This simple phrase has been bouncing around in my head for a while now: “The best time to start living your life is right now.” At first glance, it sounds like something you’d see on a motivational poster or an Instagram caption, but the more I sit with it, the more I realise how deeply true and powerful it really is.
We’re all guilty of playing the “someday” game (I know I am).
Someday I’ll travel.
Someday I’ll chase that dream.
Someday I’ll slow down and enjoy the moment.
But the truth is, “someday” is a moving target. It’s a concept that keeps us comfortably stuck in the status quo, always just out of reach. And if we’re not careful, it becomes the default setting for our lives.
The thing is, life doesn’t wait. It’s happening right now—not in the past, not in some imagined future, but in this very moment. And I’ve come to realise that if I’m not actively choosing to live it now, I’m simply existing on autopilot.
Living my life right now doesn’t mean throwing caution to the wind or abandoning my responsibilities. It means being present. It means making intentional choices, leaning into what truly matters, and taking small steps every day that align with the kind of life I want to build.
It’s about not living my life like I’m on auto-pilot.
I’ve noticed that the hardest part is always the beginning. That first step. Starting something new, making a change, speaking a truth, it all takes courage. But momentum is a powerful thing. Once I start moving, even in the smallest of ways, things begin to shift.
The biggest regrets don’t usually come from things we’ve done—they come from the things we didn’t do. The words left unsaid. The dreams never pursued. The life not fully lived.
I read once about a palliative care nurse who asked her patients what they regretted most near the end of their lives. The most common answer was this: “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.” That hit me like a ton of bricks.
So, I’ve started asking myself: Am I living in a way that’s true to who I am? Not in some grand, perfect, Instagram-worthy way, but in the daily stuff. The little choices. The quiet moments. Am I choosing authenticity? Am I making time for the people and the things that matter most?
For me, living my life now means writing music that matters to me. Spending time with people I love. Being okay with not having all the answers. Creating, sharing, risking, failing, learning, and growing.
It also means simplifying. Cutting away the noise. Saying no to what drains me and yes to what fills me up, even if it’s uncomfortable.
If there’s one thing I’d say to anyone reading this, it’s this: You don’t need a perfect plan. You don’t need permission. You don’t need to wait until you’re ready. The best time to start living your life is right now. This moment is enough.
Because one day, we’ll all look back. And I’d rather say, “I gave it everything I had” than “I wish I had.”
Let’s live our lives, truly live them, starting from right now.
I am a long-time subscriber of Rick Beato on YouTube and today I came across Rick’s interview with Jazz pianist, music writer and futurist Ted Gioia today and it completely blew my mind.
Here are two guys, very knowledgeable in their chosen fields, waxing lyrical about a swathe of topics ranging from “AI and it’s role in music and culture” through to “the impact of streaming platforms and formulas”
I was glued to the screen hanging on every word spoken. The best part was that the video was part 2 of an earlier interview Rick did with Ted about 2 years ago.
Below is the video of the interview and a couple of the major takeaways that I got from the interview were…
Cultural Stagnation and the Need for Renewal
Simplicity Over Innovation: Music has become increasingly formulaic, with fewer chord progressions and a reliance on large songwriting teams. This diminishes creative spontaneity and originality.
Historical Cycles of Creativity: Gioia outlines recurring cultural cycles where creativity emerges as a response to periods of stagnation, suggesting a new renaissance in music and culture may be on the horizon.
The Future of Creative Industries
Tech-Driven Change: AI, algorithms, and virtual reality are reshaping culture, often prioritizing passive consumption. Gioia warns that this trend risks reducing the humanistic and creative essence of culture.
The Role of Independent Artists: Independent creators are well-positioned to lead this cultural revival by prioritizing originality, risk-taking, and audience connection.
Next is the video of Part 1 of the Ted Gioia interview which happened 2 years ago and in this video Ted chats to Rick about…
The decline of depth in media and music
The power of music creating a trance-like state
Cultural stagnation and likening the music industry to the movie “Groundhog Day.”
Below is Part 1…
Now, the videos are not all doom and gloom for the music industry and society at large.
Yes we’re facing some tough challenges at the moment but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that light will be carried by the creatives of the world.
How is this the case? Well, you’re just going to have to watch the videos.
They can be a bit on the long side but they are certainly not boring so grab a cuppa, sit back and allow your mind to be blown too.
Let me know what you think because there will be some pretty amazing conversations that can be started from these videos.
May 2025 be the year that we all find the external peace that the world so desperately needs right now and the internal peace inside ourselves that will allow us all to be the change that we want to see in the world.
