Frank Bell: On Creativity
Marianna
Do you have any habits you've built for yourself to foster creativity?
Frank
I approach this first with my bad habits. Instead of “What works for me?”, I often find myself asking “What am I doing that isn’t working”? And then attempt to alter that. I can’t speak generally about specific things… more so, what not to do, perhaps.
Unplugging is definitely important to me. Having all the information in the world at our fingertips definitely has its merits, but to invent and create, it helps to have a tabula rasa approach. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Don’t be afraid to fail miserably. Over and over.
Marianna
What sources of inspiration do you use to foster creativity in your work?
Frank
I tend to fluctuate between having an insanely voracious appetite to consume, read, watch, listen, to anything and everything - and the exact opposite. To me, anyone that took the initial risk to create something is an inspiration! That being said, I try to be open to anything and everything. There is sooooo much beauty and pain in the world. I know it’s a bit vague, but just being aware of the human condition opens up a bottomless well of creative inspiration, interpretation, and innovation.
Marianna
Where do you think ideas come from?
Frank
Ideas or “good” ideas? Or inspiration? I don’t think anyone can honestly answer where inspiration truly comes from - If there were a formula, then everything created would be “great”. Every idea, painting, song, architectural structure, etc. Inspiration is transient bits of synchronicity.
Marianna
What does creativity mean to you?
Frank
Questioning everything. The ability to honestly express and inspire something larger than itself. Creativity births creativity births creativity and so on and so on...
Marianna
Do you have a routine for entering into a creative headspace?
Frank
I wouldn't say that I have a specific routine. It all depends on my environment, mood, what I’m doing, and what exactly I’m aiming to accomplish creatively - if anything at all. Sometimes I wake up in a creative headspace. Sometimes it hits me after a conversation over drinks with a friend. On most occasions, I try to let it come to me rather than seek it out.
Marianna
When do your best ideas hit you?
Frank
When I listen. I don’t think the majority of people have a problem coming up with or finding ideas. I think in a society so over-saturated with cacophonous sounds and sparkly distractions, we often miss the “duh” moments or moments of inspirational clarity. In art, music, and life, in general, I find I’m the most functional when I’m able to shut out the sounds that don’t matter.
Marianna
What are the unexpected turns your life took to lead you to become who you are today?
Frank
Being born is probably the biggest one. Even the chances of that are like what 1 in 400 trillion or something like that? There are a ton of stories I could tell of regret, or happenstance, or fortune, but it all led up to this moment. I try to respect everything that led up to now, but more so am intrigued by “What’s next?”. Who am I tomorrow?
Marianna
What creative accomplishments are you most proud of?
Frank
Pride is an interesting word. A tricky word. I would say that there are many experiences and milestones that I’m grateful for, more so than proud of. And even then, I think it’s important to recognize that anything of note that I’ve ever done or will do in the future, is always with the help of someone else - even if it’s an example of what not to do. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get joy out of just completing something. My breakfast this morning was pretty awesome.
Marianna
Do you experiment in your work?
Frank
Oh most definitely! What’s life without experimentation? We wouldn’t have art without experimentation! My creative process is exactly that - a series of experiences. It’s a lot like feelings. One day I might be sad. One day happy. One day it might be raining, another day not… It’s whatever happens during those moments. It’s very rarely if ever the same. Always evolving and experimenting to see what works and what doesn’t in that moment.
Marianna
How would you describe your creative process?
Frank
Chaos, Balance, and Order.
What do you think is something that the most creative people in the world have in common?
Frank
Depending on the medium or vocation perhaps, but I think it’s safe to say the ability to inhabit both heaven and hell. True creativity often lends itself to intense vulnerability. That vulnerability can sometimes be heartbreakingly lonely or difficult. The product of it, however, can be out of this world orgasmic when channeled productively.
Marianna
How do you make sense of chaos in your life?
Frank
I don’t. Not to me anyway, though I certainly will die trying. I think it’s the duty of creatives. Speak the unspeakable. Reveal what is hidden. Speak for those who are silent. Give voice to the voiceless.
Marianna
Why do you think people get stuck on problems?
Frank
It depends on the problem. Overthinking is often a solution killer. But problems in general? Probably because a lot of times it’s easier to convince oneself that there will always be problems. Instead of having the mentality to solve the problems, we accept it as a comfortable constant - even if uncomfortable, because to attempt to get unstuck would mean change or growth.
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About Frank Bell:
Frank Bell is originally a classically-trained cellist who later expanded his instrumental arsenal as a way to further express himself as an artist. As an outlet, Frank began posting videos of his songs on YouTube, which brought him international attention and 800,000 video views (in four days) after being featured on their homepage. Shortly after, he flew to Canada to record his debut EP ‘On Passion and Reason’, a folky, neo-soul acoustic rock album which would later be released independently worldwide with famed Producer Bill Bell (Tom Cochrane, Jason Mraz, and more).
In 2010 Frank was named the HATCH GROUNDBREAKING Musician, where he recorded a song with Matt Morris (Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera) on an original track aboard the John Lennon Tour Bus. Recent appearances on MTV, at the Sundance Film Festival, a Times Square NYE Concert, IdeaJam moderated by Ashton Kutcher, and sold-out shows in Europe, continue to grow Frank’s awareness and fan base.
Frank is also in tune with global needs. March of 2010, Frank could be seen on CNN, ABC World News with Dianne Sawyer, and other international news outlets, for a “We are the World” collaboration he participated in to aid Haiti relief efforts. In March of 2011, Frank led multiple ventures for Japan Tsunami Relief. He continues to work closely with non-profits and other charitable organizations as his career progresses, believing fully in social responsibilities and helping to raise awareness of what’s going on in the world.
Since August of 2010, Frank found himself back and forth Bozeman, MT, where he teamed up with Producer, Deej Hofer to begin recording the highly anticipated full-length LP “Everything Falls Into Place”, which was released October 11, 2011.
In March of 2014, Frank was announced as the official Music Brand Ambassador for Skype which has led to his participation on a panel at TED 2014 with fellow artist Amanda Palmer and Imogen Heap.
In the following years, Frank turned his focus inwards, stripping down his sound and rediscovering the foundation of his passion: connecting with people through song. Spending extended periods of time in NYC, Boston, and at sea, Frank has been hard at work listening, building relationships, and refining his voice to speak to an increasingly diverse and disparate community. Always a heartfelt, insightful lyricist, his next big challenge is finding the words to match the world we live in today.