Many Hats

And a sneak preview of my next single (all the way down)

My Creative Process, for now

I would love to be delving into the devas of creativity, sharing my ethereal processes with you.

But no.

First, apparently, I need to become some sort of digital polymath.

We all have to wear many hats.

Making music is technical in many ways, but nothing like the painstaking process of releasing it out into the ether. My brain is now crowded with loads of new apps, acronyms, and thought-forms. And just when I think I might’ve finally gotten the hang of it, something doesn’t work, and I have to switch up the whole shebang.

In the words of my producer, Matt Smith, “the process of releasing and promoting music is antithetical to creating it.” So right you are, Matt!

First, you have to register with BMI or ASCAP, the US copyright office, and a digital distributor - and if you want actual records (which I do), you also want a good, old-fashioned record manufacturer. You need to learn about metadata, ISRC and UPC codes, and the correct and incorrect versions of files for various digital platforms.

There’s no fudging - the digital overlords will spit it right out if it isn’t right. The same goes for visuals - photographs and cover art have to have the correct sizes and resolutions (usually different, depending on where). Animation and videos require more special treatments. Fussy, Fussy!

And social media - yikes. Each platform has its own culture and pace and skill set. For this you need to be a mini-movie-producer with music clips and videos at the ready - not to mention ideas - and hats!

Help! All I’m trying to do is put a little music into the world!

So I resorted to the obvious solution.

Hire a Twenty-Something

I still have to do plenty, but instead of hours staring at my hopelessly slow opposable thumbs, I get help from young people whose flying fingers whip off brilliantly sequenced riffs with embedded music and text in no time flat. They also helpfully point the way to things which require my attention, and things I can ignore.

And my special bonus - I get to collaborate with beloved daughters and nieces.

Whew. Now I actually have a bit of spare time to pick up my instruments, maybe do some gardening, have a swim, and get ready for the next gig.

Thank you for indulging me today.

(And if you’re wondering, yes, I bought that hat!)

Sneak Peek

My second single, “Edge of Town,”is coming soon (I hope! ). The process and exact date are still a mystery to me, since I had to switch digital distributors. The challenge is to “tease” the release date without knowing what it is.

—> Here’s a sneak preview of “Edge of Town” - hope you like it!

—> If you haven’t yet, please check out my daughter Nina Redpath’s beautiful animation of “Wave” on YouTube!

You can find links to my projects all in one place, here.