On the song selection approach for The Gospel According to Cliff Beach, he said, “This album catalogs eight songs I wrote between the 2006 to 2012. I made two other albums in 2013 and 2014, released a single in 2016, and now, finally released this new album in 2017. All the songs had some gospel influence, but talk about life from my uniquely funky view point.”
Regarding his personal favorite song on there, he said, “I really enjoy the cover of the Headhunters ‘God Made Me Funky.’ I reached out to one of the original players/writers on the song who wrote me back saying that he loved it.”
Beach’s biggest musical influences include Michael Jackson, Prince, James Brown and Stevie Wonder.
On his future plans, he said, “We just released our latest single video ‘Right Side of The Tracks’ that got officially selected for the International Music Video Underground festival in Echo Park May 2018. We also have shows coming up Oct 28 opening for Noble Creatures at the Deer Lodge in Ojai, at Three Clubs Hollywood on November 9 with Jhey and the Whee and at Lagunitas in Azusa on November 19.
Digital transformation of music
Regarding the impact of technology in the contemporary music scene, he said, “It has definitely lowered the barriers to entry, so now our music is everywhere worldwide on our own label California Soul Music, for very low cost. I think it is a two-headed sword though in that the market is over-saturated and some people who maybe should not be making music are, which adds more white noise to a pool of other artists who have spent the time working and developing their craft with those who have not. I know technology helped me make my album, it would not have been possible 50 years ago to make an album of this caliber without a major record label. When I was growing up major labels were the only way. Everyone wanted to get signed, but for artists like me that the majors are not interested in because my music is not defined by one genre and I do not have a extremely large fan base, technology allows us to get the music out there and gain support from our fans through social media.”
When asked how Beach uses technology in his music, he said, “We use technology for sure in the process of making the music. Everything was recorded in Pro Tools which is the industry standard. Though we did master to analog tape for that vintage sound. We use the technology to get the music out to the fans on social media , Amazon, iTunes and Spotify to name a few. From a consumer standpoint, I love Spotify, but as an audiophile still purchase vinyl too. I try to keep a balance between the old and new school. I love Vinyl Me, Please as a business model that marries the old and new as well. This is the first album we released on Vinyl.”
To learn more about musician Cliff Beach and the new CD, check out his official website.
