Song Club #41: Ecstatic States

On writing music that offers an intensely joyful experience

On Wednesday I went to see Shintaro Sakamoto at Pioneer Works. At the beginning of the set, I felt detached from the music. I was being a very attentive audience member. Very diligent. Very demure. Very trying hard to have my mind blown. It was not working. 

I would usually keep trying to force enjoyment in a situation like this, but for some reason I didn’t. I just accepted that I was in a loud room filled with bodies and let the music pummel me.

This went on for some number of songs. I’m honestly not sure how many. And then I found myself suddenly awake in a moment of crescendo and rapture—locked into the groove, heart opened by the swirling guitar and saxophone. I spent the rest of the concert in this almost ecstatic state. It took a moment to come down afterwards.  

So, this week in our songwriting, let’s explore ecstatic states and their conjuring. How might we write music that gives others an intensely joyful experience? 

Big love and keep going, 

Lucy  

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SONG PROVOCATIONS

Write a song that never quite lets go

Create a song that starts in resistance or detachment, like trying hard to feel something but not quite getting there. Let the music slowly build but have the song’s end be the only moment of release—maintaining tension until its over.