Staying Inspired During Isolation

How being curious can keep you creative in isolation

by Danielle Danz' Johnson

A bit about myself: I make music under the moniker of Computer Magic. I've been making music for roughly ten years now. I had no idea I could even write a song until I sat down and tried. I taught myself how to write music by ear and produce it by watching YouTube videos. Eventually, I got signed to a label in Japan. In the states I started a record label to release my music called Channel 9 Records. For Channel 9, I design my artwork and merchandise, order stock from pressing plants and find physical and digital distributors for the records. I was able to funnel money into the record label by licensing my songs which, luckily enough, I own all the rights to, being the sole songwriter, arranger, engineer and producer.

It would be an easy introduction if that was all I do But wait! There's more. I run Synth History, an instagram account where I write small tidbits about vintage synthesizers and musicians who use them, which I'm turning into a podcast soon. I write jingles for commercials in Japan and other miscellaneous jingle houses. I'm slowly becoming addicted to Magic: The Gathering. I stream video games on Twitch; right now I'm playing Animal Crossing and Doom. When I've had enough of building my house on a virtual desert island, I liberate humanity from the thrall of demon hordes. My brain, essentially never shuts off.

I don't know how much money I'm going to make from one month to the next. For six months I can live off of a licensing deal, then bam! Nothing, and I have to figure out what I'm going to do next to pay my rent. Its stressful. But I'd rather be broke as hell doing things I love than whatever the alternative is. This lifestyle isn't normal, though. Most folks would never willingly subject themselves to isolation without the financial security of a concrete paycheck. So I thought I'd write down some of the things that have helped me embrace the isolated life, which have kept me from going crazy, and helped me stay inspired.

1. Curiosity is your Friend

Figure out what it is you're interested in. Scandinavian folklore? Great. Do you know what a Kraken is? Well I'll tell you, because just the other day I came across a Magic card called Nadir Kraken' and it got me thinking what is the entire history behind this word?' I then went on to read about it for an hour. The Kraken, legendary cephalopod-like sea monster of gigantic size, would scare sailors off the coasts of Norway and Greenland. Krakens may have been just a legend but, wow, wouldn't you know it, giant squids do exist and females are up to 43 feet in size!

Curiosity will save you in times of boredom. I have a weird affinity for random bits of information (hence, Synth History) but learning something new each day in isolation will keep the gears turning.

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