Through The Creative Door

06 | Your Music Doesn’t Rely On Your Gadgets with Leigh Gardener

In this episode, Perth-based songwriter and creator of the series “Tender Is The Night,” Leigh Gardener, joins Alexis to share insights into his creative journey. From his experiences coordinating ensembles to his innovative approach to songwriting, Leigh offers a candid look at his creative process. He reflects on the importance of finding a creative space, sharing anecdotes about his trusty desk that has been a constant companion throughout his musical endeavours.
 
Leigh also discusses the genesis of the “Tender Is The Night” music series, born out of a desire to support fellow musicians during challenging times. Through this project, Leigh bridges the gap between contemporary music and classical composition, providing artists with the opportunity to hear their songs transformed by string arrangements. 
 
However, Leigh's creative journey hasn't been without its challenges. He opens up about his struggles with mental health and the realization that his approach to songwriting was taking a toll. Despite setbacks, Leigh remains resilient, seeking healthier ways to channel his creativity and offering valuable advice to fellow artists (like you!). 
 
If you’d like to see more, you can follow on Instagram @chuditchmusic OR @tenderisthenight_music 
 
This episode was recorded on 29 October 2023 on the lands of the Wajuk Peoples. We hope that this episode inspires you as a creative person and as a human being.
 
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
 
Psst! We are always on the lookout for creative people to share their story and inspire others. Have you got someone in mind who would love to have a chat? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
Links: 
Grasping At The Water by Chuditch - https://open.spotify.com/track/45G9QOQvNEDStAiqrumD9D?si=a0d222dafc6a4a56 
Music Video to Grasping at the Water - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Da5zJwzbpc 
 
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast
 
CREDITS
Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Edited and Produced by Ruby Miguel
—------------------------------------------------
 
00:08 - Alexis (Host)
Hi, my name is Alexis Naylor and I am your host here at Through the Creative Door. On behalf of myself and my guests, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians on which this podcast is recorded and produced. We pay our respects to all First Nations people and acknowledge Elders, past and present. On this podcast, I will be chatting to an array of creative guests, getting a glimpse into their worlds and having some honest and inspiring conversations along the way. Welcome to Through the Creative Door. 
Hi Leigh, 
 
00:48 - Leigh (Guest)
Hi!
 
00:49 - Alexis (Host)
How you going?
 
00:50 - Leigh (Guest)
I'm good, how are you? 
 
00:51 - Alexis (Host)
Welcome to Through the Creative Door. 
 
00:54 - Leigh (Guest)
Thank you for having me. 
 
00:55 - Alexis (Host)
Oh, my goodness, I'm so excited that you're here. You are such a talented bear. You do lots of things, thank you very much. Lots and lots of things, things that people might not see all the time. 
 
01:07 - Leigh (Guest)
No, probably not no. 
 
01:09 - Alexis (Host)
No. 
 
01:10 - Leigh (Guest)
And that's sometimes a good thing. 
 
01:11 - Alexis (Host)
Yeah, yeah. You have been part of heaps of different ensembles over the years, so you were a very accomplished musician yourself, and you've also seen how the industry works and given back in lots of different ways. Why I wanted to chat to you is because, all of that stems from creativity and I would be curious to know what, for you, is a creative space. 
 
01:45 - Leigh (Guest)
Yeah, look, I think that's all I have going for me in a lot of ways is because I wouldn't really even consider myself a musician. 
 
02:01 - Alexis (Host)
Which I find very hard to believe, considering that you play so many things. 
 
02:07 - Leigh (Guest)
No, I enjoy marking around on them, but I feel like my niche has more been coordinating other people that are creative as well in some ways. Well, that's what I think everything has sort of led me to. That's that, like, I still love creating for myself, but I think yeah, it's a weird one I don't necessarily think. I still don't feel like I understand music at all. I hid my masters of theory books that were up on this and I just hid them because I was like I don't want people to see that I'm still trying to do level one. But yeah, no, we're all still learning. 
 
02:56 - Alexis (Host)
But yeah, no, we're all still learning. 
 
02:58 - Leigh (Guest)
Yeah, we are, we are. But I guess you know it's. I think that's what I've found. Like I have ideas and then I am good at trying to make them come to fruition. I think that's been my strength in this industry. Yeah, I think that's and that's. Yeah, you're going to be comfortable with what your strengths are. 
 
03:21 - Alexis (Host)
That's true. That's true, and we're in your little. I don't want to say dungeon, but.
 
03:26 - Leigh (Guest)
It's been said before
 
03:30 - Alexis (Host)
It has been said before. But this is your office, your, your space. 
 
03:35 - Leigh (Guest)
Yeah, I guess when you sort of said that I you know what is your creative space. I have been living the share house life for 18 years, I reckon at least since I finished high school pretty much and I was trying to think like where is there a specific place that I feel creative and I couldn't really pin down an exact thing. I think one of the things I really love about being creative are those Eureka moments, those things that come from being unplanned, that just sort of. And it's a detriment to me as well, because I feel like a lot of my songwriting I rely on that feeling to feel like I'm doing something good, whereas I think good creatives don't wait for that feeling. They just work. It's like a job, they just sort of work through things, they wait for inspiration and stuff, but they don't have to feel this massive elation to be like, oh, I'm doing something, that's good. They just consistently work at it. 
 
04:50
But I could say that I guess I felt for the consistent thing I've had for 18, those 18 years and probably longer is actually this desk. This desk belonged to my great grandfather and then it was my dad's and then, I reckon, since I was about eight or nine. We had some refurbishments in my house and this desk was sort of shoved into the bedroom that me and my brother had and you can see there's like holes in it from where extra shelves were added like alarm clocks and stuff, and all down the front of the drawers there are stickers that came from. Do you remember, like those scholastic book fairs? 
 
05:38 - Leigh(Guest)
That came to the libraries and stuff. I think I bought a sticker book or something and it was all around. I think it was the Atlanta Olympics in 2006 or something. 
05:48 - Alexis (Host)
Oh yeah, I see gold medals.
 
05:50 - Leigh(Guest)
Gold medals and country flags and all this rubbish. So it stuck with me. I've dragged it around to pretty much every share house that I've lived in. This desk has gone with me and it's kind of this drawer here at the bottom. I've decided to repurpose it but for I reckon since I was probably 15, 16, when I started to be a songwriter, I used to, whenever I'd have those little Eureka moments, I would write the lyrics down on a piece of scrap paper and it would go into this drawer and then when I would have a song idea or when I'd finally had sort of a melody or a chord progression, I would start pulling out all those little slips of paper and start jigsawing the lyrics together. And that's how I've kind of always worked as a songwriter is sort of having little ideas and almost trying to fit them together, and I don't know if I would recommend it as a songwriting technique. I know INXS used it. 
 
07:02
They said they used to use like a washing basket or something and they would fill that up. 
 
07:08 - Alexis (Host)
I think there's a mod. I swear I've heard on the grapevine there's a modern band who has a spreadsheet and they have little bits that they put in as well. 
 
07:17 - Leigh (Guest)
Well, I mean nowadays I use my phone and that's I always put my. I have a couple of notes where it's just ideas, but yeah, for a long time they went into that drawer and then I'd pull them out and they were the most disgusting scraps of paper. Yeah, a lot of my early songwriting ideas came because I grew up on a dairy farm. It would happen when washing down the yard, at the end of milking or during often during milking, because you'd be singing little songs in your head or just thinking about life in general or anything. And you know it's something that I've sort of picked up. 
 
08:01
You know I really love watching documentaries and stuff, but I think being bored Paul Kelly said being bored was a really important part of being a songwriter or being creative is having that time where there's nothing else interesting you. And I know Elliot Smith, he used to love working really boring, laborious jobs like plastering or making mud for bricklaying or something like that. I think he used to do a lot of those sorts of labour jobs where you could be incredibly repetitive and not actually put much thought into what you're doing and that way you had space to be somewhat creative but also you weren't exhausting your mind during the day. 
 
08:47 - Alexis (Host)
I can empathize with that. I find, when I do long-haul drives.
 
08:53 - Leigh (Guest)
Yeah, yeah I do love driving. I used to love. I, yeah I often people sort of go why don't you put the radio on when you're driving? It's like that's the best time. It's just having some science. But the frustrating part is when you do have an idea and then you have to somehow get it down and sometimes rocked up to places. I've got scribble notes my thighs. Yeah, I've written it like just grabbed a pen written it on my thigh as I'm driving or when you get to a traffic light or something like that. 
 
09:21 - Alexis (Host)
I've definitely had to pull up. I'll be like doing a hundred and ten somewhere and having to like pull straight up so I can do a voice memo. 
 
