When is it release ready? The song writing process

In past interviews, chatting with friends who’ve I’ve known for centuries, explaining the lyrics to my dad, or answering a dm from a complete stranger- everyone wants to know the song writing process.

You write lyrics.

You make music to match the lyrics.

Sometimes that’s a stretch and you actually just write something catchy that doesn’t reflect the lyrics at all.

And then it’s a song.

Done.

But obviously not. That’s the short sharp and shiny safe answer. You’re not here to read that. You want the juicy stuff. So, I actually think I’m going to tell you.

Song writing is therapy

For me, song writing is therapy. I make jokes about being the next Taylor swift, but I firmly believe that for almost ALL musicians- songwriting is actually therapy for us.

Some of us have so many words to say, that we just say it. Others have so much to say that they need to disguise the message- which we pretend is just intense creativity, but it’s more “protecting you”. Others? They have so much to say that they can’t say it, so they paint it into incredibly catch guitar riffs, instrumentation selections, minor keys, major keys, modulations that make no sense, painfully technical brain numbing focus distracting work. In which they place meaningless and amusing lyrics on top.

We are all trying to deliver to you how we feel. Like an energy transfer. I’m whatever medium feels safest for us.

If you listened to my first 4 releases it is undeniable that there is intense messages or experiences embedded. Some showcase that emotion more than others: but I bet you couldn’t guess how each started.

First stop, Mustang Crescent

Mustang Crescent came first. Read my “secrets” blog for some insight on that one. But this song originated as a diary entry. I was not very good at telling people how I truely felt for a good chunk of my life. I called it “independence” but it was most certainly a hybrid of a fear of vulnerability and protecting those I felt big feelings toward.

Anyway, diary entries for me start as a story or recount and find their way into becoming a rhyme or poem- mainly because I am too scared to express myself to even me (getting way better at that btw, might even release a song that says it how it is soon). So the vent became a poem, which became unfinished lyrics. Entirely separately I composed a chord progression, months before this vent. I recorded it as a voice memo, funnily enough because I was mentoring teenagers how to write their own songs. Can’t teach if you don’t have examples.

Anyway, I played the audio in my car as I drove to work for a few days.. I was addicted to it but didn’t know where to take it. Then quite literally I sang “oooooh I don’t miss you anymore” over the track. Nothing lead to this moment… I just did it. I liked it, so I sang the same line over a 3 minute audio recording- slowly changing the melody and going back to the original cos that was hands down the best version.

I pulled over the car, and recorded myself because I KNEW it was good- I loved it. That’s primarily what mattered. That voice memo also sat in my phone for months.

Eternity passed, and I was exploring new hobbies. Starting out as a session musician and playing violin for other artists, I was called into a studio. I played, did my job, made the producer very happy-

So much so that he asked me if I’d like more work (string specialists are hard to find). I love session work so of course I said yes, and commenced! The producer was a nice guy, he couldn’t offer me financial compensation but instead suggested if I ever wanted to use the studio as payment he could offer that! I thought that was an awesome deal- I needed to develop skills in this area, not so much for me but to pass onto the students that I mentored! Great Professional Development!

So I went home and I WROTE mustang crescent. I popped those lyrics to the piano chords, and embedded that one line that I loved into the track.

I met with the producer that week to show him my work. He actually couldn’t believe that I was spending my time as a session musician “write your own stuff hayli! This is excellent”.

Quite the ego boost. “Send me an audio demo tonight and I’ll get working on my end”.
I sent the audio… from my address… and thank you apple because the iPhone named the file “Mustang Crescent”.

The producer LOVED the name of the song. It didn’t have a name… but the file listed as Mustang crescent. There, purely based of his reaction, did I find a way to embed “and I know that you drive down mustang crescent” into the chorus. The song was complete and we jumped straight into production.

Production is an interesting part of the process for me

I am yet to have an experience regarding the production of a song that I am 100% pleased with. This isn’t always the fault of the producer either. Sometimes it IS the fault of the producer, but equally my part because I am very mindful of others feelings. This doesn’t always work out for me. It’s all learning! (Read my blog “Stay disciplined. Not Motivated”).

Mustang Crescent is my pride and joy. But it actually sounds nothing how it did in my mind when I sat at that piano. It became a lot more bluesy, pop and country. It has everything I requested and I approved it all as the artist; but you’d be surprised how much can get lost in translation when you consider peoples genres/ passions/ skillset and background as musicians. I was a classically training violinist, with a love for piano and grew up listening to delta goodrem. The producer was a country artist recently turned producer. What can you hear more when you listen to Mustang Crescent?

It’s not a bad thing I assure you! I now am actually an avid country music listener, and my music taste is VERY BROAD. I am obsessed and in love with mustang crescent- but I’m writing this to kind of suggest how heavily production can Influence song writing.

Mistaken was similar, but a little more Hayli. I found my big vocals and desire for runs and bigger notes here. I also found my passion for instrumental sections and incorporating less contemporary instrumentation into my music. This is what I decided would be my legacy. Bring the contemporary and traditional instrumentation worlds together.

Cryptic is my pride and joy! I am so proud of this song- and I’ll give you the story another time (cos it’s a good one); BUT sometimes I wonder if this is my favourite because it was the song that my producer listened to what I wanted most. It wasn’t rushed, it was considered over and over. Is it perfect? Actually no, but is it perfect to me and was I more that excited to put my name against it? YES! I’d even go as far as to say it’s the most instrumentally identical piece live as it is produced. My lead and rhythm guitarists produced this song. You should know that. For reasons I’ll leave to the cryptic blog 😉

Long story short, they respected me and took my music seriously. I will forever be grateful to them for reviving my want to release music.

Sometimes was quite the experience. We sought to move away from our own production under the guide of my then band manager. Great vision, very good intentions, but our level of execution was on very different trajectories… and I learned to give myself more credit for my musical knowledge and standards.

We rushed this process for the purpose of tour- and it’s a banging song, but it misses things for me. For what it lacks in the beginning, the end of the song certainly makes up for in my opinion. I make it sound likes it’s bad (which it very much isn’t), but I will openly say I think it’s my least strong song. It’s the learning song! Haha.

Sometimes was tracked and roughly mixed at an okay quality by the band, but then sent for an adjustment mix and mastering to Terry Hart! He was phenomenal to work with, and his expertise/ understand/ ability to rectify what I didn’t like was excellent. His understanding of strings work was also above par. I want to parade that! But from my learning, no amount of quality production can amend the mistakes of rushed tracking. Terry, THANK YOU.

Songwriting and its process is like no other. It’s different everytime. It’s art. You don’t know what it will become. You can merely follow your nose, make changes, make mistakes and learn what not to do in your next masterpiece.

Deadlines, it’s not a thing! It’s a guide for a journey that needs to be felt, loved, nurtured and respected.

To the people I have worked with in these processes, Thank you for what you do for my music. It’s incredible to see how a piece transforms. I am still yet to follow the same procedure for any of my creations… but that’s the best part.

Stay tuned… I think this blog has inspired me to break down even song, it’s story, it’s purpose and its creation journey individually!

Hayli xx