Where do you find your inspiration?

I am always really fascinated by the artistic process. Sometimes I find the process even morei nteresting than the art itself. What inspired the characters? Where was it written? Where were they when they came up with the melody? What emotional state were they in? Was it an expression of the moment or an expression of a memory, their own experience or something they witnessed? Was there a goal? Were they challenging themselves or trying to challenge others?

For me, I often feel the most creative juices flowing when I am moving. I do fantastic writing in buses and trains. I do well in cafes because I can observe people find little hints of inspiration in the subtleties of movement and behavior. Nature helps to clean me out, the work of others helps to motivate me and then just being out in a public place is where a lot of the magic happens. I wrote my first short story while riding up and down a very long escalator for two hours.

I do the best writing of music when people are there, casually listening, paying attention but only when it catches their ear. I don’t know exactly why it is because performances are not nearly as exciting to me. I think the idea of playing something new and in the moment for someone is much more interesting to me than playing them my old songs. Perhaps if I felt more comfortable jamming I would like performing more.

There is also something about movement that I find much more inspiring than stillness. Stillness provides a space to go inward. Movement invites a push outward, a connection with the world. In stillness I find contentment, but very little motivation to act. There is no one else in the world, only me, and so I don’t feel any need to express anything really, my thoughts are enough. Movement reminds me of the world I’d like to connect with and share with.

What places, people, situations and conditions inspire you to create?

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