With thousands of new pieces of gear and software being released every day, it’s easy to assume that the key to making great music lies in having the perfect collection of tools. But for Emma-Jean Thackray, that assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.
The producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist – whose sophomore album, Weirdo, is due out 25 April – speaks in a new interview with MusicTech, where she opens up about her creative ethos and her views on gear.
According to Thackray, one of the biggest myths in music production is the idea that acquiring the right gear will get you to where you want to be.
“What really matters is your ideas and your performance. Sure, you can perhaps better communicate your ideas with good gear, but if you only have an iPhone, your voice, and a great song, then you can still do something really powerful,” she explains.
“Most of your effort should go into gaining more knowledge and working on your composition skills. A lot of post-production is unnecessary if you get the performance and sound right while tracking. If you can arrange well, some of the mixing process is done for you already.”
While a well-mixed track is, of course, “invaluable”, Thackray argues that it’s the “icing on the cake” and that the foundation of a song is far more crucial.
“It’s pointless icing a shit cake,” she says. “Develop your skills before you go and buy something.”
For Thackray, the most valuable investment a musician can make isn’t in gear — it’s in themselves. And she speaks from experience: her forthcoming album, Weirdo, is a testament to her philosophy. She didn’t just write and perform the songs — she recorded, mixed, produced, and arranged the entire project herself.
“Truthfully though, I think my biggest investment is me. I’m the one with all the ideas. Gear means nothing without the creativity behind it,” she says. “The investment is my education, the time I’ve spent listening to so much music, and the performing, composing, arranging, and mixing techniques I’ve honed over the years. Screw the gear.”
Listen to Thackray’s latest single Wanna Die below.
