Recording an album remotely transforms the entire creative process. When Kevin and Justin found themselves separated by hundreds of miles during the production of their upcoming album "Truth of Instinct," they discovered that creating music apart required an entirely new approach to collaboration.
Gone was the immediate validation of seeing your bandmate's head bob in approval or their excited "hell yeah!" when you nailed a take. Instead, they developed a new language of collaboration through text threads, file sharing, and brutal honesty that ultimately pushed their music to new heights. "It's like learning to coach yourself," Justin explains, describing the vulnerability of recording vocals alone in a room with no immediate feedback.
The conversation reveals the fascinating paradox of creative work: being too focused on completion can actually prevent you from creating something great. Both musicians found that when they stopped trying to "get it done" and instead allowed themselves to explore, play, and truly listen, their performances transformed. This lesson manifested in songs like "Away From Us" and "Here in the Dark," where multiple attempts eventually led to performances that captured the emotional essence they were seeking.
Perhaps most compelling is their reflection on artistic growth over the six-year journey of making this album. They discuss the delicate balance between standing firmly behind your creative choices while remaining open to critique, the importance of asking better questions about what a song truly needs, and how their partnership weathered the challenges of distance through mutual respect and a shared vision.
Whether you're a musician, a creative collaborator, or simply curious about how art gets made, this episode offers valuable insights into the messy, beautiful process of creation. Listen now, and then check out The Silver Echo on all streaming platforms to hear how these hard-won lessons translated into their most ambitious work yet.
Learn more about The Silver Echo at thesilverecho.com