FILL THE WELL with MATTHEW PERRYMAN JONES

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.

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? 

I always have a pen on me. If I discover I left my pen I get slightly unnerved. I also have a specific pen I use–Sharpie fine point pen–I’m strange about how a pen feels when I write. I also carry a pocket speckled notebook in my back pocket. These are there for when a seemingly random idea floats into my head. I also use my Voice Memo on my iPhone A LOT. This helps me capture melody ideas as they come. However, when it comes to organization, I’m challenged.

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.

 4.    Are there any specific (or favorite) books, films, lectures, etc. that have impacted your creative process? 

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?

Leonard Cohen.

8. Do you have any advice to offer a new songwriter? 

Learn to listen and soak up what is around you. Choose to live an interesting life and step out of comfort zones–that’s where the good stories are. Ultimately, if writers were to just spend their time in coffee shops and bars, the songs will tell lifeless stories. People want to feel like you’ve lived your songs. Get out of your head. Live an interesting story and your songs will follow suit. The only thing truly unique and original about your songs will be YOUR VOICE–find it. Practice the mechanics of songwriting, study other writers and find out for yourself what makes a great song. Be a student, lower standard of living and raise your standard of life.
Listen to Matthew & I cover “Wolf Among Wolves” by Bonnie Prince Billy on my covers EP Alva Leigh in Nashville:

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