09:28 - Leigh (Guest)
I think, yeah, I think it's more scary when you've actually got a melody idea, because then it's, you can write down words. But you know, having all those that's a lot harder to remember. I think. Well, for me anyway. 
 
09:39
No, I can't so yeah, I guess, if we're gonna talk about some sort of consistent space, this, this desk, would be one. When, when I had my first band, Louis and The Honky Tonk, and we used to do a lot of artwork, I quickly realized why am I paying other people to try and come up with band posters and stuff? Just make it yourself. Not really realizing, I was totally and totally am and still quite inept with like any sort of photoshopping or anything like that. 
 
10:12 - Alexis (Host)
So, off the back of that, you have done so many things and I'm sure you will continue doing so many things, but is there a body of work or something that you're the most proud of creating, and how did it come about? 
 
10:25 - Leigh (Guest)
if we were talking about me as an artist, I would say this song Grasping At The Water. I felt like I got it was it was. I just felt like I got most things right with it. Like the chord progression is very easy and that's because I did it. The drums are very simple, but I just got the right people to do them and that they sort of took something very simple and made it interesting, which I think is really, I think the listeners really like. I think people like that, you know, not that it's had any massive traction or anything, but I think there's really something to something being very simple but done in a way that makes it interesting, rather than, you know, if you do try and do something simple that sounds complicated or something that sounds simple and is simple, it just doesn't quite get people. But if it's something that's, yeah, simple but interesting, or I think the flip side of that, you have to do something that's complicated that sounds simple. But I was very proud of that song. 
 
11:34 - Alexis (Host)
I mean, and the accompanying music video.
 
11:40 - Leigh (Guest)
Yeah, that worked out particularly well as well. It’s funny, the video is of me somewhat getting, I get shaved and I get my teeth brushed and, but it's all done through the lens of almost a Instagram filter and there's people commenting and the comments would affect what the hands coming into the footage would be doing to me. I guess that's the one of the not a flaw. But the song was written as a sort of description. It was meant to be a metaphor for how, in particular through social media, it was hard to do anything right, like anything you tried to do, there'd be people that would disagree with you, and in writing the song, I sort of set up a metaphor of it. You know, in particular, I felt you know women. 
 
12:27
It was particularly hard to be able to do anything correct, like it's a pretty difficult space and women probably get criticized far more than men in that space, you know, unfairly, in particular. If we’re being selfish, that's a creative thing that I'm very proud of. I guess on a bigger scale, the Tender Is The Night music series. Like that came about during COVID lockdowns, when a bunch of friends of mine who were composers and string players had 12 months of work cancelled because no one knew if it was going to happen or what was going to work. And some of them had mortgages and stuff and they're just freaking out. 
 
13:16
And everyone was coming together as a community and really trying to help. And I was being a bit extremely naive, like thinking back and just going you're an idiot. But I had, you know, a few thousand dollars in my account and in my savings account and I was, like, you know, I've had this idea for a little while. After working with Beck on having strings on my songs, I was thinking, you know, I feel like that's something everyone, every musician, really wants to do is have that, you know, Nirvana unplugged moment where you're getting to play with string players and stuff, or The Verve Bittersweet Symphony, you know, like we all think of. It's a really kind of, it's something that almost feels out of reach to, I think, contemporary artists having a quartet play your music. 
 
14:04 - Alexis (Host)
Yeah, such a special feeling and sound that yeah, unless, of course, someone's going to encourage you to go into that space, perhaps. Yeah a little, like you said, a little out of reach. 
 
14:16 - Leigh (Guest)
It does, and I guess. So I decided to commission a few composer friends to write some music, and it just grew into a small little show with Tanaya Harper, who was amazing. And then we sort of went, oh wow, this, this works, maybe we should do another one. So we got another artist and then another artist and it just then, all of a sudden, another friend sort of took, took it to a council and said this looks like something you guys should be doing, like support these people.  
 
14:50
And so now it's turned into you know, we're just entering our fourth season and still, you know, trying to support composers and, you know, upcoming composers and string players, and but also giving this opportunity to contemporary musicians to to have their music with a quartet and hear it in a different way. An what I think I really like, what I really like about strings is you can hear what people are still saying. You like so that the message of their words which is what I'm really passionate about with music was, to start with, was the words that still comes across, and and often the strings really enhance what's trying to be said. 
 
15:37 - Alexis (Host)
They’re so emotive.
 
15:41 - Leigh (Guest)
Yeah, they are, they're incredibly emotive.  So, yeah, I feel like that's being particularly as it sort of came for me at a really important time in my life where I didn't feel like I was contributing so the music community anymore, and I didn't know how I was going to contribute, going forward, it, it sort of it came as a real blessing. So I feel like it's something that's bigger, way bigger than me now and way more important than then just my feeling good about myself and helping those friends. It's, it's, you know, it's something special. 
 
16:19 - Alexis (Host)
So flipping that coin on it's head yeah. Has there been a time or a season that has challenged your creativity, and what was the major lesson? 
 
16:37 - Leigh (Guest)
I still haven't got the lesson out of it, maybe. Okay, still something I'm working on. I had some mental health struggles and I kind of realized that the way that I was trying to write songs, having those Eureka moments, wasn't healthy for my mental health. I was ruminating a lot on things that were going on in my life and I guess to me those song lyric parts and what part of the reason probably why I like Grasping At the Water is, I felt like they were really complete lyrics and said exactly what I was feeling or what would I was trying to say. But in doing that I was having was ruminating on things that weren't healthy to ruminate on for a long periods of time. I was being very self-critical and very harsh on myself, maybe, and it just wasn't healthy, and so the realization was I can't keep putting myself In that position to create art. So I sort of walked away. Not well, I had it, didn't walk away. I finished a few songs and I definitely finished them from a healthier position, but they still probably aren't incredibly healthy songs. 
 
17:56
After Grasping The Water, I released Cue The Violins, which is pretty much exactly about what I'm saying is like cue the violins oh, you know you're feeling sad, you know like, but it was all about I've got something that I need to talk to someone about, you know, and I guess there was somewhat a bit of a guilt about talking about your feelings and but you know the song, the first line, so “I want to separate the fiction from my fate.” You know that, that fiction that I was creating in my head to almost work myself into a state where I felt comfortable with those lyrics, that I felt they were good enough to be in a song, you know, but in a way I was creating a fate for myself that wasn't really where I wanted to go. So I had to sort of stop that and I've sort of said to myself I need to discover a way of a more healthy relationship with writing songs. 
 
18:56 - Alexis (Host)
It brings me into my next question. Yeah, is there an object or a thing that you can't live without when you create? 
 
19:07 - James (Guest)
To me, I've have one of these in my hands quite a lot especially if I'm bored, 
 
19:11 - Alexis (Host)
For those who are listening, it is a cricket ball.
 
19:17 - James (Guest)
And I'll spend a lot of time leaning back in my chair just throwing it into the air, watching the seam rotate, as if I'm, you know, bowling a ball to swing, yeah, and trying to get that into the right positions. 
 
19:30 - Alexis (Host)
But just, perhaps, maybe that's your object that keeps you I don't know grounded while you're yeah, I think. 
 
19:36 - Leigh (Guest)
Well, it's like I said about the Paul Kelly thing about being bored and you know, maybe when you're trying to think something over, just having some something, that I find it really hard to just stay in one spot. If I’m being creative, I like to be walking, moving sometimes, and sometimes that's good, but sometimes if you're trying to finish something, it's counter-intuitive. 
 
20:01
And you know, if you just need to stay at your computer for a moment, like sometimes, like alright, I'm just going to throw a ball for a moment and it’ll, keeps you in your seat, keeps you from getting up yeah, I love that. 
 
20:13 - Alexis (Host)
Off the back of that, if you could give one piece of advice, nugget of advice to another creative. What would it be? 
 
20:23 - Leigh (Guest)
In some ways I think you really need to be like laser, laser beam focused. Like I said, I've got lots of gear and some. 
 
20:35
I reckon that takes up a huge amount of space in my head and always has for some reason, like I've always had a bit of an obsession with the gear and you know you'd go on pages and look up what guitar pedal someone's using or how what guitar amps they're using, and then it turned into an obsession about microphones and like reading up on studios and recording. And you know, buying gear and to buy gear you have to keep working and so you get a job that pays well. And then you know I got into drums. So I started buying heaps of drums and all this sort of stuff, all this sort of stuff. But the truth is it's not important and, you know, stupidly, my dad's not a musician but he told me that it's very early on. It's like you don't need that to do what you're doing. You know, but he's just, he's just as bad. He's always going through the Farm Weekly which is the magazine that you'd get every fortnight or something looking at tractors and the latest you know, machinery and stuff. 
 
