www.mikegarrigan.com - In this episode, I trace a line from hearing Nevermind for the first time in 1991 to writing an original song inspired by its raw power and dynamic contrasts. Moving through memory, music history, and the nuts and bolts of recording, I explore how Nirvana’s quiet-loud architecture shaped not just a sound, but a way of seeing. The song “Diamonds in the Sky” becomes a vehicle for non-dual spirituality, integral consciousness, and creative surrender. Along the way, I confront artistic fear, questions of originality, and the inner voices that threaten the work before it can breathe.

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www.mikegarrigan.com - Mike responds to the production prompt: "Create a song that is notated in its entirety before production begins." Hear a detailed behind-the-scenes account of "The Hollow Man," a new song. Topics include a commentary on John Dickson Carr's The Hollow Man and the pros and cons of notating music before recording it.

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www.mikegarrigan.com - Mike responds to the production prompt: "Create a song in the style of Pink Moon by Nick Drake." Hear a detailed behind-the-scenes account of "Revelations," a new song. Topics include how to select an alternate tuning, how to apply narrative structure to lyric writing, and how to apply specific production techniques to a given genre.

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The production lab continues. In this episode, singer/songwriter Mike Garrigan describes the process of writing, producing, and recording a song in the style of Duran Duran's Rio. Hear the result, a new song called "The Girl at Table 13."

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www.mikegarrigan.com - Singer/songwriter Mike Garrigan shares his experience of being diagnosed with prostate cancer. "Mercury," a previously unreleased outtake from the "Satellites" sessions, is also featured.

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www.mikegarrigan.com - Singer/songwriter Mike Garrigan shares the eleventh experiment from his Production Lab.  Given the prompt "Create a song using only the Waves SSL plugin on the channels" and a month in which to work, Mike produced "Change Your Mind." Hear the song and a detailed description of the entire creative process.

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www.mikegarrigan.com - Singer/songwriter Mike Garrigan shares the tenth experiment from his Production Lab.  Given the prompt "Create a song imagined as an outtake from The Downward Spiral" and a month in which to work, Mike produced "Black Echo." Hear the song and a detailed description of the entire creative process.

Notes:

1. The featured song is inspired by the Michael Connelly novel of the same name.
2. Correction: Adrian Belew, not Alan Moulder, played the ring mod guitar on The Downward Spiral.

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www.mikegarrigan.com - Singer/songwriter Mike Garrigan shares the ninth experiment from his Production Lab.  Given the prompt "Record a song where a Wurlitzer electric piano is the main instrument" and a month in which to work, Mike produced "Stupid Love." Hear the song and a detailed description of the entire creative process.

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www.mikegarrigan.com - Singer/songwriter Mike Garrigan shares the eighth experiment from his Production Lab.  Given the prompt "Record a song in the style of Superunknown by Soundgarden" and a month in which to work, Mike produced "Everlasting Love." Hear the song and a detailed description of the entire creative process.

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www.mikegarrigan.com - Singer/songwriter Mike Garrigan shares the seventh experiment from his Production Lab.  Given the prompt "Record a song using a late 80s approach (in the style of Bon Jovi's New Jersey)" and a month in which to work, Mike produced "Sister Mercy." Hear the song and a detailed description of the entire creative process.

Works mentioned and encouraged for further listening:

• Desmond Child Songs:
  • KISS, "Heaven's on Fire" 
  • Joan Jett, "I Hate Myself for Loving You" 
  • Bon Jovi, "Livin' on a Prayer" and 
  • Bon Jovi, "You Give Love a Bad Name" 
  • Aerosmith, "Dude Looks Like a Lady" 
• Guitar Solo Influences:
  • AC/DC, "Thunderstruck"
  • Tesla, "Modern Day Cowboy"
  • Yngwie Malmsteen, "Far Beyond the Sun"
  • Judas Priest, "Painkiller"
  • Eric Johnson, "Cliffs of Dover"
  • Metallica, "The Shortest Straw"
  • Whitesnake, "Wings of the Storm"
  • Ozzy Osbourne, "Mr. Crowley"
  • White Lion, Pride
• The Big Four:
  • Metallica, Master of Puppets
  • Anthrax, Among the Living
  • Slayer, South of Heaven
  • Megadeth, Rust in Peace

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