Not a vocal coach but that has been a rare Nothing But Thieves phenomenon called an Angry Conor eargasm. As someone with some vocal training, I find that NBT songs are not so much melodic gymnastics as they are stylistic gymnastics and emotionally raw. A great vocal coach like Chris Liepe (who has done an excellent "How To Sing Like Conor Mason" video) can break down what is going on stylistically and give you a tutorial for copying it. But the thing about how Conor Mason sings is that he consistently distills the band's "been to hell and back to create this music" story into a 3-4 minute performance in a very particular emotional space that is impossible to copy. Yes, we know the band's story from interviews. And yes, he's singing from a space that millions of fans relate to emotionally--in reference to their own personal lives that have nothing to do with the band. But the truth is that we will never be able to fathom the full story of the emotional space that Angry Conor is in when he lets out that gut punching growl in 4:24. As some have pointed out, I'm Not Made By Design is not a song anyone picks for karaoke without expecting to butcher it and make a fool out of themselves. I honestly find it unlikely for anyone, even professional singers, to cover this song and nail it--but unlikely does not mean impossible. In the unlikely event that a different singer actually nails a cover of this song, I think it would not so much be a case of stylistic copy-and-paste as it would be a case of constructing a different but just as compelling emotional world around the song and owning it throughout every moment of the performance. Which is a super tall order. Think Conor's approach to the Sun Sessions cover of In The Pines--that's the kind of approach one would need to take to nail a cover of I'm Not Made By Design. Own it emotionally and the style will follow. Easier said than done, and not everyone who tries to pull it off will. So I will quit analysing the music here and replay this video with my eyes glued to the screen as I revel in the massive voice crush I have on Conor.
Another brilliant example of this, is what NBT did with their version of "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley... they gave new birth, feel & meaning to it... Incredible talent they have... Conor's voice is to die for.... NBT my daily OCD.... a voice for my mind.... ❤
I live on oxygen, a bastard monkey boy Do what the hell I like, I'm no celestial toy Your goddess is bathed in gold while keeping us in line We're killing each other for a woman in the sky Ooh I'm not made, I'm not made by design Ooh Can you be, can you be satisfied? Ooh I'm not made, I'm not made by design Ooh Can you be, can you be satisfied? Ooh This kiss in the parking lot is turning me to stone You take the sweetest thing then claim it as your own Ooh I'm not made, I'm not made by design Ooh Can you be, can you be satisfied? Ooh I'm not made, I'm not made by design Ooh Can you be, can you be satisfied? You take the sweetest thing and claim it as your own Ooh I'm not made, I'm not made by design Ooh Can you be, can you be satisfied? Ooh I'm not made, I'm not made by design Ooh Can you be, can you be satisfied?
