10 Questions: John-Allison "A.W." Weiss on Creativity and Songwriting

"Sad songs for fun times." 

That's how songwriter John-Allison “A.W.” Weiss describes the music they've been making for over a decade. From power-pop anthems to soft folky tear-jerkers, the genres shift but Weiss’s core values—raw honesty, bubblegum hooks, and DIY ethos—run deep.

The first time we met John-Allison was on a DIY tour (the infamous World Tour of the Eastern United States) with Chris Kuffner. They had generously offered to set up a show for us in Decatur, GA, near where they lived at the time.

We all played the show together and then spent the evening celebrating their birthday with them. We were brand new friends but the connection we all shared was instantaneous and undeniable.

Since then, we’ve shared many, many long drives, fits of delirious laughter, Quests for Glory, and lots of big life changes including when Weiss changed their band name to A.W. and came out as nonbinary in 2018.

Through all the physical and personal growth they’ve experienced, one thing has remained a constant: John-Allison’s talent for seriously catchy hooks, brutally honest lyrics, and under-3-minute pop perfection.

On top of being one of our favorite songwriters, they are absolutely hilarious, energetic, kind, unabashedly individual and just a joy to be around.  

We are so thrilled that they agreed to share their insights with our writing community and we know you will enjoy hearing about their process!

1. When you sit down to write a song, which elements tend to come first (melody, concept, title, lyrics, chords, beat, etc.)? It changes for me every time. I’ve started songs every which way and I haven’t found a surefire map just yet but I’m ok with it.

2. How often do you write? Do you have a regular routine, or do you do it only when you’re feeling inspired?  Not as often as I should. I think on average maybe a couple times a week, for really short bursts. Like an hour or less. I collect little bits and then when I have more time I go back through them. I recently went out to the desert alone for three nights with the intention of writing, and came I home with two new songs that I really love. I think I’m going to try going on more writing retreats!

3. Do you have any practices that help you find inspiration and collect ideas? I keep a running note on my phone of all kinds of lyrics I’ve been jotting down for at least a decade now. Also sometimes I like to go through my old journals and relive past heartbreak for inspo! How fun, right? Ha!

4. Have you ever felt creatively blocked and what did/do you do to overcome it? Oh yeah, always! For me, feeling blocked has become part of the process. My favorite way to overcome it these days is to get stoned and dive in. Sometimes my biggest blocks are the “what ifs” - it helps me to zen out and just connect with the song and the music and get out of my head which is unfortunately so often lost in music business world. 

5. Do you like to collaborate with other artists and in what capacity does collaboration work best for you? I love love love collaboration. My fave way is probably with musicians in the studio, creating a song from the ground up. I also love being a writer in a session with another artist. I feel like the ideas flow faster when I’m not the singer. For my own stuff that I perform, I prefer to write alone or only with my very besties.

6. Are there any non-musical things you do that affect your art? Drugs! Lol no really though I’m a big stoner and I definitely use it to make art. I’m happy more folks are open about cannabis and psychedelics these days. Mushrooms are up next on my list. I heard Kacey Musgraves did a lot of mushrooms or LSD when she made her most recent record Golden Hour, and it’s perfect, so I’m in.

7. How do you know when a song is done? When it’s got a chorus and at least two verses and at least one spot for a bridge or a jimmy jam. And when I’ve said the thing I need to say.

8. What do you think your strengths are as a songwriter and how do you play to those strengths? I think I’m pretty good at putting catchy little melodies throughout a song rather than just in the hook. And when I’m in shipshape I think I do a good job of writing very honestly but with universal appeal! This feels like a cover letter!!! 

9. What do you think your weaknesses are as a songwriter and how have you worked around them or worked to improve them? I have a dumb pop brain so I really love simple easy stuff, and can have a tendency to lean into the same chords/progressions too often. Collaborating with other folks on music-making has really opened me up to more complex ideas and writing styles. 

10. What is one important lesson you have learned through your experiences as a songwriter? When collaborating, you have to say all your ideas out loud. Even if they feel stupid. Your stupid idea might inspire your co-writer’s brilliant idea. The writing room has to be a safe zone for all ideas to flow freely! 

Favorite song to dance to: “Sorry” - Justin Bieber
Favorite song to make out to:  “Underwater” - Porches
Favorite song to cry to: “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” - Bob Dylan
Favorite song to work out to: “True Trans Soul Rebel” - Against Me!
Favorite song to drive to: “Time to Move On” - Tom Petty  

FIND MORE ABOUT A.W. AND LISTEN TO THEIR MUSIC AT: listentoaw.com