal relationships, politics etc play?

For me, the impulse to create has always been inside of me. It’s just a matter of having faith and believing in yourself as a writer. A lot of people are held back by too many negative thoughts about themselves. We’re all free to express ourselves creatively but a lot of people don’t realise their full potential because of a lack of self-belief.

I waited a long time to make my first solo album but I feel it was the right time having gained knowledge through all the writing I’ve done with The Haggis Horns and all the pop recordings I’ve done over the years.

Releasing my solo albums feels like a dream come true.

For you to get started, do there need to be concrete ideas – or what some have called a 'visualisation' of the finished work? What does the balance between planning and chance look like for you?

Sometimes I’ll get a simple idea in my head randomly and I have to run to the keyboard and play it.

The way I see it is everything is part of a cycle. I’ll play an idea over and over again many times and work out many variations on the chords until I settle on a chord sequence or groove I’m happy with. I’ll play it over and over again and if I don’t get sick of it I’ll stick to it and that becomes the basis of my new tune. I often play the same chord sequence in different styles to see which style works best.

I love groove-based jazz and simple catchy melodies so I’ve settled on this formula which seems to work.

Is there a preparation phase for your process? Do you require your tools to be laid out in a particular way, for example, do you need to do 'research' or create 'early versions'?

The only preparation I use is my Nord keyboard. When I get an idea I like I usually record it on my phone and then the melody usually comes after. Then I take my ideas to the studio and start demoing them.

I might lay the piano down myself or do a bit of drums then eventually I’ll get the band to replace my version. Basically, you CAN polish a turd.

Do you have certain rituals to get you into the right mindset for creating? What role do certain foods or stimulants like coffee, lighting, scents, exercise or reading poetry play?

I’ve found that since I gave up alcohol almost a year and a half ago, the urge to create has increased dramatically. Being sober all the time massively helps keep me in the right mindset. I go to the gym frequently so that also helps me stay focused, happy and positive.

What do you start with? How difficult is that first line of text, the first note?

I always start with a simple idea. You can create music out of anything. I like things that work in loops or sounds which are hypnotic.

It’s all about the vibe for me and if you keep getting the urge to play it a million times then something is definitely working.

Many writers have claimed that as soon as they enter into the process, certain aspects of the narrative are out of their hands. Do you like to keep strict control over the process or is there a sense of following things where they lead you?

I often find that once I start an idea I’ll usually know very quickly if it’ll work or not.

I’ve always loved simple chord structures. For me, it’s all about how those chords are played. There are endless ways one chord can be played and that’s the beauty of music. It’s limitless. Everyone plays differently and everyone has their own thing going on but I like to spend a lot of time varying or embellishing an idea to see where it can go.

It’s the most amazing feeling when you figure out a chord sequence that you know will work.

Often, while writing, new ideas and alternative roads will open themselves up, pulling and pushing the creator in a different direction. Does this happen to you, too, and how do you deal with it? What do you do with these ideas?

Sometimes when I’m working on an idea for ages I’ll suddenly play it differently and chuck something new in. I just try and keep an open mind all the time.

It’s easy to start a tune but sometimes the hard part is finishing it.

There are many descriptions of the creative state. How would you describe it for yourself personally? Is there an element of spirituality to what you do?

There’s definitely a spiritual element to the creative process. I find it very therapeutic as it focuses my mind purely on the music. It channels out negative thoughts and it takes my mind on a peaceful journey into the unknown.

Especially in the digital age, the writing and production process tends toward the infinite. What marks the end of the process? How do you finish a work?

Mixing can be a minefield. There are endless ways your tracks can sound. You have to have a sound in your head and aim for that goal.

For me, I love the production values of old records but there are also elements of modern production I love too. I love Blue Note and I love Hip Hop. And I love music which makes me feel emotional. I love all genres really and I love the idea of combining the old with the new.

The first record I ever got was a Louis Armstrong record when I was 7. I learnt so much about jazz from playing along with that record and copying his style. It was mind-blowing for me and gave me the inspiration to keep playing.

Once a piece is finished, how important is it for you to let it lie and evaluate it later on? How much improvement and refinement do you personally allow until you're satisfied with a piece? What does this process look like in practice?

The mixing process happens in stages.

Once we start mixing we get it up to a certain standard and I’ll take it home and listen lots of times. If anything annoys me or stands out we’ll make a bunch of improvements. It can sometimes take a while to get all the levels of the instruments exactly where I want them so listening a lot is essential.

What's your take on the role and importance of production, including mixing and mastering for you personally? How involved do you get in this?

I’ve learned a lot from all the Haggis Horns stuff we’ve recorded. Every album has been a learning curve.

With my solo stuff, I made all the decisions in terms of how we recorded it but Ben Barker did the engineering. He also did the majority of the mixing although I had the final say in terms of levels, reverbs, and when to call it a day on the track.

After finishing a piece or album and releasing something into the world, there can be a sense of emptiness. Can you relate to this – and how do you return to the state of creativity after experiencing it?

For me, it’s been completely different from that. Once I’ve finished an album I feel a sense of utter relief and satisfaction that my tunes are finally out there and that they sound the way I want them to.

I’m working on ideas for my 3rd album now. I’ll piece it all together somehow.

Creativity can reach many different corners of our lives. Do you personally feel as though writing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?

I think you have to put a lot of care and love into everything you do. Whether it’s cooking, making coffee, or making music. But it’s always got to be fun. Having a laugh is sometimes essential in a creative environment.

You need a relaxed atmosphere. When it gets too serious it can kill the vibe sometimes.