in this series, i ask other songwriters about their quest for inspiration and how they tackle the day-to-day tasks of writing quality, engaging songs. behind every good song is a hard-worker. i want to know how songwriters work and how they fill their well so it never goes dry.
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MATTHEW PERRYMAN JONES has had 55 film & TV placements in the span of 5 years. He has released 5 studio albums and has logged hundreds of hours on the road. His last record, Land of the Living, draws inspiration from the poetry of Rumi, the aesthetic writings of Lorca, Van Gogh’s letters. MPJ delves into the questions with wide eyes, bearing grief and fighting for hope. Be sure to check out his new single “Anymore of This,” a duet with Mindy Smith. Matthew sees the creative process as a life practice… read more about his songwriting
1. What is your typical workday?
Not sure if there is a typical work day, per se. Some days are spent with administrative type stuff and others are just writing. Some days are spent with what I call “creative idleness”… just sitting with things, writing ideas down, taking a walk. I think that’s important for writers to do.
2. What tools do you use to keep you organized and productive?
3. Do you have any habits, exercises or activities that jumpstart your creativity?
I have found that doing other creative activities other than songwriting helps. I like to paint. Painting allows my mind to rest and not have to think about much. I find that it gives space for ideas to emerge that I will carry into songwriting. Also, taking walks has always been my preferred activity to get me into a good headspace. Stream of conscious writing is another good practice…just writing without worrying about making sense. A lot of great stuff comes out of that.
The War of Art is a great book. It’s more motivating than inspiring, if that makes sense. The book deals a lot with the discipline of writing and not bothering about inspiration. The idea that we have to just sit and work regardless if we’re coming up with anything good. Inspiration usually sneaks up on us when we’re committed to a hard chair. Other than that, I read a lot of poetry that helps ignite creative thought. Rumi, Hafiz, Leonard Cohen, Lorca and Rilke are regular go-tos.
5. Where do you get ideas for songs?
Everywhere. I see the creative process as a life practice of soaking up my surroundings, conversations, life experiences of any kind and see writing as a kind of wringing out of what I collect. I tend not to have an agenda when writing other than to find what comes out.
6. How do you combat writer’s block?
Walking. Not to get too clinical about it, but the bilateral process of walking actually helps our brains move things around. Most ideas get unstuck while I’m walking.
7. Who is your songwriting hero?
8. Do you have any advice to offer a new songwriter?