21:37
So I probably got it from him to be honest but he was, you know he was probably trying to be honest with me. It's like, do you actually need that to do what you're going to do? And it feels good to have a nice guitar in your hands, it feels good to have drums and they can be inspiring, but it doesn't stop you from writing a song. Having a, being in a fancy studio doesn't necessarily stop you from recording. So that leading into, like having that laser focus on what it is exactly you're trying to do. 
 
22:09
And you know I also flip side saying you know, going into producing, so producing shows, going into trying to manage a band that you're in, trying to, and I've worked in the music industry as a stage manager and a backline manager and a guitar tech and a sound person they're all great things and they're all things that stem from that love of music. 
 
22:34
But they take you away from, maybe, what you were trying to do to start with and you spend too much time, you spend your weekends doing stuff for other people. Sometimes you get so caught up in what you think you are and what you think you're trying to do that you don't hear what the world's actually saying. Actually, you're really good at this, you know that's what you should be focusing on, so that could in some ways that could take you away from what you really should, what that laser focus, but in some, but in some ways it's really important to be open to those other possibilities because they will lead you to who you maybe you actually are and what you are actually good at. I don't know if that was a great answer.
 
23:28 - Alexis (Host)
It's a great answer. I love it. I love it. One last question if you could have anyone come on to the podcast next and answer these questions, who would they be and why? 
 
23:39 - Leigh (Guest)
Ian Grandage, who is like the Perth Festival director. I guess he would be pretty amazing because not only is he a classical composer, but he's now sort of been curating a festival and I think that that would be incredibly like so, so freaking hard, and I you know, it'd be amazing to know how he does that
 
24:05 - Alexis (Host)
Well, I'll see what I could do. Maybe he’ll be on a future podcast. 
 
24:09 - Leigh (Guest)
Who knows? 
 
24:10 - Alexis (Host)
Leigh, thank you so much for speaking on Through The Creative Door with me 
 
24:14 -Leigh (Guest)
No worries, thank you so much for considering me. 

05 | Letting Go Of Your Inner Critic To Serve You with Stacey Ann

From the excitement of being part of the 2023 Telethon to discussing the importance of personal creative space, Stacey Ann opens up about her experiences as a songwriter, business owner and a general creative being. She reveals the challenges of battling anxiety, even as a successful artist, and shares how unexpected detours can lead to beautiful discoveries in your art. 
 
Laugh along as Stacey and Alexis recount her makeshift studio adventures in Europe and the joys of finding creativity in unexpected places. Plus, get a sneak peek into Stacey Ann's upcoming EP release and hear about the rollercoaster journey of creating a body of work. With laughter, honesty, and a whole lot of heart, this episode is a must-listen conversation for anyone needing to be reminded to celebrate the small wins, because art is linear and we're all on our own timelines. Get ready for some inspiration, support and giggles! 
 
If you’d like to see more, you can follow Stacey on instagram @staceyannmusic
 
This episode was recorded on 24 October 2023 on the lands of the Wajuk Peoples. We hope that this episode inspires you as a creative person and as a human being.
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
Psst! We are always on the lookout for creative people to share their story and inspire others. Have you got someone in mind who would love to have a chat? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
Artists from Stacey: 
@_ribs_ 
@joanandthegiants
@kingibis 
@verucamoon 
@goldenpanthertattoo 
 
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast
 
CREDITS
Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Edited and Produced by Ruby Miguel
—------------------------------------------------
00:08 - Alexis (Host)
Hi, my name is Alexis Naylor and I am your host here at Through the Creative Door. On behalf of myself and my guests, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians on which this podcast is recorded and produced. We pay our respects to all First Nations people and acknowledge Elders, past and present. On this podcast, I will be chatting to an array of creative guests, getting a glimpse into their worlds and having some honest and inspiring conversations along the way. Welcome to Through the Creative Door. 
Welcome, Stacey Ann. Thanks for having me. 
 
00:48 - Stacey (Guest)
Thanks for having me. 
 
00:50 - Alexis (Host)
I'm so happy to see you. I'm so glad that we get to come into your little creative space.
 
00:58 - Stacey (Guest)
 It's so nice to have you. Welcome. 
 
01:05 - Alexis (Host)
You have just finished doing the Telethon, which is very exciting. 
 
01:05 - Stacey (Guest)
It was so much fun, we had the best time and it was so cool to be a part of something that's so, so special. And they beat their records again this year, which they tend to do every year. I am so amazed as to how they do that, but it's pretty incredible. 
 
01:20 - Alexis (Host)
I saw a little bit of snippets on socials and it looked pretty fun being in the studio, like the bit where they ring up and the call centre. 
 
01:29 - Stacey (Guest)
Yeah, the call centre, that was so fun. All of them are so lovely and all the volunteers are just there to have a really good time as well, so it was pretty cool to be a part of that. 
 
01:37 - Alexis (Host)
So cute. I wanted to have a chat to you. I'm asking everyone about their creative space and I guess you've welcomed me in and I'm very excited to be here. But I'm curious what does a creative space mean to you and why? 
 
01:56 - Stacey (Guest)
That’s a great question, I don't know. I guess it's my safe space and it's my happy place and it's where I can just be myself, free of judgement, which I guess a lot of people can probably relate to in their creative spaces too. But it's weird because, having not really been home much, my creative space is in my bedroom, by the way, for context, but I haven't really been home much the last few weeks and even today, coming into my bedroom, I've just felt a lot calmer and it's really made me realise how much it helps my mental health just being in my own space, and it's pretty crazy that that can affect you so much. It's actually been a while since I've sat and played the piano, so that was something I wanted to do today to relax a little bit, because it's been a full on couple weeks, but really fun couple weeks, but I've just needed to rest in my safe space. It's just brought back how important it is to do that every now and again, because I haven't, and it's really shown that. 
 
03:11 - Alexis (Host)
And we spoke offline, off the recording, off mic. But we talked about the peaks and troughs of it all, when it rains, it pours almost like you feel everything is on the calendar all at once and it takes you away from being in your creative space and being able to write because you're obviously the doing, which is amazing - that’s why we create for. 
 
03:36 - Stacey (Guest)
I love the doing, but I also love the doing in here, which I don't get to do as much, unfortunately. 
 
03:44 - Alexis (Host)
Speaking of bodies of work and the doing. What, if there is something that you're most proud of, whether that be something that you've created yourself or you've done in collaboration with others, how did that thing come about that you're most proud of? 
 
04:05 - Stacey (Guest)
It's probably my EP that is about to be released, in March of 2024. I guess this is probably the biggest project I've worked on. It's been the longest time frame of project that I've worked on and it's been with people that I really admire as musicians and I'm really lucky to be a part of something so special with them as well. They make me feel so I don't know just welcomed in the industry as well, and I just feel so lucky to be able to collaborate with them on my music and they're so excited by it, which is so lovely to find that you can work on something that's your own, but they're just as excited as you are. Do you know what I mean? It's pretty rare to find that and I'm really really lucky. I'm super grateful that I found..
 
04:57 - Alexis (Host)
Your tribe.
 
04:58
Yeah, pretty much actually, yeah, I'm really, yeah, honestly, I can't express my gratitude for these guys more, because they are just so special, yeah, and even like working with a new producer and recording person. I think they're called sound engineers, but anyways, sound engineers, yeah, the things, the amazing magicians that they are, yeah. So I've worked with a new producer and sound engineer this year and he is just like amazing as well, and he definitely falls into that category of just such a magician in the music industry and my songs sound like just better than I ever thought they'd be able to after like the mix and everything. And yeah, I'm just, yeah, I'm really excited for it. 
 
05:49 -  Alexis (Host)
Yes, I'm so excited. Can’t wait to hear it. And it is that having your allies in your tribe around you, your backbone, your support network. 
 
06:02 - Stacey (Guest)
Yeah, honestly because during this whole year, I've felt really like, obviously, like being an artist is such a rollercoaster of emotions and you constantly have to be your own cheerleader at some points as well, and I just feel like working with these guys, this like whole year has been such a rollercoaster, but like having them there is such like validation to keep going and, yeah, I don't know if I would still be doing it without them. Essentially, so I'm just, yeah, pretty grateful that they're around really, 
 
06:31 - Alexis (Host)
And I'm sure they're very grateful to be part of your project too. Oh thanks. Speaking of things that we're proud of, on the flip side of that, as a creative, has there been something or a situation that's been quite challenging, and what was the major lesson? 
 
