Wynn Gogol has been involved in enough recording sessions over the years to know what works in a studio setting and what gets in the way of musical momentum.
Spurred into action by his years of experience as a producer, engineer and musician, the Calgary native decided to put what he knows into practice. The result is his first book, The Artful Songwriter: The Soul and Science of Creating Songs, which, he believes, will give musicians a fresh approach to songwriting.
“Over the years, in the studio working as a producer, I came across a lot of songwriters and their insight into the creative process,” Gogol said. “This gave me a chance to talk about that as it related to music.”
Gogol — who, in his 1 Ton Studios, has recorded everyone from critically acclaimed local acts (Outlaw Social, Sara Marreiros) and members of the Victoria Symphony to six-time Juno nominee Harry Manx — knows of what he speaks. He may not have experience as a professional writer, but he has experience in various facets of music.
He wrote his first song at 14, eventually becoming more serious in late teens. He lived his musical dream for a few years, touring the country as the keyboardist in his Calgary band, the Jump Daddies, before settling into life as a producer.
“Unfortunately, I’m not a great singer, so I don’t go in public and force my voice on people,” he said with a laugh. “Truth be told, I’m an OK singer, but I work with so many great ones I figure I’ll leave it to people who can do it.”
Years of experience on both sides of the microphone helped Gogol greatly in writing the book. In the end, he discovered a series of innate similarities between the two forms of writing. “There is not a lot of differences between writing a song and writing a book. One is long form and one is short form, but they have a common narrative thread to them.”
Gogol had been writing a pair of science-fiction fantasy novels when he was struck by the idea of penning a 300-page book on songwriting. He plans to finish the sc-fi books in the near future, but there was a set of principles he wanted to get off his chest first. One of the biggest, he said, was combing history for keys to the future.
“A strong songwriter should know whose shoulders he or she is standing on. Listen to the great music that came before you, and hopefully you will make a connection to those aha moments.”
Despite his current focus, he hasn’t let writing get in the way of his day job. Gogol is as busy as ever in terms of studio work.
He is finishing another record with Manx, his fourth with the Saltspring Island bluesman. Gogol spent a year playing keyboards in Manx’s band, during the time of West Eats Meet (2004) and Mantras for Madmen (2005), before switching fulltime into producer/engineer mode.
He still plays occasionally with his wife, Katherine Dennison, in the group Back Dirt Road, but Gogol rarely tours. He has enough fond memories of time on the road with Manx to keep him satisfied in that regard.
“He is the only artist I have ever met who successfully invented his own genre. He figured out you can take the blues and add Indian slide guitar, and it was a complete revelation for me. You wouldn’t think it is compatible, but when I heard him do it, I thought, ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ ”
Manx had a hook to the music he was making, Gogol said, but he never forgot the value of a good song. It is that same principle that guided him in the writing of his book.
“Songwriting is like painting,” he said. “If you want to be a great painter, you have to put in the time and do the work. Figure out what the craftsman side of it is. There is no secret to great songwriting.”
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Calgary. I moved to Victoria from Calgary in 2002.
At which point did you know that Calgary was not for you in the long term?
I was getting a sense that I had to get out of there or my roots would get too deep.
What brought you here?
I came out here with my partner at the time to found a yoga studio, Moksana Yoga Centre. I got a [recording] studio going to help pay the rent, and found some people in town. I met Harry [Manx] very soon after.
What is your favourite thing about Victoria?
The music scene and the creative scene here is really deep. I’ve recorded metal and jazz and all kinds of world stuff. I love that about Victoria. Calgary was different.
It was just jazz and rock, so it was nice to finally get into some other stuff. When the handcuffs are off, people turn out some amazing, out-of-the- box stuff that shines.
What is your greatest accomplishment as a person?
My son. The life I built with my wife is amazing. I am so grateful for that.
And as a professional?
This book. I worked with a lot of amazing bands and I’m very grateful for that. But I put my heart and soul into this book.
First album you purchased?
Weather Report, Heavy Weather.
Favourite album?
It’s tough to narrow down, but I really love Wrecking Ball by Emmylou Harris.
First concert you attended?
Stevie Wonder in Calgary at the Saddledome. It blew my socks off.
Favourite concert you attended?
Peter Gabriel on his So tour. The sound was incredible. Jerry Marotta on drums, Tony Levin on bass — it was mind-blowing. I haven’t had the good fortune to see anything like that since.
If you had one motto, or rule to abide by, what would it be?
My guiding principle is pretty boring: Do the work. It sounds boring, but there’s a lot to be said for finishing.
Wynn Gogol is celebrating the release of his book, The Artful Songwriter: The Soul and Science of Creating Songs, with a concert featuring the music of Back Dirt Road tonight at Hermann’s Jazz Club (753 View St.). Tickets $2 at the door. Show is at 8 p.m. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.
