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

the job of an artist is to be an artist

79 implied HN points • 31 May 22
  1. The job of an artist is to be an artist.
  2. Artists can use geology and music to inspire reflection on the planet and personal lives.
  3. Create art that combines facts and emotions to make learning more engaging.

michaelangelo

59 implied HN points • 27 Sep 22
  1. Creativity has seasons, and it's okay to have periods of dormancy.
  2. Engaging in diverse activities can inspire creativity.
  3. Completing 'boring' tasks like applying for grants can ultimately benefit artistic work.

...So I Finally Quit Spotify

11 HN points • 28 Dec 23
  1. The author quit Spotify after 10 years due to low artist payments and repetitive song recommendations.
  2. The author now uses a local music application on the computer and a simple player on the phone.
  3. Quitting Spotify allows the author to own their music, support artists directly, and connect with their music library in a nostalgic way.

going dark

39 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
  1. Olivia will be taking a break from her weekly newsletter to work on an album and will be sending updates once a month instead.
  2. Fans can still stay connected with Olivia on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter for updates.
  3. Olivia's next update will be on the 23rd of February.

thank you for landsliding

59 implied HN points • 02 Aug 22
  1. Life can feel like a series of unexpected changes hitting all at once.
  2. Being in your early 30's can feel like experiencing a landslide of irreversible events.
  3. Natural disasters like landslides and tsunamis show the powerful, unpredictable forces of nature.
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🌋 finding a song in a volcano

39 implied HN points • 12 Jan 23
  1. The Mt. Erebus volcano is unique as a stratovolcano, silent, dark, and explosive.
  2. The name Erebus has ties to Greek mythology and represents darkness and shadow.
  3. Mt. Erebus has historical connections to the HMS Erebus ship and stories of exploration.

keep your eyes on your beautiful dream

59 implied HN points • 05 Jul 22
  1. Keep your eyes on your beautiful dream
  2. Don't worry about the far future, focus on the present
  3. Stay resilient and keep working towards your goals

best of the best

39 implied HN points • 24 Dec 22
  1. An artist should evoke personal feelings with their work, not just present facts
  2. Creativity can be inspired by everyday moments and observations
  3. Building creative direction can involve exploring various visual elements and fantasy landscapes

organisation sensation

19 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
  1. Olivia shares insight into her new organizational system for managing her album project
  2. She finds inspiration in Peter Beard's diaries and enjoys the movie Barbie for emotional and comedic qualities
  3. Olivia discusses creating Spotify playlists for a fantasy romance series and provides ways to support her project

what i listened to in 2022

39 implied HN points • 08 Dec 22
  1. The author has a detailed playlist of favorite songs from the last 10 years
  2. Monthly playlists are based on the author's mood and experiences each month
  3. The playlists feature a variety of music genres and artists throughout the year

its okay to love superman

19 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
  1. Share your passion with others, it can create connections.
  2. Being deeply interested in different subjects can make you a better artist.
  3. The process of creating is where the real creativity lies, embrace accidents and imperfections.

coming soon

39 implied HN points • 09 Nov 22
  1. Olivia Rafferty is releasing a new song soon.
  2. The song is about feeling lonely and adrift.
  3. Recommendations include music by Richard Shindell and advice from Ray Bradbury for creativity.

building a world

39 implied HN points • 12 Oct 22
  1. The importance of creating a visual world for music projects
  2. Continuing themes and elements from past projects into new ones
  3. Drawing inspiration from various sources to build a unique creative direction

the rock that deserved better

39 implied HN points • 06 Sep 22
  1. Geology can be fun and fascinating, even in urban areas like London.
  2. Different types of rocks make up various structures and monuments, each with their own unique history.
  3. Sometimes, overlooked things can hold significant value and beauty, like the old charnockite rock at the base of an office building.

tiny song reborn

39 implied HN points • 01 Sep 22
  1. September brings a sense of renewal and energy for some people
  2. Creating tiny songs can be a fun and meaningful way to connect with others and memories
  3. Setting sustainable goals for creative projects can lead to personal development and new opportunities

greetings from nightmare mountain

19 implied HN points • 18 May 23
  1. Progress often happens behind the scenes before visible results emerge.
  2. Creation involves building up with effort, then refining and cutting down to improve.
  3. Feedback and support from a network can help determine what to keep and what to remove in the creative process.

a notebook is a place

39 implied HN points • 23 Aug 22
  1. A notebook should be a place, not just an object.
  2. Daily practice with a notebook helps to keep creativity sharp.
  3. Writing about strange or beautiful ordinary moments can lead to vibrant creative ideas.

📓 reconciling my notebook habit

19 implied HN points • 05 Jan 23
  1. The author used to be a popular bullet journal Instagram influencer.
  2. The author struggled to merge their passion for music with their visual work.
  3. The author is exploring combining their song lyrics with collages and illustrations in a notebook.

happy new year TODAY

19 implied HN points • 26 Dec 22
  1. Olivia Rafferty's single 'Happy New Year' is out today!
  2. The song is about reflecting on new year's questions and finding solace in friendship.
  3. Listen to it on Spotify, Apple Music, or buy it on Bandcamp.

it sounds like me!

