Luxury, and/or Necessity?
In the early hours of this morning I listened to this…
It is a regular show on Brum Radio by my friend Dan Whitehouse, and in this episode he interviews another songwriting friend, Chris Cleverley.
I’m a big fan of Chris, he has his feet steeped in quite traditional folk music, but over the years I have known him his songs have become more contemporary, and more “him”. We also have quite a lot of favourite music in common, which always helps! It’s an interesting process I think. It’s a thing that happens to visual artists too. It takes a while to soak up enough “stuff” and do enough of it to then be able to use what you know to produce something unique.
The show is worth a listen, as in addition to the songs, there is a good discussion on the nature of songwriting, and how it happens, and how you push the process along sometimes, and how sometimes you let it sit awhile. Again, much like the visual art process.
Dan quotes Bob Dylan…’It is the first line that gives the inspiration and then it’s like riding a bull. Either you just stick with it, or you don’t.’
This really struck me… because that is what I do. A good first line is key. If it grabs me, and draws me in, gives me somewhere to go, is an intriguing set-up… then it’s worth pursuing. Occasionally in the edit, or the music writing, that first line might not end up being the first thing you hear, but it will be there, somewhere prominent.
In my note book there are many “first lines” that have remained as that, just one or two lines, sat there just waiting for the rest to follow. But sometimes, the rest just flows out thick and fast!*
Chris also talked about the routine of his days. This is something I’ve not been very good at in the past. When I worked for other people my routine was theirs. But since being freelance, I haven’t been very good at this. I am trying to change. Chris talked about the daily routine of getting the “admin” of life out of the way first so that he could then concentrate on his day: writing, playing his guitar, and looking after his voice. He sounds very disciplined.
I can’t really do a daily routine like that, but I am trying to establish a weekly rhythm to my artist life, by changing how I frame things.
I do this thing, if I’m not careful, that when I am in the studio, I think about the things I should have done at home, and then when I am at home I am always thinking of the things I want to do in the studio. It’s bonkers to always wish I was somewhere else, or feel guilty about it.
But Art is not a luxury, Art is a necessity. It is important, and I have to use the majority of my time with Art… or perish.
A suggestion from a friend has changed that completely! So now, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I “prepare for being in the studio”. This entails batch cooking, housework, laundry, shopping… whatever is required to set me up for the week. Then on Thursday to Sunday when I am in the studio, I know there’s nothing to be done at home, or if there is, it can wait till Monday! This is such a simple change to my internal script, but after three weeks, it has been revolutionary! Why didn’t I think of it sooner? Thanks Kate!
*Some of my first lines:
BUTTONS:
He knew where all her buttons were
And used them at his will
UNDERTAKER BEES
I learned today about undertaker bees
And a kindness dressed up as cruel
EIGHTY SEVEN
She counted every one every day
Eighty seven steps to the top floor
