The Best Creative Advice. Ever.
Words of wisdom from one of our generation’s greatest songwriters.
I met Dan Wilson more than 10 years ago. I didn’t know it at the time, but the advice he gave me would go on to shape my songwriting, my career and how I lead creative people today.
(Thank you Dan, truly.) — MJ
Stepping back, Dan was an icon to me. He was the lead singer and songwriter for one of my favorite bands (Semisonic). I saw him as a guy who wrote incredible pop-rock songs, always had the coolest glasses, and played a beautiful ‘61 Gibson SG. Little did I know, he lived only a few blocks from a house I was renting in Minneapolis and was about to change my thinking.
In my early 20's, I was just a budding singer/songwriter for an up-and-coming band that was starting to get some attention. About to make another record, some mutual friends passed Dan some of my demos. He must’ve liked what he heard — a few weeks later he was sitting in my livingroom and we were working on my songs.
Part One
I remember the day vividly. I was nervous, unsure of my ideas, and embarrassed that our new house only had two chairs in the empty living room. None of that mattered, we got to work quickly.
After about two minutes into my first idea, Dan stopped me, abruptly. He gave me the first piece of memorable advice.
“Why aren’t you just saying what you want to say… just say it, and say it like you mean it. Trust your gut and get it out.”
I’ve thought about those words a lot over the last decade. It’s simple advice, but astute. So often, ideas are sugar-coated, overly metaphoric, and too complex. It’s a difficult practice, but whenever I’ve taken the time to simplify my thoughts and really truly mean every word — I’ve been glad that I did.
Part Two
After burning through a number of song ideas, Dan asked what else I had. Flustered, I grabbed my new harmonica — something I had been dabbling with but had never really practiced. I played a bluesy riff that he took over on guitar and I started to freestyle on the harp (I was clueless, seriously). He listened, and smiled — again stopping me a couple minutes into the song. After asking how long I had played, I joked “a couple of days.” He laughed and gave me the second piece of advice I’d never forget.
“Never ignore the things you’re accidentally good at, they may just be the things that define you.”
Fast-forward more than 10 years and I still think of his advice. I’ve written hundreds of songs since this experience, played countless live shows all across the country and gradually transitioned from full-time musiciain into a leadership role in the digital world. Now, I’m a partner at a digital product studio where I lead teams and clients in inventing/designing/growing disruptive products and businesses centered around using technology to improve human lives and experiences. I guess you could say his advice has served me well.
I didn’t know I’d be good at Harmonica, it ended up being a primary reason why people came to see me play. I didn’t know that I understood human-computer interactions and the intricacies of how to motivate behavior with technology — but I trusted my gut, and I worked hard. I accidentally fell out of full-time music and into the “real world”, with a great career surrounded by brilliant people. I got here by being purposeful, thoughtful and direct in saying what I mean and trusting my instincts.
I hope you take Dan’s advice and do the same.
Since this experience, Dan has gone on to write some of the biggest songs of our generation, most notably; Someone Like You (Adele), and the Grammy winning song of the year, Not Ready To Make Nice (Dixie Chicks). To say that he’s at the top of his craft is an understatement.
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