07:02 - Stacey (Guest)
Mental health has been the biggest challenge recently. Yeah, I actually used to have the biggest, most severe anxiety when I was in year six in primary school, to the point where I couldn't leave the house, like it was pretty bad. And then I went into high school and met new friends and like had new environments and it kind of over the years in high school went away and eventually it became like just this thing that didn't even define me anymore and I just didn't even think of it as being part of my life and I was like, yeah, I've like beat this thing that used to be a part of me and consume me. And I remember saying at my graduating recital at uni that like I just never would have thought I would be on a stage like this and like, if you feel like you're not capable of doing something, like you are because here I am, kind of thing. And then I went to Europe last year on my own for two months and I was so excited for the adventure. 
 
08:11
But it was a bit of an adventure that I wasn't really ready for because I ended up having like all of that anxiety that I had as a kid become triggered by a lot of things that were going on at the time and I guess, just being in a foreign country and like not really having your main support networks around you, it kind of yeah, it just took over my whole life for two months and I became like such a shell of who I was before I left, and which was really sad, because I really wanted that to be like a growing experience and in some ways it definitely was. Like it was such self discovery and I learnt so much about myself and what I'm actually capable of doing, but just not in the way that I thought I would, which is so funny, because sometimes the universe throws things that you don't really think are going to be there and then they just like
 
09:13 - Alexis (Host)
Oh, never get what we set out. 
 
09:15
Like yeah no hundred percent, like I set out for a journey of self-discovery, but not really that one. 
 
09:21
But you know what? Yeah, so I'm like hold two months in Europe. I didn't have, like my instruments or like anywhere I could go and sing or any music really around me that I was familiar with. I didn't really know where to go to find gigs to attend and like it was just such a different world and, if anything, it really made me realize how important is to have music in my life in some form, whether it's my own or someone else's. And yeah, I came home and I played a really beautiful gig at the Freo Church with Helen Shanahan and it was just like everything I needed and I like I sang a solo song on piano, which is like my biggest fear is like singing solo on stage while playing an instrument, and I was like you know what I Like was a shell of a human, like a month ago.So who cares? What's the worst that's gonna happen. Can't get any worse. When you reach rock bottom, the only way is up. 
 
10:13 - Alexis (Host)
It’s true!
 
10:22 - Stacey (Guest)
So yeah, it kind of was like a huge stepping stone in my life and probably the biggest challenge that I've faced in the last couple years, but it was something I think I needed for sure to like recalibrate in a way and be like what is actually important to me, because like just having to survive each day and, like you know, make it through the day without falling apart, or like being able to eat food, for instance. You know, like that is sometimes like I would go through the day and be like yay, you ate three meals a day. Like go you, and it's so funny how your goals can change when you're going through something so crazy. 
 
11:02 - Alexis (Host)
Totally, because you're going back to the fundamentals. 
 
11:06 - Stacey (Guest)
Yeah, you're like I'm functioning and that is all I need to do, and sometimes you have to remind yourself, like even you're in the hustle and bustle, that like if you've drank water and you've eaten, seen a bit of sun, smiled, you know, like you've had a good day and it’s really humbling to like have an opportunity to be reminded of that. I think so. Yeah, it's actually really helped me with this EP that I've recorded, because I was like you know what? I'm just doing this for me because no one else. It actually doesn't matter if anyone else hears this, because I've had the best time. 
 
11:40 - Alexis (Host)
Yeah, and it's hard. It's hard, obviously, being in the industry that we're in and the way that society is is that? Measuring by external, yeah. Parameters, yeah, but it's like we, only us, can we define what success is? Absolutely, and it's easy to say but sometimes really hard to embody. 
 
12:05 - Stacey (Guest)
Oh, absolutely, yeah, yeah, and it's so funny because, like even because that was about a year ago, even a year I've like forgotten some of those things and I'm like have to remind myself. Like a year ago you were just like in bed all day. You know what I mean. So, like, yeah, it's really important to just remind yourself of like the fundamental things in life and if you're like supported by people around you, then you can make it through. You know what I mean. 
 
12:34 - Alexis (Host)
Yeah, beautiful, I'm so glad. What a, what a beautiful full circle. 
 
12:39 - Stacey (Guest)
Yeah, I feel like it is. 
 
12:40 - Alexis (Host)
Yeah, speaking of being creative and we're in this beautiful space of yours Do you think that there's an object or a thing that you can't live without when you create? Could be something sentimental, could be like something really practical. 
 
13:04 - Stacey (Guest)
I don't know, because when I was in the UK, I didn't have anything that I would usually have when I create, so I ended up finding a new way of like creating something, and it turned out to be like the best thing I've ever done. 
 
13:19 - Alexis (Host)
Okay, you do tell, do tell do tell. 
 
13:22 - Stacey (Guest)
Well, no, like it literally was just that I I didn't have my piano with me, so I was like you know what we're gonna midi this? Because I had my laptop, sure, and I ended up recording my vocals on my phone and voice memo-ing it and air-dropping it to my laptop. 
 
13:36
Yeah, and then I was like yeah honestly, I was like we're gonna like make ship the studio here because I'm like in need of some help. And yeah, this was like a different way of creating music for me, because usually I would just like write the stuff on piano and like start off with like a fairly like slow tempo and I'll be like, oh, actually this needs to go faster. But like in terms of starting off the song, I just had like heaps of stuff will open on logic and I was like let's just chuck this beat in and like let's change. Like. I took this really slow song that I had already kind of written and I just put it into logic and I sped it up and I was like I just want to like play around with this and have some fun, because who cares? 
 
14:23
Yeah, and it's funny what you do when you like let go of like your critic a little bit and
 
14:29 Alexis (Host)
Just go back to the inner child of just playing
 
14:31 Alexis (Host)
Yeah, I wish she was like I just want to play around and see what happens. And it ended up being like the single I just released and it's like my favorite song I've ever written. So I don't know, I feel like I have somehow weirdly managed to. As long as I have like the ability to not be too critical, then like I can just create something for me. 
 
14:54
Yeah and yeah, I don't think I really need a thing. Yeah, I think it's a mindset to be honest, yeah. 
 
15:03 - Alexis (Host)
It's so funny that you say about, like in a space where you didn't have instruments and you used what was at your disposal. So for me at the moment, with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and low right arm, I can't play piano. And so it's funny that you say that you just sort of pivot. Yeah, I did the good old like YouTube, slash Google of like piano melodies in A minor backing track, like whatever. So like had someone doodling over and like sang and made these like. 
 
15:39 - Stacey (Guest)
I love it. You gotta do what you gotta do.
 
15:42 - Alexis (Host)
Yeah, yeah it's so funny. It was like I've somehow managed to find myself a backing track. 
 
15:46 - Stacey (Guest)
We love it. I love that so much, but he actually it's weird because you find like different avenues of creating and sometimes that'll lead to a completely different thing that you would have never created otherwise, which is like the beauty of the of music, because it's such a different language and there's so many avenues. 
 
16:05 - Alexis (Host)
Now, if you could give one piece of advice, nugget of wisdom, to another creative. What would it be? 
 
16:17 - Stacey (Guest)
Wow, I've actually been thinking about this recently because I've had such like a deflating couple of weeks in the industry, but also like the most, the most lovely and the most like fueling couple of weeks. But, as I said, it's a roller coaster. So we don't get one thing, we get it all. 
 
16:37 - Stacey (Guest)
But I guess the biggest thing I've learned is to not do it for anyone else, because you're not really going to achieve much if you set out to make a sound for someone else unless, of course, that's like a brief that you're trying to feel, but like in terms of like original music if you're not doing it for yourself, it's just really hard to please people, and I guess I had a few things written down because I wanted to. I remind myself of these all the time, especially recently. Not everyone is going to like what you do, which is one that I had to remind myself of actually today, because I got heaps of feedback on this song that I had just released and it's like, as I said, my favourite song yet and they were just like a lot of people that were like, yeah, not my taste, or like it's not for me, and like they can word things in a way that make you feel so awful about what you've just like put a year into but, at the end of the day, like there were people that also loved it. 
 
17:43
so you just have to like remind yourself of the positive ones and celebrating the small wins yeah, I kind of ties in with that one oh,
 
17:51 - Alexis (Host)
I'm such an advocate for that yeah
 
17:55 - Alexis (Host)
Like no matter how small they are, like even just like getting on a playlist or like finishing a chorus of a song and like loving it at the moment, like that is such a small win that deserves to just be lived for a little bit, and celebrate.
 
