Ever the Unconventional
Twenty One Pilots is an unconventional music group that has never conformed to industry standards. They never let a genre define their music. They created what exactly they wanted to put out into the world. Their music explores rap, reggae, screamo, rock, punk, electro-pop but refuses to be put into one category. Their passion and stories drive their music. Trench, their latest album, explores the character Clancy and his desperate escape from a place called Dema. They let their music be very telling and representational of their creative process and narrative they want their album to convey.
Twenty One Pilots is an unconventional music group that has never conformed to industry standards. They never let a genre define their music. They created what exactly they wanted to put out into the world. Their music explores rap, reggae, screamo, rock, punk, electro-pop but refuses to be put into one category. Their passion and stories drive their music. Trench, their latest album, explores the character Clancy and his desperate escape from a place called Dema. They let their music be very telling and representational of their creative process and narrative they want their album to convey.
The lyrics in all their albums are filled with meaning that really connects to their audience. Car Radio, a song from their album Vessel, talks about the thought of suicide in a very honest way. “I'm forced to deal with what I feel / There is no distraction to mask what is real / I could pull the steering wheel.” They let their own honest thoughts drive their music and that’s why so many are able to connect to their music.
Joseph and Dun have talked about what drove their passion for music throughout their childhood. Joseph said he used it as an escape from his boredom and his desire to keep creating something new. Their music videos and their performances are these massive undertakings and are the physical manifestations of what the two guys want their music to say.
The band goes on long breaks after their tours. Joseph retires to his house in Columbus and Dun goes back to his home in L.A.. They do no concerts or have any communication with their hardcore fanbase. They take that time to rest and create new music. Joseph just sits in his basement where his music process is completely under his control. He just lets his moods and thoughts drive what he puts into his music.
I love Twenty One Pilots! I didn't know anything about their creative process, so this was super interesting to read. The fact that their music refuses to be put in one single category is awesome, in my opinion. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of TOP as well, and their diverse sounds seem to be almost a genre of their own; the TOP style is a blend of all the ones you stated, which to me feels like they've molded a new music genre. They discuss real life issues and embrace their personal struggles and relate to their fan base and give them something to hope for.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post! It is so cool how Joseph takes control of his writing by letting "moods and thoughts" dictate how songwriting goes. I love how deeply passion drives their music, not only a desire for financial gain or fame. I think that's also shown in the way they keep refusing to conform to typical music standards.
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