How’s the hand healing? How has physical therapy been? How are you feeling emotionally? (A lot of you have asked versions of this question, thank you!) Physical therapy… I’m getting there! Little by little. I’m basically doing the same activities as two-year olds. My PT station looks like something out of Sesame Street. The goal […]
AMA: “How’s the hand healing?” Read More »
Everyone says to write what you know. There’s a lot of truth to that advice. You’ll have more confidence and authority, plus you’ll be pulling from a deeper well. But even if you write about what you know, you’re not going to know everything. Yesterday I was trying to write a song about boats. I’ve
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Have you ever watched the TV show House? It’s about a brilliant but abrasive doctor who is masterful at solving difficult-to-diagnose cases. In the show, Dr. House and his team of doctors hold meetings. In the room, there’s a white board, and House paces holding a marker while his team offers possible diagnoses. Lupus? No.
On Songwriting: What’s Cowriting Like, Anyway? Read More »
How do you tell when a demo like Burning House becomes a fully finished, ready to release production? Caleb Great question, Caleb. When I turn in a song to my publisher, I get it as close to master/ready-to-release quality as I can without spending too much time on it. I always preface my email to
Sometimes when you’re writing you’ll have an idea that seems silly. This happens a lot when you’re cowriting. In these scenarios it’s harder to chase the idea because you have a witness to your potential stupidity. Still, the idea fairy tapped on your shoulder. I find it helpful to use phrases like: “Can we try
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Aaron! I’d LOVE to ask you about “Hope in a Maybe.” That was the first song I heard from you and it put “me in the feels” immediately. I will always love that song because I feel it is so positive and so sad at the same time. Please, whenever you get the chance. I’d
AMA: “What inspired your song Hope In a Maybe?” – Theo Read More »
Thanks for all the kind responses and concern about my broken fingers. Here’s a quick update. I had surgery last Monday. A new hero of mine named Dr. Rubright installed a pin, a plate and five screws, so now my left middle and ring fingers are straight. They just don’t move so well. But I
I Broke My Fingers, Here’s an Update Read More »
Coming up with a great metaphor seems tricky, but it’s simpler than you think. At the end of the day, a great metaphor is you showing the listener how two things they hadn’t thought were very similar are actually very much the same. You might think the good ones are already taken, but that’s because
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Hi Jay – I think this is a great attitude and perspective. It’s also a great way to get your foot in the door of opportunities. Around 2009 and 2010 I was so discouraged as a songwriter. I didn’t know how to move forward. I decided to learn how to tune pianos so that I
Sometimes friends and maybe even strangers will send you a song and ask for feedback. Before you go all “advice monster” on them, try to remember when you first sent your songs to people for feedback. Were you really wanting critical comments and analysis or were you simply wanting some affirmation and encouragement? If you
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