Well, its finally happened. SongMachine is now finished and (technically) ready to take on clients.
The finishing touches were made today but a lot of work was poured into the week trying to get SongMachine ready for our first client who starts her recording project in two days time on Monday, November 18th, 2024.
One of the things we needed to do was to do a test recording or two just to see if all of the connecting up of the hardware was done correctly. This was done last Wednesday.
Thankfully it was and here’s a picture of the three mic setup for acoustic guitar and voice.
We also did a sound frequency test for the recording area once the curtains were up and a basic covering of the concrete floor with carpet tiles and the room passed the test with flying colours.
Both the recording area and the control room are flat in terms of sound response but with a little bit of life in them to give the recorded sound some character.
Now, I’m not up with the technical specs of the sound frequency tests and what it all means but Sandy was happy with the results and that’s all that matters.
What we did today was essentially a general clean up, final laying of the carpet tiles (with glue) and putting a frame around the recording room side window as you can see from the following pictures.
Now that everything is pretty much ready to go I wanted to extend my final thank you’s to the following people…
Mum and Dad – Absolute legends and huge supporters of the project from the very beginning
Sandy Mathewson – Came down every Wednesday to help me with building the studio. He is now going to take on his role as head engineer come Monday.
Cooper Lindsay – My nephew, budding musician/producer and a handy person to have around. He’s tall and walks around in stilts
Darryl Puckridge – Our sparky who made sure that power was delivered to SongMachine
Henry Sweet – Our chippy who did all of the wall and ceiling frameworks at the beginning of the build
TLC Concrete – Built the new shed and poured the concrete slab marking the beginning of the SongMachine studio build project.
TMW Earthworks – These guys removed the old slab and created the foundation for the new shed to be built
That’s it… All done and dusted. I know that there will be finishing touches here and there, little tweaks along the way and both split system AC will need to be installed at some point but a recording studio like us mere mortals are works in progress.
I’ll be taking Sunday off in readiness to start work on Monday November 18th. Wish me luck.
One of the things that has kept me sane throughout the last 3 months of the studio build has been my participation in this years 50/90 Songwriting Challenge.
For those of you that don’t know… The 50/90 Songwriting Challenge runs from July 4th until October 1st and the goal is to write “50 songs in 90 days.”
This year I wrote (and collaborated on) 59 songs.
Now, some of these songs that came from the challenge are crackers, some of them are okay and some of them are just shit but that’s the whole point of 50/90, it’s an opportunity to give the inner critic a holiday and just embrace the sheer fun of creation.
No matter how it turns out in the end.
It’s a great opportunity to tune into a bunch of songwriters, lyricists and producers all around the world who are all of like mind and who are all up for networking and collaboration.
Some of the participants have turned into really good friends.
Out of all the songs that have come out of the challenge, the one that really resonates with me is a piece called “Maybe It’s Time” a song about the fact that maybe it’s time for me to let go and move on.
In my most recent health update I had mentioned me hitting rock bottom and subsequently needing the help of antidepressants to lift me out of the hole I found myself in.
Once I got out of the hole I instinctively stopped taking the antidepressants and from that moment on I have been getting better and better and just writing a song like “Maybe It’s Time” is proof to me that I am now back on the path whilst making the grief that I have been experiencing for the last 3 years or so my friend rather than my enemy.
Anyways, without the 50/90 Songwriting Challenge a song like this would not have been written. Here’s the demo of the song for you all to check out.
Maybe it’s time to finally let go Of a past that’s kept me cowering in the dark Maybe it’s time to let the light back in Coz all it takes to start a fire is a spark
Maybe it’s time for me to say goodbye To the darkness over me that’s become my friend Maybe it’s time for me to believe That this road that I am on is about to end
Maybe it’s time to feel alive again And embrace my life in any way I can Maybe it’s time for me to dream once more Coz I’ve only got one life to live
Maybe it’s time for me to find my way And to trust that all my paths will lead to home Maybe it’s time for me to find my strength And to vanquish all the fears of the unknown
Maybe it’s time to feel alive again And embrace my life in any way I can Maybe it’s time for me to dream once more Coz I’ve only got one life to live
Maybe it’s time for me to start again And to unlock all the shackles around my heart Maybe it’s time for me to realise That grief’s the price you pay for falling in love…
Once the studio is ready I will be doing another collection of songs for release and a re-recorded version of “Maybe It’s Time” will be there in all its glory.
As you would be aware from my recent posts, I have been converting a 6m x 9m shed out the back of my house into a recording studio and a multi-modal content creation space.
