Influences Playlist: GUM / Ambrose Kenny-Smith
Photo by Jamie Terry
We are inviting our favorite musicians to compile playlists of the songs and artists who have impacted their latest projects the most. The latest Influences guest is Jay Watson of GUM / Ambrose Kenny-Smith, whose new album Ill Times is a majestic experimentation in funk earnestly weaved through Kenny-Smith’s vulnerable grieving process. Australian sextet King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s Ambrose Kenny-Smith and GUM—the project of Tame Impala/Pond member Watson—have combined talents for Ill Times. Born out of a decade-long friendship between the pair, the collaboration album explores loss, grief and trying to move on following the passing of Kenny-Smith’s father.
The electrifying psych-rock title track captures the daze of trying to be present in the world following a period of immense grief. “What’s it gonna take to shake ya / And leave it behind,” Kenny-Smith poses as a question to himself to find a way to draw him out of the darkness. His late father’s presence lingers on “Dud”—co-written by Broderick Smith himself—a funky eulogy of letting go with love as Kenny-Smith quite literally sends his father off into the sunset singing “Father, I bid you adieu / The man out of time, I’ll see you soon.” Kenny-Smith’s soulful vocals continue to dominate on “Minor Setback” paired with a Tame Impala-esque poppy synth from Watson but with a groovier flair that is expanded on in “Old Transistor Radio.”
Check out Watson’s Influences playlist, which includes tracks from the Velvet Underground, Betty Davis, MC5 and more, below:
Allen Toussaint: “Last Train”
I was flying from Australia to the US last year and thought I’d get in the spirit by watching the show The Righteous Gemstones on the in flight entertainment. This song came on in a scene and blew me away. I still get so excited hearing a song like that for the first time. Like many a great song, it speeds up as it’s going along. The horn arrangement is elite.
Spectrum: “How You Satisfy Me”
Pete Kember from Spacemen 3’s project after that band finished. A sonic inspiration on the production of the album. Electronic music made with organs and guitars.
The Rolling Stones: “I Just Want To See His Face”
Might be my favorite Stones song. I’ve been listening to it my whole life and I still don’t really understand the instruments or the words or the recording.
Deerhunter: “Coronado”
I tried to make the drums and acoustics sound like this on the record at times, a great song and recording.
Betty Davis: “Steppin’ in Her I. Miller Shoes”
Somehow still relatively unknown, Betty Davis is beyond awesome. I think of this song more in the vain of the MC5 and Stooges than funk or soul. It’s almost punk.
Suicide: “Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne”
A big production inspiration, especially vocal and drum machine sounds.
Paul McCartney: “That Would Be Something”
I really like how sweet and homemade this song is. It’s like the audio equivalent of a Sunday Roast.
Aphrodite’s Child: “Break”
Inspired the first part of the last song on the album, “The Gloater.”
The Chemical Brothers: “Let Forever Be”
Inspired the last part of the “The Gloater.”
Shocking Blue: “Send Me a Postcard”
Super heavy, very underrated, awesome over compressed drums. I love the singer’s melodies.
Baby Huey: “Running”
I love the weird radio static synthetic intro, into heavy soul. Definitely a big influence for me on the Gumbrose album.
The Velvet Underground: “Foggy Notion”
Great song, great lyrics, pure rock ‘n’ roll, somehow between country and krautrock.
MC5: “Let Me Try”
Such a good ballad, with really noisy tapey thin production. One of their best songs, super simple.
Beck: “Fuckin’ With My Head (Mountain Dew Rock)”
I love this sort of crusty instrumentation produced in an electronic way almost.
Cocteau Twins: “Pitch the Baby”
Maybe my favorite singer ever (Liz Fraser), definitely up there. Melodic genius, and one of the most humble musicians I’ve ever met.
Listen to GUM / Ambrose Kenny-Smith’s Influences Playlist below.