Thanks for asking @lapskin ! I guess if we are all inspired first by other people's music, bands, tunes we heard, then something clicks ... And if this flame is still there after many years (decades even!), it's a real need. I get inspired by sounds. No matter what created them, but mostly acoustic and electric ones, clear or distorted. You are probably more into electronic sounds. Some details, some tones, that we hope to get from our machines or instruments... It's a never ending search. And (for the most part!) it's fun !!!
A lot of times, the inspiration doesn't come when I'm playing music. I could be weeding the garden, taking a shower, or driving the car. I'll often get both words and music at the same time. Maybe it's a chorus, or just the first couple of lines to a verse. So then I try to get to a guitar quickly so I can figure out what's going on and remember it. Sometimes I get lucky and the whole thing seems to write itself, other times it's a long, hard slog. The ones that write themselves seem to be the better ones.
Music is like an itch that I have to scratch. I love creating something that others may like (hopefully). I guess psychologists say we humans get some kind of blast of alpha brainwaves that are like good juice for the soul and mind. When I am creating and it is really coming together there is wild type of peace that comes over me. A warm and sometimes emotional feeling as I listen to the finished product. So long story short -- it makes me feel good! I hope others get the same feeling.
Playing with sound inspires me, like that of a painter. Unlike some other commentators, I'm completely selfish and don't really think too much about the audience or in pleasing others. I'm pursuing the sound. It's a challenge to create a piece of music that I feel has worth. I like that challenge. I fail a lot, but it's always fun to try.
