Composing

It has been 10 years this month that David Bowie left this mortal coil. Here is a great and insightful article into the collaborations that Bowie was involved in with musicians and filmmakers and is a testimony to his resilience and commitment to his work as an artist.

When focusing on the video for...

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I’ve written more than 500 songs in just about every musical style imaginable—jazz, soul, 8-bit chiptune, jug band, doo-wop, hard rock, maqam, country, psychedelic pop, children’s songs, and a lot more. People often ask me how I move so easily from one genre to another.

The honest answer is that it f...

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The honest answer is that it feels completely natural.

My brain seems to recognize the deep structure of a musical style almost instantly—its rhythms, phrasing, emotional language, and the way the lyrics want to flow. I can listen to a few seconds of something, and before I even think about it, a full song starts forming. Sometimes it happens before I’ve even had my first cup of coffee.

I don’t try to imitate genres; I just seem to inhabit them. Each style has its own logic, and my mind slips right into it.

I also thrive on creative constraints. Give me a rule—four-word lines, alphabet patterns, all rhymes ending the same way, bilingual lyrics, wild topics—and I get faster and more inspired, not slower. Constraints don’t box me in; they ignite something.

I don’t write based on trends or what I think will sell. I write whatever demands to come out: tender, strange, emotional, funny, chaotic, heartfelt, or beautifully unhinged. And even after 500 songs, I feel like I’m still expanding and improving.

Music is how I express myself now, especially since I’m no longer as physically active as I once was. It lets me pour all my life experience—the good, the dangerous, the chaotic, the magical—into something that will hopefully outlive me and support my son.

If any producers, composers, or filmmakers are looking for original music or want to collaborate, I’m always open to connecting. Creativity is the one constant in my life, and I’m excited to see where it leads next.

Ashley Renee Smith

Head of Community at Stage 32 ♦ Creative Executive, Producer, Author

December 2025 Open House Webcast

Find Your Footing on Stage 32: Join Our December Community Open House!

Monday, December 29th at 12:00 pm PT!

Every success story begins with a first step.

If you’re ready to take yours, join me, Ashley Smith, Head of Community at Stage 32, for our December Community Open House Webcast happening Monday, December 29th at 12:00 pm PT!

Free Registration: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-december-community-open-house-webcast-with-ashley-smith

Whether you’re chasing representation, looking for collaborators, or simply tired of creating in isolation, this live event is your chance to show up, be seen, and start making real progress.

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Whether you’re a writer, filmmaker, actor, producer, composer, editor, or wear multiple creative hats — this is where your Stage 32 journey truly begins.

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51 people like this

Maurice Vaughan

2 days ago

I watched One Battle After Another the weekend, Pat Alexander. The movie and sound are incredible! The sound is unique! It's one of the things I'm still thinking about. Thanks for sharing the video....

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1 person likes this
- Geoff Hall
3 days ago

My condolences to David's family, friends, and fans, Geoff Hall. I'm not sure if I've heard of his music, but I've heard of him. I also found out he was a songwriter and actor....

Geoff Hall

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 days ago

Maurice Vaughan yeah Maurice, he was an established actor. His credits include: Labyrinth (1986), The Man who fell to Earth (1976) Twin Peaks (2014) Absolute Beginners (1986) Merry Christmas Mr. Lawre...

Maurice Vaughan here's one track from David, which dates back from 1969. 'Space Oddity'

https://youtu.be/iYYRH4apXDo...

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1 person likes this
- Geoff Hall
2 days ago

Thanks for sharing the video, Geoff Hall. I found out yesterday David was in Labyrinth. I didn't know he was Jareth. His character is the main thing I remember about the movie....

Maurice Vaughan that’s cool, Maurice. By the way - His music evolved over the decades and is so unlike Space Oddity.

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1 person likes this
- Kat Spencer
5 days ago

Kat Spencer My favorite is "Carol of the Bells" by John Williams (Home Alone).

Rose Dupuis

2
2 people like this
- Kat Spencer
- Maurice Vaughan
5 days ago

Hey Kat Spencer, Kenny G, love saxophone , Celine Dion I can harmonize with, and Ill Divo makes me feel like I am in love shifting my mood on the first song. They fill my home with beautiful voices and music that lifts spirits and warm souls.

Mark Gosney

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
3 days ago

The rock guitarist in me loves Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I would love to put together a local Christmas show with all their greatest Christmas tunes, my cover band Hired Gunn has talked about it but i...