Now, this is one of the many changes that I have implemented in my life where I am attempting to reinvent and transform myself from where I was just after Mara’s passing to where I want to be in the near future
I mean, after living with Mum and Dad in Goolwa for nine months I finally ended up in Yankalilla which for me is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Adelaide but not too far away to stay connected with the parts of my life that I still want to be connected with.
I’ve manufactured a life where I can work from home and give myself the best chance to create and maintain the work/life balance that I have been craving for and the soon to be completed studio/content creation space will become another integral part of this manufactured life.
But right now I am about to embark on the latest and probably the hardest and most painful part of my transformation. I’m finally addressing the “elephant in the room…” My physical health.
Pretty soon it will be four years since Mara passed away and in that time I have been doing all of the necessary steps to navigate the grief, pain, anger and other associated feelings that come with a circumstance such as this.
With the exception of taking antidepressants for about nine months due to me hitting rock bottom and needing the extra headspace to sort my shit out, I think I’ve done pretty well considering (I’ve been off the antidepressants for about four months now).
All lf this change has been essential for my mental well-being so all that is left now is my physical health and let me tell you… It needs a lot of work.
I weighed myself this morning and the scales said 160.3kgs.
160.3kgs… I was not surprised by the fact that I had put on weight, I could feel it in my overall body and this is what time on antidepressants will do to you but 160.3kgs.
WTF!
This is the heaviest I’ve ever been and straight away I felt that insidious blanket of shame cover me. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw a man who was the result of taking care of everything else in one’s life except for the most important thing. Himself.
This has got to change.
“Man, I have really let myself go” I said to the mirror knowing full well that the only person that can make any real changes in my life is ME.
I know exactly what I need to do, it’s just a matter of taking action and doing what I know I should do. I have made these positive changes about my health in the past and I’m currently making positive changes with every other aspect of my life so why not my physical health NOW?
I suppose how I got to this stage involves the most deeply ingrained habits that I participate in. These habits go to the very heart of my relationship with food and the reasons I consume what I consume and in the quantities I consume it and as the old saying goes…
“Old habits are hard to break.”
Which all leads me to this point in the post where I now publicly re-commit myself to four major activities…
Recommence Intermittent Fasting
I have written about this concept before but essentially Intermittent Fasting gives you a window of time in a 24 hour period where you eat your allotted caloric intake and for the rest of the time you don’t eat but you can drink black tea/coffee (no milk or sugar/honey) and water.
A typical Intermittent Fasting protocol would consist of an eating window of eight hours and a fasting window of sixteen hours. This is called the 16:8 protocol but the protocol that I am going to be following is something called…
OMAD Protocol
OMAD stands for One Meal A Day and it’s a little bit more of an extreme Intermittent Fasting protocol where my eating window is restricted to the time it takes to eat one meal which is typically between 1 and 2 hours meaning my fasting window is between 22 and 23 hours.
I will allow myself to vary the eating window depending on the circumstance (out for dinner, at a gig etc) however, if I’m at home, I’ll be pretty strict with this.
Recommence Ketogenic/Carnivore Diet
Essentially I will be adhering to a high protein and low (to no) carb eating regimen but in doing this the biggest thing I’m going to have to conquer is my massive sweet tooth especially ice cream which is one of my biggest downfalls.
Incorporating into this eating regimen is my side experiment of eating Dal (sourced and created by my great friend Jo Stutley and her “Darlin Dal” business) into every meal that I consume.
How I came to the decision to embark on this Dal eating experiment will be the source for another post in the near future but it’s safe to say that doing this will make the task of sticking to OMAD much, much easier.
Daily Exercise
Yes, this is the most important part of my reinvention/transformation but it’s the part that I will try to resist and make excuses for not doing the most… EXERCISE!
The initial activity will be walking and using a recumbent bike that is sitting out the back doing nothing. I’m going to start off slow and small so I can gradually build up my activity and hopefully the momentum will enable me to develop a habit that I’ll integrate into my daily routine.
Well, there you go, the next phase in my transformation or reinvention. I’m not going to go overboard and give everyone a blow by blow account of “my journey” but I’ll check in with you from time to time as it’s a good way for me to be accountable for my actions.
My main reason for this revisit however is that with Spring arriving, it was about time that I took some stock of what I have already achieved and to get real about the aspects of my life that I conveniently distracted myself from managing (neglect would be the better word) for the sake of other less important parts of my life.
Anyways, i’ll stop beating myself up now and put down the stick to get on with the task at hand. Finally sorting out my mental and physical shit.
