INDIE VIBE – SONGWRITER or SCRIBE

Ah, folks, here we are again, fingers flying across the strings—or maybe that's just me dreaming of a good old guitar bend. For some of you, "banging away" might conjure up entirely different scenes, but hey, let's keep it musical for now.

Lately, quite a few folks have cornered me with questions about my songwriting process: How do I do it? Where does the spark come from? I've touched on this before in these ramblings—it's all about letting the inspiration pour through like a sudden rainstorm, no overthinking, just capturing the flow. Editing? That's for later, if at all. Songwriting's no different from penning a novel, a poem, or a screenplay. Sure, a polish here and there can sharpen the blade of your idea, honing that raw vision into something that cuts deep and true. But get it down first; the muse doesn't wait.

Today was one of those days, the kind where the coffee's strong and the notebook's open wide. I dove headfirst into the pile—over 30 fresh songs I've scribbled out in recent months. For me, it's simple: I fire up the guitar (depending on the mood), play each one straight through, start to finish, just as it spilled out. No frills, no band yet. As the notes roll, I'm jotting mental sticky notes—arrangement tweaks here, a vocal melody nudge there. Mostly, it's about carving out the fat, ditching any filler that dilutes the heart. I want a song that's lean and mean: tight arrangement, hooky melody that punches the message home without apology. Sometimes that means slashing a line or two, or slipping in a word that flips the whole vibe. And don't sleep on your voice—the timbre, the delivery. A gravelly whisper can turn a rocker into a confessional ballad. If you're out there scribbling your own tunes, file that away: your vocal approach is a secret weapon, a shape-shifter for the soul of the song.

My songwriting pals? They say I'm brutal on myself—and on the catalog. Guilty as charged. Every few months, I round up the new batch, like I did today, and put 'em all on trial. Does this one hold water? Do I believe in it? Is it tough enough to stand tall in a setlist, or does it crumble under the lights? Invariably, about a dozen hit the scrap heap. I used to stash 'em in the "song garage" for spare parts—lyrics or riffs to cannibalize later. But here's the truth I've learned: anything worth salvaging ghosts its way back, reborn in some fresh form down the line. Tossing the rest? It's liberating. Forces the well to refill, pushes me to dig deeper. That's the scribe's life—ruthless, rewarding, and always hungry for the next line.

Speaking of which, this cull-and-create rhythm is what fuelled Outside Within, my latest dive into the deep end. Recorded live in the studio with the band in just seven raw hours—no overdubs, no safety net—it captures that unfiltered flow I chase. Songs like "Courage Comes" emerged from exactly this: inspiration unchecked, then honed just enough to breathe on their own. If you're digging the indie grind like I am, grab a copy on the site, stream it wherever, and let it remind you why we do this. The road's crooked, but damn, it's ours.

Time to get back at it—strings to tune, stories to chase. Till next time, keep the fire lit.

Cheers,  

GB

Here's a song I wrote in honour of our veterans. Lest we forget...

The Unbreakable Bond Between Poetry and Song

"Music has a poetry of its own, and that poetry is called melody." –Joshua Logan

Last week, I performed a solo acoustic show in the Canadian Prairies, armed with just my guitar, harmonica, and voice. I played songs from my last 14 albums, along with some new ones written on the road. After the show, fans gathered at the merch table, sharing how much they loved the stripped-down versions of the songs and the stories behind them. It’s always a pleasure to connect with music lovers worldwide—there’s a special spark and curiosity in their eyes and minds.

Some fans mentioned enjoying both my songs and my poetry. I thanked them but said I see myself as a songwriter. Truthfully, that’s a bit of a lazy response. A song is more than just lyrics—it’s a story, an emotion, and yes, the lyrics are poetry.

Poetry and song, I imagine, have existed since the dawn of time, carrying news, emotions, and experiences—good or bad, happy or sad. Like a song, poetry is a literary art that conveys feelings and ideas with a distinct style and rhythm. Take my song *Courage Comes*, inspired by the bravery of people I know and others I’ve heard of. It may seem straightforward, but there’s more to it. Any art form, including poetry, requires courage to stand before a crowd and bare your soul. I can only imagine how poets and artists in history were shunned or misunderstood, yet their bravery paved the way for me to pursue my craft. I’m deeply grateful for their courage.

While we’re on the topic of poetry, here are two recent poems I wrote: *Highland Seas* and *To Get Through* (© 2025 Poke in the Eye Publishing / SOCAN / ASCAP).

