Several Harding students use music as an outlet for expression, as well as a way to be pushed out of their comfort zones. Freshman Oliver Graves, musically known as “Glover Boy,” is one of those students and writes songs focusing on personal experiences.
“I have always felt like the best lyricists are the ones that write about something personal, but leave room for others to interpret their songs,” Graves said.
Graves said he fears feeling as though he has not adequately described what he is trying to write about, and one way that he works against that is by writing every day. The act of writing every day pushes him to become more comfortable and allows for him to process his thoughts better.
“Some songs, I worry about what people will think of the words I use,” Graves said. “But more for me, the fear is in not being able to do it justice.”
Senior Oliva Nutt also creates music as an outlet to express her feelings. Nutt said she listens to other people’s stories to pour into her music. Nutt said she plays music as a way to escape and understand more of what is happening around her.
“Although I don’t get to play out much anymore, the feeling of playing and creating still feels the same,” Nutt said. “Music doesn’t truly change even when our circumstances do.”
While Graves and Nutt connect with different musical genres, the feelings of creating music are very similar for both. Graves produces R&B/pop music while Nutt prefers a more indie style for her compositions.
While some artists write as the first step to create a song, others find that chords or melody drives the process. Junior Jair Lopez begins writing songs by finding a melody or progression of chords that expresses the mood and then moves onto the lyrics. Lopez records covers and features on other artists’ music, as well as posting his own covers. He said he allows passion to drive his musical creation.
“I want my passion for music to become something more tangible and start recording my own music,” Lopez said. “Even after college, I want to keep learning as much as possible, helping more musicians grow and connect with others that see music the same way I do.”
