In this first instalment of SONIC KICKS, Iowa’s Dylan Stewart takes us through some of the albums that shaped him.
The first album I bought was...
Chuck Berry – Greatest Hits. It was the cassette version with an orange cover. I played the heck out of this! Classic tunes with great blues solos.
The album that soundtracked a relationship was...
Doves – Lost Souls. Such an amazing record that feels like a soundtrack to your life. Very dreamy and atmospheric!
The album that inspired me to form a band was...
Dinosaur Jr – Where You Been. When I heard the opening guitar chords of Out There I was hooked! For life! Although I now think that Bug is my favourite, this record still has one great tune after another! A classic!
The album that reminds me of my high school years is...
Beastie Boys – Ill Communication. I loved this album and Check Your Head. I was a try hard skater in my teens that could never skate but this record soundtracked that whole period in my life.
The album I'd love to hear played in full live is...
Iggy & the Stooges – Raw Power. I was actually lucky enough to see them play this record at ATP in New York a few years back. It goes down as one of the best gigs I’ve ever witnessed!
My favourite album cover art is...
My Bloody Valentine – Loveless. Not only does this cover look cool and psychedelic with its pink hazy guitar image, the guitar is actually a Fender Jazzmaster which is one my favourite guitars. When I lived in London a few years back, I worked at a music store in Denmark street and was lucky enough to help Kevin Shields pick out a couple of vintage Jazzmasters that he was planning to play for their reunion shows. Their show at the Roundhouse a few weeks later was absolutely mind blowing too! I think my ears are still ringing!
My guilty pleasure album is...
Wings – Venus & Mars. I still think this album is a good listen when I’m in the right mood but I don’t usually talk about it in interviews. I grew up with my brother playing this record and it just rubbed off on me.
An album I loved but now have no idea why I bought it.
Hits of 1988 – I don’t want to talk about it!
The last album I bought was...
Bob Dylan – Live at Brandeis University 1963. This is a brilliant recording. It was only recently discovered in 2009 and is a live concert of Dylan when he was hardly known. His second album was about to come out so he plays a great list of tunes.
Iowa’s excellent debut album Never Saw It Coming is out now and available from Bandcamp and all good record stores.
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