Do you ever wonder how some songwriters seem to churn out finished songs while the rest of us have dozens of half-baked ideas languishing on our phones or in our notebooks? On a recent Profitable Musician Show episode, host Bree Noble sat down with singer-songwriter, educator, and founding member of La Luz, Alice Sandahl, to dig into the ever-relevant themes of finishing what we start, giving ourselves grace during inaction, and building an intentional artistic path.
Listen to the episode here
Watch the episode here
Alice’s journey from Seattle’s indie scene to Los Angeles and her evolution from band member to solo artist and coach, is full of hard-won insights about creativity, motivation, and artistry. Here’s a breakdown of some key takeaways from the episode—and how you can use them to move your own music forward.
Moving From Ideas to Action
Alice confessed that even after years of writing, recording, and touring with La Luz, something held her back from putting out her own solo work. It wasn’t until the forced pause of the pandemic that she confronted her patterns of inaction. Rather than simply scolding herself for not “doing enough,” Alice cultivated curiosity. She reflected, “Not judging the inaction helped me. Once I could be a little kinder about that and just get more curious about it instead of beating myself up for not doing it, I moved forward.”
The message for fellow musicians? Instead of seeing your inner roadblocks as failure, treat them as invitations to ask, “What’s really going on here?” Sometimes, as Alice discovered with her own clients, what masquerades as “writer’s block” is often distraction or overthinking. Identifying the real issue allows you to make intentional tweaks—like scheduling even 10 minutes of undistracted creative time—to nudge your projects ahead.
Knowing When Your Song Is Done
Many artists struggle to determine when a song is truly finished and not just stuck in the endless cycle of tweaks and second-guessing. Alice referenced Rick Rubin’s advice: “Finishing can be a practice.” Instead of rewriting lyrics or arrangements to death, allow yourself to let go—just like you’d close a journal entry without editing it 20 times. While it’s important not to be overly precious with your work, also consider—as Bree points out—whether your songs are accessible to listeners and not just intensely personal “journal entries.”
The Power of “Why”
Getting clarity on why you make music in the first place—the core driver behind your artistry—is Alice’s non-negotiable first step. “If we’re grounded in our why—why do you want to make music, why is it important to you—you won’t feel as shaken when things don’t go your way,” she explained.
This foundation anchors you during those twisty, uncertain career moments. Whether your why is to connect with an audience, leave a legacy, or simply experience the joy of creating, make it tangible. Alice encourages journaling as a tool to uncover this purpose.
Facing the Fear of “Being a Real Artist”
Many musicians put off fully claiming the term “artist” or “musician,” waiting for some external validation or permission. For Alice, it wasn’t until a friend told her to start calling herself a musician—even when she was in several bands—that she internalized her identity. Start embodying your role now, even if it feels uncomfortable or “unearned.” As Alice and Bree both note, confidence comes from action—not the other way around. The more reps you put in (rehearsals, gigs, songwriting sessions), the more authentic your confidence will become.
Building and Using Your Network—Right Now
Your current community—wherever you are—is already your network. Alice says too many musicians don’t realize they’re connected to potential collaborators, supporters, or audiences right under their nose. She encourages giving yourself permission to take up space and ask others for opportunities, whether that’s joining a jam, collaborating, or simply connecting at open mics.
Important Links
Connect with Alice Sandahl: www.alicesandahl.com
Sign up for a free mini coaching session or download her free resource, “Song Analysis 101.”
Follow Alice on Instagram: @aliceintheriver
Ready to stop waiting for permission, finish your songs, and finally move your music career forward? Take a cue from Alice Sandahl and start small—but start today. Your why is waiting for you to say yes.
