Ascribe’s Abacus is a collection of guest blogs by your favorite artists. From tips for the music industry to notes from the road, and from studio diaries to anecdotes about their careers, this journal of guest blogs is an exclusive way for fans to learn more, directly from the artist.
This time, we’re joined by singer/songwriter Kayshawn. In his guest blog, Kayshawn takes us through the process of creating his latest single, “Heartbreak Hotel,” and shows us an exclusive video from the recording process.
My new single, “Heartbreak Hotel,” is a call out to the lonely. I wrote the majority of the song back in late August of last year, in my childhood home. The song was not initially a song, but a poem. I was in a very low point in my life when I wrote it. The poem embodies themes of regret, distrust, strength, hurt, anger, independence, hope, and of course, loneliness. When you have felt so alone and not loved romantically for so long, you can get used to a certain kind of feeling. I thought I’d wrap that feeling and those themes up into a place I would call “Heartbreak Hotel.” I couldn’t shake the title or the concept and felt like it could be a song, and now here we are!
I worked with an artist by the name of NoLandWest to produce and finish the track, and he is incredible! He was such a genuine soul and so open to my writing. This was the first time, I got to really take the lead and write a song on my own. I came to him with the three-fourths of the song and together, we finished it. His production for the track is the perfect fit for the song and the vibe I wanted. After “Save Your Love,” it felt like the best direction to take. It is because of him that this song is my personal favorite of anything I have ever created. It feels the most me, and I have his production skills to thank for that. I am so appreciative of his patience and dedication to making this song what it is now.
For me, this song touches on one of the few mental battles I face from time to time; do I allow this person in or do I shut them out? She’s really into me now, but will this turn into something that’s completely superficial? It’s this mental battle that caused me to lose her. Being so in my own thoughts, I pushed her away, only to realize that she treated me better than any other girl. Now, I’m wondering if I’m on her mind at all. Over time, after losing her like every past lover, I became so comfortable with the lonely. I started to like it, even though I would get so sad from time to time not having that special someone in my life. Hence the lyrics, “heartbreak hotel, you fit me so well/You kill me so well.” Now, I embrace it and I’ve given lonely its own metaphor; heartbreak hotel. I’m so excited to open up the doors of heartbreak hotel, and let you all see where I’ve been since the last song. I really hope you love this one as much as I do!
