It’s amazing to watch a creative person start with something small and then turn it into something complex and wondrous. Most people look at them from the outside and think “how did they get so lucky to be so creative.” The truth about being creative is that it is not something that is bestowed upon you like some genetic quark which makes you infinitely more talented than the next person. Being creative is actually something that can be learned. As long as you keep at it, you can become more creative.
So why do we think about creativity as though it is something that can’t be learned? Sir Ken Robinson did an amazing TED talk a few years ago explaining how we have essentially been educated out of being creative in the artistic aspect of education; food, dance, music, and art are not seen as an essential part of our core curriculum, and we are taught not to focus on those aspects of our life. If you have 20 minutes, we highly suggest you watch the speech. It’s insanely funny and incredibly informative.
So how do you reclaim your creativity? There are a myriad of different methods we have found that you can use, and they can be applied to anything you wish to be creative at. We have organized a few of those methods below for you to find the method that best suits you. Use some or all of these to help you on your journey. But here’s the thing, it’s not going to be an overnight change. You’re going to have to be dedicated and vigilant. You’re going to have to upend your entire life; remember that creativity is earned.
1: FIND YOUR PASSION
None of these methods will be useful if you’re not passionate about it in some way. Some times you have to discover your passion. Take Brandon Noftsger, AKA Powerup, in the school of culinary arts. He actually ended up graduating from the Art Institute of Seattle and leaving a career with Tom Douglas to work on his passion of becoming a DJ and music producer. To that point, if you’re a cook and hate the grill, try saute or try pantry, or try baking. Finding your element in this world can be difficult, and sometimes you just have to step out of your comfort zone or be someplace unfamiliar to achieve that goal.
2: PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE
Crywolf recently released “The Making Of Cataclasm, Episode III: Skapa,” and it spoke to his process he took for releasing his newest album. His method was pretty stellar. Basically he moved to Iceland and locked himself in a room for a long period of time. His goal was simple: Make a new beat EVERY SINGLE DAY.
[pullquote align=”right”]The ancient Romans and Greeks believed artists possessed a thing called a “genius,” which they believed was a sort of spirit that literally lives in the walls of an artists house. They believed that the spirit comes out and bestows the artist with inspiration when it feels the mood is right…The Greeks believed that your only responsibility to summon your genius was to sit down and start working. After that it’s all up to the spirits. –Crywolf[/pullquote]
He admits that the majority of what he made in the first period of time was absolute shit. But then “gems started to pop up.” The first time you try anything, you’ll probably suck at it. But as time progresses, so long as you stay focused, your skill will improve.
3: GET A TEACHER, A TUTOR, OR A MENTOR
Trying to figure something out on your own can work out from time to time, but you’re still going to need someone to guide your learning process. Think of it this way; even Tiger Woods has a coach. Many of the artists we talk to in interviews have said they would be working on a track and hit a wall. They didn’t know there was this modulator they could use in this way, or there is a key they’re missing to make a certain harmony link together.
That’s why so many of the great artists in this scene have become so successful. They always have someone there to provide them with a bit of advice or teach them something new. It helps to have an outsider’s eye. It helps to see things from a fresh perspective, especially someone who has experience with the evolution process and has turned fresh, moldable ideas into gold. Even just having someone to bounce ideas off of helps you elaborate though the creative process.
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Phillip was raised on so many different genres of music, it has given him a unique perspective into the ever evolving music scene. Trance music began defining his life at the young age of 14, but thoroughly enjoys any type of music equally. He sees the music as an escape from the daily doldrums of life and says music can change a persons life in an instant pulling from his own experiences. His only goal in life is to share wonderful music with people and take electronic music to a higher plain with more accountability and creating a safer environment for his friends.
