Heart behind "Heartbeats" Songwriting Series
As an artist there's always this question of how much I share, and in what context I share. Over the years I've probably written (or co-written) at least 100 songs so far. I've only recorded about 30 of them (most in my late teens through early 20s), as the process can be extensive (involving lots of coordinating and waiting on others) and expensive to do it well.I started my official music business about 5 years ago when I moved to Charleston. I knew God gave me gifts to develop and share with people around me, and I'd regret it if I didn't give it a genuine effort. Plus, I'd met other local musician making income and impact doing what they love, and my grandpa instilled in us the attitude of "if someone else can do it, so can I." Double bonus that my husband is the best ever and allowed us to crunch our budget in order to do this. (I mean my other option is social work/ministry [which I do sometimes anyways], so it's not that big a difference in income; but still...)While trying to earn income to make this sustainable, I also want to make an impact. I can't help it--blame it on Jesus' work in my life, or that I'm probably a Type 1 enneagram, or that I share my rare INFJ personality with Mother Theresa--I want to use these gifts to bring a bit more hope and compassion to the world, as an "artist of the heart."In trying to balance this desire with the time, collaboration, and funds needed for recording, I started asking God if there's another way. I'm trying to pare down my life a bit lately to the essentials, and realized that at my core, I simply want to create and share music. I tend to write lyrics that encourage or inspire shifts in perspectives. I don't want any process, person, or perfectionism to get in the way of sharing the things that are on my heart. While some of the songs I may choose to invest more resources into down the road, I want to be faithful to encourage YOU with what I have now. I want to be able to write a song, and encourage you through it right away, while the reason for writing it is fresh on my heart, not waiting or concerning myself with perfectionism or the fact that it may change. Simple home videos are the best way for you to hear and see my heart behind these songs.Enter Heartbeats.Heartbeats Songwriting Series: In this series, I share new songs in their rawest form, no matter the genre, simply from my heart to yours. I overlook my own perfectionistic expectations in order to share music that brings me life, in hopes that it will bring life to you too. With love, Stefanie PotterHeartbeats, though raw, are beautiful in their own right; Think of when new parents hear them for the first time. They are fresh, exciting, and full of anticipation of what will come through that heart.We all only have so many heartbeats scheduled for our lives. I want to spend mine using my gifts for the sake of love. Though the songs I share may not be heard in any other context, I believe in these songs enough and I remember that YOU, my friend, are worth the heartbeats I spend creating and sharing these to uplift your spirit. Contained in these songs are the very lifeblood pumping through me: things that I believe will spark new life in both of us if we take it to heart.My music looks below the surface to what's underneath: the heartbeats inside of you and me. So, I am asking you to do the same. With advancement in technology, we are used to hearing near-perfect sounds and seeing polished videos. I want to be ok with sharing the raw sounds that come from me, imperfections and all. I think sharing what I'm working on is better than waiting forever to share only the "perfect" stuff, and not allowing the other songs to be put to good use too. Join me in looking below the surface to the heartbeats underneath. These songs may develop or not go beyond that moment, but it's a glimpse at my heartbeat for us both.Without further ado, here is where my Heartbeats Songwriting Series has begun:Click Here for Videos!I will update with fresh songs as I write them!