18:13 - Alexis (Host)
Especially because for us it's not like we're getting to some imaginary finish line, like you're running through tape. This is just like, once we sort of get one little goal, we're on to the next goal, like there's no. It's linear. 
 
18:23 - Stacey (Guest)
Yeah, right, and there's no like formula yes, which is crazy to me that like we're all kind of working in this industry and like doing all these things that like we're told to do, to like get your song out there or like write a certain way, and it's just pretty crazy because it's such a subjective industry.
 
18:42 - Alexis (Host)
 It's art. It's not a corporate letter that we follow absolutely. It's art. it's appropriation yeah, opinions, it's points of view.
 
18:52 - Stacey (Guest)
Yeah, so yeah, lots of those things have just been in my brain bubble at the moment, because it's really important to just remind yourself that like this is for you and like people will love it if you're authentic as well. There's no point doing it if you're not just loving it because people will notice that and love you for it. The next song I'm actually releasing is called Ripples, and I wrote it about my friends because they are like ripple effects in my life that like once you surround yourself with positive people, it just it creates ripple effects in all other parts of your life and you're happier for it. So I just find that, support networks are up there. 
 
19:35 - Alexis (Host)
Yep, for sure 100%. One last question yeah, if you could have anyone come on this podcast and answer these questions, who would it be and why? 
 
19:46 - Stacey (Guest)
Wow, I actually, like so many people come to mind because I have such a tribe of beautiful, creative women in my life and I'm lucky enough to call them my friends and my support network at the same time, and I think they all have such beautiful stories to tell and different journeys and avenues and I feel like any one of them would be such a beautiful thing to witness. So, Georgina Crammond from Ribs, Grace from Joan of the Giants, Nadine from King Ibiss, Vanessa from Veruca Moon. 
 
20:27 - Alexis (Host)
Off mic, you did mention a tattoo artist. 
 
20:30 - Stacey (Guest)
Oh yeah, there's a beautiful tattoo artist that I will potentially be collaborating with in my other creative career and she yeah, she's amazing. She works at Golden Panther and she does lots of like tattoos for people who have just received top surgery and amazing people who have had breast cancer and things like that, so I think she has a really beautiful story to tell as well. Yeah, her name is Naomi Pearl, so keep your eyes tuned, I reckon, and your ears, because, yeah, she's doing some amazing stuff actually. So very cool. 
 
21:14 - Alexis (Host)
Beautiful. Stacey Ann, thank you so much for joining us, my pleasure. Thank you so much for having me. 

04 | Being Your Own Hype Person with James Swell

In this upbeat episode of 'Through the Creative Door,' Alexis engages in a heartfelt conversation with guest James Swell, Perth musician, artist and lover of model making, delving deep into the labyrinth of creativity. Together, they peel back the layers of the creative process, navigating the twists and turns of self-critique and self-celebration.
 
James reflects on his musical journey, sharing moments of pride, such as the creation of an original EP with his band, Brass Party, and the exhilaration of witnessing people connect with their unique music. 
 
Overcoming self-doubt, and embracing unique creative expressions can be a windy road, so join us as we listen to James share personal experiences, and valuable lessons that remind us to celebrate and share one's creative spark with the world.
 
If you’d like to see more, you can follow James  on instagram @jamesswellsax OR @brasspartyperth 
 
This episode was recorded on 18 October 2023 on the lands of the Wajuk Peoples. We hope this episode inspires you as a creative person and as a human being.
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode. Psst! We are always on the lookout for creative people to share their story and inspire others. Have you got someone in mind who would love to have a chat? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
 
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast
 
CREDITS
Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Edited and Produced by Ruby Miguel
 
---------------------------------------
 
00:08 - Alexis (Host)
Hi, my name is Alexis Naylor and I am your host here at Through the Creative Door. On behalf of myself and my guests, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians on which this podcast is recorded and produced. We pay our respects to all First Nations people and acknowledge Elders, past and present. On this podcast, I will be chatting to an array of creative guests, getting a glimpse into their worlds and having some honest and inspiring conversations along the way. Welcome to Through the Creative Door. 
Welcome, James. 
 
00:49 - Alexis (Host)
Welcome, James. 
 
00:50 - James (Guest)
Thanks Alexis,  thanks for having me. 
 
00:52 -  Alexis (Host)
Thank you so much for coming and chatting and welcoming me into this beautiful space of yours. 
 
01:05 
I see lots of things around this room. They're all very creative. Thank you, I already knew that you were a very talented, multi-talented bear, but just visually I'm seeing all of the things and I'm sure there's more. 
 
01:18 - James (Guest)
Yeah, hidden away in drawers somewhere, she talented bear kind of sounds like a grinder handle. 
 
01:24 - Alexis (Host)
Oh no, I didn't mean to say that I like it. I like it, oh dear, oh dear. Alexis is getting cancelled. Now I'm very curious, and I've asked everyone this question, which is you know? I mean, we all have different creative spaces for different things, but what does a creative space mean to you? 
 
01:48 - James (Guest)
Yeah, it's a good question. 
 
01:49
I mean, I feel like your creative space can just be like anywhere that you do your creating, but for me, I'm definitely prone to getting distracted, so which I mean like I don't know, maybe having all of the things possible in one room isn't the best way to deal with that. But, like, for me, having a space where I can just sit down and go you know, this is where I do it, this is where the magic happens is really important, because it's kind of like you know they say that like if you spend lots of time in bed when you're not sleeping, then your brain starts to associate the bed with being awake, so you don't sleep as well there. So if you've got a room that you can just go, like this is like my dedicated space where I do whatever my thing is then when I sit down in the chair, it's like it's go time, like I can instantly sort of slip into that mode. I find having that space just kind of set aside is really important and as free from distractions as possible to be. 
 
02:48 - Alexis (Host)
I mean, in this day and age we've got a little computer in our pockets that distracts us. 
 
02:55 - James (Guest)
Yeah, the phone's the biggest attention killer. 
 
02:58 - Alexis (Host)
Oh my goodness, it's shocking For those who are listening you have in this room some amazing Lego models. I am such a fan of Lego I'm showing for those who don't know, my mum's Filipino and Asian mums tend to, I don't know be pretty rigid with certain things and I don't know why, but mine was. I never got Lego. 
 
03:28 - James (Guest)
That's an interesting restriction, I guess. 
 
03:31 - Alexis (Host)
I don't know. Maybe it was because it's very expensive, Maybe it was yeah, I don't know. 
 
03:36 - James (Guest)
I mean it's not cheap as far as little bits of plastic go. 
 
03:39 - Alexis (Host)
True, and they get everywhere and they're like mm, mm, mm. 
 
03:44 - James (Guest)
I saw a show at the Rechabite recently, the Yuck Circus, lots of acrobatics and circus tricks, but they did a test of endurance where someone spilled Lego across the floor and then walked barefoot across it and it was harrowing stuff. 
 
04:01 - Alexis (Host)
I almost feel like I'd want to pick hot coals. Yeah, almost. 
 
04:06 - James (Guest)
At least that's something to brag about. I mean, we've all stepped on Lego and hurt, that's true, but yeah, no, I love it. I feel like it's probably one of those early creative endeavors that I got into, because my dad and I always used to make stuff out of Lego just a big old box of loose parts. 
 
04:24 - Alexis (Host)
That's so cool. I love that. Yeah, well, you have some very cool ones here. I'm very jealous. Maybe after this, maybe you can let me play, oh absolutely. 
 
04:34 - James (Guest)
I go for pushability, which is an important factor apparently. 
 
04:40 - Alexis (Host)
Well, in this room I also see I mean digital artwork, I see physical artwork, I see lots of different modeling and for a lot of people we would actually see the outer side of what you do, like work, wise being, you know, playing on your saxophone and like doing all the musical stuff. I guess it might be a difficult question to ask, but what's something that you're proud of in that creative space, a body of work, and how did it come about? 
 
05:14 - James (Guest)
Yeah, I mean, a lot of people would probably know me more from doing music than anything else. Like, a lot of this stuff is just my hobby, which is great. Good to have a creative outlet. That's not, you know, all work, but one of my projects that I'm proudest of is Brass Party. 
 
05:29
So a lot of people a lot of people know us from you know late night sets at the Ello (Ellington Jazz Club) and just like pumping out the covers. But last year we started working on a whole bunch of original music which we recorded with Kieran Kenderese, who's an amazing sound engineer, and we are putting that EP out into the world. Finally, but that's probably one of the things I'm proudest of creatively, because I feel like we spent so long like brewing this sort of creative mix as a band where everyone had their own influences that they brought together and we all sort of set it on things that, like I know, excited us equally. And then, after all this time of like just finding those influences, we finally went like well, you know, let's put them all in the melting pot and see what we come out with. And we came out with something that like felt like all of those, those party tunes and those kind of nostalgic pop punk or, you know, scar punk bangers that we grew up listening to. 
 
