August Update
Well, it’s been far too long since I’ve updated or released much of anything since I launched this whole solo artist thing…I thought it was about time to sit down and explain everything that’s going on with me.
My first instinct is to apologize to everyone for seemingly falling off the face of the map, but I believe everything happens for a reason and I’ve seen that very truth blatantly unfold in my life. Over this past year, I have learned so much about myself and I genuinely needed that time or this whole project would have painfully missed the mark. So, no. I’m not sorry.
Last fall I started this venture by blindly writing and recording the first batch of songs with Jordan Schmidt and Chris Lee, two talented friends of mine whom I respect more than most. I really had no direction or idea of what sound or style I was “going for”. I just knew I wanted to step out from behind the drums and be a solo artist so I could more genuinely pour myself into music…and I did just that. In the short amount of time we spent out there, I poured my heart into six songs and worked hard alongside a few guys who did the same thing. We recorded the songs…each with a different flare, but all songs that I fell in love with.
I learned two things: 1) I was going to be a solo artist. and 2) I was actually capable of singing and writing songs.
After a few months of preparation, I released “My Girl” and fell into my old traps of time lines and expectations. I felt consumed by the drive for success and the fear of falling short…again. I’m not sure if it was just my personality or if it was hearing my instinctual clock ticking to find success, power, and stability as a man. It’s kinda like a woman’s biological clock to get married and have kids. It’s built in us. It’s not always a bad thing, but if we let it control us…we run into problems.
One of the things I’ve learned over the past several months is that, as an artist, you will never find success if you are driven by success. If you’re an artist, people want art. Art should come from the heart and soul, not from a man’s instinct to gain money, power, and stability.
Through a few months of growth, I slowly uncovered a little more of who I was and how that can come out as an artist. In that time, I decided that instead of releasing the six songs as an EP, I wanted to record a full album.
June rolled around and with more focus and motivation, I repaired the exhaust on my ‘99 Cavalier with a metal coat hanger (true story) and drove back out to Minneapolis to record the next batch of songs with Jordan Schmidt. I only had one song (half) written before going out, but was excited about the seclusion at the studio with Jordan to really test my ability/growth as a song writer and let more of myself come out. This was, by far, the most exciting and inspirational time of my musical career. We spent 23 days writing and recording 5 more songs…learning more than I thought possible.
So here I sit a few weeks later, with a confidence in what I’m doing and a peace that it’ll all happen in God’s timing, not my own. I now have 11 songs that I couldn’t be more proud of. I can’t wait for you all to hear them!
I know this is a never-ending process of growth, but I feel like I’ve finally broken free of the distractions and insecurities that have kept me from being an artist. I expect you all to keep me accountable and I promise you will be hearing these songs soon…from your computer/car/stereo speakers and live in person! I’ll be releasing a brand new song soon, posting videos, and booking shows, so make sure to stay posted! :)
Thanks for reading!
Brooke
