A Look into the Creative Headspace

It’s a fresh start for a new year, meanwhile I’ve been in a creative headspace since mid-December. Since 2018, I’ve released an album every year—reflecting my trials and tribulations, my enlightened moments, and my underlying environment. 2023, through thick and thin my process is more thorough, drafting concepts and character outlines then creating melodic themes for each main character and settings. At times, I chart chords and notes using a grand piano at my condominium community center or by simply using FL Studio’s piano roll at home. Once I’ve figured out the chords to use for theme, I rearrange the notes and plug-ins (basically instruments and sounds). In layman’s terms, the foundation of my pieces are the instrumentals I produce.

I also sketch out my characters, normally using a Pilot G2 or a BIC Atlantis pen and some Sharpie markers. During character development, there’s a particular image in my head, but it’s never clear—like staring at a frost window. My recent method for clarification is using Pinterest to conjure up the most relatable ideas, a lot of times I sketch what I see, then add on from it. From there I’d take a photo of the sketch from my phone and photoshop it—maybe change the background, or add a filter. Once I complete a picture of the character, I listen to my compositions to see if it's a match, if it compliments each other well. 

My lyrical development process is extremely slow and naturally more convoluted then my composing process. For this album project, I want my voice to be clearer and my lyrical rhythm, fluid and smooth—smooth sailing. My lyrics will continue to be mythologically dynamic, however I want to create stronger continuity for the story. While listening to the entire album, it needs to make sense for the audience. Sometimes, being sporadic keeps the interest, but it needs to happen in the direction of the story. 

Its a balance though, there must be structure yet there needs to be room for creativity. Now speaking work/life balance, depending on the work, at times I need to give my undivided attention to the task at hand. It’s the same when I’m composing art, my mind, my heart have to be present in the story to synthesize the desired vibrations I want to share with my audience. 

This is my hobby, my life’s work. Producing a yearly album is my M.O.