It is always weird to be in the studio working on Christmas music

Host: The room feels warm, with the soft glow of the lamp casting inviting shadows across the walls. Outside, the world is quiet, the evening settling into stillness. Jeeny sits on the couch, her legs tucked underneath her, a cup of tea resting on the table in front of her. Jack, standing by the window, watches the darkened world outside, clearly deep in thought. The calm atmosphere feels perfect for a conversation about creativity, tradition, and the oddities of artistic life.

Jeeny: “Jack, I came across a quote from Dave Haywood today that made me smile,” she says softly. “He said, ‘It is always weird to be in the studio working on Christmas music in June and July, so we decorated the entire studio, we really did. We brought out lights, fake trees and decorated the place to get in the Christmas spirit. You’d leave the studio, and it’d be 100 degrees out in Nashville, but nonetheless, a great experience.’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: He turns, a slight chuckle escaping him. “That’s such a fun image. Christmas in the middle of summer — it’s like creating your own little world to help get into the spirit of the music, even if everything around you is completely opposite. It’s like they’re trying to make the environment match the mood of the music, even though it’s far from what they’re used to. I love the idea of creating that kind of atmosphere to immerse yourself in a project.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s about finding ways to make the experience feel real, even when the context doesn’t align with the theme. I can imagine it’s hard to get into the Christmas spirit in the heat of summer, but by decorating the studio, they’re kind of transporting themselves into that Christmas world. It’s a reminder that sometimes, you have to create your own environment to help you tap into the right mindset for your work.”

Host: The light in the room seems to soften as the conversation shifts, revealing how much environment influences creativity. Jeeny speaks with an understanding that Dave Haywood’s story is about creating the right atmosphere, even if it means breaking the typical seasonal association. Jack stands still for a moment, reflecting on how artists often find ways to transform their surroundings to match the spirit of their work, even when it feels out of place.

Jack: “It’s also about the fun of the process, right? They weren’t just creating Christmas music; they were making the whole experience enjoyable. Sometimes, the creative process isn’t just about the music itself — it’s about the environment and mood you create around it. They brought out the lights and trees, which sounds like it added a bit of lightheartedness to the task. It’s almost like they were turning the studio into a little holiday retreat to get into the vibe.”

Jeeny: “Yes! The environment they created wasn’t just about making it feel like Christmas — it was about getting themselves in the right mindset to be creative. Sometimes the work we do requires more than just focus; it needs the right kind of energy and spirit. If decorating the studio helped them feel closer to that holiday joy, then it was worth it, no matter how out of place it seemed.”

Host: The room feels quieter now, the weight of their conversation settling in. The idea that environment can influence the creative process, and that sometimes we need to go beyond what’s expected to get in the right frame of mind, seems to resonate with both of them. Jeeny and Jack reflect on how artists, like Dave Haywood, often create their own unique rituals and environments to fuel their creativity, no matter how unconventional it might be.

Jack: “It makes sense. The creative process often requires more than just technical skill; it’s about setting the stage for the right mood and energy. If something as simple as decorating the studio helps you feel closer to the music, then it’s an essential part of the process. Sometimes, the setting can become as important as the work itself.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And it’s a reminder that creativity doesn’t always follow the rules. You don’t have to work within the traditional boundaries or seasons to create something that fits. Sometimes, you need to bend the environment to fit the spirit of what you’re doing, to make the process more immersive and enjoyable.”

Host: The quiet in the room deepens, as Jeeny and Jack sit together, reflecting on the ways in which artists often create their own environments and rituals to fuel their creativity. Dave Haywood’s story reminds us that the process of making something meaningful, even when it feels out of sync with the external world, is an important part of the journey — sometimes, you need to build your own world to bring your ideas to life.