Godfrey Diamond has been in the music business for a very long time, but most of that has been on the producer and engineer side of the desk. Now he’s taken steps to the other side, with his new project, biGDream, and if you’ve read our review of his first single and video, ‘Everybody’s High’, you’ll know he’s jumped in with both feet. We are honoured to have been able to ask Godfrey a few questions, and we really hope you enjoy his answers as much as we do.
Hi Godfrey, thanks for talking to us today! First off, I love the name of your project, capitalising your initials in the middle! That’s inspired!
Below are my answers to your questions, but first I’d like to thank you for the time that you obviously spent listening to this song, for your thoughtful comments and for asking such insightful questions!
The video for ‘Everybody’s High’ is gorgeous. Love all the psychedelic vibes and how chill it is, and I especially love the references to Alice In Wonderland, they’re glorious. It feels like an homage to the Beatles in part? Was that intentional?
The “Lucy” reference is definitely an homage to the Beatles and their trippy Sargent Pepper period.
I don’t know how many people will catch the Ringo fill over the Lucy lyric in the 2nd verse, but it’s there, thanks to drummer Joe Russo.
How’s it been for you the past couple of years? How have you been impacted by the pandemic?
Initially it was a huge adjustment, I thrive on the collaborative environment of the studio, so not to be able to have people come in and record was at first disruptive. However, like most musicians, I started working over zoom and sending files back and forth digitally. But, since for me, the joy of biGDream is being able to reconnect with musicians I have worked with in the past, it was always my goal to be able to work directly with the players on this project by having them come into the studio and I was able to start doing that in May 2021.
You seem to be very positive and optimistic, a great quality to have these days! How do you manage to keep on the sunny side of the street? What’s your secret?
Obviously I have my down time like everybody else, but being able to pursue the activities that bring me the most joy; writing, recording and collaborating keeps me motivated and energized.
With more than 50 years in the music business, you’re bound to have some great stories! What’s been the most memorable experience of your career so far?
it’s really hard to say what has been the most memorable experience for me because I’ve worked with so many incredible people, but I have to say that probably the most transformative was when Lou Reed asked me to produce ‘Coney Island Baby’ which essentially propelled me from being an engineer into being a producer at 21.
While you’re the inspiration for many yourself, who inspires you? Why?
Oh, so many people… I would say David Bowie has been one of the biggest inspirations on my creative process. Aside from his brilliant songwriting and his performative genius, Bowie’s ability to continually transform himself and his vision, always staying slightly ahead of the times. Someone who can take the pulse of the zeitgeist and respond to it in a creative fashion that touches people all over the world is a true inspiration
I also have to say that Neil Young, who has the ability as a songwriter to put his experiences and feelings so directly and honestly into a song is another personal icon.
And I can’t answer this question without paying homage to the Stones of my youth in particular Beggars Banquet’, ‘Let it Bleed’, ‘STICKY FINGERS’, ‘Exile on Main Street’, and from Mick’s lyrics, to Keith’s guitar riffs, to Charlie holding down the fort both sonically and metaphorically, they defined Rock and Roll for me
What question do you wish someone would ask you in an interview, but nobody ever does? And what’s the answer to that question?
What a difficult question for me… I am used to being interviewed as a producer and in that role, there are always more nuggets of knowledge to dispense. But as the driving force behind biGDream I enter the realm of “artist” which I am still getting used to, I think it might be a while before I can figure that one out.
You can watch the music video for ‘Everybody’s High’ below, and catch up with Godfrey Diamond and his music online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Check out Godfrey’s Linktree for details about how to stream and download his music. Read our review of ‘Everybody’s High’ here.
