Music and Me.

     Hello. My name is Sean Fanchette. I’m a music composition major, and have been playing music for 8 years, while writing it for only 3. I started on woodwind instruments but have settled into percussion and piano as my main instruments, even if my main specialization is more writing than performing. 

I grew up in Walterboro, South Carolina and have been exposed to music since I was a kid. I never really showed any talent with it until high school, but I’ve loved it as long as I can remember. I’ve listened to a lot of it over the years, so picking only some of it to share is actually kind of difficult! 

1: Example of what I like right now:

I’m really big on Johnny Manchild and IDKHOW right no
w. They’re both examples of some of my favorite musical styles, taking the rock genre and putting their own unique spins on it.

 

In particular, the horns that Johnny Manchild uses in their songs are what draw me to their style. It’s almost like ska-punk, but more ska-rock than anything. It’s incredibly fun to listen to for me!

IDKHOW also puts many cool synthesizers into their songs that I enjoy listening to, they also usually have very interesting music videos that go along with their songs. The unique synths really bring a lot of character to the music to go with the videos!

2: Example of music deeply important to me.

Now, I have a lot that’s close to my heart. But there’s a few songs that really pulled me through some tough times. I think the one in particular that I’ll pick is
UNDERCOVER MARTYN, by Two Door Cinema Club. It’s been on my playlist for years, and I love humming it to myself. It’s just a fun song that got me through some of the hardest years of my life.

I remember one particular instance, where I was going through a rough depressive episode. I put on the song and just listened to it on loop for about 2 hours, not moving, just lying
in bed.

3: Example of music that I don’t really connect with.

Well, I recognize the value of almost all music! However! Most forms of modern rap just aren’t my thing. I get why people like it, but I just don’t see the appeal. Beats are usually super simple, and the only thing carrying every song is the vocalist. Just not my thing! I don’t really feel comfortable sharing any examples, mostly just because I don’t think there are any specific artists that I don’t like. There are more artists I don’t like than exceptions within the modern rap scene. 

4: Inspiration to become a composer.

Well, I was inspired throughout my early childhood by music from games I played. Composers like Koji Kondo and Nobuo Uematsu, simply because that was who I was exposed to as a child. Nowadays I’ve been mainly influenced by Yasunori Mitsuda, and many other composers I’ve met online.