How Deftones Write A Song (In-Depth) l Artists Series S2E4

Summary

In this video, Friedemann Findeisen of Holistic Songwriting delves into the unique emotional and musical landscape of the Deftones. He explores the band’s distinctive blend of chaotic, fleeting moments and dark, sensual soundscapes, focusing on their complex song structures, unexpected transitions, and intricate instrumental interplay. By dissecting the contributions of each band member—Chino Moreno’s dreamy vocals, Stephen Carpenter’s heavy, dissonant guitar riffs, and Abe Cunningham’s light yet complex drumming—Findeisen highlights how these elements create an atmosphere that is both aggressive and seductive, offering listeners an immersive and emotionally charged experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Deftones' music is characterized by an unpredictable structure that defies conventional rock patterns, with transitions and time signatures that surprise the listener.
• 😀 The band creates an emotional palette of dark, sexual, dreamy, and momentary feelings through their music, often capturing fleeting emotional moments rather than telling structured stories.
• 😀 Deftones use implied tension, where the listener's expectations are challenged by unconventional song structures and unexpected changes in melody and rhythm.
• 😀 The band's use of a 'half chorus'—cutting the first chorus in half—helps maintain tension before resolving it in the second full chorus, adding to their unique style.
• 😀 Chino Moreno’s vocals are a key element in conveying sensuality and emotion, often using saturation and echo effects to enhance the intimate, breathless feel.
• 😀 Stephen Carpenter’s guitar work is minimalist yet rhythmically complex, employing heavy riffs and dissonant chords that contribute to the band's darker sound.
• 😀 Abe Cunningham's drumming incorporates hip-hop grooves and lightness, providing a bounce that contrasts with the heaviness of the guitar and vocals.
• 😀 Deftones’ approach to rhythm and structure often breaks conventional metal norms, creating tension and release in unconventional ways, keeping the listener engaged.
• 😀 The band's songs evoke a sense of chaos and unpredictability, with each member’s unique contributions (vocals, guitar, drums) adding layers of tension and emotion.
• 😀 Deftones' music blends elements from various genres—metal, R&B, jazz—creating a fusion that sets them apart from other rock bands, allowing them to continually surprise their audience.

Q & A

What makes the Deftones' music structure unique compared to other rock bands?

The Deftones' music structure is unique in that it often lacks traditional or clear-cut resolutions, making their songs feel like they describe a singular emotional moment rather than a coherent story. The structure is fluid, with transitions between sections that often surprise the listener, using rhythms and energy shifts instead of just pitch and dynamics.

What does Friedemann Findeisen mean by the term 'implied tension' in relation to the Deftones?

'Implied tension' refers to the tension created in music when something is left out or when expectations are not met. For the Deftones, this is achieved by flipping traditional musical formulas on their head, creating a sense of chaos, aggression, and excitement in the listener's mind.

Why does Friedemann describe the Deftones' sound as 'dark, sexual, dreamy, and momentary'?

These words reflect the emotional landscape of the band's music. 'Dark' refers to the heavy, dissonant riffs; 'sexual' captures the raw, physical energy and sensuality in both the music and lyrics; 'dreamy' relates to the ethereal quality of the melodies, particularly Chino's vocal delivery; and 'momentary' points to the fleeting, unstructured nature of their songs that focus on capturing a specific emotional state.

How do the Deftones use rhythm and time signatures to keep listeners engaged?

The Deftones frequently employ complex rhythms and time signature changes, such as shifting from standard time to 5/4 or using quarter note triplets. These unexpected changes keep listeners on their toes, preventing them from easily predicting the song's progression and maintaining an engaging sense of tension throughout.

What is a 'half-chorus' and how do the Deftones use this technique?

A 'half-chorus' is when the band cuts the first chorus of a song in half, leaving some musical tension unresolved before fully resolving it in the second chorus. The Deftones use this technique to keep their songs feeling chaotic and unresolved for a little longer, creating a unique sense of build-up and release.

How does Chino Moreno's vocal style contribute to the Deftones' dark and sensual sound?

Chino's vocal style is characterized by a mix of breathy, passionate shouts and dreamy melodies. His vocal chain often includes heavy saturation and a bathroom echo effect, contributing to a raw, sexual vibe that complements the band's heavy riffs and sensual atmosphere.

What is the significance of Abe Cunningham's drumming in the Deftones' music?

Abe Cunningham's drumming plays a critical role in the band's signature sound by balancing heavy rhythms with lighter, groovy hip-hop-inspired beats. His drumming adds a physicality to the music, preventing it from feeling too dense and heavy, and giving the band its characteristic bounce and groove.

How does Stephen Carpenter's guitar playing contribute to the Deftones' sound?

Stephen Carpenter's guitar playing is minimalist, often using single-note riffs and power chords, combined with dissonant open chords that create a dark, tense atmosphere. His rhythmically complex riffs, especially with the use of triplets, give the band's music a distinct bounce and heaviness.

What makes the Deftones' use of dissonant chords so effective?

The Deftones use dissonant chords, often played with open strings, which creates a sense of instability and tension. This is especially effective when paired with distortion, as the dissonant intervals sound even more jarring and emotionally charged, adding to the raw, aggressive nature of their music.

How does Chino Moreno's approach to melodies differ from typical metal vocalists?

Chino Moreno's approach to melodies is influenced by R&B and jazz, which is unusual for metal. He often sings using upper structures (notes outside the basic chord tones), such as major 7ths and 9ths, adding a dreamy, ethereal quality to the band's music. This creates a contrast between the heavy guitar riffs and the smooth, soulful vocal lines.