This is where I share my process along with things I’ve found helpful.
In this week’s issue I…
1) answer a question no one’s ever asked me, which is, “Should I get a paper route or a dairy cow?”
2) check in on how my new album Up North is doing on Spotify, and
3) talk to my fellow songwriters about whether they should move to Nashville.Â
3 on Thursday – 1/12/23 Read More »
In this week’s issue I…
1) answer an AMA: “What songs did you listen to most last year?”
2) perform a verse and chorus of “Court Report” and
3) talk to my fellow songwriters about when the best time to write is.
3 on Thursday – 1/5/23 Read More »
In this week’s issue I…
1) answer a FAQ “How’s your hand? Can you play guitar again?
2) share a story about how I think the Court Report became a section of the newspaper, and
3) talk to my fellow songwriters about avoiding the awkward cowriting start.
3 on Thursday – 12/22/22 Read More »
This happens to me time and time again. I want to say something clever and original. I certainly don’t want to sound cliche. So I go around in circles on a particular line in a song looking for a fresh way to say something. I have to remind myself that cleverness and originality are not
On Songwriting: It’s Usually the Simplest Way Read More »
Every so often I get an iPhone update. I hate updates at first because I don’t like change. Why did they have to do another update? The look is only slightly different; there’s a few new features, but was it worth the bother? After a few days the answer is almost always yes. The changes
On Songwriting: Update Your Brain’s Operating System Read More »
Cowriting is a strange activity if you’ve never done it before. Especially with someone new. But here’s something that helps me ease into the write without it feeling too awkward. As you’re getting to know each other, keep track of words and phrases that stick out. Keep track of interesting topics. You don’t have to
Avoiding The Awkward Cowrite Start Read More »
Songwriting is mostly shushing. You gotta shush people in your head for a good hour or two. “Dumb idea,” says one.“Shush!” you say.“Stupid,” says another.“Shush.” There are about fifteen or so people badmouthing you and they look like your mom and dad. They look like the kid who sat behind you in math class and
On Songwriting: Shushing Read More »
Is this song any good? That’s a question songwriters ask themselves a lot. But “good” is subjective. What’s less subjective is knowing whether your song is remarkable. Remarkable is the thing you’re after as a songwriter. What do I mean by “remarkable”? I mean someone, of their own volition, remarking about your song. This can’t
On Songwriting: Is Your Song Any Good? Read More »
Hi Aaron, When you have nothing to write about, where do you look for inspiration? Do you read true stories that have happened to other people and write about their story? Do you read books, watch movies, or cowrite with someone who actually has something to write about, etc.? Nathanael Such a good question, Nathanael.
From Aaron’s Book On Songwriting: Practical Tips and Insights from a Decade in Music City Jealousy. It’s bound to happen as a songwriter. Someone has written something you wish you had. Someone is getting the praise you think you deserve. Then you feel bad about feeling this way, which leads to feeling worse until you
Use Your Jealousy for Good Read More »