06:30 - Alexis (Host)
Well, for someone who's watched you guys perform, I can vouch for that. I definitely can vouch for that. 
 
06:37 - James (Guest)
Yeah, I mean, you know, Alexis, obviously one of the number one height people always out the front screaming getting the dance floor going. 
 
06:46 - Alexis (Host)
I mean any opportunity to get on a dance floor. Let's be honest, yeah, yeah. 
 
06:50 - James (Guest)
But no, that's like the most exciting thing about that music is watching people enjoy it and the fact that we were able to like not obviously like a lot of a lot of people love covers. They love hearing covers, especially in Perth. But then being able to get that same excitement from people with something that, like we created, you know, whole cloth ourselves, that was. That was an amazing feeling. Because anytime you try you know, I'm sure you know anytime you try a new music, even if it's just a new song or it's like a whole reinvention of your style, you're just like, oh, is this going to flop? Is everyone going to hate this? 
 
07:26 - Alexis (Host)
It is. I mean whether it is music or art or or a poem or a recipe, I don't know. I do think that you know there's an element of vulnerability that I don't know about you, but I don't think you ever get immune to that. Yeah, yeah. 
 
07:48 - James (Guest)
Absolutely yeah, like I mean, I've been I've been performing for so long that like stage fright isn't really a thing for me anymore. But putting out a brand new piece of work, especially one that's like, it's kind of like bearing your soul You're going this is something that I enjoy, it's so important to me, and putting it out there and going like just laying it out for other people's opinion yeah, yeah. 
 
08:12
It kind of. It's hard to divorce that from like being judged as a person Like this. This is I mean not not that my fun dandy pop tunes are really that much of like my soul laid bare but, it's like this is something that's important to me. No, so yeah, it's nerve-wracking.
 
08:27 - James (Guest)
But yeah, I'm so happy with how it all turned out. 
 
08:30 - Alexis (Host)
And you guys should be so proud. It's very, very, very cool. 
 
08:33 - James (Guest)
Very danceable, hopefully, oh yeah, oh yeah. 
 
08:37 - Alexis (Host)
I guess on the flip side of that, like you just mentioned, you know you've been creating or had the creative bug for your whole life. Do you reckon that there's been something that has challenged you creatively and what do you reckon that lesson, or major lesson, was about that? 
 
08:56 - James (Guest)
Yeah, I was first properly pursuing music as a potential career when I was studying, studying music at WAAPA. We kind of taught to be self critical to you know, look at what you're doing and and, I guess, analyze it, which is it's a very, it's a very cerebral kind of take on the creative process. But you know, if you don't, if you don't, critique yourself, you can never really grow and improve. But that couple with, like, my inherent kind of anxiety and my like the way my personality is, I frequently was just coming away from gigs feeling absolutely drained and completely down on myself and my creative output and while I was trying to play like it would be so bad that that internal critic would be going, you know, just going, constantly going oh that was crap, that was stupid, like it's so much worse than everyone else on this stage and obviously that's not a helpful thing in the moment or in general. I think Some people may be able to like look at themselves that frankly and go yeah, and disassociate themselves from the. 
 
10:18
Yeah, and be able to critique what they're doing in, I guess, a more objective way. But for me that level of self reflection was just completely unhelpful and it kind of sounds so funny to say. But I almost just had this one decision where I'm like either I need to stop doing that or and be able to enjoy my music, or I need to find a different career, because the self-critique was absolutely just getting in the way of being able to create. And it's in hindsight it feels like such an easy fix to just go well, I'm going to enjoy myself now, I'm not going to let that worry me and obviously like
 
11:02 - Alexis (Host)
But clearly like, hat would have taken a process and a time. You know it's easy for us to do a synopsis of what that learning means. 
 
11:09 - James (Guest)
I mean hindsight, probably years of work went into it, but yeah no, after that I really like made an effort to enjoy being in the moment when I was performing and to not critique myself as much, because if I hate what I'm doing, why should I expect anyone else to enjoy it? And I guess the biggest takeaway, the lesson that I got from that and it's something that I try and pass on to like students, because obviously I teach people to play music now, which is amazing, like it's this. You know it has its hard times, but it's so fulfilling to when you get to see some Passing the baton on yeah when you see people developing that joy. 
 
11:50
The thing that I really learned from that was there are a lot of people who will tell you you're crap. You know people don't hold back on that but there are far fewer people who will tell you you're amazing and go into bat for you 100%. So you don't need to be one of the critics. There are plenty of people who can fill that role. You do need to be your own advocate. You need to be, you know you need to be supportive of yourself. 
 
12:19 - Alexis (Host)
Yeah, you need to be part of your own team. 
 
12:23 - James (Guest)
Be your own hype squad. 
 
12:24 - Alexis (Host)
You're pit crew. 
 
12:37 
I'm intrigued. Is there anything like an object or a thing that you can't live without when you're creating? 
 
12:39 - James (Guest)There's going to be a really boring answer, but I actually don't think there is no. I mean, I'm a very sentimental person, but I feel like. I feel like I mean it might just be that I've got so many different creative outlets, which is why I think this is going to be a difficult question to answer. 
 
12:56
There's not any single one thing, but I mean the saxophone that I have here sitting on it's stand. That is the same saxophone that I've been playing on since, I think, 2005. So I played that since primary school, yeah, since I, like my parents, were like we're not going to buy you a saxophone, you're just starting this instrument, you know, don't be daft, yeah, it's a sensible choice.
 
13:22 - Alexis (Host)
I think it is yeah. 
 
13:25 - James (Guest)
But when I started doing it I really enjoyed it. Like, all right, we'll buy you a saxophone and I got this one and yeah, I've been playing it ever since and I think it's kind of like your instrument in a way, and I mean, like the specific you know metal and cork thing that you're playing is part of your voice as a creator. You know the peculiarities and the little unique things that it has. They make your sound what it is. And so, yeah, I don't think I would be creating in the same way if I didn't have it so thanks, Mum and Dad Good investment
 
14:03 - Alexis (Host)
Well, I mean, they delayed on buying you that investment, but you know it was very wise of the parents. 
 
14:13 - James (Guest)
Yes but oh, 18 years old now, I think that sax, yeah, it's doing good. Yeah, it's doing good been through a lot. Yeah, to an extent also, just having it like on a sax stand is super helpful because I can just be doing some admin and listening to some some tunes and just go like I want to play. I was be able to pick it up and noodle for a little bit. 
 
14:37 - Alexis (Host)
I've always found that myself. So I'm not a guitar player at all, but I do have one and I do find that just purely having the instrument readily available for you just pick up and have a little tinkle and then put it back down. I know a lot can be said for having your toys out yeah, really available to play with. 
 
15:00 - James (Guest)
Yeah, absolutely. And I mean, it's not. You could just put your voice down and, you know, not have it easily accessible. True, I'm definitely the sort of person who like sings. All the time I'm just walking around going like, (scatting)
 
15:18 - Alexis (Host)
I tend to do that. And I don't even realize that I and I have been called out for it, where I've been asked a question and perhaps, maybe, serenaded that person back with the answer. I don't even realize I'm doing it. Yeah, not my finest of moments.
 
15:36 - James (Guest)
Let me answer your question with a song. No see, I got called out for it for an entirely different reason, because I was walking along. I'm just scatting this like happy little jazz tune and someone walks by and like “Stop singing. You're making me realize how miserable”
 
15:51 - James (Guest)
Oh my gosh, that sounds like a you problem. 
 
15:57 - James (Guest)
Wow, cool, don't be happy. That's the takeaway, kids. 
 
16:00 - Alexis (Host)
Well, speaking of takeaways, I'm curious what if you had, if you could give one piece of advice, what would it be? 
 
16:11 - James (Guest)
I mean, I definitely think each person, I think, has a unique creative thing they can bring to the world. It doesn't have to be something that's traditionally defined. 
 
16:21 - Alexis (Host)
It can be creative food, it could be the way you cook. Yeah, so many different ways for us to create. 
 
16:29 - James (Guest)
Yeah, and self critiquing your way out of sharing that with the world is a pretty sad thing. I think all of us need to be more proudly excited about, about our hobbies and about the things that, the passions that spark joy. Yeah. Does it spark joy? Yeah, and because there are so many people who will tell you that you're crap and that your gift isn't worth sharing. But if you don't share it, if you don't, you'll never find those people who enjoy it. 
 
