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MY⚡️FI MONTHLY
Creative Discipline, My Favorite Guitar Picks, and Twerking Ethics
Lee T. Baker
September 09, 2024
MY⚡️Feature
featured piece of advice for creatives and creative leaders
You can make it…
So… I realize it’s been a while since you got this email from me, but rest assured I have a fresh energy behind MYFI and I’m excited about this next season. I took the summer off to get used to a new touring gig with my friend, Max McNown, and to finish up my solo album, Stone Tiger.
I can’t tell you how excited I am about this record and I’ll share a lot of stories on my social media over the next few months. For now, you can listen to the first single, “Astronaut (Let’s Just Wait)” now! (Apple / Spotify)
What I really want to talk about today is the truly overwhelming process of making something like a record and how to accomplish it over time. I can’t fit everything into this email, but if you’re a creative person you quite possibly have a project that you want to create, but the thought of making that record, creating that website, starting that business, whatever it may be, seems like such a massive mountain to climb, and it is, but you can do.
When I’m coaching my creative clients (yes, I’m a creative coach, more here) one of the things I always share when they’re taking on massive projects is this…
Big dreams, small steps.
That may seem elementary, but it works.
When I started making “Stone Tiger” I knew the first thing I needed were songs. I didn’t need to get overwhelmed by how I was going to record it, who was going to master it, could I afford to press vinyl, social media marketing strategies, or anything else… I just needed to write songs. So I set my worries aside and just set a goal to write for 2 hours, 3 times a week and see what happened. I did that for several months in 2023 and ended up with a little more than 40 songs. The next step was to simply demo my favorite group of them on my phone so I did that with about 18 of the songs. Then I spent time listening to those songs and determining which I wanted to put on the album.
That process took a year.
Big projects take time, but taking small steps every week consistently is how you’re going to get it done. I’ve had several friends say something like, “I wish I had the time to make more music.” You do. You just don’t have to everything all at once.
Break your big dreams down into smaller steps and if those steps still overwhelm you, break them down even further. You can create and build almost anything you dream of… it just takes planning and consistency.
“To be successful at anything, the truth is you don't have to be special. You just have to be what most people aren't: consistent, determined, and willing to work for it.” - Tom Brady
I can’t wait to share more about the process of making this record and all the things I learned, but today I just want to encourage you to get started on whatever it is that you wish you had already done. It’s never too late. The world needs your art.
MY⚡️Follows
Max McNown
(@maxmcnown) I’ve known Max for almost a year now. We met on the set of his first music video and I got to do a lot of videos with Max over the following months. When the time came to put together his live band I jumped at the opportunity. Max is an incredible songwriter and performer, but most importantly, he’s a great dude. Give him a follow, check out his music, and catch us out on the road!
Twerk Ethic Show
(@twerkethicshow) is a hilarious podcast hosted by 2 of the funniest, most down to earth dudes I’ve ever met, Jeremy Thomas and Nathan Cooley. You really never know what you’re gonna get, but it’s always a good time. Give them a follow, check out the pod, and catch me on an upcoming episode!!
Sav Madigan
(@savmadigan) is a new edition to Lainey Wilson’s incredible band. She’s a multi-instrumentalist and seems like an incredibly fun person. We’ve never met, but if she’s a part of that crew I can guarantee you she can play. Give her a follow!
MY⚡️Finds
cool stuff I found this month
The 502s
We just wrapped up 2 weeks on the road opening for The 502s, a fantastic band based out of the Orlando area. They call themselves the “happiest band on earth” and it’s really true. Their unique brand of “beach folk” was amazing to watch every night. Their new, self-titled album, is out now and there are 4 songs on their I’m in love with… “Perfect Portrait of Young Love”, “Everything Changes”, “Something’s Gonna Go Our Way”, and “Sweet Enough”.
Portable Iron
Traveling as much as I do there are always things that you don’t know you miss until you get out there and realize that you don’t have it! I just recently bought this portable iron and I can’t recommend it enough! CLICK HERE
MY⚡️Favorites
some of my favorite sights, sounds, and reads
Orca Coolers
When we left for this last tour with Max McNown, our band leader and my friend, Ethan Luck had a gift for us. It was an amazing water bottle from Orca Coolers with Max’s logo on it. I used that thing every day on tour and it’s my go to now. Check out there stuff on their website! CLICK HERE
My Favorite Guitar Picks
Dunlop makes my favorite guitar pick of all time and now they make my 2 favorite picks of all time after discovering their FLOW picks. After realizing how much I love their Primetone .88 Jazz XL picks, my rep there, Mitch, suggested that I try their Flow picks and I was blown away. It’s my new go to. You can check them out here and find a size that works for you!
MY⚡️FI Podcast
a podcast about the journey of creativity
New Episodes Coming Soon!!
After taking the summer off and using that time to get accustomed to some great new adventures that I’ve been undertaking, I am excited to say that new episodes of the podcast will be back on a monthly basis starting soon! For now, you can check out past episodes at the links below!!