“I wonder if the only reason anyone writes anything is in the hope that somewhere, those feelings are replicated by someone else.” Paul Thomas Saunders describes why Francis Bacon has had such a profound effect over his approach to creativity.

We catch up with Pond who give us an insight into which creative influences are keeping them on their toes, in this week’s Reference Points.

Xiu Xiu’s Jamie Stewart catches up with The Line of Best Fit ahead of the release of latest album Always, to talk about his adventure to Guyana to realise his dream of tracking down the elusive Capuchinbird. Includes birdcall MP3s. Amazing.

“Songs are mercurial. You got to be on your feet. Stay nimble.” The Californian singer-songwriter talks inspiration, taxidermy and cocktails.

Each week, we ask an artist to tell us about something they find inspiring from outside the world of music. Today, Raf from costumed house duo The 2 Bears tells us about…table tennis.

Futurehead-toting psychy duo Hyde & Beast guide us through two of their influences – Third Ear Band’s ‘Fleance’, and Shane Meadow’s Dead Man’s Shoes.

In a new feature, Oh Minnows’ Chris Steele-Nicholson talks us through the books, music and places that have inspired him.