Sharing the Process Behind the Process

Two weeks ago, Kat and I hosted an intimate gathering at Midsummer Books in Philadelphia. 

The goal? Share our new book, "How to Release Music," and provide a peek behind the curtain for our own artistic process. In many ways, sharing this book feels like an album release and so much of what we talk about in the book itself! In reflecting on this experience as we move toward future events, I want to highlight why this was so special and what it means for us as artists and educators. 

The Quiet Work 

Kat and I started writing How to Release Music years ago. A book takes a loongggg time to publish, and many of the concepts we explore in the book were based on presentations we started giving back in 2020! 

There are the days of writing, revising, getting feedback, editing, and starting over again. We published the book through Oxford University Press and their incredible team listened to our desires throughout the whole process (like when we asked for an entire cover redesign or wanted to change how numbers were listed in the book.)

But the work? 

It's all quiet. It's behind the scenes. It's over Zoom or on the rare occassion Kat and I are in the same place, it's us sitting at a kitchen table and tapping furiously at our keyboards. 

You write and write and then one day, it's finished! You get your proof and then the book is out in the world. There are no fireworks. It just goes from being a "thing" to being a "more polished thing" that people can access. Releasing a book often feels like releasing a record- you're so glad you made it to the finish line, but the real work of it was in quiet spaces with few people. 

Committing to the Launch

One of the topics we talk about in our book is launching work and why it is so important. You've put all of this time into your art, now celebrate that it's in the world! Play a show! Host a party! Go on tour!

I know that these things matter, but there are times when the work sucks everything out of you and by the time it's in the world, you've moved on to other things. 

Kat and I didn't want this to happen with our book, so we committed to the launch. We committed to at least two bookstore visits and a few school visits this coming year. It would be hypocritical not to do it! But, even so, I can fall prey to doubts that creep in as an event is coming up: "Is this even valuable? Will anyone benefit from what we have to say?"

Sharing our Work

On a quiet Saturday in Philadelphia, Kat and I gathered in the back room of Midsummer Books with a handful of folks to talk about our work. We sang songs, shared "in process" versions of songs and their polished, mastered counterparts. We talked about the process behind recording and the evolution of songs. My daughters even came and snacked on crackers while listening to us sing and play the guitar. 

And you know what? 

It was everything. 

It reminded us that our work is meant to inspire, to teach, and to connect. It reminded us that there is value in the time we put into the things we care about. It also reminded us that MAKING MUSIC IS COOL! The songs behind stories matter because humans matter. 

What's Next

So much of our work at SFME has been in online spaces. We've taught on-demand courses, created digital resources, and hosted groups over Zoom. But this event reminded us of the power in connecting face-to-face, which means...

We're just getting started  🙂.