TT On the Making Of ‘Man on the Corner’
Can you tell me more about ‘Man on the Corner?’
‘Man on the Corner’ takes people on a journey through life, highlighting its ups and downs. The album is inspired by observations, lessons learned, and the social implications of my health challenges. It conveys an overarching message about making the most of the time we have. These are experiences and words I hope everyone can relate to. We're all human, and we all grapple with adversity and mortality. However, the album is far from morbid. Most tracks focus on the positivity that comes from overcoming obstacles and building strong self-esteem.
Were there any challenges that you encountered while making this album?
While working on the album, my kidney disease came out of remission. I spent several months in and out of hospitals and received a dire prognosis. Once I was discharged, I felt an even stronger drive to create a great record. Thankfully, I went back into remission and can now report good health. On a lighter note, we experienced an earthquake while in the studio! Fortunately, there was no damage.
Which song(s) from 'Man on the Corner' do you think best represents your artistic vision?
My music is diverse and cross-genre. I think an album should resemble a film or a concert, taking the audience on a journey with elements of drama, humor, action, up-tempo energy, and ballads. ‘Man on the Corner’ embodies this vision. I’d describe my style as country/rock/pop:
• The country-leaning tracks are “My Kinda Cowgirl” and “You Gotta Earn Me.”
• The pop ballads include “A Moment Ago” and “Heal My Mind.”
• The rock tracks are “Let Us Breathe” and “Ghost in Your Shoes.”
• The cross-genre/Americana songs are “My Confession,” “Old Glory,” and “Little One, Little Man.”
How do you usually begin the process of writing a new song or piece of music?
I aim to create music with both pleasure and purpose—it has to sound great and connect deeply with people. About half of my songs start with lyrics, followed by a melody that I create in my mind, which I then record and develop with chords, notes, and instrumentation. For the other half, the process starts with me experimenting on the guitar. I usually go through a dozen or more rewrites for each song, and about 75% of the material ends up in the trash. If it’s not great to me, it’s not worth taking to the next step of recording. Lyrically, I aim to write meaningful content that people can relate to while also telling a compelling story.
Are there any specific themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music?
Stay positive and approach life as though your time is limited—because it is. Life is shorter than we realize. By accepting and appreciating the value that every person has to offer, we can enrich our own lives and positively impact those around us.
