For sure, I totally agree. A lot of my compositional ideas start out as an emulation of a musical idea I heard. Then of course I'll take that and mould it into something of my own. I am very much an advocate of finding patterns between genres and artists in search of new perspectives. I am aware of my influences and embrace them.

You never have to compose any one way, but if you learn to compose in many different ways and styles, then you have a gigantic toolbox at your disposal.

Good words. I've always felt this way about listening to music, that by having a wide range influences you have a lot to draw on. However, I've not properly considered that in terms of compositional practice. I feel this is perhaps impeding me at the moment, in that I've become stuck in my ways. I was producing steadfast in the Drum & Bass tradition for 4 years and only in the last year of two have I endeavoured to push some boundaries somewhat. As a consequence, all my ideas are still filtered through the said tradition and methodology which is becoming too small a garment, so to speak. I'm ready to break of out if it, I'm just not sure how quite yet.

Thanks.