I think all people, never mind artists, can find some crucial motivation in something outside of their direct area of focus. Music is a major catalyst for me and it's not just the sounds that push me, but more the style, attitude, energy and straight up balls of its practitioners; past and present.
Strummer and The Clash have been a major drive in my life and Joe taught me to pay attention to more than just the surface of people and society. A constant thought of "What would Joe do?' follows most of my moves. Below is a full version of a great Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros set from The Bizarre Festival, Cologne Germany in 1999 that I watch from time to time in order to recharge the batteries.
This is the early itineration of the Mescaleros, the collection of musicians that took Joe out of two decades of creative block and served as the vehicle of the second most productive era of his life. The best moment of this set for me is when Joe steadies the pace of Mescaleros drummer Steve Barnard in the early moments of Brand New Cadillac, making sure to throw a thumbs up when things settle into place.