Ready or Not, Start Now
Start Before You’re Ready
When I was self-producing my EP Choices We Make, I spent three years chasing the perfect sound.
I re-recorded and remixed the same tracks over and over, thinking that if I just waited for the “right moment” or the “perfect tone,” the songs would magically come together.
But all that time spent tweaking stopped me from actually finishing. Looking back, I realise the best progress I made came when I stopped overthinking, sat down, and just started building, even if the first version was far from perfect.
The truth is, inspiration isn’t what starts the fire. Action does. And small, imperfect loops are the stepping stones to finished songs.
Templates: Your Creative Jumpstart
In the last issue of this newsletter, I’ve talked about how templates can eliminate the “blank page” problem. Having a default DAW session pre-loaded with:
A drum rack or simple beat
A few favourite synths or samplers
Reverb and delay sends
Colour-coded tracks
…means you can dive into creating without wasting energy setting up. It’s like having your canvas already stretched and primed.
Another Tip: The 15-Minute Track Starter
Even with a template, starting can still feel heavy. That’s where the timer method comes in:
Set a Timer (15 minutes). Keep it short and pressure-free.
Pick One Sound. A random sample, a synth patch, even a voice memo.
Build a Loop. Add a simple beat, bass, and one melodic idea. No perfection allowed.
Stop. Walk away when the timer’s up.
This forces you to finish something small, which often leads to unexpected creative sparks.
What’s your go-to starting point?
Do you begin with a beat, a chord progression, or a random sound? Hit reply and tell me, I’d love to feature your approaches in a future issue.
Until next time keep creating and stay curious.
