New York-based songwriter and composer Xander Duell, born Alexander McMahon, first gained notoriety as a member of five-piece band Inouk, who released one critically acclaimed record and broke up on 2004. Eleven years later, Duell has returned with Wade Laiste, an orchestral pop-rock mish-mash that brings a breath of fresh air to pop music. We chat with the writer about Christmas songs, working in the studio and co-writing with the Beatles.
How long have you been writing songs?
The first time I started writing them down I was about 9, but before then I was noodling on the piano and stuff.
How long have you been doing music?
I had my first band around the same time, actually, when I was about 10 or 11. I had bands all throughout school, and basically, I haven’t stopped doing that yet.
What is your songwriting process usually like?
It varies. I always have to change it up. Not have to change it up, but like to change it up. Back in high school and stuff, I used to just break out an acoustic guitar and start working from there, but after a while you use up every starting point on a guitar, it seems like. Now I’m doing a lot more on computers or writing in the studio. I like to be more hands off and just use my mind.
Do you usually write as things come to to you or do you like to write for an album?
These days, I need to have a project I’m working on in order to be writing. I don’t just write for the fun of it anymore, but that’s just because I don’t really have time. There’s always stuff going on in my head, though. I’m always working on a song mentally and then whenever I get the time to sit down at the desk and actually work on it, I put in the hours.
Yeah. Do you usually start with lyrics or melody?
On the record that’s about to come out, it was all simultaneous, but that’s sort of the process I was going for on the album. It was sort of just like, a big subconscious dump. These days I’m in the studio working on songs where the melody came first, and I’m slowly working on the lyrics over time. But depending on the project I like to switch it up. I like to work with other lyricists or write songs where I’m singing over someone else’s beat. I like digging in from every different angle.
Are you mostly writing about personal topics or do you write about characters?
I think it’s 50/50. I think if there’s not some bit of true emotion, if there’s not something that’s true for one’s self that means something in the song, then it’s just a circus. I dunno, it doesn’t have the heft that a good song should… so there’s usually only something personal in there, but I’m generally commenting on things outside of me.
How much do you take the listener into account while writing versus what you instinctually want to do?
When I’m writing, I don’t really ever think about the listener. It’s just me and the work, and I think I take the listener into account once I’m done. When I’m done with the creative process, then it’s like, alright, let’s see if anyone wants to hear this, and if so, how do I trim it up and make it pretty. But while I’m working on it I’m in the zone. I actually don’t really think about anything while I’m working on stuff.
What advice would you give to young songwriters and musicians who are just starting out?
Don’t do it. I’m kidding. Advice … honestly, I think that if you’ve got it in you, it’ll come out, in terms of writing. Be as honest as you can be emotionally, I guess. In terms of the music business, I have no idea, I could talk about songwriting all day, but, the business side of it I do not know.
Who are your favorite songwriters?
Paul Simon, Duke Ellington, Brian Wilson, David Bowie.
If you could co-write with any person living or dead, who would it be?
I would totally sit in a Beatles session and chime in every once in a while, although I probably couldn’t improve on anything they did. It’d just be nice to be a fly on the wall.
Do you ever do any co-writing? Or do you mostly write by yourself?
I love doing co-writing. I’m trying to do some stuff with Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow, who produced the last record, and me and my brother are working on co-writing stuff.
What’s the most perfect song ever written?
I would probably go with something like either like “Moonlight Sonata,” or – actually, y’know what? I’ll go with “Taps.” The song “Taps” is, like, three notes on a bugle, and it’s a complete song. That’s what I would go for.
What do you think was the most difficult song for you to write?
Well, the most difficult songs never get finished, but there’s a new song – a Christmas song – which is is really difficult to put together. It’s sort of a long story. Songs are always tricky for their own reasons. Each song is really unique for the way it can be a pain in the ass.
Do you ever do any other kinds of writing, any prose or poetry or anything?
Nah. I should, I’d like to, but whenever I get time, I’m working on the big projects.