It’s been two months since the last update and yes, things have been a little quiet on the SongMachine Studio front but still, there has been activity, just the progress has been very, very slow.
After the ceiling was completed the only things left to do were the construction of all the doors which were four in total (two for the control room and one each for the front and side entrances) as the spaces left as doorways in the floating wall framework were not of standard size plus the installation of two panes of glass for the control room window.
At this very moment, one of the panes of glass has been installed and the two control doors have been constructed and put into place but in doing so we came across some bad news.
The door frames for the control room wall are not perfectly square meaning that fitting two opposing doors which are meant to seal together was and still is going to be more of a challenge than first anticipated.
Add to that the fact that both Sandy and I can only get together once a week (on a Wednesday) to work on the studio build in which Sandy was sick for the last two weeks.
Well, things have ground slowly to a halt for the time being.
Anyways, I just wanted to let you all know that once Sandy is well again (he is on the mend and should be back by next Wednesday September 11th) we’ll recommence the studio build and (fingers crossed) have everything done by the end of September.
I can see the switch that I need to flick to get everything working but I just can’t reach it. It’s so very frustrating but I’m looking at this as an opportunity to practise my tolerance, patience and humility.
There are a number of people who are waiting very patiently for SongMachine to be finished and my message to them is “We’re almost there, not long to go now”
I guarantee you that I am not going to be beaten by four doors and a window pane. As soon as it’s all systems go you’ll all be the first to know. In the meantime I am going to use this time to practise my patience and tolerance to unforeseen circumstances which will only benefit my development as a human being.
At the moment it’s certainly the gift that keeps on giving.
With regards to the songwriting process, it’s my belief that a “song will take as long as it needs to take to become a finished song.” I believe that this statement captures the very essence of the creative process, emphasising that the journey of songwriting is not bound by a strict timeline.
Each song, like a unique fingerprint, has its own path to completion, dictated by inspiration, development, and refinement.
No matter your songwriting experience, understanding the importance of patience in your songwriting process is crucial.
The act of creating music is deeply personal and often unpredictable, with some songs coming together in a matter of minutes, while others may take months or even years to perfect. The beauty lies in embracing this unpredictability and allowing each song to develop at its own pace.
I want to explore the diverse timelines of songwriting, delving into examples of songs that were completed swiftly and those that took much longer. I’ll also be discussing the individual nature of creativity and offer insights into why patience and persistence are key to producing authentic and impactful music.
It is my hope that you will have a deeper appreciation for the unique journey each song takes and the importance of trusting the creative process.
I. The Nature of Creativity in Songwriting
Songwriting is a creative endeavour that defies rigid structure and predictable outcomes. The nature of creativity itself is fluid and often elusive, making each songwriting journey a unique experience. Creativity, especially in songwriting, is influenced by various factors including inspiration, emotional states, and personal experiences.
A. Definition of Creativity: Creativity in songwriting can be defined as the ability to generate original ideas, melodies, and lyrics that resonate with listeners. It’s about finding new ways to express emotions, tell stories, and connect with an audience through music.
B. Unpredictability of Inspiration: Inspiration can strike at any moment and from any source. It might come from a personal experience, a conversation, a piece of art, or even a random thought. This unpredictability means that songwriters must remain open and receptive to ideas whenever they arise.
C. Organic Development: Forcing creativity can often lead to frustration and subpar work. Instead, allowing ideas to flow naturally and develop organically is crucial. This might mean setting a song aside and revisiting it later with fresh perspectives or allowing oneself the freedom to experiment and explore different directions.
Understanding the fluid nature of creativity helps songwriters appreciate the process and recognise that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to writing songs. Each song’s journey is different, and embracing this variability is key to unlocking one’s full creative potential.
II. Examples of Quickly Written Songs
While many songs require extensive time and effort to perfect, there are remarkable instances where creativity strikes like lightning, resulting in a completed song within a very short period. These examples highlight the magical moments when inspiration aligns perfectly with execution.
A. “Yesterday” by The Beatles:
Paul McCartney famously dreamt the melody for “Yesterday” and quickly transcribed it upon waking. The lyrics and structure followed soon after, making this one of the fastest-written songs in The Beatles’ catalog. This song became an iconic classic, demonstrating how a burst of inspiration can lead to timeless music.
B. “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John and Bernie Taupin:
Bernie Taupin wrote the poignant lyrics for “Candle in the Wind” in just a few hours, and Elton John composed the music shortly thereafter. This swift creation process resulted in a song that has touched the hearts of millions, showing that sometimes, the most moving pieces come together effortlessly.
