a constellation

A Constellation is a Substack by Olivia Rafferty, exploring the intricacies of songwriting, the nuances of the creative process, and a mix of personal musings on pop culture, geology, and personal growth. It includes collaborative projects, insights into the songwriting process, and reflections on the impact of music and creativity on life.

Songwriting Creative Process Pop Culture Geology Personal Development Music Analysis Creative Inspiration

The hottest Substack posts of a constellation

And their main takeaways

You and I Meet in a Cosy Cafe

297 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Music Production Creative Process Music Industry
  1. Writer's block can happen to anyone, and it's okay to not feel like writing sometimes. Sometimes life gets overwhelming, and we just need a break.
  2. It’s normal to want to keep certain creative projects private until they feel ready. Sometimes it feels special to keep things to ourselves.
  3. Feeling stuck on what to write about is common. It's important to remember that writing should be enjoyable, not just for others' expectations.

💌 Liner Notes: Cascade

138 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Album Music genres Music Production
  1. The song 'Cascade' is about the journey of rocks, inspired by the sedimentary cycle. It reflects the idea of change and transformation.
  2. Sometimes songwriting can come easily, but certain parts, like the bridge in 'Cascade,' can take more time and thought to express deep emotions.
  3. The singer encourages listeners to explore her music and shares her creative process, letting them know that there's more to come from her debut album.

Taylor Swift Makes Me Wanna Write My Next Album

277 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
  1. Writing an album is like creating a world with its own identity and meaning.
  2. To come up with brilliant and distinct ideas, start with what's making your brain itch.
  3. Artists like Taylor Swift can inspire creativity by taking fans on a journey through intentional storytelling and teasing.

☁️ The Simpsonsssssss ☁️

396 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
  1. The newsletter features monthly collaborative editions on pop culture with mini-essays and creative content.
  2. The current issue focuses on The Simpsons, including four songs and written pieces about Planet of the Apes.
  3. Collaborators Olivia and Miter undertook creative challenges to cover well-known Simpsons songs and add their twist.

🪨 fractures and intrusions

317 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
  1. Intrusions happen when new rock cuts through existing rock.
  2. Inclusions are pieces of older rock within a younger rock.
  3. Fractures can unexpectedly impact our lives, like the narrator's foot injury.
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Beautiful Moments Are Made of Emails

257 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
  1. Beautiful moments are the result of hard work and dedication, not luck or coincidences.
  2. Creative projects involve the unglamorous tasks like emails, planning, and logistics.
  3. Comparison with others can lead to feelings of inadequacy, but everyone's journey involves effort and struggle.

steely dan bumper issue!

495 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
  1. The newsletter features a collaboration between Olivia and Maggie on Steely Dan
  2. Steely Dan was formed by major dudes Walter Becker and Donald Fagen in the 1970s
  3. Steely Dan's songwriting style involves intricate chord progressions and unique lyrics

the cookie crumbles

257 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
  1. Inviting people to events can be daunting, but sometimes you just need to take the leap and see what happens.
  2. Playing gigs and hosting parties involve similar feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt about people showing up and enjoying themselves.
  3. Repetition and practice can help reduce the stress of big events like gigs and birthday parties over time.

what do you want to do before 2023 ends?

218 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
  1. Time is running out - have a list of things you want to complete before the year ends
  2. Join Accountability Town to commit to your goals and help others
  3. Make your own list of tasks to finish by the end of the year

🍏 here they are, THE BEATLES!

238 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
  1. The Beatles have a special impact on people, like a religion or spiritual experience.
  2. Music, like The Beatles, can connect people and create lasting memories.
  3. Old Beatles fan letters show that fandom hasn't changed much over the years.

at the other end of the telescope

257 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
  1. The journey of becoming an artist involves self-imposed solitude and a special brand of loneliness.
  2. Creating art is something internal that you do without being asked, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnect.
  3. Being an artist doesn't make you more important than others, and everyone experiences moments of doubt and distance in their endeavors.

