Max Kerman on Songwriting, Stage Banter, and Creative Process

The Craft of Songwriting and Creativity

• 💡 Max Kerman discusses his book "Try Hard: Creative Work in Progress," focusing on the craft behind stage banter and songwriting rule-breaking.
• 🎹 Kerman often writes on the piano, using the left hand for bass and the right for melody, finding it a brightener for his creative process.
• 🎸 He notes that agonizing over expensive equipment like guitars is less important than the desire to practice and develop skills.

Embracing Constraints and Collaboration

• 🗓️ Deadlines are presented as crucial for focusing creative work, from band albums to book writing, providing structure and a timeline.
• 🤝 Kerman shares his initial reluctance to co-write but found it beneficial, leading to successful songs like "My Heart's Always Yours" through collaboration.
• 🎤 He learned from producer John Fields to sing vocals outside the traditional vocal booth, inspired by Bono's approach, to capture a more natural performance.

Breaking Creative Comfort Zones

• 🎶 Kerman discusses how early Arkells songs were hesitant to embrace sentimental lyrics, influenced by Canadian indie rock scene norms.
• 🎧 Working with an outside producer helped him overcome this, allowing for more heartfelt and romantic themes in his music.
• 🌐 He attributes this shift to being exposed to influences beyond his immediate musical world, challenging the tunnel vision created by immersion in a specific scene.

The Art of Performance and Stage Presence

• 🎭 Kerman emphasizes the importance of entertaining himself as a primary driver for creative evolution, leading to incorporating elements like horns and choreography.
• 🎤 He draws parallels to Bruce Springsteen's highly choreographed yet spontaneous shows, highlighting the preparation behind perceived spontaneity.
• 💡 A key insight from his book is the importance of a thoughtful stage entrance, contrasting with bands that fumble with tuning guitars, which can kill the initial buzz.

Navigating Superstition and Routine

• 🚫 Kerman actively avoids superstitious instincts in his creative process, viewing them as excuses that don't contribute to success.
• 🏃‍♂️ He contrasts this with athletes, whose routines can ground them, while creatives benefit from breaking routine and stepping outside their comfort zone to foster innovation.
• 🧠 The difference lies in contemplation: athletes have less time to overthink, whereas creatives, by nature, spend more time in their heads, making breaking routine more vital.

Songwriting Deviations and Evolution

• 🧩 Songwriting appeals through patterns, but deviations from these patterns elevate a song from predictable to interesting.
• 📈 Kerman discusses how tempo changes within songs, like "Knocking on the Door," can be driven by the song's energy, even if it breaks traditional rules.
• 🔄 He notes that the music industry's lack of gatekeepers and reliance on algorithms has changed how careers are built, making adaptability and unique approaches more critical.

The Joy of the Creative Process

• 💡 Kerman believes enjoying the process is key to sustained creativity and consistent output, preventing burnout.
• 🚀 He likens marketing and promotional activities to planting tickets around Red Deer, finding enjoyment in the creative problem-solving aspect.
• 🎤 He highlights the importance of authenticity in marketing, suggesting that finding ways to make promotional activities pleasurable is essential for long-term engagement.