Creating with Constraints: 52 weeks

Madeleine Cocolas is currently writing a piece of music every week for 52 weeks.

Previously working as a TV music supervisor in Melbourne, Australia, Madeleine set the goal of writing a piece of music every week for 52 weeks once she moved to Seattle, WA where she is currently based.

Although every week is a separate piece of work, Madeleine values each one in its own way, illustrating how creating short compositions or works of progress are just as valuable as perfecting a single sound over a longer period of time: “What I find the most enjoyable about my project is having a sense of purpose behind writing my music. I really feel like each piece is part of the bigger project I’ve set myself, so in that respect they’re all as important as each other.”

Her classical, ambient works are reflective, calming and emotional. Week 18 of her project is one example.

Jumping into creating music every day can feel daunting, but having SoundCloud as an outlet to post sounds and meet people along the way has motivated Madeleine to continue creating. “Writing the sort of music I do by myself can sometimes feel a bit isolating, but having an online community to share it with makes me feel connected with other people,” Madeleine says.

“When I was a music supervisor, I used SoundCloud as a resource for discovering new music, and I find now that as a creator, SoundCloud has been absolutely invaluable in allowing me to share my music, and connect with other people.”

Hear Madeleine share more about the inspiration behind her ongoing 52 Weeks project. She also imparts great advice for anyone looking to do something similar.

To wrap up this series next week, learn more about disciplined sound-making through a SoundCloud group that uses constraints as a launchpad for creativity and productivity every week. Stay tuned on the blog, Twitter and Tumblr.