Songwriting, TikTok and Determinism with Slow Leaves (Grant Davidson)
Love Music More · hosted by Luke F. Walton
Guest: Grant Davidson
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Topics discussed
Host note
Grant Davidson records as Slow Leaves out of Winnipeg, and the Winnipeg weather is part of the conversation: winter days that go dark at 4:30 p.m. shape how and when he writes. We talk through the difference between songs that come easy (his best material, generally written in a day or two) and songs that take real craft, and why he trusts that instinct now.
Grant also talks about leaving a stable job for music, the vulnerability of putting work on TikTok and finding his voice there, and the plain fact that most people doubting themselves are having the same doubts everyone else is. He describes fingerstyle guitar as central to his sound, and why creating, in whatever form it takes, is something he could not walk away from.
Selected moments
- Seasonal impact on songwriting 2:48 Grant discusses how winter and summer in Winnipeg shape his writing process.
- Effort vs. inspiration in songwriting 7:02 A candid exploration of the balance between crafted work and the ease of inspiration.
- Creative processes across mediums 12:37 Grant reflects on transitioning from traditional songwriting to more experimental approaches.
- Finding your voice on social media 27:37 The challenges and rewards of engaging with audiences through platforms like TikTok.
- Choice and creative fulfillment 37:54 Discussing the intersection of passion, choice, and the need for creative expression.
- Vulnerability in creative life 29:11 Grant expresses the vulnerability that comes with sharing art and its personal implications.
Selected excerpts
I mean, like, yeah, here in Winnipeg, a lot of our year is defined by winter... it gets dark at like 4:30 p.m. so you come home, it’s dark, you’re making dinner, you get up, it’s dark... absolutely I’m affected by the amount of light.
Some of my best stuff comes without it feeling like effort... some of my best songs are generally the ones that came within like a day or two, you know, just like... you just got to put the pieces together and the words come.
I think if there’s something stirring in you that needs to create, I think it’s going to find a way to come out... if it matters enough, you’re going to find another job that can still pay your bills but allows you some time to paint.
I know if I stayed in that job and I kept doing it, I would have been miserable. It was the best thing I did. Because I know if I stayed in that job, I would have felt like I was dying on the inside.
You always think other people are doing it more easily than you... Most of the time they’re having the same thoughts, all full of doubts.
FAQ
What does Grant Davidson from Slow Leaves think about songwriting?
Grant discusses how the seasonal changes in Winnipeg impact his songwriting process, reflecting the emotional and environmental influences on his work.
How has TikTok influenced Grant's music career?
Grant shares how he explores creative expression through TikTok, finding his unique voice amidst the challenges of social media.
What is Grant's approach to fingerstyle guitar?
He explains his background in fingerstyle guitar, mentioning his influences and how he prefers to use his fingers over a pick for a more personal sound.
These pages are host notes, not a full transcript. An automatic transcript is on the Spotify episode.