Floor Staff (aka Anthony Donnelly) is the latest to take on our Guestlist series and chat about the 10 songs that inspired him to make the music he does. Floor Staff has been releasing music since 2014 and although he has been highly regarded by music fans and media in that time for making “sophisticated, alternative pop” (The Irish Times) and “a deeply personal and delightful pop sound” (Wonderland), he recently took a four year hiatus to work on his sound. Donnelly had obviously spent his time well while outside the studio, because this summer he has returned in a prolific way - treating us to singles in June (‘Aspiration’), July (‘Empathize’) and August (‘The Occupants Rotate’). The singles are all taken from Floor Staff’s debut album ‘Attention’, which was self-released on Friday 27th August 2021. Be sure to check out his latest track and his 10 chosen songs below.
Tina turner - We don’t need another hero
I remember watching Mad Max Thunderdome on TV when I was about 8. This song came on over the end credits. It was Tina Turners vocal and the production that pulled me in initially. But there was something about the chorus when the E flat hits… “We don’t need to know the waaaay hooooome” BOOOOM. I think that was a really significant moment for me in terms of how chords can feel. Obviously I had no idea what it was at the time but I felt something really powerful.
Prince - Raspberry Beret
I’d say this could be the most catchy and beautiful string arrangement I’ve ever heard. It feels playful and melancholic at the same time. Combined with the visual of Prince in the in the sky blue suit with white puffy clouds on it and white heals… It really blew me away. Like a crazy party in some heaven on earth.
Enya - Orinoco Flow
I remember this really vividly. When I was 7 I had this dream that was soundtracked by this song… Well it was actually kind of a nightmare. I was in this gigantic toy factory. A huge warehouse with giant mechanical moving parts swooping around me. I was on the conveyor belt as if I was one of the toys. Initially everything was fine but I remember distinctly things getting really scary during the pre chorus part when the chords change to minor. I was really freaked out and woke up completely terrified. I’m totally not scared of the song anymore though. I think it’s really great.
Jai Paul - 100000
I heard this album around the same time I got my first interface and started recording myself at home. I’d say I’d heard a few tracks off it before that, when it had been leaked. This was pretty huge for me in terms of production. I’d never heard anything like it. The use of side chaining, often on everything at once, and the way in which most things are a little distorted. It feels lo-fi and well produced at the same time, both retro and modern… It was really crazy to hear and was something that inspired me to play around at home and try to make similar sounds.
D’Angelo - The Charade
D’Angelo is a huge Prince fan and they were also close friends. I think Prince’s influence coming through in the music is what got me interested initially. But D’Angelo has very much his own sound. Black Messiah was the first album of his I’d heard. The vocal harmonies are so amazing and powerful. The drumming by Quest Love lends an incredible groove to the album, with everything being a little bit behind the beat. It was all recorded straight to tape so it has this incredible warmth. I can’t say how many times I’ve listened to this but it’s a lot.
The Knife - Raging Lung
This is from their 2013 album Shaking The Habitual. It’s an incredible, 10 minute, dark, meditative journey. It features a lot of custom instruments that are used throughout the album and a ton of sounds like nothing I’d ever heard before. I saw them perform the whole album live during their Shaking The Habitual tour. It’s one of my favourite ever gigs.
Wild Beasts - Sweet Spot
This is taken from the 2014 album Present Tense. I love the sparse production that leaves so much space for beautiful harmonies that blend two very different but equally awesome vocal tones.
Portishead - Machine Gun
Its a blend of a vocal that feels devastatingly honest and vulnerable and these incredibly intense, metallic, machine like sounds. The entire album is great. Lyrically it seems to focus on emotional helplessness, loneliness and regret, while being counteracted by these energetic and almost aggressive sounds. I was turned on to this around the time I started playing bass in bands in my late teens. The album had a huge impact on me.
A.A. Bondy - I’ll Never Know
This is a really cool blend of organic instruments and synths. It’s so understated and dark while also being really groovy. I got into A.A. Bondy through the two albums prior to this, which shy away from any electronic elements. On this one, he brings in synth and machine sounds, using them to declare his disdain for the modern world and technology.
Serpent With Feet - Heart Storm
This is a new one, but I wanted to include it because I’ve been giving the album a huge amount of time and it doesn’t show any signs of stopping. The vocal performances and melodies are incredible on this track. The lyrics are really evocative in their simplicity, dealing with love and passion being reflected in nature.