We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ben Brooks. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ben below.
Ben , so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?
I have definitely have had periods were I can’t seem to write anything good. In my experience it comes in waves. Sometimes I’ll write several good songs in a week that I’m really excited about. There’s also long periods where I don’t like anything I’m writing and can’t seem to get in the groove. I think the trick is to keep writing whether it’s good or bad. The only sure way you are never going to write a good song again is to stop writing. If you keep doing it, at least there’s a chance the next one is going to be great. That’s true with anything you do in life. If you keep trying, eventually you’re going to have success.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a Nashville Folk/Americana Recording Artist and Songwriter. After releasing “Jean on Jean” in late 2019, the pandemic sent me and the rest of the music industry into an unfamiliar dark hole. I spent much of that downtime reflecting and writing, before returning to the stage with a number of landmark shows. My most notable post pandemic performance was at the iconic Exit/In. I followed that show, opening for Mike Cooley of the Drive by Truckers at the historic Walton Theater in Alabama.
I recently released a new single called “Long Hard Winter”, which I co-wrote with friend and fellow artist E.G. Vines. Written during the seemingly, never-ending, dark, and uncertain winter of the first year of the pandemic, Long Hard Winter is a song looking back on the summers of our youth. It reminisces on the nostalgic experiences, music, and television from that period and finding peace there. Long Hard Winter is out now and available on all major music platforms.
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?
Three of the most important qualities to have as an Artist are: Songwriting, Networking and Resilience. I wish I would have gotten serious about songwriting when I was much younger. Having good songs is one of the most important things for an artist. Co-writing songs is a great way to meet other artists and songwriters so it’s also a great way to network. You have to meet the right people, especially in the music business, that are going to help you become successful. You can’t do it on your own. And lastly, Resilience. More than likely you’re going to release several songs/albums that don’t do well before you see any sort of traction so it’s important to be resilient and keep going. Keep putting out songs/albums, playing shows, networking and doing all the things that artists do.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
I only recently discovered this book but, It has helped me tremendously already. The book is called “All you need to know about the music business” by Donald S. Passman. He comes out with an up to date edition every couple of years and this book is the most informative book about being about being an artist in the music business I’ve ever read. It covers every aspect of the ever evolving music industry and it is commonly referred to as “the industry bible”. Do yourself a favor and read it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://benbrooksmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benbrooksmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benbrooksband
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@benbrooksmusic
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/benbrooksband
- Other: https://ffm.bio/benbrooksmusic
Image Credits
Taylor Ballantyne
