March - why do we procrastinate doing what we love?
+ updates on Music City Mayhem, playing with Sofar Sounds, producing for other artists, and more...
In “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield, he talks a lot about overcoming resistance in your creative endeavors. He describes resistance as the voice in your head that makes excuses, pushes back deadlines, instills a fear that if you try you may create something bad. Even if the action you are putting off is something that fulfills you like no other, sparks the utmost passion. I struggle with this problem often in my day to day. I spiral asking myself, if I am putting this off and making any and all excuses not to do it, is it because I don’t love it enough? But I know that is untrue. I see that it is resistance, fear of failure. And acknowledging that voice in your head, allows you to let go of its judgement. I am okay with writing bad songs, I will write many more bad ones than good. As long as I am making something, I am okay with that.
March
Music City Mayhem
Exciting news! I am a finalist in Lightning 100’s Music City Mayhem! The first round of voting is Wednesday April 3rd, and you can vote for me here!
It is such a privilege to be given this opportunity by the coolest radio station in town! This competition has helped boost the careers of many locals artists and I would love to be able to perform at the final showcase. Check out my song “room for now” live on Lightning 100 this week. Also, my friend Abigayle Kompst is also in the competition and her first voting round is today! Click that link to vote for her!
I started this month off in Maryland playing a show with Sofar Sounds Baltimore. I got to see a lot of friends and family along with meeting new people and it was super fun! Here is a clip of the crowd singing along to my song “Happy.”
This past Tuesday I played a set at Reunion Bar for their Bluegrass Night, which you wouldn’t expect me to be a part of, but it was a lovely night. Here is a clip of my song “Groundhog Day” live.
I love live music!
I saw several live shows this month that left me feeling super inspired!
#1 was definitely Matt Maltese at the Basement East. He sounded exactly like the record, the band was amazing, every decision was so incredibly musical. 1000/10.
Haley Blais with Grace Gardner at the Blue Room a few nights ago was a great show. A lot of tasteful choices, instrumentation, including the very subtle use of tracks. I left that show feeling excited to incorporate some of those choices into my own live set.
I saw my dear friend Bridey Costello play at The End which is always a great show. She is such an authentic performer, her lyrics will always make you feel something. Go see Bridey at one of her live shows if you haven’t!
I also saw a folk duo, Viv and Riley at The Station Inn this month and that was some of the best live music I have seen in a long time. I have been listening to their record Imaginary People nonstop since. Go check them out here.
A few other updates from March:
I am producing an indie folk song for a local Nashville artist and it has been really fun learning as I go. I have been recording upright piano in my living room, and we have spent so many hours recording a trillion vocal tracks because I am a perfectionist! If you are looking to work on a song you need recorded, hit me up! I will do it for only a couple hundred bucks, just looking for more practice. Also I would say I’m a good hang. Here is a pic of my little guitar booth!
I have been cowriting with some new people which has been fun, but challenging. It is difficult to know what the other person will like, which jumping off point they will gravitate towards. But the experimentation is what makes it fun! Everyone has something to bring to the table.
I have also been writing some songs for sync libraries this month, which is really helping me get out all of this pop energy I have had in me as of late. I find topline writing really fun, so if you are a producer and looking for a vocalist + songwriter for sync submissions, I would love to collaborate!
I still have merch for sale! T-shirts and stickers, DM me on Instagram and I can deliver locally or ship it to you. Thank you to everyone that has bought one! I will be spending most of April and May in NYC so if you want to write, play a show, hangout, I will be back in Nashville in late May!
^ stickers designed by my sister Maya Johnston because she is the best ever. $3!
Thats all for now! Don’t be afraid to make bad art. Make bad art as much as you can. It might end up being good. Lol. Also don’t forget to vote for me in Music City Mayhem!
xoxo,
Molly