This is where I share my process along with things I’ve found helpful.
First of all, do you keep a calendar? Do you stick to it? Is “songwriting” on there? Every morning at the same time each day, “solo songwriting” is written on my calendar. I almost never write songs just because I feel like it. I do it because it’s on my calendar. You might be thinking, […]
So, you’re in a slump. Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve had a win—whether that’s commercial success or simply someone complimenting your work.If you find yourself eating an entire bag of Doritos, I get it. I’ve been there. But here’s something to try after you brush those crumbs off your shirt: Go Through the
How to Believe in Yourself When Times Are Tough Read More »
If you’re having difficulty finding creative time because your life is hectic, that’s okay. You’re normal. After having kids, I grew really frustrated by how little I seemed to be able to write songs. Carving out time seemed impossible. Before you give up, try this method. It’s comprised of two parts: Labeling Existing Daily Habits
How to Find Creative Time in a Hectic Schedule Read More »
When was the last time you got bummed because it started raining? Maybe you had planned on mowing the yard or going swimming. You’d even gone so far as to start cutting the grass or drape your towel over the back of a pool chair. Then the clouds darkened and grew heavier, and pretty soon
Know the Weather Forecast Read More »
I stumbled upon this YouTube video. It caught my attention because it seemed off-brand for Elliott Smith: the dark, brooding artist on a couch at six a.m. with a puppet behind him (not Sesame Street) and the host of America’s Funniest Home Videos. Huh? It made more sense when I saw the date. It was
Lessons from Elliott Smith’s Appearance on a Tacky Morning Show Read More »
Great question, Ty! But here’s a curveball for you: I encourage you NOT to focus on boosting your social media presence right now. Let’s hit pause on all that for a moment. Why, you ask? Social media can be a fantastic place to: Feel bad about yourself Practice mustering up genuine excitement for other people’s
AMA: “How do I boost my social media presence when I’m just starting out?” – Ty Read More »
I’m a distractible person. Don’t get me wrong, I can be laser-focused for several hours on, let’s say, a guitar tone. But send me to the grocery store for an onion, and I’ll return with strawberries, ballpoint pens, tiki torches—pretty much everything besides an onion. I tell you this because I’ve realized that looking at
Why I’ve Been Going Back to Paper Read More »
I was at the age when all your friends start getting married. It seemed as if every other month I was performing “I Will Be Here” by Steven Curtis Chapman, while a bride and groom lit the unity candle. Their pacing always much faster than rehearsed due to nerves and the unnatural activity of lighting
Confessions of an Extremely Moderately Successful Singer-Songwriter Read More »
You probably have a method for capturing your ideas in the moment–whether it’s your phone, a recipe card, or a Moleskine notebook–but sometimes that method doesn’t work. For me, the combination of hot water on my scalp and the scent of shampoo often sparks creativity. If you wear a wedding ring–or any ring, for that
The Wedding Ring Hack Read More »
I wasn’t just interested in recording “I Love Rock N Roll” because I liked the challenge of reinterpreting it. I also recorded it because I knew my publisher controls the copyright. Back in 2020, they gave me a list of popular songs they can clear for licensing. I scanned through them and picked several that
The Art and Science of Choosing Cover Songs Read More »