With the release of his new “Shedsdrums” EP on Vivrant, Olander’s first solo release of the year follows up on his high profile collaboration project with Fahlberg that saw notable support from LP Giobbi, Solomun, Kevin De Vries, Miss Monique, Yotto and more., melodic house icon Jeremy Olander returns in rare form.
In this feature, Olander shares five personal tools for escaping creative paralysis and reconnecting with inspiration which are all seen in this most recent release. Whether you’re a seasoned producer or simply stuck on a loop, these tips fromthe progressive house GOAT serve as a reminder that sometimes the best progress comes when you stop chasing perfection.
Open Your Mind to Fresh Inspiration
Leave the studio, go outside and have a think about what unexpected things could be a source of inspiration to you. Go to the museum, theatre, or just sit on the subway for 2 hours and observe people, sounds or the environment.
I’ve learned over the years that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places and moments.
Allow Yourself to Experiment
Set aside sessions where completion isn’t the goal. Just pure sound design and exploration. These laidback more easygoing sessions remove the pressure of creating a finished track. A lot of my best stuff has come out of “no expectations” experimental sessions.
Create an Alternate Music Identity
Sometimes working under a different musical persona frees you from your regular sound and expectations.
My Dhillon project allowed me to explore techno directions that felt stuck when working on melodic Jeremy Olander stuff. Creating this separate creative outlet helped renew my perspective when returning to my main productions.
Collaborate with Someone
Do what I did.
Hit up Fahlberg or some other producer you like to get fresh perspectives and get inspired. I’ve tended to work alone for most of my career, but there’s really no substitute for sitting next to someone and getting an insight into their mind and how they approach different challenges in the studio.
Set a Strict Time Limit
When I’m overthinking things, get stuck and can’t move on, I’ll give myself three or four hours to complete a sketch from start to finish. The time pressure eliminates perfectionism and forces instinctual decisions. When you learn to trust your instincts you develop confidence.
While these quick productions rarely become final releases, they often give you dope ideas you can develop further later.
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