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Efficiently Providing Music Lessons for Younger Children: Tips for Teaching Piano, Drums, and Guitar

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Teaching music to young children is a rewarding but challenging experience, especially if you're used to playing instruments yourself rather than instructing others. Whether it’s drums, piano...

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Finding Your Unique Voice in Music: Lessons from the Greats

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Every great musician has a distinct voice that defines their sound. Think of Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day, Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses, or Dave Mustaine from Megadeth. Imagine Green Day...

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The Impact of Technology on Modern Music Creation: How to Maximize Tools like DAWs, Sampling, and AI

September 9, 2024

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven music world, having musical talent is just the beginning. Technology has transformed the way music is produced, offering musicians unprecedented access to...

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The Art of Creating a "Luxurious" Sound in Instrumental Music: Lessons from Legends

September 9, 2024

Many aspiring music creators are captivated by the lavish, grandiose quality of certain beats. Tracks like Kanye West's "Devil in a New Dress" or many of Westside Gunn's productions embody this...

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Should You Start with an EP? A Guide for New Music Creators

September 9, 2024

When it comes to launching your music career, one common question arises: "Should I start with an EP or a single?" This is a crucial decision for any new artist, especially for those who are trying...

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Why Connor Price and Forrest Frank’s ‘Up’ is the Ultimate Feel-Good Anthem

September 9, 2024

Connor Price and Forrest Frank’s track ‘Up’. This song has been everywhere, and for good reason—it’s got everything you need to vibe, feel inspired...

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Apply Reverb to Your Drum Recordings: A Guide to Perfecting Your Drum Mix

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Reverb can be a powerful tool in drum recordings, adding depth, space, and character to your drum mix. However, using it correctly is essential to ensure your drums don’t sound too muddy or distant...

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Have Fun Playing Your Instrument Again: Tips for Reigniting Your Passion

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Playing an instrument can be one of the most fulfilling experiences, but it’s natural to feel like you’ve hit a plateau, especially after playing for years. If you’re finding it hard to enjoy...

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Achieving the JPEGMAFIA Unique Sound: A Breakdown of His Mixing Techniques

September 8, 2024

Whether you're a fan of his chaotic beats, distorted vocals, or gritty textures, it's clear that his mixing approach is a key element in creating the signature JPEGMAFIA sound. But how does he do it?

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SXSW 2024: Why Music Creators Shouldn’t Miss This Year’s Festival

February 5, 2024

For an aspiring music creator, attending SXSW in 2024 could be a game-changer for your career. Here are the top 10 reasons why you should make it a priority to attend:

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Maximize Your Music Promotion: Proven Strategies from Industry Icons

September 5, 2024

Promoting your music can be just as challenging as writing it. You've spent time creating songs you're proud of, but now you're stuck wondering how to get your music heard by a wider audience. The...

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Improve Your Songwriting Skills: Techniques to Break Through the Creative Rut

September 5, 2024

Feeling stuck in a rut with your songwriting? You’re not alone. Many songwriters, even the most successful ones, have faced moments where the creative well seems to run dry. The good news is that...

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Nostalgia, Lightness, and Authenticity: A Conversation with Mother Mother’s Ryan Guldemond

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Living Lightly in Sound: Mother Mother’s “Nostalgia” and the Art of Staying True to Yourself

In a world that feels heavier by the day, music has a way of lifting us back up. Nostalgia, the latest album from indie alt-rock icons Mother Mother, is a reminder that art can be both weightless and deeply grounding — a record that invites us to look back, but live forward, with openness, creativity, and joy.

Across the album, the band weaves together themes of authenticity, playful innovation, and emotional courage — values that echo the idea of living lightly. Whether it’s through stripped-down moments of vulnerability or bursts of experimental sound, Nostalgia feels like an open invitation to move through life with curiosity, kindness, and color.

Creating from the Heart

The making of Nostalgia wasn’t just about perfecting arrangements or chasing trends — it was about chasing feelings. Frontman Ryan Guldemond describes their creative compass as purely emotional:

“Is it giving me that rush? Is it making me feel more like myself?”

In one of our conversation clips, Ryan explains why letting emotions lead in the studio made the music better — and why “the proof is in the pudding.”

Serving Others by Serving Yourself

One of the most striking parts of Nostalgia is how personal it feels — and that’s no accident. Ryan’s advice to the next generation of music creators is to stir your own soul before trying to stir anyone else’s.

Ryan unpacks the beautiful irony that the less you worry about pleasing others, the more they connect with your work — and why that’s the most freeing advice you’ll ever hear.

The Heart of “Nostalgia”

The album is full of moments that invite you to embrace the bittersweet beauty of change — to carry the past with you without letting it weigh you down.

Each song feels like its own little act of activism — a reminder that even the smallest acts of honesty and joy can ripple outward. Just as Nostalgia encourages us to remember without being trapped in the past, it also invites us to imagine lighter, brighter ways forward.

Because in the end, living lightly isn’t about ignoring the weight of the world — it’s about finding ways to carry it together, with open hands, open hearts, and maybe even a song on repeat.

Listen Lightly

Whether you’re discovering Mother Mother for the first time or have been singing along for years, Nostalgia is more than just an album — it’s a reminder that staying true to yourself is the boldest, lightest step you can take. And don’t miss the full conversation with Ryan Guldemond on the Sonical.ly Podcast—where he shares more about the making of the album and staying true to your creative voice.

🎧 Listen to Nostalgia wherever you stream music — and let it inspire your own small acts of joy.

Tracklist:

Side A:

Love to Death

Make BelieveStation

Wagon

ON AND ON (Song for Jasmin) - (focus track)

Better of Me

Namaste

Side B:

FINGER

Me & You

little mistake

Mano a Mano

NostalgiaTo Regret

Nostalgia, Lightness, and Authenticity: A Conversation with Mother Mother’s Ryan Guldemondnostalgia-lightness-and-authenticity-a-conversation-with-mother-mothers-ryan-guldemondElmo ChongAug 20, 2025Nostalgia, Mother Mother’s latest album, is one of those rare creations. It invites us into a world where lightness isn’t escapism—it’s a form of resistance, a beacon of hope, and a path forward....