We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michael Nestor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Michael, so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?
When I hit a creative wall, I’ve learned that the best thing I can do is step away from my instrument entirely. Forcing a song never works—it just leads to frustration and recycled ideas. Instead, I walk out into the world and let life start filling in the blanks for me.
During the writing of His Head Feels Like a Trainwreck Tonight, I found myself wrestling with themes of aging, relevance, and the passage of time. But the breakthroughs didn’t come from sitting with my guitar, trying to force lyrics onto a blank page. They came from quiet moments—watching the way a streetlight flickered on my walk home, overhearing fragments of conversations in a café, or feeling the weight of time pass during a long drive between cities on tour.
Writer’s block, for me, is usually a sign that I’m too deep in my own head. When that happens, I step away and engage with the world in a way that has nothing to do with music—maybe I’ll take a long walk through the city or just sit on my front stoop and listen to the sounds of the city at night. I find that, eventually, something small—a rhythm in the way someone speaks, the emotional weight of a fleeting moment—unlocks the part of my brain that was stuck. The song starts to reveal itself when I stop chasing it.
By the time I return to my instrument, I’m not just writing notes and words—I’m translating experiences. The music feels lived-in, honest. That’s how I’ve always broken through creative blocks—not by forcing inspiration, but by giving it space to find me.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a songwriter who plays under the pseudonym Underlined Passages, a band that consists of musicians who have helped me realize my artistic journey and to whom I am very thankful! We have a new record out called “Landfill Indie.”
At the heart of Underlined Passages’ music lies a profound exploration of emotional depth, pseudo-existentialism, and self-reflection. My lyrics serve as an introspective window into the human experience, touching on universal themes like love, loss, alienation, and personal growth while confronting modern life’s complexities. Our sound is often described as “melancholic,” but a strong undercurrent of hope also rises through my lyrics and arrangements.
In terms of influence, we have contributed significantly to the indie rock and shoegaze scenes within the Baltimore music community through my various bands and projects, including Underlined Passages. Though we remain relatively under the mainstream radar, we have created a deep and authentic connection with our fans through our introspective and emotionally charged indie rock.
Underlined Passages represents a wave of modern shoegaze and indie artists who are less interested in mimicking past musical movements and instead looking to push the genre forward with innovative production, emotionally resonant lyrics, and an evolving sense of musicality.
We stand as an example of a band that remains artistically driven and focused on substance over commercial appeal. Through my songwriting, I emphasize authenticity, and our music continues to attract listeners who crave depth and substance with simplicity rather than easy hooks or social media trends.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on my journey with Underlined Passages, there are three things that really stand out: authenticity, melodic simplicity, and connection over flashiness. These values have shaped not just how I write music, but how I navigate being an artist in the indie rock world.
Authenticity is the first one. I quickly realized that trying to follow trends or make music that sounded “cool” wasn’t the way forward. What resonated with me—and what I think resonates with people—is being true to yourself. Music has to come from an honest place, not from trying to impress or fit into a mold. It’s easy to get caught up in what’s popular, but I’ve learned that when you make music that reflects who you are, that’s when it clicks. My advice for anyone starting out is to stop trying to sound like someone else. Embrace your voice, even if it’s raw or imperfect—that’s where the real magic is.
Then there’s melodic simplicity. I’ve always loved melodies that are direct, clear, and easy to remember. There’s this temptation to layer tracks and complicate things, but honestly, the most powerful songs are often the simplest. It’s the ones you can hum along to, the ones that feel effortless but still have depth. If you’re early in your journey, don’t feel like you need to add complexity just for the sake of it. Focus on making something that sticks and is easy for people to connect to. That’s what makes a song timeless.
Lastly, it’s connection over bombast. I’ve never been interested in flashy, show-off music. For me, it’s all about creating something real that people can feel. It’s easy to get lost in the noise and think that big sound and technical perfection are what will get you noticed. But what really matters is making that emotional connection. Music should bring people together, not just impress them. So my advice here is to forget about being the loudest or most technically skilled—focus on what makes people feel something. That’s the real power of music.
At the end of the day, I’ve learned that authenticity, simplicity, and connection are what really matter. If you focus on those, you’ll create something far more lasting than any flashy gimmick.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
If I had to pick a book that played an important role in my development, it would be Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. It’s a small book, but its message has had a lasting impact on me as an artist.
What stood out to me most was the idea that you don’t have to conform to the expectations of others to find meaning or fulfillment. Jonathan, the seagull, isn’t content with just the daily routines of his flock; he wants to soar higher, to reach for something more, even if it means being misunderstood or rejected. This resonated with me as I navigated my own path in music, especially in the early days of Underlined Passages when I felt pressure to fit into a certain mold. The book reminded me that pushing beyond what’s expected and striving for your own truth is what makes the journey worthwhile.
Another nugget that stuck with me was Jonathan’s realization that true freedom comes when you stop worrying about others’ judgments. The moment he embraces the idea that he can transcend the limitations of his flock’s worldview, he starts flying higher—literally and figuratively. It taught me that art isn’t about pleasing everyone or fitting in—it’s about finding your own path and being at peace with that journey, no matter how unconventional it may seem.
Finally, there’s the lesson of continuous growth. Jonathan doesn’t stop once he reaches a certain level; he keeps pushing his limits and evolving. That idea of always reaching for something greater, never being satisfied with “good enough,” is something I’ve carried with me in my music and my life.
In the end, Jonathan Livingston Seagull helped me understand that creativity isn’t about playing by the rules—it’s about trusting your own instincts, following your passion, and never stopping your personal growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.underlineslove.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/underlinedpassages/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrhMBoLKdQQ
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fSux0sPGUm76aOmTQFmMD?si=A-AMrGA5QLGhPzDLEJXg-w
Image Credits
Rick Barnwell
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