'City of Songs' Reveals the Power of Community and Creative Practice
Lil' Habit's Big Inspirations: Unpacking the habits, processes and insights of artists, innovators and creative thinkers
When was the last time you fully engaged with a city's culture, sounds, flavors and rhythms? It's the difference between skimming the surface and diving so deep into a place that it alters your creative DNA.
Authentic artistic expression emerges not from waiting for inspiration but from consistent engagement with our surroundings and community. This is what the new PBS documentary series City of Songs illuminates so well as actor Stephanie Hunt travels the globe to discover the unique musical identities of various cities—and how immersing herself in each place transforms her own creative practice.
In Season 1, Hunt travels from Austin (her hometown) to Seoul, Montreal, Stockholm and Barcelona, connecting with cultural innovators across various disciplines. Through these connections, she finds the creative heartbeat of each location. More than just a music travelogue, the series reveals how environments become catalysts for creativity.
The Power of "Little" Creative Communities
Hunt begins her journey by exploring the musical nooks and crannies of her hometown. She connects with members of her creative community in their favorite places to consider the relatively recent past of the Austin music scene. We hear about Austin's sound from fellow Austin musicians like Hunt's husband Alejandro Rose-Garcia (Shakey Graves) and Adrian Quesada (Black Pumas), record store owner Caren Kelleher, KUTX DJ Laurie Gallardo and music journalist Kevin Curtin. Together they also mull over the idea of change, evolution and nostalgia.
What struck me most in the premiere episode was the repeated reference to Austin's "little" music scene—despite it being the live music capital of the world. What "little" seems to signify isn't size but accessibility; the scene is tight-knit, humble, grounded and real. Anyone can connect to it because it centers on music as a verb: listening, creating, crafting and performing.
"Growing up when I was a little kid, I thought you were either a rock star on MTV or you did it in your garage. When you move to Austin you realize there's a really healthy middle class of musicians here paying the bills and working, that growing up I didn't know existed." - Adrian Quesada
Austin's scene demonstrates that creative breakthrough isn't about waiting for your big rock star moment but about showing up regularly and engaging. What may appear little—jam sessions, collaborations, showing up at local venues—compounds into a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures experimentation and innovation.
Lil’ Habits, Big Inspirations
Are you engaged in your local creative community? It might be more robust than you realize! Remember creative community isn't just about networking for your own benefit, it's about contributing to the collective where everyone's creativity can flourish.
Start by becoming a genuine supporter of local creativity. Attend gallery openings, live music shows, poetry readings, and community theater. Show up consistently, engage authentically with the work, and introduce yourself to artists whose work resonates with you.
Look for creative spaces that already exist. Seek out maker spaces, community centers with art programs, coffee shops that host open mic nights, bookstores with reading series, libraries with creative programming, or co-working spaces with artist-friendly vibes.
If creative spaces don't exist in your area, kick them off yourself. Host a creative meetup in your living room, organize a pop-up art show in an unconventional space, or start a skill-sharing circle where artists teach each other their crafts.
Practice genuine investment in others' creative journeys. Ask thoughtful questions about their process and listen to their responses. Share opportunities when you find them, like and share their work and successes on social media and collaborate on small projects to test creative chemistry. Be the person who connects artists with each other who have complementary skills or shared interests.
City of Songs reminds me that creativity lives and breathes. It’s active and connective. Just as Austin's musicians built a vibrant scene through constant live performance, we must verb our art through regular creation. Whether it's writing each morning, sketching during your lunch break, recording weekly sound experiments, or choreographing movement in your living room, these deliberate acts build our artistic identity far more effectively than waiting for a visit from our muse. Anything you want to do is possible. How? By doing it.
Is there someone in your circle who could use some creative inspiration? Share this post with them.
LET AUSTIN INSPIRE YOU
Disclaimer: My Substack posts are my personal reflections and should not be taken as clinical guidance or treatment. Consult qualified experts regarding your specific health needs.