Bold Journey Magazine – Meet Mike Thompson

We recently connected with Mike Thompson and have shared our conversation below.

Mike, so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?
I’ve frequently struggled with writers block, especially when I first started out. But, I’ve found a pretty effective way to mitigate it significantly. The more frequently and consistently I write, the less I encounter writers block. When I’m experiencing writers block, I make myself write something. Even if it’s not good material, the act of writing really opens my mind, and eventually the material get’s better. Part of that consistency is developing a writing schedule, even a flexible schedule. I start my day answering emails, and then I write something – anything. The rest of my day could go in 100 different directions, but at least I’ve written something. I may never use that material, it may not be good. But I’m exercising the creative muscle, and to me, that’s everything. Creativity is a habit; and just like any other habit, if you fall out of it, it becomes much more difficult to get back. I also find it useful, when things are too routine (usually when I’m writing a lot, and have run out of “ideas”), to change up my environment. I”ll leave my studio, take a laptop or sketch pad to a coffee shop, and see what happens. Regardless, I think the best way to beat writers block is to force yourself to write!

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I wake up every morning grateful that I get to do what I do for a living. Both as a composer and arranger, and as a producer, I have the unique opportunity to work with so many talented and amazing people making music. Most of my work as a composer and arranger can be a really lonely experience. Until a given piece is done, I’m sitting alone in my studio trying ideas and attempting to solve the puzzle that is music. Working as a producer brings a breath of fresh air to my working life – a consistent stream of collaboration – and remains a constant source of inspiration for my concert music.

I’m finishing up some music for an upcoming album, my first album as an artist with my own big band music. I’m really excited to get in the studio with my band next month and share this music with them, and eventually with the world! That album is set for release this summer.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Working in the music business requires a broad range of skills, many of which have nothing to do with music. I was lucky enough to start having already acquired some of these skills, and had even more imparted on me by my veritable mentors – many of whom had to learn these things the hard way: on the job.

This isn’t a comprehensive list, by any measure, but these skills have certainly given me an advantage:

Business Skills – It’s been essential for my career being able to operate appropriately and professionally in various business environments. Whether it be the “business lunch”, meetings, prompt and professional correspondence, or efficient bookkeeping, having these skills have certainly created opportunities for me that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.

People Skills – Whether working as a composer, arranger, or producer, having strong people skills has always been an asset. Communicating with people is my job, music is sim-ply the medium. THere’s not much more intimate than collaborating with someone, especially with their art. It’s exceptionally important to tread carefully, read the room, and always bring compassion.

Literacy in Other Art Forms – If you spend all day every day thinking about, talking about, and making music, it’s very useful to find parallels between what you’re doing and other forms of art. Whether it be for my own process, or for communicating with others, being able to compare what you’re trying to accomplish to other art is often (counterintuitively) the most effective way to communicate a given idea. It cuts through all of the technical considerations and get’s straight to the core of an idea. Watch movies, read books, visit museums, look up at the buildings around you; engage with art.

The best recommendation I have for anyone working in the music business is to study as much music as you can, no matter the style. Music is music, and you never know what will come in handy. Always: be hind, be courteous, be generous, be humble, be grateful, and make music.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Right now, I’m finishing a lot of music for my album recording session, and as a result I’ve written a lot of music. But that means I have to choose what pieces I want to record, which is a very difficult proposition. In a perfect world, I could record everything – but the world is far from perfect, and I have to choose what to leave off the session. This requires some serious objectivity on my part, and as many artists know, it’s really challenging remain objective with your own art. Luckily, I have a great team of people who I trust deeply that can help me see clearly and make the right decisions, when I otherwise may not.

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