Life, family, and music.
This is a preview of Track 1 off my upcoming concept album about northern Minnesota. Why does it have those ugly underscores and all caps? Because itâs not final. âHow Were the Roads?_MIX_Aâ means this is my mixerâs (David Welsh) first attempt to get all the levels right. The process goes from production (me) to […]
Secret Songs Club: How Were the Roads?_MIX_A (Preview) Read More »
Do you withdraw for writing for a longer period of time, or do you write spontaneously? Su Hi Su – I almost never withdraw for long periods of time for my own material. One, Iâm not able to at this stage in life with small kids and a wife I love (and want to stay
If you want your songâs theme to have more impact, you need to juxtapose it with its antithesis. Why? Because life is relative. We donât know what something is until we know what it isnât. We know what night is because weâve experience day. We know what cold is because weâve felt warmth. So letâs
On Songwriting: Whatâs Your Antithesis? Read More »
Hours before my son Magnus was born, I was listening to his heart rate broadcasted in the maternity room from the ultrasound speaker. I took my phone out and recorded the audio. Months later I used it as the rhythm piece for this instrumental version I created of “Making All Things New.” I thought it’d
The Navy Seals have a saying, âTwo is one and one is none.â Itâs all about planning and having a backup plan. If you donât have a backup plan, you donât have a plan because inevitably things will go wrong. Letâs say you want to wake up tomorrow at 6 AM. For the Seals, setting
On Songwriting: Capture Your Ideas Like a Navy Seal Read More »
What music artist is the one that pushes and inspires you? Lori Hi Lori – Harry Nilsson. He was the first to show me that âdoing musicâ didnât have to look a certain way. For example, I thought I had to put out albums and tour 300 days a year to be an artist. But
AMA: âWhat music artist is the one that pushes and inspires you?â Read More »
How often do you switch up your medium? Do you always write with pen and paper? iPhone Notes app? Old school typewriter? This might sound obvious, but writing is all about transferring informationâthoughts, ideas, conceptsâfrom your brain to someplace outside of your brain. For doing this, each medium has its benefits and detriments. For example,
On Songwriting: Why Switch Up Your Medium Read More »
How do you play âHeidiâ on guitar? Itâs one of my favorite songs. K Hi K – Here’s a video that I hope helps. One of the chords is a little tricky (at least for me) but lots of fun once you get the hang of it. Also, here’s a chord sheet you can feel
AMA: âHow do you play âHeidiâ on guitar?â Read More »
I know you donât want to be put in a box. It feels limiting. And if you let people put you in a box with a certain label, they wonât understand the breadth of what you offer, right? Youâre not just the catchy pop lyricist; you also write heartfelt ballads. Youâre not just a jazz
On Songwriting: Let People Put You in a Box Read More »
Want a glimpse of what Espe life was like in March? Watch my wife Heidiâs latest âOne Second Every Dayâ video collage. As I mentioned last month, she started taking little snapshots of life that help her notice the beauty in the ordinary.
One Second Every Day (March) Read More »