Enjoy!

GB

Highland Seas – was inspired by a friend heading out to sea, sailing alone with a few books and

a guitar, just wanting to get away from everything and perhaps find something new….

HIGHLAND SEAS

Fly free – sail the breeze

Strum a chord – feel at ease

Close your eyes – till you see

Ocean waves – the melody.

Lost but not – found by few

Sail your heart – Horizons new

Thunder storms – beyond the norms

Prevailing winds – a strength is born.

Day will come – night recedes

Be re-born – on highland seas

Be re-born – on highland seas….

To Get Through – inspired by the world around us today

TO GET THROUGH

Some can wait forever – some can live in blue

Some have questions – they want the answers

Time is a constant – constantly renewed

Forever changing – won’t be refused.

We need all your love and the stars above

To get through – To get through

Confused by the moment – confused by the light

Shinning down – on us tonight

If the sky holds the answer and stars won’t shine

Will there be peace – in our time.

We need all your love and the stars above

To get through – To get through

Will we know the truth – is it peace on earth

Or pieces of the truth – To get through

Days are getting darker – ridiculous the norm

We’re all working harder – just to be born

If the sky knows the limit and stars won’t shine

Will there be peace in our time.

We need all your love and the stars above

To get through – to get through…

INDIE MYTH OR NOT– DOWN TIME – make the best of it...

The title kind of says it all: as a musician, whether you're an indie or major label artist, unexpected downtime will happen. A sick or injured band member, a hiccup with your management team—it’s inevitable. So, what do you do with this time? You could sit around and mope, or you can seize it to catch up on things that need your attention. My advice? Use this time for everything you possibly can. The behind-the-scenes of “Downtime” depends on how long it’s expected to last, but it’s a gift if you approach it right.

Songwriting is my favorite way to make the most of it. There’s something magical about diving into a new song, letting ideas flow from a stray melody, a lyric sparked by a conversation, or even a feeling from a late-night walk. I’ll sit with my guitar, sometimes for hours, teasing out chords until they feel just right, or scribble lyrics in a notebook, crossing out lines until the story clicks. It’s a process of discovery—sometimes messy, sometimes effortless—but always rewarding. Beyond writing, I work on arrangements, thinking about how to track these songs, what overdubs might add texture, where vocal harmonies could lift a chorus, and what instrumentation fits the vibe. I also consider who the side musicians might be, their availability, and where we’ll record—studio scheduling takes time, and downtime is perfect for sorting it out.

This “free” time—though, let’s be real, nothing’s free; someone, somewhere paid for it—also gives you a chance to take care of yourself. Book those overdue doctor or dentist appointments; investing in yourself is never a bad idea. Get outside, breathe some fresh air, go for a hike, swim, or play some sports. Catch a movie, start a new book, or flip through a magazine for inspiration. For me, art galleries are a haven—there’s something about a painting’s colors or a sculpture’s form that sparks ideas for songs or visuals. Inspiration can strike anywhere: a character in a film, a line in a book, or even a stranger’s story overheard at a café might ignite a new lyric or concept. You never know where creativity will lead.

Then there’s the less glamorous but essential stuff: reaching out to clubs, agents, and booking gigs. Updating your band’s website and social media platforms is non-negotiable these days. It’s not sexy, but it’s the backbone of moving forward as an artist. These tasks fill the gaps and keep the momentum going. Check out our new website and let me know what you think. Grahambrownsongs.com

So, “Downtime”? It’s not really downtime at all. As an indie artist, I’m always working on something—whether it’s a new riff, a lyric, or the logistics of the next gig. My days are full, and I cherish every moment of this “gifted” time. They say a good person’s hands are always busy, and I believe it.

Right now, I’m thrilled to channel this energy into my latest album, Outside Within, which just dropped and captures the raw, introspective journey of balancing inner dreams with the outer hustle of this life. It’s packed with songs born from moments just like these—stolen hours of downtime turned into stories and melodies. Check out my new single, Courage Comes, a track that’s close to my heart. It started with a quiet moment, just me and my guitar, reflecting on resilience and the spark it takes to keep going. The writing process was intense—I spent nights tweaking lyrics to get that feeling of pushing through fear just right, layering harmonies to give it soul. You can stream Courage Comes and the full Outside Within album on all platforms—Spotify, Apple Music, you name it. Grab a listen, share it with your crew, and let me know what it sparks for you. Support indie artists.

Keep rockin’, and let’s make every moment count.

Cheers, GB.