Kat McMorrow
A&E Reporter

When the economy slumps, songwriters at Humber use  art as a therapeutic mode of escape.

 “I think there may be several relatively superficial things that happen to culture in many ways when economies have bubbles burst and when markets fluctuate like stomachs on a roller coaster ride,” said Lakeshore song writing instructor Rik Emmett. “Content can become darker and more cynical when governments, politicians, and corporate people have been clearly proven to be inadequate, deceitful, incompetent or just plain wilfully greedy and stupid.”

In 1981, Emmett released Ordinary Man with then trio Triumph. The lyrics send a clear message, using phrases such as “whose truth d’you sell today?” to describe the “almighty media.”

“Songwriting is an artistic exercise of the heart, soul and intellect,” said Emmett.  “When I get down to small details, like the money in my wallet, or the lint in my pocket, I usually have a bigger reason for using that detail as metaphor.”  

Emmett said in mainstream music, a lot of songs deal with content about wants and needs.

“Personal experience, and having something personally, emotionally, at stake in the work, is good for motivation, and provides a solid fuel for getting the work done,” he said.  

Amy Pitt, a recent Humber music grad agrees.

“Writing is therapy for me,” she said.

Andrew Kay, a community music grad who is currently traveling through India, said songwriters’ art is heavily influenced by what is going on around them.

“I’m a composer and songwriter, and all of my experiences influence my life and in turn that influences my music,” said Kay.