Skills Outside of Music: Why They Matter More Than You Think

Hey y’all!

I’ve been in a more introspective place this week after getting a great piece of advice from an engineer friend of mine: Find ways to grow and develop skills outside of music. That really resonated with me.

Being in the music industry and immersed in the emotional process of creating art every day is a beautiful thing — but it can also be all-consuming. It’s easy to forget to take time to grow and explore outside of the musical sphere too. But I’ve found that when we widen our general life toolbox, we’re able to show up for the music — and for the artists we work with — in a much better way.

That thread of thought inspired this week’s blog.

Skills Outside of Music That Fuel Better Production

On that note, I had a great conversation with songwriter and producer Spencer Rabin. I asked him:

Is there a skill or mindset outside of music that’s made you a better producer or songwriter?

He said: “Love this question—thanks for sending it over!

Honestly, as cliché as it sounds, the single biggest mindset shift outside of music that’s helped me become a better producer and songwriter has been trying to live my life to the fullest.

Buy the plane ticket. Talk to that stranger at the bar. Ask for their number. Take the risk. Get your heart broken. Say yes to things that scare you a little. It’s about being open to experience, in all its messiness.

The best songs, in my view, are born from real feelings and authentic stories. That’s what listeners connect with—because they’ve felt it, too. But to get there, you have to get out of the studio and into the world. It can feel counterintuitive, but that’s where you gather the raw material of emotion that you then translate into music.

Your life experiences shape your artistic decisions in ways you don’t always realize. For example, let’s say you’re writing about being ghosted. If you’ve actually gone through it, you’re not just writing clever lines—you’re finding ways to sonically feel it. Maybe you automate a reverb tail to make a word feel hauntingly empty, or choose a production texture that evokes loneliness. It’s those subtle, personal choices that make a record feel real.

So yeah—best advice? Go be a person. The more life you live, the more depth and authenticity you’ll bring to your music.”

Why Life "Off the Grid" Matters

I loved reading Spencer’s answer. Getting out, touching grass, and making a conscious choice to really live — it sounds simple, but it’s such a gem of wisdom.

There’s so much humanity in our own messiness and in the ways we navigate life, and I loved how Spencer captured that in his response. It also speaks to what draws us to certain artists in the first place — their ability to reflect the human experience with honesty and depth. As he put it: the more you live, do, and experience, it will all circle back — whether in a direct or indirect way — and influence the art you create.

So, as not fun as it can be to leave the cozy studio cave with all the fun boxes that have knobs and squash sounds — it’s definitely a worthwhile investment.

Thanks Spencer for your insightful answer!
Catch y’all next blog!