17:02 - Alexis (Host)
Amen, brother Amen. 
 
17:05 - James (Guest)
So preachy 
 
17:08 - Alexis (Host)
It is true. It is true, but very well said. 
 
17:11 - James (Guest)
Thank you. 
 
17:12 - Alexis (Host)
I think, even hearing that for myself, it's always nice to have someone remind you that, yeah, we need to back ourselves well and truly. 
 
17:27 - James (Guest)
I think it's a rare gift now that we have. I mean, like, for all the harm the internet's done, you know being incredibly distracting, it has let people find their audiences and find like their tribe, like you can be like making a little webcomic for an audience of 30 people who you would never have met before, but they're exactly the kind of weird that you are. Or you've got like a style of music that you could never fill a pub with people who would come listen to it, but they can hear online. I think that's one great thing about the internet, which itself, I guess, is kind of a creative space. 
 
18:08 - Alexis (Host)
Oh, for sure. 
 
18:10 - James (Guest)
Is that you can find your people and you can find the audience for your own. You know your own style, in whatever way that is. 
 
18:20 - Alexis (Host)
Yeah, I'd agree. Well said, One last question. Yes, who would you want to hear answer these questions If you could have anyone come through and be on the podcast? Who would they be and why? 
 
18:38 - James (Guest)
Have you had Kirsty from Sgt. Hulka yet? 
 
18:41 - Alexis (Host)
I have not. 
 
18:45 - James (Guest)
She's a very multi, multi talented bear as well. 
 
18:48 - Alexis (Host)
She's a multi talented bear. 
 
18:51 - James (Guest)
Amazing muso, amazing Mum. 
 
18:53 - Alexis (Host)
Yeah, she's a. What do they say? She's got her fingers in all the pies. James, thank you so much for joining me. 
 
19:03 - James (Guest)
Thanks so much, Alexis, this has been treat. 
 

03 | It’s Never Too Late To Begin Your Journey with EDM Producer Fran

In this episode, Alexis engages in an honest and inspiring conversation with Fran, a Perth EDM producer, songwriter and newly found filmmaker, exploring the journey of artistic evolution and how it’s never too late to learn a new skill. 
 
They delve into Fran's personal creative havens, from her transformation of a space into a music studio to her shift towards bringing joy through music. Fran shares pivotal moments, including her proudest musical accomplishments and a transformative awakening that redirected her creative focus from alleviating suffering to spreading joy.
 
The conversation highlights the essence of collaboration and the joy and importance of shared creativity, touching upon the tools artists use and the invaluable patience required in pursuing their passion. Fran's insights underscore the importance of cherishing the creative process and finding fulfilment in what truly drives artistic expression.
 
If you’d like to see more, you can follow Fran on instagram @gottalovefran
 
This episode was recorded on 16 October 2023 on the lands of the Wajuk Peoples. We hope that this episode inspires you as a creative person and as a human being.
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
Psst! We are always on the lookout for creative people to share their story and inspire others. Have you got someone in mind who would love to have a chat? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
 
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast
 
CREDITS
Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Edited and Produced by Ruby Miguel
 
---------------------------------------
00:08 - Alexis (Host)
Hi, my name is Alexis Naylor and I am your host here at Through the Creative Door. On behalf of myself and my guests, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians on which this podcast is recorded and produced. We pay our respects to all First Nations people and acknowledge Elders, past and present. On this podcast, I will be chatting to an array of creative guests, getting a glimpse into their worlds and having some honest and inspiring conversations along the way. Welcome to Through the Creative Door. 
 
00:48 - Alexis (Host)
Thank you so much, Fran, for coming and having a chat with me. I am so chuffed to have you grace me with your presence to be able to do the Through the Creative Door. For those who obviously can't see because they're listening on this on a podcast, you gave me a little sneak peek of two of your creative spaces today in your beautiful home, one which is around this phenomenal grand piano and the other being where you create all your beautiful EDM music in another space. I guess my first question would be which, obviously, being in your home, I get to see those two beautiful spaces, but I'm curious what does a creative space mean to you? 
 
01:30 - Fran (Guest)
Well, I feel really blessed with this space here because this room technically is the library slash piano room. So I feel really blessed that there's this particular space. I think I would really struggle to try and create in a space that also had a television in it. It's hard to explain, but it would be very difficult, even with the same other instruments and everything in here, just having a TV room. It wouldn't work. 
 
02:06 - Alexis (Host)
I can empathise with that. I've always gone or lent to having a space where I have my creative instruments, in a room or in a space that doesn't have a TV or is less of a lounge room. 
 
02:23 - Fran (Guest)
The second space that I showed you, not this room with the piano in it. That's relatively new as a set up space. I only had the studio desk put in when I would have been in the last six weeks or so. Yeah, before that it was more an office than a studio. So now it's more a studio than an office. 
 
02:52 - Alexis (Host)
So, before you set up that very new set up, where was your creative space? Or did you have a creative space, a different space that wasn't at home, when you were doing your sort of electronic music and creating? 
 
03:09 - Fran (Guest)
I still had a keyboard that I could attach to my computer and it was still in the same room, but it didn't have the same vibe. The way it would work would be I just had a regular desk that wasn't designed for a keyboard and I had the keyboard on a stand to the right. So I'd be turning away from the computer to work on the keyboard if I was doing that. So it just it wasn't and it wasn't, so it wasn't as pleasurable a space to be in. So, I like the way that that little space is set up to be a lot more pleasurable, I guess. 
 
03:57 - Alexis (Host)
I don't know about you, but I definitely think it helps having a grounded, supportive space to sit into the creativity. 
 
04:10 - Fran (Guest)
Yeah, I agree, I agree entirely. 
 
04:13 - Alexis (Host)
I love that. I feel really fortunate that I actually met you through recommendation actually from Western Oz, from Will and Sandy, and then, yeah, we've had a chance to work together, I hope the start of many collaborations. But I'm curious what, obviously your career is going to be long-standing, but at this point in time, is there a body of work or a collaboration or one track that you're the most proud of at this point? 
 
04:57 - Fran (Guest)
It changes all the time as to which one I like the most. There are two tracks that I really really love, and one track is actually become part of the film score for the film that I'm now doing and that's called Rainbow. And it's funny because in the film score it's actually just the music part, so the vocals are removed, but it's the actual song that I like the best about that particular song, and I'm wondering what to do about it when that movie comes out. Do I release the actual song or just the instrumental, or how does all that work? And it's a bit of a surprise, I haven't released it. And the other song that I'm really liking at the moment is a song that I've written fairly recently called my Mechanical Heart, and I really like. What a great name. Yeah, it's just a really different song. So, yeah, I like it. 
 
06:01 - Alexis (Host)
Oh, I'm excited to hear these. I haven't heard them. 
 
06:05 - Alexis (Host)
I guess, on the flip side of things that you're proud of and we've had a bit of a chat off the recording about life and things but has there been something that's challenged you in a way that it's affected your creativity, and do you think there's a big lesson or a major lesson that you've learnt from that? 
 
06:34 - Fran (Guest)
Yeah, I think it's been more the other way around. So I've been working at music for six years. So it's been about six years since I decided to start to learn to produce, and I think that what happened was I had not a midlife crisis. I'd call it a midlife awakening. That's what happened. 
 
07:00 - Alexis (Host)
How beautiful. 
 
07:01 - Fran (Guest)
I love that. So I had become very physically ill and things were not looking very good for me physically at the time and also with work, which I still love. I was spending a huge amount of time and I guess the purpose of my work, as I saw it and still do, was to relieve the suffering of the people that I was assisting. That was and is my day job, to do that. And what happened was when I was doing that, all the time I became more and more astute at noticing suffering and suddenly I was seeing suffering everywhere, to the point that it got, that was almost all I was seeing, you know. And I had this thought what if I could? Instead of relieving suffering, I was bringing joy. What about that? And that was part of the music journey. 
 
08:06 - Fran (Guest)
And then I said to myself well, what really makes me happy? You know when, in my whole life, what made me happiest? And I just went back in my mind to thinking about when I was a little kid and I used to sort of just sort of run around singing these little songs to myself, these funny little songs, which I probably continued to do until at some point you get a bit pre-teen or teenage and you get all awkward and embarrassed and then you stop all of that and never did it again. So I thought, well, maybe because I love that so much, maybe that's what I want to develop. And what has happened as a byproduct of that which I think is wonderful is that now I see joy. Now I see all these little blissful glimmers all over the place, much more so than seeing suffering. It's like my focus is now on joy, if that makes sense. 
 