C. “Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones:
Keith Richards wrote the iconic riff for “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” in his sleep and recorded it immediately after waking up. Mick Jagger quickly penned the lyrics, and the song was completed within a day. It went on to become one of The Rolling Stones’ biggest hits, illustrating the power of spontaneous creativity.
III. Examples of Songs That Took a Long Time to Complete
While quick bursts of inspiration can yield fantastic results, some songs require a more extended, deliberate process to reach their full potential. These examples show how patience, persistence, and meticulous attention to detail can result in masterpieces.
A. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen:
Freddie Mercury spent years developing “Bohemian Rhapsody,” with the recording process itself taking several weeks. The song’s complex structure and operatic elements required extensive planning and experimentation. The result is a legendary track that showcases the value of taking time to perfect a vision.
B. “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys:
Brian Wilson spent months crafting “Good Vibrations,” experimenting with various sounds and recording techniques. The song’s innovative production and intricate arrangement made it a landmark in pop music, demonstrating how a lengthy creative process can lead to groundbreaking results.
C. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel:
Paul Simon took several months to write “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” refining the lyrics and composition. The recording process also involved extensive work to perfect the sound. The song’s enduring impact underscores the importance of patience and meticulous craftsmanship.
IV. The Personal Nature of Songwriting
Having explored examples of both quickly written and extensively developed songs, it’s clear that the songwriting process is deeply personal and varied. Each songwriter’s journey is unique, influenced by their individual experiences, emotions, and creative methods.
A. Influence of Life Experiences: Personal experiences and emotional states significantly impact the songwriting timeline. A song may flow effortlessly during times of intense emotion, or it may require more time to process and articulate complex feelings.
B. Individual Creative Processes: Each songwriter has their own approach and method. Some may thrive on spontaneous bursts of creativity, while others may need structured time and space to develop their ideas. Recognizing and honoring one’s creative process is essential for authentic expression.
C. Growth and Evolution: As songwriters grow and evolve, so does their work. A song that felt incomplete at one point might resonate more deeply later on, as the songwriter gains new insights and skills. This personal growth can breathe new life into old ideas, leading to the completion of songs that might have been set aside for a while.
V. Embracing the Journey
Understanding that every song has its own unique timeline helps songwriters embrace the journey with patience and persistence. Trusting the creative process and allowing songs to develop naturally can lead to more authentic and impactful music.
A. Patience and Persistence: Patience is a vital virtue in songwriting. Allowing ideas to mature and not rushing the process ensures that the final product is well-developed and resonant. Persistence, on the other hand, helps songwriters push through creative blocks and continue refining their work until it feels complete.
B. Trusting the Process: It’s crucial for songwriters to trust their artistic instincts and give themselves permission to take the time needed to develop their songs. This trust fosters a more fulfilling creative experience and results in music that truly reflects the songwriter’s vision.
C. The Value of Time: Taking the time to perfect a song can lead to more authentic and impactful music. Whether a song comes together in minutes or takes years to complete, the time invested in its creation is invaluable.
Every song’s journey to completion is unique, reflecting the diverse nature of creativity and the personal experiences of the songwriter. Whether a song is written in a matter of minutes or developed over several years, the key is to embrace the process with patience and trust.
By understanding the unique timelines of songwriting, musicians can create more authentic and impactful music.
The importance of being patient in your songwriting process cannot be overstated. It’s about allowing each song to take its natural course, trusting your creative instincts, and enjoying the journey.
So next time you find yourself frustrated with the pace of your songwriting, remember that a song will take as long as it needs to take to become a finished song – and that’s perfectly okay.
Now go and finish that song… No matter how long it will take.
Well, as of yesterday (Sunday, July 7th 2024) the ceiling of the studio is now totally covered with acoustic foam and what a difference it has made to the overall sound of both the main recording space and the control room.
Over the past three weeks my nephew Cooper, his mate Jake and myself have been working on covering all of the ceiling with more soundproofing material mainly to stop outside noise from getting inside the studio especially from the Corella’s which are fast becoming SongMachine’s public enemy #1 (see featured image).
This coming Wednesday Sandy and Darryl (the sparky) are coming down to hopefully finish off the wiring up of the essential hardware in the control room. Once that’s done all that will be left to do would be…
Making the double doors for the control room
Installing the glass for control room window
Total clean up of both sections of the studio
Laying down of carpet tiles throughout
Putting up theatre drape/curtain around recording room
We’re almost there now but I do breathe a huge sigh of relief that the acoustic foam is now on the ceiling rather than taking up room out on the back patio
