(From Aaron’s book On Songwriting: Practical Tips and Insights from a Decade in Music City) I’m often asked by songwriters whether or not they should move to Nashville. I remember asking my Nashville songwriter friends the same question when I lived in Denver. What they (and I) were really asking was, “Do you think I […]
Should You Move to Nashville? Read More »
Great question. You know, it’s different with albums than it is with singles. To be honest, it’s one part feel, one part marketing. One time, I asked my old label if we could just use an image without my name or any title on it. This seemed reasonable to me since, with the way people
Stephen asks, “How do you choose an album or single artwork?” Read More »
Absolutely. Back in 2003, I first heard Damien Rice’s debut album, O, in a friend’s car. I was devastated, thinking he was doing exactly what I wanted to do, but better. I felt depressed for a while, but then I grew to appreciate his work and use it as inspiration. I even incorporated elements inspired by
Around 2007, my wife remembered a book she’d read in a college creative writing class called The Triggering Town by Richard Hugo. She gave me her copy, and honestly, I’m not sure I would have written many of the songs I’ve written without it. Although it’s about poetry, its lessons apply equally to songwriting and storytelling.
This Book Taught Me to Write Better Read More »
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Protected: Video: I thought I was writing a joke song, but then it turned into this. Read More »
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Protected: Song of Comfort in Times of Loss Read More »
For whatever reason, college radio stations seem to operate out of an old janitor’s closet in the basement of the Humanities Department. After navigating dark hallways and countless stairs, you’ll half-expect this to be the end—a murder setup. But then you’ll open the door and see a 20-year-old Art Major named Jade sitting behind a
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Protected: For Patrons: Top 3 Books I Read in 2024 (Bonus) Read More »
Deep Work This was my introduction to Cal Newport. In March 2024, I changed much of my work behavior based on this book. Learn more. Profit First Don’t let the title fool you. It’s not “profit over people” or anything like that. I took over our finances in September without even knowing our bank account
For Songwriters: Top 3 Books I Read in 2024 Read More »
This Is Happiness I recommended this way back in January (I think). It’s a fictional story about a small village in Ireland when they were first getting electricity installed. Utterly fascinating (e.g., 100-watt bulbs revealing the true nature of a face, a place, and all the missed cobwebs). It’s also about a 17-year-old, coming of
For Fans: Top 3 Books I Read in 2024 Read More »