09:08 - Alexis (Host)
It's so interesting because when I initially worded these questions, I never really knew how the answers would come. And yeah, that's just such a beautiful way in which it's a challenge has also like which I think art does turns into these beautiful flowers for us, yeah, and we get to. Yeah, bloom and share. 
 
09:31 - Fran (Guest)
I have to say I was so surprised and pleased when I heard that you'd come to me by recommendation. Yes, really stunned because I think our collab I've done more since, but at that time your collab with me was the very first collab that I've ever really I've done collabs, but the first one that I've ever been the primary Producer in a song and it was super exciting. And I was so excited when you suggested to me to do it and I go, oh, I'm not sure what I can do and then I sent you a piece of music that I thought might we could work with and you said, yeah, that'd be great. That was. It was such an exciting project. I'm really looking forward to it finishing coming out. 
 
10:22 - Alexis (Host)
Yeah, I can't wait for it to come out and for everyone to hear it. It's um, it's interesting they say that because I decided a few years ago that I wanted to do more and more collaborations with lots of different people, and there's something about the joy of sharing those experiences with somebody else. I mean, for me, I work with lots of different people in my creative space, from dances to different producers and things like that but there's something really nice about the collab experience. It's pretty, pretty special to be able to create this little flower. Yeah, I want to the world together. It's really nice. 
 
11:10 - Fran (Guest)
Super, super happy without went.
 
11:12 - Alexis (Host)
Yeah, I'm so excited. Yeah, go wait for everyone to hear it. Yeah, we're going to be released. It's so good. I suppose that this next question is going to be interesting because, depending on which room it might have, maybe it's a different answer. I don't know. But do you have anything, do you have any objects or a thing that you can't create without? 
 
11:44 - Fran (Guest)
Yes, now I have and it's a technical piece, but I'll tell you about it now I have a thing called a Kaotica eyeball that I've popped over the top of my mic and that. 
 
12:01 - Alexis (Host)
For those listening, explain it a little bit more. 
 
12:04 - Fran (Guest)
I know what you're talking about well normally what would happen if you were in a big studio, you'd go into a vocal booth and you'd have this sort of little soundproofy kind of room that you would sing in, and I don't have that luxury, so it's almost like a little vocal booth for your microphone. So instead of putting all of everything into a booth, I've got a microphone that's Got its own little foamed booth around it. And that works fairly well, so yeah.
 
12:35 - Alexis (Host)
I tend to see and I know for some of my producer friends around the world. They advocate for them. They all use them as well and they love them. So you're in a good group. 
 
12:52 - Fran (Guest)
Yeah, well, I've heard, I've heard some of the producers I know have been on tour and, you know, had the tour bus and all that and they've been able to make songs, sing songs in while on a tour bus using one of those, which is pretty amazing. 
 
13:08 - Alexis (Host)
Yeah, oh, they're amazing, they're so good. 
 
13:11 - Fran (Guest)
They're not cheap, though, for a piece of foam.
 
13:13 - Alexis (Host)
No, to be fair, in our industry, when is any of the toys and the things that we buy cheap? They're not so cheap. Never, never. It's interesting I was thinking about this the other day about the long list of quote-unquote toys that we buy ourselves to create, which sometimes I think we just we, you know at a certain point in our careers we can only afford a certain thing, and then you sort of go up and up from there, and other times I just think the library of toys that we get just gets bigger and bigger. Always put it in the same perspective, I think, as, like a tradie, it's like at the start of their career they only have X amount of tools and then by the end they have this big trailer for ladders and all sorts of things. 
 
14:08 - Fran (Guest)
It's true, but you get an expert tradie and they can probably get by with pretty much any tool. 
 
14:16 - Alexis (Host)
That's true, but it's pretty nice to have all the bits and pieces to play with. Oh, it's pretty fun to create. 
 
14:23 - Fran (Guest)
It's wonderful. Yeah, I think it's great. 
 
14:26 - Alexis (Host)
I'm curious. I mean I know that you know we all take lots of different nuggets of advice and bits of information that sits with us through our careers. But if you could give any creative one nugget, one bit of wisdom or advice, what would that be? 
 
14:50 - Fran (Guest)
Well, I think that doing something you really love gives you an enormous amount of pleasure and it's worthwhile, really worthwhile. I also think you've got to be incredibly patient with it. You know, here I am six years in. 
 
15:06 - Alexis (Host)
Six years, the start of a very long career. Yeah, but never too late to start. 
 
15:13 v
Yeah, but I think people think it's going to be very quick. It's not quick, it takes a lot of time. How long for you now? 
 
15:21 - Alexis (Host)
Over three decades. I've been doing music. My whole life. 
 
15:26 - Fran (Guest)
From the womb clearly. 
 
15:28 - Alexis (Host)
Well, my mum's Filipino, so music's in their blood. That is very, very good advice. I think that makes it a long time between wins if you don't enjoy where you are and the process of just creating right?
 
15:51 - Fran (Guest)
Yeah, that's what I love the most actually, and that's probably why everything falls down for me, because I'm not into any of the marketing, I'm not particularly into live performance, I'm not into anything like that, but the actual creating I love. 
 
16:06 - Alexis (Host)
Last but not least, I have one more question. If you could hear anyone come onto this podcast and answer these questions, who would it be and why? 
 
16:18 - Fran (Guest)
I'd be curious what Bjork would say. You know, I think her answers would be really, really interesting, and Aurora. I would love to hear what Aurora has to say. That would be very, very interesting as well. 
 
16:38 - Alexis (Host)
Yes, Fran, thank you so much for chatting with me and letting us come into your little creative spaces. Yeah, thanks, so much. 
 
16:52 - Fran (Guest)
Thanks for having me.

02 | Staying True to Your Creative Vision with Josh Wells

Join host Alexis Naylor in a candid conversation with Perth photographer, videographer, and creator of the Youtube series, the Stirling Songwriters Club, Josh Wells. 
 
They explore beyond photography, touching upon the complexities of film versus digital imagery, the significance of embracing imperfections, and the art of being a multifaceted individual beyond just one's craft. 
 
Tune in to take a peek in the mind of a passionate artist, exploring the intricacies of creativity, inspiration, and the profound depth of human expression. A compelling and insightful episode that resonates with both budding and seasoned creators on their own artistic journeys.
 
If you’d like to see more, you can follow Josh on instagram @joshwellsphotography
 
This episode was recorded on 8 October 2023 on the lands of the Wajuk Peoples. We hope that this episode inspires you as a creative person and as a human being.
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
Psst! We are always on the lookout for creative people to share their story and inspire others. Have you got someone in mind who would love to have a chat? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
 
Creative references from Josh:
Books: 
Susan Sontag On Photography
Stephen Shore - Uncommon Places
Alex Soth - Sleeping By The Mississippi
Newton - Riviera
Gregory Heisler - 50 Portraits
Annie Leibowitz - any of her books
Dan Winters - Road To Seeing
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast
 
CREDITS
Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Edited and Produced by Ruby Miguel

01 | Emotional Expression for a Happier Life with Milly Taylor

In the debut episode of “Through the Creative Door,” Alexis speaks to Perth poet, musician, artist and author of “Warrior Womyn” and “Letters To My Lover” Milly Taylor. They dive deep into how feelings drive their art, how our artistic mojo can often reduce when we’re in a good headspace and how it’s important to ditch the pressure and just let creativity be a fun and playful thing. 
 
We hope that this episode inspires you as a creative person and as a human being. Connect with us on Instagram at @througthecreativedoor, we love hearing from our audience! 
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
Psst! We are always on the lookout for creative people to share their story and inspire others. Have you got someone in mind who would love to have a chat? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
 
Creative references from Milly (@millytaylorcreative) 
Course: The Life Cycle of a Creative Spark http://www.nataliafidyka.com/creative-spark.html
Book: And Still I Rise - Maya Angelou
 
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast
 
CREDITS
Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Edited and Produced by Ruby Miguel

00 | Trailer

Welcome, creative souls!
I'm Alexis Naylor, and I'm thrilled to be your guide through the enchanting realm of creativity on “Through The Creative Door.” Whether you're passionate about cooking up delectable dishes or letting your imagination run wild on a canvas, the way we express ourselves speaks volumes about who we are. In this podcast, I invite you to join me in delving into the fascinating minds of a diverse array of creative guests.
Together, we'll explore their worlds, unravel the stories behind their artistic endeavours, and engage in candid and inspiring conversations. So, buckle up for a journey filled with insights, laughter, and a celebration of the boundless possibilities that lie “Through The Creative Door.”