Imagine this album as a collection of love letters from a different age.
I wrote each song to explore the creative process and to stay connected to my partner when we lived in different countries. My inspiration was the mystery of first love and the solitude of distance.
I printed a single copy of the album to vinyl, bought a plane ticket, and used the record to propose. She said yes :)
As you join the story of the love song album, I hope the songs remind you of all the possibilities that flow from love and creativity. xPiers
Release date to be announced
Artist Statement
How can I live a creative life? Whether my audience is one or one million, what does it mean to be creative?
I believe creativity is not a privilege of the few. Art is neither defined by its frame nor the institution in whose hall it hangs. Art is instead defined by process. When art is viewed as process, we begin to see that everyday life can be lived creatively.
Any action can be done with an artist’s eye, by taking experience and twisting it into something new. We observe and listen. We pay attention to detail. We overcome the fear of standing out. We imagine, execute, and finish.
Perhaps the greatest requirement of the creative process is to finish. But no creative project ever feels complete to the creator; there is always a looming after-thought, that brush stroke that might have been added or removed. Finishing becomes an intense psychological commitment, a game of will.
When we don’t finish we may lack confidence in the outcome or the audience. We question ourselves, we question our process, and we may even question our self-worth. This must be a feeling that anyone can relate to, in any field. But we must finish nonetheless, and encourage those around us in life to do the same. Perhaps this is the greatest lesson that comes from the creative process. Finish.
What compels the creator? The opportunity to express, to self-actualize, to assert his or her voice. The creator leaves behind a postcard – an “I was here” note – like a group of letters carved into the wood of an old boarded house. Not only was I here, but this is what I saw. Of course the great creators see things a little bit differently, and those who see things differently have a chance at immortality if their visions are shared across time and place. But being remembered shouldn’t be the first goal.
In my career I work in the service of artists and creators. In this service I’ve also chosen to continue to walk in these same shoes, to further my understanding of the artistic process and the challenges facing any creator. We live in a culture that ignores most artists, and then crushes, criticizes, and spits out those few who achieve fame. Many believe that celebrated artists should be nothing but thankful for their good fortune.
I believe the opposite.
We should be thankful to any artist for their vision, courage, and resiliency – each of which must increase exponentially in direct relation to their fame, often through unseen pain and error.
I wrote this album to capture a simple vision of love. I recorded it as an affirmation of the creative principles I believe in. Whether its audience is one or one million, I release it because it’s finished.
This album is dedicated to India Young.
Discography
See You Soon (Single)
Release date to be announced
Till The End Of Time (Single)
Release date to be announced
Being Loved By You (Single)
Release date to be announced
A Philosophy Of Creative Limitation
I recorded this album as a love letter from a different age, and an exploration of the creative process. In making the album I chose to look at how creativity can be fuelled by limitation. I used four rules to guide the songwriting style:
1. No chord progression changes within a song
Within any given song on the album, there’s no change between the verse, chorus, bridge or solo chord progressions. This restriction forced me to work on melodic movement in a more focused way, primarily to create perceived differentiation between verses and choruses. The use of melodic intervals and changes in vocal rhythm became paramount.
The one cover song, “Words Of Love” by Buddy Holly, reflects this style effortlessly and was my original inspiration for the writing style. I fell in love with The Beatles’ version when I was 10 years old, listening to it over and over on a rare compilation that Capitol Records reissued after the band’s break up, called The Beatles Love Songs. The magic of those voices singing that melody was like a drug – I couldn’t get enough.
2. Straightforward lyrics
I always come back to the simplicity of writing styles from the 1950s and early 1960s as a benchmark. I forced myself to write direct lyrics without hiding behind allusion or opaqueness. When I was worried a lyric was too straightforward or obvious, I listened to old recordings to remind myself that writing directly is an art.
3. Addition and subtraction
The main arrangement rule we used in the studio was simple addition and subtraction of parts and instruments. Each decision was carefully constructed to make up for not having the impact of chord progression changes at our disposal.
4. Short songs
I focused on distilling ideas down to the shortest possible length, with the goal of keeping songs to 3 minutes or less.
Marriage is a social institution invented by humankind.
The civil and legal benefits of marriage should be available to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. I condemn countries that persecute citizens due to sexual orientation.