✨ notebook treasure #3

198 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
  1. Notebook Treasure shares snippets from notebooks and creative musings regularly.
  2. Newsletter includes themed content each month like creativity, geology, and pop culture.
  3. Features include a cute cat on a bicycle, figure-skating aliens, and a dream-inspired song.

✨ notebook treasure #1

257 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
  1. The newsletter will now have a new structured schedule with different themes for each week
  2. Notebook Treasure segment will feature doodles and tiny songs from the author's archives
  3. Readers can engage by commenting and supporting the project through various ways like buying tote bags or listening to the music

here is my bottom

257 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
  1. Sharing unfinished work can be uncomfortable but humbling.
  2. Seeking feedback from beta-listeners can provide valuable insights.
  3. Choosing the right people to critique your work can make the process less daunting.

✨ notebook treasure #2

218 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
  1. Notebook Treasure shares scraps and doodles like a LOTR comic and a dog-bark David Bowie cover.
  2. A pancake creation called 'Shit the Bed' involving a banana and Nutella was inspired by a dream.
  3. Regular schedule includes creativity, geology, and pop culture topics each month.

🌋 Lava on the Moon!

178 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
  1. There is lava on the moon, specifically olivine basalt.
  2. Moon's dark splotches are actually basaltic lava flows.
  3. Moon's volcanic activity could be due to heat from asteroid impacts and other complex mantle activities.

🗝 dance, magic dance!

198 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
  1. The sisters discuss Labyrinth and David Bowie, reminiscing about childhood memories tied to the movie.
  2. They delve into the symbolism and themes within the film, like the loneliness of the Goblin King and the mystery surrounding the goblins.
  3. A playful debate about potential actors to play Jareth in a Goblin King prequel, touching on musicians like Hozier and St Vincent.

what's shakin'? what's quakin'?

158 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
  1. The Earth has been experiencing geological events like earthquakes and volcanoes for a long time, even before plate tectonics was discovered.
  2. Different cultures had unique explanations for geological events, like the Thunderbird and Whale story among Indigenous people or the belief in a giant catfish causing earthquakes in Japan.
  3. Historical events like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah or the toppling of the Colossus of Rhodes were sometimes attributed to natural disasters like earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.

it was only fair that i did this...

119 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
  1. Olivia is playing at the Oxford Natural History Museum this Friday.
  2. She wrote 100 tiny songs in a fun project.
  3. There are various ways to support Olivia's music.

Die Hard aka 'The Bin Men Awards'

99 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
  1. Die Hard is considered a Christmas movie by many due to its holiday setting
  2. The plot of Die Hard was humorously summarized by individuals who had never seen the movie
  3. The discussion included misconceptions about the film's characters, setting, and iconic moments

the geology of middle earth

119 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
  1. Middle Earth was not designed by a geologist but rather dramatically by Tolkien himself.
  2. Middle Earth is suggested to be made up of 4-6 tectonic plates with mountain ranges indicating plate boundaries.
  3. Volcanoes in Middle Earth, like Mount Doom, may be explained by evil hotspots and geological formations.

Come see me play in November!

59 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
  1. Olivia Rafferty is playing a gig in London in November.
  2. The gig will be at a cosy bookshop with a folk meets Americana vibe.
  3. It's Olivia's first headline gig since 2021, so it's going to be special.

🎲 🏔 📝 inside the studio

79 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
  1. Olivia recorded her debut album in a studio with a team of musicians and engineers in a residential setting.
  2. She faced challenges during recording, but overcame them by stepping back and experimenting with different approaches.
  3. Olivia enjoyed playing all the piano on the album and appreciated the creative process despite its difficulties.

i thought i was a failure then geology happened

99 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
  1. The author found comfort and inspiration in geology after facing feelings of failure and wasted time in their music career.
  2. Discovering the deep time and long-term perspective of geology helped the author overcome anxiety about time slipping away.
  3. Learning about geology and the dynamics of rocks brought the author a sense of peace and a new perspective on life.

