The Songwriter and the Listener

I think there is a great connection and relationship between a songwriter and the listener. When an artist chooses to make music and then allow other people in on that world, a journey happens. The songwriter begins the journey and is then a facilitator as he works his song to a place that it can pull others in on the journey as well. Songwriters by nature allow themselves to be quite vulnerable and take a risk at allowing others into their world, and a unique interaction happens when the listener begins to take in a song and allows himself to become immersed in the music.

This relationship is often underrated. It shows itself often times in the creative process. I know of many artists who refuse to acknowledge the value of the listener and actually enjoy making music that is unapproachable. The act of songwriting being some great, mysterious thing -- a process to be shrouded in secrecy and hidden from public view, like a magician protects his tricks. Fortunately, there is no Songwriters Alliance that can blacklist artists when they allow people to see the creative process (any Arrested Development fans?). The reality, however, is that songwriters depend on the listener and undervaluing them is a huge mistake. 

Music exists to move humanity. It speaks to the spirit, evokes emotions and responses. Songs are not meant to be self serving, and no songwriter is an island. It is irresponsible for the writer to make music only for themselves. Sure an artist can choose to push ahead creatively. They can try new things, new production techniques, new styles, new instrumentations. But without regard to what others think, at the end of the day if no one enjoys or accepts it, what good did it serve?

The other side of the coin is that many artists are so wrapped up in making people happy and selling records that they become slaves to the listener. This too is a problem because it deprives the artist of the joy of creating something that truly comes from who they are. To allow things to remain the same and be stagnant is a horrible place to be. Humanity is not meant to remain in one place. It is in us to move forward and progress and this is ever so important for the artist. 

So songwriters do have a responsibility to challenge the listener to try new things. That is a healthy and necessary part of the creative process. The balance that an artist must find is in how to serve the listener and at the same time be creative. But how do we go about that? I’m not sure there is an easy answer. I do believe, though, that the artist must find a way to allow the audience to become invested in the work. And this means that as songwriters, we must lift the veil and mystique. Allow the listener to see us work through the creative process. Because of the great invention of these interwebs that are doing things like bringing you my blog, websites like YouTube, and Vimeo, and SoundCloud, we are seeing more artists do this now than ever.

I want to do this in my own music as well. I’m planning on beginning production on a new record in August, and I’m very excited about this. Between now and then, I will be posting regular videos of my songs as they progress, to make you, the listener a bigger part of the journey. I appreciate the support that everyone has  given me thus far, and I’m looking forward to tickling your ears with more musical goodies as the year goes on.