Tracks That Shaped Our Sound: Güdness

Born in the late summer of 2023, Gudness is a fresh force in the East Midlands music scene, driven by four best friends with a shared love for 60s charm and 70s groove. Their sound is a melting pot of vintage influence and modern edge, laced with lyrics that explore escape, self-reflection, and the absurdities of everyday life. The name Gudness playfully contrasts the depth of their songwriting- blending sarcasm, sincerity, and raw emotion. With two singles already out and a huge year ahead, 2024 is just the beginning for this exciting new project.

Funkadelic – Can You Get To That

A song for birth, rebirth, looking forward or looking back at what’s done, ‘can you get to that’ feels like the narration of almost any point in life. Simple, energetic, playful, with a bluesy pat on a back. Something about doing so much with so little chords is an inspirational focus on ‘Self Help Cemetery’.

LCD Soundsystem – Someone Great

Lyrically this was a major influence. I heard it was written about his therapist passing away and the awkward nature of those situations, the way he wore those on his sleeve I found to be inspiring for Self Help Cemetery

The Weeknd – Save Your Tears

‘Save Your Tears’ has a fantastic mix of feeling laid back and relaxed but still with a rhythm that makes you want to move your body and dance, we really wanted to capture this vibe, and I feel like you can hear this in all parts of Self Help Cemetery, everything from the drums in the verses, to the vocal delivery, to the synth lines.

Hot Chip – Boy From School 

Another influence with that quite prominent phaser effect, almost bubbly sounding. Also wanted that deep low end that we loved in this track.

Melt Mars - Slumberfck

The riff was written quite quickly after hearing this track, kind of made a conscious effort to write a chord progression that worked well with a heavy phaser effect.