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 […]
On Songwriting: How to NOT Give Feedback Read More »
ALEX: How is your friend who has cancer in Let People Live? AARON: Thanks for asking. She passed away in January. Listen to “Let People Live” via Secret Songs Club on Bandcamp >> When you went to Florida did you often think “I can’t forget my family soakin’ wet, laughing beside the Atlantic”? Or do you
AMA: “Questions from Alex” Read More »
When I was a kid, I only knew one kind of winter. That was a Minnesota winter. Winter meant cold. It meant icy roads, and walking to school with frost on my eyelashes. Then one October when I was nine, my family traveled to Florida. We got off the plane and it was hot. I
On Songwriting: Sprinkling Contrast Read More »
Hello Aaron, I just had a chance to read your blog about “what you are really like”. Thank you for sharing. I think it is so important to share things that we struggle with if and when we are able. It helps others not to feel alone in a similar thing. For me I also
AMA: “What helps you the most when things get hard?” -Lee Read More »
Hey Aaron I was wondering how you make a living making music? Do you make more money from selling songs or performing them? I still devote a lot of my time to music. I am working on putting an act together. I have over a hundred songs, none professionally recorded. I have a few I
AMA: “How do you make a living making music?” -Tommy Read More »
Your job as a songwriter is not to simply relay a story as it actually happened. Sure, there are great real-life stories out there, but for the most part they need to be adjusted or embellished for a bigger truth. Let me give you an example of what I’m talking about. In a song of
On Songwriting: The Bigger Truth Read More »
When I’m deciding what project to work on next, it’s helpful to keep in mind a metaphorical intersection. The two “streets” are Curiosity and Conscience. The project should live at the corner of those two streets. Why? Curiosity gives me permission to chase the things that are interesting to me. If they’re interesting to me,
On Songwriting: Curiosity and Conscience Read More »
Hey! 1) What did it feel like to turn 40? 2) Who’s your favorite go-to musician for your listening enjoyment?3) How bout those TWINS?? (No idea what or if Tennessee has a baseball team) Brenda Hi Brenda – 1) Forty feels weird and also normal, because, really, it was just the next day, if you know what
AMA: “What did it feel like to turn 40?” – Brenda Read More »
A few years ago I wrote a children’s album I was calling “One Car Family.” Unfortunately, I was never able to officially release it. But thanks to the Secret Songs Club on Bandcamp, there’s a place for it! I’ve put it here for you members to enjoy, perhaps on a summer road trip. Thanks as
Secret Songs Club: The Lost Children’s Album Read More »
In the movies, there’s a narrative device called the cold open. It’s where the film jumps right into the story, usually before the opening credits. You don’t really know what’s going on, but your interest is piqued. Think of the Jason Bourne movies. So much action at close camera angles. Who’s who? Where are they?
On Songwriting: Cold Open Read More »