Tom Jenkinson Quotes

Powerful Tom Jenkinson for Daily Growth

About Tom Jenkinson

Tom Jenkinson, born on July 6, 1970, in Hexham, Northumberland, England, is a renowned musician, composer, and record producer best known by his stage name Squarepusher. Known for his innovative approach to electronic music, Jenkinson has significantly influenced the genre with his unique blend of jazz, electronica, and IDM (Intelligent Dance Music). Jenkinson's musical journey began at an early age, learning to play the piano and trombone. He later attended the Leeds College of Music where he studied jazz. However, it was his fascination with technology that led him to explore electronic music, which would eventually become his primary medium. In 1995, Jenkinson released his debut album, 'Feedback Loop,' under the Squarepusher moniker. This release marked the beginning of a prolific career, with subsequent albums such as 'Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will' (1996), 'Go Plastic' (2001), and 'Ultravisitor' (2005) showcasing his technical prowess and musical versatility. Jenkinson's music is characterized by its complex rhythms, intricate melodies, and unexpected changes in direction. His influences range from jazz legends like John Coltrane to video game soundtracks and Japanese anime. Jenkinson has also made significant contributions as a record producer, working with artists such as Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, and Funki Porcini. In 2015, Jenkinson ventured into the world of bass guitar, forming the band 'Tom Rosenborg' (later renamed 'Squarepusher') with drummer Rob Little. Their debut album, 'Shell Like Corn,' was released in 2018 to critical acclaim. Despite his success, Jenkinson remains humble and focused on his music. He continues to push the boundaries of electronic music, constantly evolving his sound and challenging listeners' expectations.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Music is a very abstract thing. It's not something you can really define."

Tom Jenkinson's quote underscores the elusive and intangible nature of music as an art form. He suggests that music transcends concrete definitions, existing instead in a realm of abstraction where it resonates with our emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Despite its seemingly amorphous quality, the power and impact of music remain undeniable, making it a vital part of human expression and connection.

"I don't think there's any such thing as a good or bad instrument. It depends on what you do with it."

This quote emphasizes that the quality of an instrument is not inherently good or bad; rather, its value lies in how it is utilized by the user. This perspective underscores the importance of creativity, skill, and interpretation in music-making, suggesting that an artist can transform even the most ordinary tools into extraordinary expressions of art.

"The best music comes from the heart, not the head."

This quote by Tom Jenkinson emphasizes that genuine, impactful music stems more from a place of emotion (the heart) rather than from rational thought or analysis (the head). It suggests that authenticity, passion, and feeling are crucial elements in the creation of meaningful music. When musicians compose from their emotions, it allows listeners to connect deeply with the work, fostering a shared experience between artist and audience.

"I try to make something that sounds new and interesting but also familiar in some way."

This quote by Tom Jenkinson suggests his artistic approach is one that balances innovation with a sense of familiarity. He aims to create unique, intriguing sounds that still resonate with listeners by incorporating elements they can recognize or connect with. In other words, he aspires to create fresh yet comfortable experiences for the audience.

"There's no rules to how you should be making music." (often misattributed, but this quote is attributed to Tom Jenkinson)

The quote implies that there are no hard-and-fast guidelines or limitations when it comes to creating music. This suggests an openness to experimentation, creativity, and self-expression in the art of making music, with each artist free to forge their unique path in music creation without being bound by traditional norms or rules.

The main thing I'm into is going about on a bike, taking random routes; I'm really into the idea of making up journeys, and just seeing where they take you, because they always end up taking you someplace freaky.

- Tom Jenkinson

Idea, Main Thing, Journeys, Routes

I make music to generate atmospheres, not to complement already existing ones.

- Tom Jenkinson

Music, Complement, Existing, Generate

Sometimes I think that I want to do something strictly basic, really simple. Just with a few chords. But I won't have anything more than two or three sentences in my head. That kind of evaporates once I start playing and then it goes off in whatever direction.

- Tom Jenkinson

Simple, I Think, Sentences, Evaporates

The older ideas are rendering more and more bland music.

- Tom Jenkinson

Music, More, Older, Rendering

Yeah, my drum programming especially is based on my knowledge of playing a drum kit. For the bass too, definitely. It was the first thing that I translated any sort of ideas through. It must have shaped it somehow.

- Tom Jenkinson

Through, Drum, Shaped, Programming

I think the best way is to forget about racing people and just find territory that's fresh.

- Tom Jenkinson

Think, I Think, Best Way, Fresh

But I always communicate with the audience. I never pretend like I'm just in my bedroom making a track. The whole point of doing a gig is, like, a feedback thing between you and the audience.

- Tom Jenkinson

Audience, Always, Making, Bedroom

I like my stuff 'cause I only ever end up with tracks that I really, really like. It always appeals to me.

- Tom Jenkinson

Always, Like, Cause, Appeals

I've never really been that much of a fan of Ninja Tune.

- Tom Jenkinson

Never, Fan, Been, Ninja

I was starting to feel really suffocated, using the sequencer.

- Tom Jenkinson

Feel, Starting, Using, Suffocated

I'm into music for all different sorts of purposes.

- Tom Jenkinson

Music, Different, Purposes

Doing something like that, quite radically changing your approach to sound in one go, could leave you high and dry. It's happened before where people have changed direction and then everyone's stopped liking their music.

- Tom Jenkinson

Doing, Sound, Before, Liking

Times of my life, brief periods without music, have completely felt dangerously over the edge.

- Tom Jenkinson

My Life, Over, Brief, Dangerously

The only way to find that territory is trying to keep your mind constantly open. That's the only way that you're ever going to see the sort of signs of where to go.

- Tom Jenkinson

Mind, Go, Going, Territory

Just the type of music that was around at the same time as I was writing. Some of it was wicked, definitely. But there was just one direction which I thought could be pushed that no one was pushing.

- Tom Jenkinson

Thought, Some, Which, Wicked

I'm always pleased with my work. Absolutely.

- Tom Jenkinson

Work, Always, Absolutely, Pleased

There's a couple of tracks on the new record which is sort of using similar sort of rhythms as the drum and bass tracks but playing it all live. It's a new approach to it.

- Tom Jenkinson

New, Rhythms, Which, Tracks

It's important for that to exist in a society that doesn't present you with any genuine problems.

- Tom Jenkinson

Society, Important, Exist, Genuine

I'm basically a musician.

- Tom Jenkinson

Basically, Musician

This current round of gigs, I'm just doing it using pure electronics.

- Tom Jenkinson

Doing, Electronics, Using, Current

I'm starting to play all the melodies with kind of keyboard sound but playing it from the bass guitar.

- Tom Jenkinson

Play, Bass, Melodies, Keyboard

My history is really playing live - not writing or recording.

- Tom Jenkinson

History, Writing, Playing, Recording

I love traveling. I love just going about on my own, feeling I have no roots.

- Tom Jenkinson

Love, Going, I Love, Traveling

I don't know that the best way to approach it is to try and keep up. When you're doing that, you're setting yourself into a one-dimensional sort of race basically.

- Tom Jenkinson

Doing, Race, Best Way, Setting

I don't know how many records I'm selling.

- Tom Jenkinson

Know, How, Records, Selling

I have a rough idea when I walk into a studio though.

- Tom Jenkinson

Idea, Studio, Though, Rough

Because there's so much stuff I don't release.

- Tom Jenkinson

Because, Stuff, Much, Release

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