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1 person likes this
- Navid Lancaster
7 days ago

I can't wait to see Disclosure Day, Navid Lancaster! It looks and sounds incredible!

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2 people like this
- Navid Lancaster
- Maurice Vaughan
7 days ago

My anticipating is growing!!

Prema Rose

Me too!

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Navid Lancaster
5 days ago

Wow this is so close to the heart. Bring it on Whoow

TomaŽ. Fajfar

7 days ago

ZGODOVINA FILMA / HISTORY OF FILMAvtor / Avtor: Tomaž Fajfar

Žanr / Žanr: Biografska drama, ustvarjalna pot, duhovna vizijaLoglineSL: V tišini domače pisarne se rodi zgodba, ki bo osvojila srca sveta. Expand comment

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1 person likes this
- Geoff Hall
2 weeks ago

You're welcome, Geoff Hall. I listen to "Survivor" when I work on an Action or Thriller script. I'm gonna listen to the "Bloom" remix when I write. Thanks again. Have a great weekend!...

Meriem Bouziani

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2 people like this
- Geoff Hall
- Maurice Vaughan
2 weeks ago

I think Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is a great example of turning the feelings of the seasons into music.

But I still have a question: did he truly succeed in translating the seasons into sound, or do we fe...

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2 people like this
- Meriem Bouziani
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

Meriem Bouziani hi Meriem, I suppose you might have to go back to the original audience and see what they thought. I also think it depends what you mean by representing the seasons. Such things are be...

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Geoff Hall
1 week ago

Yes, I agree with you—we are programmed in certain ways. If we want to understand the true meaning and emotional impact of music, we would need to ask someone who has never heard it before and knows n...

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

Maurice Vaughan I looked for the transformed “Bloom” track on iTunes, but sadly couldn’t find it. I would love to play it during a writing session....

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1 person likes this
- Meriem Bouziani
2 weeks ago

Thanks for sharing the video, Ashley Renee Smith. The music in the clip is incredible! I didn't used to pay much mind to music and sound in scripts, but I learned they can enhance stories. I'd never t...

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 weeks ago

Music was an important part of the world-building in The Disabled Puzzle. In some scenes, I use Beethoven’s music; in others, I simply describe what the music should feel like. Overall, I believe musi...

Vladimir Romantsev

Atmosphere, mood, meaning, and space... Coming soon from musician Mandrake: the new album "Gradstein 2", featuring 18 tracks. Listen on Apple Music and Spotify—and let us know what you think!

Libby Wright

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4 people like this
2 weeks ago

My goal is to clear my plate of lots of "tasks" so that my brain is free to be creative again :)

Haley Mary

I hope to write some new lyrics and some more stand up comedy material.

Kat Spencer

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3 people like this
2 weeks ago

Nice Ville Hilden!

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2 people like this
- John January Noble
- Maurice Vaughan
2 weeks ago

Thanks Maurice Vaughan! I have to be patient because my kids and I are doing this together, my son in particular is really getting into making films, and I want to see what he can do! It will be worth...

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1 person likes this
- John January Noble
2 weeks ago

You're welcome, Kat Spencer. That's great that you're making the video with your kids!

Wyman Brent

2 weeks ago

Haley Mary, hi from here to there. Very impressive with your writing. I can only write in English. However, I have translated some of my songs into various languages and then recorded them using A.I....

Lenny Levy

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Wyman Brent
2 weeks ago

You said you're always open to collaborate. I write lyrics, have about 30 songs on the streaming services with a couple collaborators, but mainly one who takes my word and creates magic. But I look for some other collaborators. Let me know if you'd like to see some of my words.

Lenny Levy, it is very nice to hear from you. I would enjoy seeing what you have written. I should state, as I have many times on Stage 32, that I write songs. However, the voices and instrumentation...

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1 person likes this
- Wyman Brent
2 weeks ago

All of my lyrics that are on the streaming services have music written and performed by someone else. You're writing more songs than I am. But I'm also working on plays, movie scripts and poetry. What...

Lenny, unfortunately, I have not yet found anyone to record my songs. As for other writing, I write TV scripts and poetry. I also wrote a script for a stage musical.

As for reviewing my lyrics beforeh...

Find Your Footing on Stage 32: Join Our December Community Open House!

Monday, December 29th at 12:00 pm PT!

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