Life, family, and music.
I don’t even want to to know the amount of money I used to spend sending my CD to radio stations and magazines. It’s probably in the billions. But I still remember the first time my music got reviewed. I couldn’t believe somebody other than my relatives actually listened and wrote about it. Are you […]
Getting Public Recognition Read More »
When I signed my first publishing deal in 2012, I got a little sick to my stomach. My 16 year-old artist spirit went into existential crisis mode. Did I just sell my soul?
Publishing Deals and Whack-A-Mole Read More »
Trying to book my own gigs in the beginning was a lot like going door to door selling vacuum cleaners. Only I was telling the person they could have the vacuum cleaner for free. I just wanted them to take it and like it.
When No One Takes You Seriously Read More »
It wasn’t what I expected. What I expected was a recording studio you’d see in the movies or in Rolling Stone magazine. Huge rooms with vaulted ceilings and sliding glass doors. A sound engineer smoking cigarettes over a mixing console.
What It Was Like Starting Out (Recording My First Songs) Read More »
At least once a year I read a book by my favorite author Jon Hassler. I’m always trying to write songs like Jon Hassler wrote books. Seemingly ordinary, small-town characters living in northern Minnesota. But once you get to know them, they tug at your heart and stick with you.
A Book I Recommend Read More »
Jim was my coworker. He and I worked together at Taco Bell. I was in high school. He was probably in his early 40s, a single dad of three kids. Serving late night burritos was just one of many jobs he had.
How My Taco Bell Coworker Helped Me Deal with Stress Read More »
I don’t often post videos of me performing because I don’t really love seeing myself on camera. I’ve got issues, ok? I know. But for the sake of leaning into my fears, here’s a video of me performing “Beyond the Sun.” Love, Aaron LYRICS: BEYOND THE SUN CLAIRE GUERRESO/AARON ESPE I WONDER WHAT
[Video] “Beyond the Sun” Read More »
Imagine you work construction, framing houses. But what you really want to do is play guitar and sing songs for people. You’ve just recorded your first album and are releasing it in two months. Of course you know your fingers are important, so you’re as careful as you can be around dangerous tools like, um,
I’m sitting in the living room watching TV when my phone starts buzzing. It’s YouTube notifications, comments on a video I had posted more than a year ago. Almost all are from viewers in Sweden who have just watched a Swedish TV documentary featuring a homeless singer.
Homeless Singer Moves Me to Tears Read More »
I wanted to form a choir to sing on one of my songs, but I wasn’t sure how to do it. Then it occurred to me that I could just ask my fanbase if they wanted to sing. And guess what? They did! People from all over the world signed up and I sent them
Creating a Digital Choir: How My Fans and Their Phones Made It Happen Read More »