If you’re anything like me, chances are you’ve fallen victim to the societal pressure of reading “Atomic Habits” by James Clear within the last year or so. According to that book, “habits are the compound interest of self-improvement” and “every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.” These words resonated with me as I sat down to chat with Indianapolis artist BAYEM about his creative process and the role of habits in his music-making.
Hailing from the city’s north side, BAYEM began his affair with music at just six years old playing drums. It wasn’t until he turned 17 that he began taking writing seriously. Now 24, BAYEM has established himself as an artist with a growing following. When making any tracks, BAYEM shared that he likes to jump in and mess around to break the ice. He often has a voice memo or some sort of inspiration already recorded, but he likes to warm up and get loose before diving into a new project.
His adaptable approach to creativity is working, noting the critical acclaim for his last EP, AFTERGLOW, and huge exposure after the season finale feature of his single “Pressure” in the Hulu series The Kardashians. BAYEM has kept busy, releasing his latest single “Daze” earlier this month, inspired by his affection for 90s acid jazz.
I asked BAYEM how he incorporates habits into his songwriting process, and he replied that the habit of writing itself is his main focus. He credits working with his team at Absorb for teaching him how to shape his mind when it comes to writing, and he tries to instill some of those practices into his own routine. “I make sure I sit down to write something every day,” BAYEM says. “It doesn’t have to be anything too crazy, just get some words down… I used to be overly diligent about sitting down and writing, but I have eased off and allowed room for breaks. Taking some of the pressure off has helped the process tremendously.”
When asked about habits or practices that have been particularly helpful for his creativity and inspiration, BAYEM emphasized positive self-talk. He admitted that he used to create with a lot of insecurity and was not willing to experiment the way he wanted to. With his more relaxed approach, he reassures himself that anything goes and that this is the time to throw ideas at the wall and see what sticks.
BAYEM shared an example of a habit that challenged him in his creative process, which was having a one-track mind when it came to how songs were supposed to be made. He would sit down with a sonic palette in mind and be unwilling to deviate from that. However, he has since learned to be more flexible and is now more focused on where the song takes him rather than forcing it to fit his original idea.
When asked if he felt that he had pushed his creativity from where he started to where he is now, BAYEM replied that he definitely had. He shared a quote from Quincy Jones that said, “Your music will never be greater or less than the person that you are when you make it.” BAYEM feels that he has grown as a person as his musical style has developed, and it has been a cool self-discovery process.
I asked him to talk about his inspirations for his look and sound and why he decided to become an artist. “Toro y Moi is definitely a big one, but I would also say that I am a fan of “eras”. I don’t know if I could say that I decided to become an artist. With a lot of life events and revelations, I feel like the art decides for me.” He joked about growing up as an “internet baby” being part of Gen Z and the influences that came with that era. He hopes the full spectrum of music he was exposed to growing up shows through as it has molded him into a dynamic artist.
I asked BAYEM if he felt that habits could limit or enhance creativity in the music-making process. He responded that it depends on how restrictive the habits are. He used to be very rigid with his routine, but he has since found a balance between sticking to a code while also leaving room for interpretation.
BAYEM had the following advice for the next generation of artists and songwriters:
“I would say to stay true to yourself and not to force anything. Find a balance between sticking to a routine and leaving room for experimentation. And most importantly, always be willing to grow and learn.”
BAYEM’s dedication to his craft and positive attitude foreshadow an exciting career where I expect he will continue to push boundaries in his creative process.
