10 Questions: Garrison Starr on Creativity and Songwriting

We are so excited to interview the incredibly talented and hilarious Garrison Starr!

Garrison Starr is the quintessential musical triple-threat––singer, songwriter, record producer––and her forthcoming album, Girl I Used To Be, reveals her at the height of all her powers. She’s a consummate musician and performer, having logged thousands of touring miles around the world with the likes of Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Bruce Cockburn, Patty Griffin, Mindy Smith, and Melissa Etheridge (to name a few). Her music has been heard in many a TV show, commercial and film. She also co-wrote Allie’s latest album, The Other Side, along with producer Bill Lefler. 

MSNBC says "Garrison Starr's greatest gift is her gorgeous, full, rough, passionate voice that can be ultimately pensive, intimate, hurt, consoling, libidinous, or scornful––sometimes during the same verse.” We agree . . . EXCEPT that it’s hard to definitively say that her voice is her greatest gift when she writes heart-wrenching, honest, & powerful songs with equal skill and complexity. The combination of those two massive strengths makes her one of the fiercest musicians we know.

She’s also seriously one of the funniest people you’ll ever meet. She’s the kind of person who is not afraid to say the thing that you’re probably too afraid to say in front of other people. It’s invigorating and liberating to be around her, and we love her!

So without further ado, here is our interview with Garrison Starr.

  1. When you sit down to write a song, which elements tend to come first (melody, concept, title, lyrics, chords, beat, etc.)? I tend to focus on concepts first. I find that I like to have some idea of where I’m going before I set out on the journey. I think that’s just my comfort zone; I’m pushing myself to just let go more, and see what happens. That’s hard for me.

2. How often do you write? Do you have a regular routine, or do you do it only when you’re feeling inspired? Well, I write more now than I used to when I was only writing for myself. Then, I would only sit down if I had a specific idea, if I knew I had something on the line. Now I am more diligent, I think, from having spent so much time collaborating with so many other talented artists, writers and producers. I’m finding that it’s inspiring to throw myself into the craft of writing songs. I have learned more than I ever thought I could from listening to and honoring others’ processes and tastes; what a gift creativity is. 

3. Do you have any practices that help you find inspiration and collect ideas? Well, partly the end of question 2, I guess, but also yoga. I never thought I would like hot yoga, but I’ve been going for about a year now, and it’s really changing my life in some profound ways. I think it’s unblocked some stuff creatively and emotionally, too.

4. Have you ever felt creatively blocked and what did/do you do to overcome it? Actually, I have been feeling creatively blocked for about a year now. I’ve been battling so hard with it, and around Christmas last year, I challenged myself to write more alone in 2019. Because I have been scared shitless to do it. I also allowed myself to be in that space. I accepted the fact that, for whatever reason, there was just something I was holding on to that was keeping me from moving forward. I can be so hard on myself, as I know so many of us can, and again, yoga has been helping me slow down and be more present and forgiving of myself and others. I also just push myself to try things that scare me. Within reason. I don’t like to feel controlled by anything like that. My dad used to challenge me all the time as a kid. It was our thing. I loved it and still do it on my own.

5. Do you like to collaborate with other artists and in what capacity does collaboration work best for you? I sort of touched on this earlier, but yes I love to collaborate. I like to do a lot of different types of sessions. I just really love to write songs, all kinds. I love trying new things I’ve never done to see if I can do it, and I love working with other artists on their songs, too. I do about 2 sessions a week-ish when I’m home.

6. Are there any non-musical things you do that affect your art? Yoga and golf!

7. How do you know when a song is done? I can’t explain it. I just do. When I don’t have any questions.

8. What do you think your strengths are as a songwriter and how do you play to those strengths? I think my biggest strength is that I’m an artist. I will always be true to myself, I know what I like and don’t like, and I think that helps when you’re working to create something honest and real.

9. What do you think your weaknesses are as a songwriter and how have you worked around them or worked to improve them? I think sometimes I have trouble trusting others in the room to lead. Back to having trouble letting go and just seeing where the road goes. I’ve been working on that, and I’ve been feeling inspired. I also just generally feel more confident, so I’m not trying so hard.  

10. What is one important lesson you have learned through your experiences as a songwriter? There is room for all of it.  

Favorite song to dance to: pass
Favorite song to make out to: omg that Dido song that says “I won’t sleep until you’re resting here with me” [“Here With Me”]
Favorite song to cry to: “Pretty Good Year” - Tori Amos
Favorite song to work out to: “Into You” - Ariana Grande
Favorite song to drive to: “Free Fallin’” - Tom Petty  

Find more about Garrison and listen to her music at:

garrisonstarr.com
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