Writing New Music In A Band

4-6-2025 - Author: Ben Hughey

As I write this, we (Stackhaus) have just rehearsed our new set since we began writing for the second album. I am really excited about the diversity this is adding to our set, while maintaining a theme throughout that does not stray from what you know Stackhaus as. Here is how this process is working this time (and on probably 2/3 of the first album). 

The new songs so far have began from ideas and riffs I record demos for and send to the rest of the band. I've recently moved to a place where I have a studio space that is detached from the house and I have been able to set up equipment in a way that is much more organized and conducive to creativity. 

Nothing stifles creativity like getting an idea for a song, but then thinking about the 3 cords you have to find to plug everything in, and then, "oh dammit my laptop charger is inside", or what have you. 

So having a studio space definitley helps encourage creativity and recording those ideas, BUT, at one time I did not have a studio space and had to make do, and so can you. Just do your best to keep your stuff organized, or at least, easily accessible. 

Now as to our process... so far on these new songs I have recorded full demos (guitar, bass, drums - minus vocals) of the songs and send them to the band. This gives a blueprint to Jake as to what the feel for the groove I am going for, and Mike has the music to listen to and develop bass lines with more of a personality. 

The previous part is very important. Let me be clear, what we do is collaboration. They are not sent songs where I say "learn this exactly". 

Sometimes exactly what I record on the demo is close to exactly what we end up playing, and that is by choice of each individual member. 

The important part about collaboration is that you have to come tot the table with an open mind. A good song will be created by the whole band, not one member. Each person has to play/record/perform these parts and feel connected to them to really convey that emotion to the audience. (Which, we may forget sometimes, is what music is - connecting through melody and emotion)

This is also why I cherish being part of a band with talented and creative members, and why it is so important to find a band where you all can work together. Because you also need to be able to give each other suggestions without ego's affecting the process. 

When we come to a rehearse the songs in person, Jake may suggest a change in a song to make some of the rhythm 'make more sense' as I like to say. Then I listen to the song with the change and I go "wow this really does sound more interesting now." 

Lyrics and vocals are typically done after the instrumentation is created. Typically most of our songs started from a riff. Not always the case though (Blue Collar Black Leather started with the 'hook'). 

Lyrics are approached in similar manner though. Sometimes I may write out lyrics and then get them to Max to do a similar process that the band does with the rest of the songs. This is especially important with the vocals, Max has to sing these songs in front of an audience, a very vulnerable thing for a human to do, and when he works the songs and lyrics into something that connects with him, it enhances the song and performance. 

Now for recording your songs, and I will touch on this briefly because this is a whole other topic to go down, but... Finding where to record (no, not the cheapest place that will record, mix, master you an album for 400 bucks) is invaluable to creating finished material. A good producer/engineer will recognize what it takes in the studio to get the best representation of the band/musicians expression through sound. 

So basically the word of the day is... "Collaboration"... write WITH your band, not for them. Be open, embrace and enhance creativity and emotion through - collaboration.