Behind the Scenes in my Writing Loft

I love to go to the studio and stay there 10 or 12 hours a day. I love it. What is it? I don't know. It's life. - Johnny Cash The loft. Milkglass Headquarters. The Studio. The gray building that's in the way. Writing Room. The Think Tank. Home of the prickly cactus. La Officina. Deadline Dungeon. It's been called many things with its gray wooden floors, white walls, and natural light nestled in next to one of Nashville's favorite burrito spots. The Milkglass studio has been my peaceful sanctuary to create, brainstorm projects, co-write, collaborate, host meetings, cultivate new ideas, and give toasts to happy clients. The incubator for some of my dearest songs and the very best home base for the incredible adventure of co-owning a creative company for the past 4 years. (http://milkglasscreative.com)

Ironically,  it all began for me the weekend of the infamous Nashville Flood.  Mary Hooper, friend and co-founder, and I (along with our trusty friend Jonathan) spent the good part of that weekend on the second floor of our perfectly well-loved gray building, pulling up plush orange carpet, covering the once camouflage walls with a a new bright white face, and hauling furniture and our own nursery of tiny plants up the tiny spiral staircase that leads to our office. While torrential rains threatened our neighbors on all sides, we worked the day away, unaware of the destruction nearby. This loft has had a story to tell from day one.

We subconsciously channeled our favorite travel spots…from the natural light of La Jolla to the interiors of our favorite Brooklyn walls with added details from a trip to Sydney. Bit by bit we transformed a mismatched Tennessee hunting lounge into a fresh space ready for new work. It feels like a second home in some ways (though I've only napped there once), in fact it's fair to say I see this place more than my own house.

My studio has a personality of its own. It can be a monstrous clutter from one end to the other or, at times, the very model of simplicity. - Harley Brown

What exactly the loft is, is an ever evolving thing. It serves as both recording studio, at times a painting studio, a conference room, a think tank for the next brand strategy, a photo studio, and music industry cafeteria during all hours of the afternoon. For all that it is and will be I am thankful for a space to create and to be.

People who aren't artists seem to not understand exactly what a studio is. It's not a store. It's not a factory. It's not a theme park. It's my personal space and their company is not so invasive. - Eleanor Blair

It seems fitting that most of the songs from my upcoming new solo album Tunnel were written here. The record explores the self actualization's I've come to over the last three years. I've been doing the hard work of reflection and have gone to a therapist for the first time. These conversations have led to a wide range of emotions and an uncovering of past experiences that I've thankfully began to process and press through. It's been like going through an intense tunnel.  If I hadn't had a safe sanctuary like the loft I wouldn't have been able to process, write, and express what I have been able to.

Things don't get tough in the studio. Sometimes things get tough outside the studio and going in the studio is a relief, a sanctuary, therapy. -Mark Kostabi

Space for the Spirit to breathe. - Rainer Maria Rilke