questions : Am I drinking water ? Am I eating nutritious things ? Am I getting any exercise ? Do I ever sleep ? We are whole people , and the songwriter part of us depends on the whole of us being cared for , just like everything else does .
Coffee is a wonderful thing , but it ’ s not a food group .
REACHING BACK , REACHING FORWARD
In a dry spell , it can be helpful to get your bearings while you wait .
1 . This can involve reaching into the past to take a look at your previous work . Especially if that work is unpublished . You can always edit and sharpen older songs when you have nothing brand new to work on . That better chord you ’ ve never been able to find for that one part in the bridge might finally hit you . That better lyric you ’ ve always searched for to replace a dud might finally be there when you take another look . And a slightly improved song can be nearly as satisfying as a brand new one .
You can also take a look at your catalog as a whole . Organize it in on paper or in whatever digital space you prefer . Take stock of what is there . Note recurring ideas and sounds . Note overlooked and underutilized ones . Gaining an understanding of your output in the broader sense can be pretty enlightening . It might even galvanize you for the road ahead .
2 . This can also involve reaching into the future . Adding to your understanding of the craft , studying other songwriters , and listening to all kinds of new music . The value of taking extra time to listen to new music cannot be overstated . Resist the urge to return to music you ’ ve been listening to for ten or more years , and invest in the process of discovering new music you can love . Also , listen to music that ’ s new and is getting buzz even when you don ’ t necessarily love it . Understanding the sonic landscape and how it shifts can be really inspiring . Music is a constantly evolving art form , and to bear witness to how it evolves can only help you as a songwriter , even when you don ’ t connect with certain trends .
It ’ s not all about music , either . A lot of times , when my creative reserves are feeling empty , it ’ s movies which restore my sense of inspiration
and discovery . The works of Hayao Miyazaki are particularly good at replenishing my reserves of childlike wonder . Music documentaries and biopics are also a real treasure .
Whether reaching back or reaching forward , filling up the creative well can be a slow process . But as we continue to expose ourselves to sources of variety , beauty and vision , that steady flow of input is building us up for our own output . Taking our languidness and replacing it with enthusiasm . And we can be sure to – patiently - care for ourselves while we ’ re in that process .
I think most songs are born at the place in us which thirsts for adventure . Therefore , when my heart lacks a song , my response should be to return to the places which fill me with a sense of adventure and discovery .
The rains will come . The dry spell won ’ t last forever .
Kevin MacDougall Worship leader , published and recorded songwriter , musician and podcast producer . macdougall . k @ gmail . com