i am so sleepy

59 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
  1. The author is feeling sleepy but has a lot going on
  2. The author shared a demo song inspired by a Craigslist ad
  3. The author is grateful and shares things she likes

sedimentary, my dear watson

59 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
  1. The rock mystery was solved by deducing that the rock is sedimentary.
  2. Consulting resources like Google and maps helped in narrowing down the type of rock.
  3. Chemical experiments like submerging the rock in vinegar were used to confirm the rock's identity.

my favourite rock

59 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
  1. The author shares the story of their favorite rock from Canada, a sentimental item that inspired dreams of visiting the country.
  2. The author collects rocks from special places like Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh and Coulee City in Washington, connecting them to songs and memories.
  3. Encourages readers to cherish sentimental items like rocks and create connections to places that hold significance.

i gotta get thru this

59 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
  1. During a productivity slump, try starting small with easy tasks and get yourself in the flow gradually.
  2. Find ways to warm up and ease into productivity, just like how you warm up before singing or drawing.
  3. Consider external factors like seasonal changes affecting your productivity and find strategies to overcome them.

a fossil festival!

59 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
  1. Olivia attended the Yorkshire Fossil Festival as the musician in residence and had a great time performing.
  2. The festival included acrobats, circus performers, and educational presentations on paleontological discoveries.
  3. Highlights of the festival were Victorian contraptions like The Tempest Prognosticator, unique performances from international acts, and interactive workshops.

📝 🎲 wrangling the chaos

59 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
  1. Consider using to-do lists to manage tasks and bring order to chaos.
  2. To-do lists can help individuals feel a sense of belonging and connection to others.
  3. Success often leads to new tasks and never-ending to-do lists, showing that there is no true 'end' point.

"the air is cold and i love you"

59 implied HN points • 19 Jan 23
  1. The post shares a song inspired by a story of the last man alive on a ship
  2. The music video for Happy New Year was created on a low budget with friends and family
  3. The artist highlights things they liked, including finishing a TV series and discovering new music

the french (mountain) dispatch

79 implied HN points • 22 Sep 22
  1. Being an independent artist means you have to keep yourself on track when things get busy
  2. Exploring new places and landscapes can be inspiring and rejuvenating
  3. Learning about geology and nature in different locations can be both educational and awe-inspiring

touch grass!

39 implied HN points • 12 May 23
  1. Dealing with rejection is part of the creative process.
  2. Find motivation by reconnecting with the 'why' of your project.
  3. Engage in activities that lift your spirits during tough times.

isle of demons

79 implied HN points • 09 Aug 22
  1. Phantom islands are unreal places desired into existence by humans.
  2. Phantom islands include Isle of Demons, Thule, and New South Greenland.
  3. These phantom islands are often associated with myths and legends.

views from a small tour

79 implied HN points • 26 Jul 22
  1. Olivia Rafferty shares her experience from her small tour in Scotland
  2. She kept a diary of little details during the tour, capturing the essence of her journey
  3. She engaged her audience with fun activities like gig bingo during her shows

typical forever?

39 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
  1. Creating something every day can be a fulfilling habit.
  2. Title for an album came from a scientific principle called Uniformitarianism.
  3. Comparing life to the steady trickle of a stream - gradual with occasional catastrophic events.

oops!

59 implied HN points • 24 Nov 22
  1. Olivia accidentally leaked her song a day early before its official release.
  2. The song 'Nothing Feels Like Home' was inspired by Olivia's life in South London in 2019.
  3. The song reflects Olivia's feelings of loneliness and uncertainty during a significant life change.

my covid playlist

59 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
  1. The author has tested positive for COVID and is sharing their COVID playlist.
  2. The author recommends listening to Dolby Atmos Stems of Taylor Swift songs.
  3. The author appreciates the dramatic song 'Love of Tired Swans' by Dimash Qudaibergen.

trust the hidden process

39 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
  1. Trust the hidden process
  2. Creativity often involves experimentation and research
  3. Themes can emerge unexpectedly during creative processes

on doom

59 implied HN points • 27 Oct 22
  1. Using doom in writing can be cliched if not used wisely
  2. Songs can take listeners on an emotional journey with different tones
  3. Writing about personal experiences can add depth and authenticity to creative work