Blog Update: Turning Back to Songwriting

For years, my main focus has been teaching music. I've had dozens of students come through my studio-learning fiddle tunes, mandolin techniques, and guitar basics. But since the pandemic, I've struggled to rebuild that community. The classrooms went quiet, the orchestra rehearsals stopped, and even now, it's been difficult to find students to fill those empty chairs.

That frustration could have left me in silence. Instead, I found myself turning back to something that's been with me since the 1980s: composing music and writing songs. Songwriting was always there in the background, a casual practice that never really left me. Over the past few weeks, I've leaned into it with full force, creating a burst of new music that feels both personal and deeply connected to the stories around me.

Here are some of the songs I've released recently:

• Whalen's Run - inspired by local political campaigns.
• UMass Ropes - reflecting on events at the university.
• Pioneer Valley Spuds - a playful local piece.
• Blood Moon Rising - cosmic and moody.
• Granby DinoFest - written for a community celebration.
• Amherst Voices Unheard - amplifying stories often overlooked.
• E-bike Blaze - sparked by a strange local fire.
• Ringing Black Hole and Fierce Lizard Rising - experiments in sound and imagery.

Each song feels like a snapshot of the moment-whether rooted in Pioneer Valley news, celestial events, or simply the creative urge to keep pushing forward.

While I may not have a full roster of students right now, I have a growing catalog of songs that tell stories, carry rhythms, and offer something new for listeners to connect with. In a way, composing has become my way of teaching-sharing ideas through melody instead of lessons.

If you'd like to explore the new music, you can find my complete catalog here:

• 👉 adamsweet.bandcamp.com

And if you're curious about my broader work, here's a hub of links:

• 👉 adamrsweet.bio.link

Thank you for listening, for reading, and for being part of this journey. Music continues to carry me forward, even when the road changes direction.