Trevor Horn has influenced me a lot when it comes to sound and arrangements. The guy is a legend and if you don’t know anything about him, just search and see for yourself.
He’s also a great storyteller. Check out this long lecture (over 3 hours long!) he gave for Red Bull Music Academy a couple of years ago. Do you notice that there’s always some kind of huge problem which gotta be sorted out in his stories? I believe that’s how great music is made. Not by doing the same shit over and over again. Not by playing it safe. Not by copying what others are doing, but doing it the hard way: let your imagination take over you. Only true masters are able to pull that off.
Lecture: Trevor Horn (Madrid 2011) – Part 1 from Red Bull Music Academy on Vimeo.
Lecture: Trevor Horn (Madrid 2011) – Part 2 from Red Bull Music Academy on Vimeo.