I’ve got 49 songs finished for my Digital Masquerade project. Just one more to go. For some reason this last song feels like it carries extra weight, even though I know that’s probably just my brain putting pressure on it. The truth is, I don’t even know which songs will end up making the final cut for the album. What I do know is that this whole process has been the deepest creative stretch I’ve ever taken on.
The song I’m most excited about right now is Might Be Trouble. It drops this Monday, September 15th, on all streaming platforms. It’s got a bright, pop-fueled 80’s groove, kind of like taking a beach walk with Prince and Janet playing through your headphones. There’s a lyric video coming the same day on both my At-Home Songwriting channel and my Chad Shank Music channel. If you saw my recent video, “Vibe First Songwriting,” then you already know how this one came together. I don’t start with lyrics, and that shaped the whole vibe of the track.
The world feels heavy right now. I think we all sense it. Constant news, social feeds, the endless noise…it takes a toll. I know I need to step back from it more often, and maybe you do too. Music has a way of cutting through that fog. Writing it, listening to it, sharing it. It connects us and gives us a breather from everything else. I hope my songs can do that for you in some small way.
Something I’ve been reminded of lately is that our musical journeys aren’t about giant leaps. They’re built in small steps. A workshop here. A chorus there. One person who adds your song to their playlist. It all stacks up over time. Instant success is mostly a myth. Real growth happens slowly and steadily, like layering bricks until suddenly you see the wall taking shape.
On the bright side, some of my earlier singles have been finding new life. Kiss You Like, We Don’t Know Each Other, and Stick With Our Love have all been getting more streams and playlist adds lately. Sometimes songs just need another chance to be heard.
I also had the chance to lead two workshop sessions this week with Andrea Stolpe’s EMC Institute community. Those moments remind me why I keep doing this, not just to make my own music, but to help others find their voice in it too.
So that’s where things stand. Might Be Trouble is on the way, and the Digital Masquerade album is looking toward early 2026 with download and CD options coming. Between now and then, it’s more writing, more releasing, more connecting.
If you’re working on your own creative life, remember this. It happens step by step. Don’t discount the small wins. They matter more than you think. Keep going.