The Thing Itself - Exploring The Psychology of Creativity with Creature & Machine

In this special final episode of season 1, I chat to Bhumika Billa, a lawyer - poet - dancer - filmmaker, about the psychology behind her approach to creating so many various types of art and staying creatively active. In this magical and deeply reflective episode, you can hear an actual live improvised collaboration between the two of us, during which we combine Bhumika's poetry with my piano playing to create a new performance.Afterwards, we discuss how the heartbreak of losing artforms and skillsets over time can be a driving force behind dedicating yourself fully to new ideas and creative bursts, as well as the intricacies of trying to stay innovative and authentic as an artist at such a politically charged time. Listen in to get an insight into how a true multihyphenate navigates endless outlets and the inspiration passing through her, and be sure to tune in to the end to hear our full spoken word piece.Find out more about Bhumika here…https://www.instagram.com/bhumikabilla/Watch the video of Bhumika and Creature & Machine performing their full collaboration here: https://youtu.be/bikgRPzyJ5s?si=eWfo_zK9xJ4n1CMJWatch Bhumika's film about her research here: https://youtu.be/oAnm88Sozj8?si=jd7SdUXBWRRdjzPBThe Thing Itself sees music artist and producer Creature & Machine take a deep dive into the psychology of some incredible creative brains. How do creatives know which ideas to follow and which to discard? How do they keep motivated and deal with critical feedback? How do they balance their creative drives with making an income and marketing their work? In this podcast we dig into these questions and more to get an insight into the psychological scaffolding that supports creative lives, through conversations with creative people from different disciplines and backgrounds.Got ideas or suggestions about the podcast? Get in touch!Sign up to the podcast mailing list to get notified of new episodes and see behind the scenes content: www.creatureandmachine.com/the-thing-itselfFollow Creature & Machine on Instagram: www.instagram.com/creature.and.machineFollow Creature & Machine on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@creature.and.machineThe background music used in this episode is from Creature & Machine tracks Colours and Fairytale - listen now on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5cmOPozLsUNMdb5sTahGHI?si=6FW8iLLmSBOFAPvtl4uR9Q

In this episode I chat to Sean Woodlock and Iona Catherine, music producers and sound engineers, about how they use psychology to bring out the best from artists in the recording studio. In this hilarious yet philosophical episode we discuss the difficulties of balancing ambition with morality in the music industry, the importance of suffering in the process of making art, and Sean and Lilly's similar taste in footwear! We also talk about the psychology of managing bands in the recording studio and examine the graft and admin that goes into facilitating fleeting moments of magic when making music. Listen in to get an insight into how engineers and producers use psychology to bring out the best of your favourite artists when they're making music in the studio.Find out more about Sean here... https://www.seanwoodlock.com/Aspiring producer or studio engineer? Find out more about the Record Producer Program here https://recordproducerprogram.com Find out more about Hackney Road Studios here https://www.hackney-road.comHackney Road Studio's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackneyroadstudios/Find out more about Iona here... https://www.iona-catherine.comIona's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iona__catherineRecorded at Goldsmith's Music Studios https://sites.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-music-studios/The Thing Itself sees music artist and producer Creature & Machine take a deep dive into the psychology of some incredible creative brains. How do creatives know which ideas to follow and which to discard? How do they keep motivated and deal with critical feedback? How do they balance their creative drives with making an income and marketing their work? In this podcast we dig into these questions and more to get an insight into the psychological scaffolding that supports creative lives, through conversations with creative people from different disciplines and backgrounds.Got ideas or suggestions about the podcast? Get in touch!Sign up to the podcast mailing list to get notified of new episodes and see behind the scenes content: www.creatureandmachine.com/the-thing-itselfFollow Creature & Machine on Instagram: www.instagram.com/creature.and.machineFollow Creature & Machine on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@creature.and.machine

In this episode I chat to Aleksandra, vocal coach, Estill certified Master trainer, and music artist, about the incredible power of the human voice! We discuss how learning to access and harness different qualities of your voice, whether you're a singer or not, can help you feel more confident to express yourself - and ultimately help you feel more heard. We also talk about the psychology of singing and music performance, and dig into why Aleksandra feels it's so important to allow yourself to play, on stage and off! The Thing Itself sees music artist and producer Creature & Machine take a deep dive into the psychology of some incredible creative brains. How do creatives know which ideas to follow and which to discard? How do they keep motivated and deal with critical feedback? How do they balance their creative drives with making an income and marketing their work? In this podcast we dig into these questions and more to get an insight into the psychological scaffolding that supports creative lives, through conversations with creative people from different disciplines and backgrounds.Find out more about Aleksandra here... https://aleksandravocalcoach.com/start-here/Aleksandra's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleksandravocalcoach/Aleksandra's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aleksandravocalcoachAleksandra's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AleksandraVocalCoach/videosGot ideas or suggestions about the podcast? Get in touch!Sign up to the podcast mailing list to get notified of new episodes and see behind the scenes content: www.creatureandmachine.com/the-thing-itselfFollow Creature & Machine on Instagram: www.instagram.com/creature.and.machineFollow Creature & Machine on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@creature.and.machineThe background music used in this episode is from Creature & Machine tracks Colours and Fairytale - listen now on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5cmOPozLsUNMdb5sTahGHI?si=6FW8iLLmSBOFAPvtl4uR9Q