19 implied HN points • 02 Dec 22
  1. Finding your artistic style can be challenging, but exploring different genres and influences can help shape your unique sound.
  2. Connecting with others who share your taste in music can be inspiring and empowering for your creativity.
  3. Experimenting with different styles and influences can lead to personal growth and development as an artist.

building a world pt ii

19 implied HN points • 20 Oct 22
  1. Creating a cohesive visual world for music is important.
  2. Music production involves finding references like fashion moodboards.
  3. Recording music with room ambiance as an additional instrument can enhance the overall feel.

the benefits of oil

19 implied HN points • 04 Oct 22
  1. Cheesy music can be good for the soul, even if it's a guilty pleasure.
  2. Listening to 'oily music' from the late 90s and 00s can bring a mix of guilt and pleasure.
  3. Exploring lesser-known songs from artists like Mike + The Mechanics and Simply Red can lead to unexpected musical gems.

be more cousteau

19 implied HN points • 12 Jul 22
  1. Jacques Cousteau was an explorer who used his passion for filmmaking to educate people about the natural world.
  2. Cousteau's practice of constantly recording through filming inspired the idea of maintaining a daily practice as an artist.
  3. Having a regular practice, like daily journaling or sketching, can sharpen an artist's creativity and lead to more ideas.

it's called the domp

19 implied HN points • 21 Jun 22
  1. Olivia Rafferty announces a hometown show in Aberdeen on July 18th
  2. She introduces a 'bad poetry collection' segment in her newsletter
  3. Olivia shares things she likes, including music and art recommendations

sorry but we have to party rock now

19 implied HN points • 07 Jun 22
  1. The author reflects on different phases of their life like fossils in a stratigraphic column
  2. Each phase is named after places lived or studied, with unique 'fossils' representing memories
  3. Memories can be seen as fossils, representing things once abundant but now changed or faded

What Does A Notebook Do That Social Media Can't?

1 HN point • 14 Dec 23
  1. Journaling provides a private and honest outlet compared to sharing on social media.
  2. Spending excessive time on social media can lead to losing hours and an absence of true feelings.
  3. Notebooks offer a cozy and authentic space for self-expression, away from the fast-paced nature of social media.

i need your eyes

0 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
  1. The author is seeking opinions on album artwork ideas
  2. The author likes playful and fun designs with pops of color
  3. The author appreciates feedback from readers on various creative aspects

at least there's always dream cake

0 implied HN points • 03 May 22
  1. The Perfect Olivia Day involves cake and geological wonders.
  2. Creating a welcoming, fun geology information shop for novices could be exciting.
  3. Dream cake is the ultimate pick-me-up when all else fails.

why are we here?

0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 22
  1. The newsletter will focus on music updates and inspirations.
  2. The author is delving into researching geology for new songs.
  3. The newsletter includes music news, upcoming gigs, and things the author likes.

Coming soon

0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 22
  1. The post is about a newsletter called 'This is a constellation.'
  2. It will feature a network of things possibly related to songwriting.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe for updates on the newsletter.

the iceberg melting dept.

0 implied HN points • 17 May 22
  1. Sometimes success comes from consistent small efforts over time, like melting an iceberg by turning up the temperature gradually.
  2. Sending emails and reaching out to people, even blindly, can lead to exciting collaborations and opportunities.
  3. In times of uncertainty, it's important to keep believing, keep reaching out, and keep pushing forward.

📰 mountain personality

0 implied HN points • 05 Apr 22
  1. The author collects objects with personal significance, like the Seattle Space Needle, and now the Suilven mountain in Scotland.
  2. Suilven mountain in Scotland has a unique, eerie, and ancient personality due to its age and appearance.
  3. Old mountains like Suilven hold a different kind of power and knowledge, having seen and endured a lot over the years.

i'm a GIANT... and so is my reality

0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 22
  1. Some people believe in the 'giant tree theory' which suggests that giant trees existed in the past based on geological formations like columnar basalt.
  2. Columnar basalt, made from cooled lava, forms hexagonal columns under certain conditions, creating unique and cool rock formations.
  3. Believing in the magic of giant trees is nice, but the reality of natural phenomena like volcanoes and continental shifts can be just as beautiful and mind-blowing.

you are allowed to start now

0 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
  1. No one can dictate your creative path; trust yourself.
  2. Generating excitement for your project can provide momentum.
  3. Making something is more beneficial than not making it.

raindrops and riso

0 implied HN points • 19 Apr 22
  1. Fossilized raindrops from a billion years ago can be found in rocks today.
  2. Learned basics of riso printing at a print workshop in Croydon.
  3. Mountains have life cycles, being born and growing, just like us.