This is where I share my process along with things I’ve found helpful.
(From Aaron’s book On Songwriting: Practical Tips and Insights from a Decade in Music City) Whenever I’m stuck on a song, I imagine my dad and me in the Beltrami Island State forest in northern Minnesota. Growing up, that’s where we’d go on the weekends to hunt partridge. My dad didn’t own a pickup truck, but […]
How to Get Unstuck Read More »
With your big family, how do you still find time and energy to write your own songs and also be creative in other areas (drawing, blog)? Su Hi Su – I love this question because it’s something I think about a lot. After our third child (and again after our fourth), I felt like I
AMA: “How do you find time and energy to be creative with a big family?” Read More »
As I write this, it’s snowing big flakes here in Nashville. It reminds me of the snow I imagined when I wrote “Back to the Beginning.” Tsiaro, a listener in Madagascar asked me what the inspiration for that song was, so I think now’s a great time to answer. Hi Aaron ! I’m Tsiaro
AMA: “What Inspired the song ‘Back to the Beginning’?” Read More »
I use these a lot to help me in my production and writing process. Or just for goofing around. Some of them my kids love, too. DM1 This is an app for making beats. It’s great for when you’ve got some time on your hands (who are you, by the way?) or starting a new
Music Tool Apps I Love Read More »
I have a new single coming out in a few weeks, but rather than show you the process after the release, I thought I’d unfold it with you. That way, by the time you are listening on Bandcamp or Spotify or wherever, you’ll know the backstory and have heard the various versions. Sound fun? Ok,
How a Song Comes to Be, Part 1: The Idea Read More »
Cowriting a song is a strange activity if you’ve never done it before. Especially with someone new. One of the hardest parts is beginning the song after you’ve gone through the regular pleasantries. But here’s something you can do to make it less awkward. It will also save you time and energy. Love, Aaron
Starting From The Headspace You’re In Read More »
“Hmm…this could be a song.” That’s the first thought I have before I record something in my iPhone voice memo app. It’s usually the moment I have a little snippet of lyric I like, and some guitar pattern I’ve been fiddling with. What does it sound like? It varies. But for “The Kindness of Strangers”
The Kindness of Strangers (Origins) Read More »
My answer is in this throwback Thursday video clip circa 2013. Starting to write songs was one thing; sharing them was a whole different thing!
When Did I Start Writing Songs Read More »
Even after writing hundreds and hundreds of songs, it still happens every time. Here’s the scenario: I’ve just finished a song. I attach it to an email and compose a message to my publisher. But before I hit “send” I pause. I question the song. Is it good enough? Is it even worth their time?
Francis Coppola, the great movie writer and director, was reportedly heard telling a group of students that he likes to write early in the morning before anyone has hurt his feelings. Think about that for a second. There is so much truth in that one little tip that I’ve tried to abide by it since
A Lesson From Francis Coppola About When to Write Read More »