In this episode I chat to Joe Oswald, filmmaker, writer and artist, about being a multi-disciplinary creative person, giving yourself the time to work through ideas, and why we both feel hopeful rather than terrified about the influence of AI on creativity.The Thing Itself sees music artist and producer Creature & Machine take a deep dive into the psychology of some incredible creative brains. How do creatives know which ideas to follow and which to discard? How do they keep motivated and deal with critical feedback? How do they balance their creative drives with making an income and marketing their work? In this podcast we dig into these questions and more to get an insight into the psychological scaffolding that supports creative lives, through conversations with creative people from different disciplines and backgrounds.You can find Joe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joemoswaldKeep an eye out for Joe's work in upcoming Royal Drawing School exhibitions: https://www.royaldrawingschool.org/exhibitions/Got ideas or suggestions about the podcast? Get in touch!Sign up to the podcast mailing list to get notified of new episodes and see behind the scenes content: www.creatureandmachine.com/the-thing-itselfFollow Creature & Machine on Instagram: www.instagram.com/creature.and.machineFollow Creature & Machine on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@creature.and.machineThe background music used in this episode is from Creature & Machine tracks Colours and Fairytale - listen now on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5cmOPozLsUNMdb5sTahGHI?si=6FW8iLLmSBOFAPvtl4uR9Q

"What can I do for you vs. Do you like me?" Chatting to Andrea Dee, founder of Amplify Her about equality and peer support in the music industry.**Apologies that there's some audio disturbance in this episode!! Thanks for bearing with us whilst we are still learning...**The Thing Itself sees music artist and producer Creature & Machine take a deep dive into the psychology of some incredible creative brains. How do creatives know which ideas to follow and which to discard? How do they keep motivated and deal with critical feedback? How do they balance their creative drives with making an income and marketing their work? In this podcast we dig into these questions and more to get an insight into the psychological scaffolding that supports creative lives, through conversations with creative people from different disciplines and backgrounds.In this episode I chat to Andrea Dee, singer-songwriter-producer and founder of Amplify Her, a networking and live events organisation championing women in the music industry. Sit down for a cup of tea with us in my kitchen to find out how Andrea started her career as a glamorous Las Vegas showgirl, how she found the confidence to produce her own music, how she balances motherhood with being a CEO, and what advice she gives to the emerging artists she mentors.Amplify Her runs regular live music and networking events in London, Brighton and Bristol.Find out more on https://www.amplifyher.co.ukAndrea's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theandreadeeAmplify Her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amplify_herlive/Got ideas or suggestions about the podcast? Get in touch!Sign up to the podcast mailing list to get notified of new episodes and see behind the scenes content: www.creatureandmachine.com/the-thing-itselfFollow Creature & Machine on Instagram: www.instagram.com/creature.and.machineFollow Creature & Machine on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@creature.and.machineThe background music used in this episode is from Creature & Machine tracks Colours and Fairytale - listen now on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5cmOPozLsUNMdb5sTahGHI?si=6FW8iLLmSBOFAPvtl4uR9Q

The Thing Itself sees music artist and producer Creature & Machine take a deep dive into the psychology of some incredible creative brains. How do creatives know which ideas to follow and which to discard? How do they keep motivated and deal with critical feedback? How do they balance their creative drives with making an income and marketing their work? In this podcast we dig into these questions and more to get an insight into the psychological scaffolding that supports creative lives, through conversations with creative people from different disciplines and backgrounds.In this episode I chat to Sonia Elisheva, electro-swing artist who combines her Eastern European and LDN heritage to make meaningful and seriously danceable pop jazz music. She also happens to be my friend and bandmate! Come behind the scenes of pretty much an average Thursday night rehearsal conversation for me and Sonia, where we chat about knowing who to trust, how Sonia learnt to handle critical feedback, and most importantly discuss using a raspberry innocent smoothie to poison my husband in her recent music video. Sonia's debut album, Black Sea, is available now wherever you listen to music. You can find out more at the links below.Sonia's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soniaelishevaSonia's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soniaelishevaSonia's Website: https://www.soniaelisheva.comSign up for Sonia's mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/85e4e0882f17/sign-upGot ideas or suggestions about the podcast? Get in touch!Sign up to the podcast mailing list to get notified of new episodes and see behind the scenes content: www.creatureandmachine.com/the-thing-itselfFollow Creature & Machine on Instagram: www.instagram.com/creature.and.machineFollow Creature & Machine on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@creature.and.machineThe background music used in this episode is from Creature & Machine tracks Colours and Fairytale - listen now on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5cmOPozLsUNMdb5sTahGHI?si=6FW8iLLmSBOFAPvtl4uR9Q