Project Description

Interview with

PETER SENIOR

by Dave Bruce

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How would you describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard your music before?

I’d like to think that when someone hears my music for the first time they’re hearing something vaguely familiar in style and substance but also getting those same types of sounds with a different angle. I suppose to you can call it piano-fuelled pop blended with rock- infused soul and blues. In terms of how I play, I’m a bit of a basher at the piano but I think that innate style brings something unique to both the songwriting and the performing.

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How do go about go about creating your music? Is there a specific process for your songwriting?

Normally, I’ll have some pre-recorded piano chord changes and maybe some rough melodies or vocals, nothing concrete just playing along trying different things. After I get down this initial burst of activity I’ll usually go for a long drive and work on the missing bits. There’s a lot of inspiration on the road!

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Why did you decide to become a performer/songwriter?

I feel it’s something I have to do. I’ve dabbled with it from when I was a kid and have continued to do so in some form or other ever since, pretty much all my life. I realised at a Tony Robbins Event, that despite all the things I do, music is my underlying passion and songwriting is my take on that. I love to play live and perform live music but songwriting is where the magic happens for me.

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Do you follow a formula when you write?

Usually, I’ll keep playing around on the piano, until something jumps out. I’ll keep refining, or perhaps completely change it until I feel it’s worthy of recording later. Then I’ll listen to these pieces in the car when I’m on the road. I’ll play these random pieces while I’m on a long drive and start to develop ideas. Quite often these ideas work with other pieces I’ve sketched weeks or months before. But mostly the magic happens on the road…deep in thought.

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Who were your biggest writing and/or singing influences?

When I was a kid it was Billy Joel. Throughout my childhood, my dad played a lot of county folk music from Slim Dusty, Tex Morton, Lionel Long and many others, which broadened my knowledge, but I was especially drawn to Billy Joel. When I started playing gigs, I was always requested to do different songs. I grew to love music from a lot of artists, everyone from Sinatra, Neil Diamond to Ke$ha and Pink! Too many favourites to list here!

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What are some of your favourite pieces of music and why?

I think some of the classic rock pop tunes, but my favourites keep changing. As for past favourites, they include Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, Billy Joel’s You May Be Right, No Doubt’s Don’t Speak and even Ke$ha’s Tik Tok. My favourite song changes every week, sometimes daily!

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What kinds of things inspire you to write or perform?

With respect to writing, usually, it starts with something I want to say or express, an idea that I want to try and fit into song or a piece of music. But inspiration is everywhere when you look for it!

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Have any elements of your personal or professional background influenced your musical sensibilities?

Just the idea that if you can find something you can do well, it can move others and yourself.

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