"If I decide that I want to write a song or album, I usually get an idea of the themes I would like to explore, musically and lyrically, and then start writing on guitar," explains Through Mists, an independent metal artist from Montreal. "Step by step, I add bass, drums, and then some melodies or dissonance on the piano and/or synths."
While every musician's creative process is unique, patterns emerge when examining how independent artists approach their craft. From initial inspiration to final production, understanding these common threads can help musicians develop their own creative workflow.
Starting Points: Where Ideas Begin
For many artists, creativity starts with improvisation. Dizzy Bridges admits that songs often begin as "dumb melodies that get stuck in my head as I go about my day." Meanwhile, The Utter takes an entirely improvised approach, recording "live" and letting the music evolve organically.
Environmental influences and personal experiences can also play a crucial role. Danny Drivr describes his process: "It almost always starts with a random guitar riff that I record on my phone memos. Then I add drums, bass, and synths." Taking an organic approach to capturing ideas when inspiration strikes is a common thread.
Development: Nurturing the Initial Spark
Once an idea takes hold, artists employ various strategies to develop it. Postmodern Machine describes their layering process: "I create 'setups' with selected equipment and mine them for musical ideas. These components or layers are stored for future use in other pieces. The final compositions involve intense addition and subtraction of layers before reaching their final form."
The importance of experimentation cannot be overstated. BÁL emphasizes not forcing creativity: "If I feel that I'm challenged to write new stuff, I simply stop. I don't do my own work forcefully and all my songs are free of hardships and rules." This approach allows for artistic expression while avoiding creative burnout.
Completion: Knowing When It's Done
Lime Bar shares, "The recording came together very quickly. I created the entire 11 tracks in a few days. Then a few weeks to mix and master for streaming, fretting over the sound."
Others, like Henry Sachs, take a more measured approach: "I used to drive myself crazy and stay up for days making albums because I wanted to go all or nothing, but this time I definitely tried to refrain and just take it easy after working on a song. It felt steady and good."
Breaking Through Creative Blocks
Creative blocks are universal, but successful artists develop strategies to overcome them. Nedogled describes their approach: "I produce everything on hardware and I only look at a computer screen once I get to the point of mixing. These days I usually start with a riff on the guitar or a weird sound on one of my synths. Once I have something tangible going on, I'll complement it with appropriate rhythm, harmonies, and whatever else is needed."
The Cremant offers a different perspective on working through creative challenges: "If I open something, I can't stop before I make it clear. If I stop in the middle of the process, it makes me crazy, and I can't feel good. I mostly complete all the songs I started, or they will follow me everywhere."
Finding Your Flow
What becomes clear from these artists' experiences is that there's no single "right" way to create music. Some thrive on structure and routine, while others embrace chaos and spontaneity. The key is finding a process that feels authentic to your own creative voice.
As Dizzy Bridges reminds us, "There's no one way to write a song! It will differ every time you pick up a guitar or sit at a piano." The most important thing is to keep creating, stay open to new approaches, and develop a process that works for you.
Whether you're recording ideas on your phone, jamming with hardware synths, or building complex digital arrangements, the goal remains the same: creating authentic music that expresses your unique artistic vision. The path there might be winding, but as these independent artists demonstrate, the journey is as important as the destination.
