Why Record A Single?

So many reasons! I think albums are the best, but I know singles rule the music business. They always have. There’s a bit of a romantic illusion that albums are the pinnacle — and believe me, I’m head over heels for that illusion. But the fact remains: one great song will do more for any music career than ten average ones ever could.

Because of the nature of the music industry and the dominance of singles, I personally think releasing singles one at a time over a year or two can be a powerful way to build toward an album.

You might be stepping into the studio for the first time — a single is a great way to get your feet wet and prepare for something bigger.

You might be prepping for an album, or between albums and looking for something to bridge the gap.

You might not have an album to record — just one song, and it’s the one that matters most right now.

I love singles because they’re all about paying close attention to one song. Really taking some focused time to do something small and worthwhile: there are few things I enjoy more than giving full attention to one song.

Albums can be overwhelming, and you can get lost in the process. It’s happened to me, and I’ve seen it happen to artists I work with. You need a good relationship with your producer and your artistry to keep the joy alive and keep going.

Nevertheless, there’s a distilled simplicity to a single that’s endlessly appealing — both for us as creators and for music lovers.

There’s nothing I love more than attention aimed at articulating the architecture and arrangement of a song stripped to its bare acoustic bones, as it might be heard around a campfire. If it sings itself in that humble form, the production will find the song.

At the end of the day, the fact remains that The Beatles were the pioneers of the truly romantic and conceptual album, though that financial and time luxury was only possible because of a career built on hit singles released earlier.

If it was good enough for The Beatles, it’s good enough for us.

If you’re contemplating recording a single, get in touch. Sole Canopy is a uniquely welcoming space built for creative focus — but even if it’s not the right fit, deciding to take that step will bring you closer to the place that is. And that, frankly, would make my day.