It’s easy to get excited about your half-written song. Rather than finish it, you email your verse and chorus to 25 friends. You just can’t help yourself. That dopamine hit of validation would feel so good right now. Well, get a grip, ok? I urge you not to share your excitement too soon. Why? It’s […]
On Songwriting: It’s Like Naming a Child Read More »
If you want to hear the full song (along with dozens of other unreleased tracks), join me on my Patron site. That’s where I share my Secret Songs—songs that never make it to the mainstream but are often my personal favorites. Listen to the Full Song as a Patron Love, Aaron Lyrics Thank you for the
Secret Songs: Thank You (Preview) Read More »
Do you withdraw for writing for a longer period of time, or do you write spontaneously? Su Hi Su – Great question. I almost never withdraw for long periods of time for my own material. One, I’m not able to at this stage in life with small kids and a wife I love (and want
If you want your song’s theme to have more impact, you need to juxtapose it with its antithesis. Why? Because life is relative. We don’t know what something is until we know what it isn’t. We know what night is because we’ve experience day. We know what cold is because we’ve felt warmth. So let’s
On Songwriting: What’s Your Antithesis? Read More »
The Navy Seals have a saying, “Two is one and one is none.” It’s all about planning and having a backup plan. If you don’t have a backup plan, you don’t have a plan because inevitably things will go wrong. Let’s 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 “doing music” didn’t 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: “What music artist is the one that pushes and inspires you?” 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 information—thoughts, ideas, concepts—from 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 ‘Heidi’ on guitar? It’s 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: “How do you play ‘Heidi’ on guitar?” Read More »
I know you don’t 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 won’t understand the breadth of what you offer, right? You’re not just the catchy pop lyricist; you also write heartfelt ballads. You’re 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 Heidi’s latest “One Second Every Day” 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 »