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Distilled Language: I Read Books Too - Charlie Williams
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The mysterious boundary between conscious creation and subconscious revelation stands at the heart of artistic expression. When a novelist (Charlie Williams) transforms into a songwriter, something profound shifts in how creativity manifests—moving from structured narrative to what our guest beautifully describes as "distilled language poetry."
This conversation takes us deep into the enigmatic territory where songs emerge from places beyond our understanding, carrying messages we didn't know we needed to express. The songwriter shares a remarkable experience with his song "Dave" which he wrote without understanding its meaning, only to discover weeks later that it was unconsciously about his father and a family secret involving a biological half-brother. This extraordinary premonition reveals how our creative work can access truths hidden even from ourselves.
We explore the fundamental differences between writing "to order" versus allowing authentic expression to flow naturally, whether in the nostalgic British traditions captured in "Cider with Rosie" or the existential reflections of "Just the Reckoning." Throughout our discussion, one truth emerges clearly: songwriting isn't just about crafting melodies and lyrics—it's a form of soul archaeology, unearthing fragments of meaning from the sediment of our experiences. For anyone fascinated by the creative process, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into how art knows us better than we know ourselves. Subscribe now to hear more conversations with creators who are mapping the territories of human expression in unexpected ways.
Stories read are excerpts from Charlie Williams novel 'Stairway to Hell'
Find his music here: https://soundcloud.com/charliewillz?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Chapters
1. From Author to Songwriter (00:00:00)
2. Dave, Get Down Here (00:01:38)
3. Premonition in Songwriting (00:04:12)
4. Cider with Rosie (00:11:11)
5. Just the Reckoning (00:17:08)
6. Closing Thoughts (00:20:24)
14 episodes
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