Nashville Day/Night

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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

Creative Speed Bumps

When trying to get into a creative flow, it is essential to identify and remove any barriers along the way. A creative speed bump is anything that distracts your artistic focus, in the same way that an alarm clock pulls you out of your dreams. Creative speed bumps include, but are not limited to:

Incoming text messages, phone calls, emails, interruption by a passer-by, a smoke break, a bathroom break, a snack break, lunch break, a funny story, a side comment, brain-shaped popcorn (see photo), etc.

Obviously there are times where some of those examples could be appropriate during a co-write. However, the timing is of utmost importance. Instead of a speed bump, an interruption could function as more of a rest stop along the creative highway. Sometimes the best thing you can do for the song (and for your relationship with your co-writer) is to get out and stretch for a few minutes.

(In unrelated news, Speed Bump happens to be my favorite comic.)

Keep writing,

Ben

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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

The Songbird Project Goes Mobile

I'm excited to announce that Blogger finally made their blogs mobile-friendly! All you need to do is visit TheSongbirdProject.com from your mobile device. Enjoy!

 

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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

Thank You, Steve Jobs

It will take quite some time for us to realize the contribution to society this man has made.





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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

Writing Tools - Springpad

One of my favorite and most used tools over the past few months has been a program called Springpad. I could try to explain how it works, but this video says it all:

Timeless Art in a Fast World

There is a fun app on my phone that allows me to take professional-looking pictures in almost no time. I can make the most menial object look epic, without having to pay a professional photographer. That's a blessing and also a possible hazard.

We live in a fast world, and we want high-quality things, quickly. A picture program like this is appealing because it cuts out cost and time. But that also means that a tool like this could potentially take away work from photographers.

What does this look like when it comes to writing songs? With professional-quality microphones and recording equipment cheaper than ever, anyone and their mom is able to get an album onto iTunes. The real issue when it comes to such available technology is that we are tempted and able to hit the recording button too soon. Instead of carving on and reshaping a lyric or melody, we attempt to make up for any deficiencies in the song by making a sparkly and shiny recording. But a great recording of a mediocre song is still only a mediocre song. Few will remember hearing it.

When more people have access to create timeless-looking art, the challenge is to encourage all to participate, while still preserving and passing on the integrity of the craft. The reality is that with everyone taking photos on their phones, we are potentially only adding more noise to the craft of photography. It becomes easier to be average, and more difficult to be exceptional.

In the end, time is what separates the good from the mediocre – in a photographer's photos and in a songwriter's songs. If we create something true and good, it will stand up ten years from now. But if we only write something that sounds like what’s currently on the radio, then it’ll just sound like that "other" song. And who just wants to blend in?

Keep writing,

Ben