How I've Found My Way as a Composer (So Far)

Plus, the new podcast "micro/Maker" is now live!

Author

Tyler Kline
May 16, 2025

🍃 Loose Leaf Transmissions – Weekly Dispatch

This week, music/Maker returned with an honest deep dive into my own journey as a composer — so far.

When I first sat down to record this re-launch episode, I kept wondering:

“Is this really how I want to debut Season 2?” 

“Do people even want to hear me talk about myself for this long?”

What I didn’t expect was how much clarity would come from giving myself the music/Maker treatment I usually give my guests. The episode runs just over 90 minutes, and as I talked through my story, a lot of ideas about my work started to crystallize. And I gotta say — that was pretty cool.

If you’ve ever been curious about my creative background or process, I hope you’ll take a listen. I really enjoyed recording it.

Oh — and if longform episodes aren’t your thing? That’s exactly why I created micro/Maker: short, focused excerpts from the archive, now releasing every Tuesday and Friday. Great for a commute, a quiet walk, or while you’re doing dishes.

🎧 New on the Feed

🎙 music/Maker with Tyler Kline

Now streaming: How I’ve Found My Way as a Composer (So Far)

Season 2 of music/Maker with Tyler Kline kicks off with another solo episode, where Tyler reflects on his own creative practice and artistic journey.

This time, he turns the tables on himself and answers the same questions he usually asks his guests: What is your first artistic memory? What are the pillars of your creative practice? What artistic artifacts changed your creative world? Tyler explores these questions and more in a candid, personal conversation to open the new season.

New episodes every other Thursday. Subscribe now!

🎙 micro/Maker

micro/Maker 001: Finding That Truth in Music is Fluid (featuring Baljinder Sekhon)

Baljinder Sekhon unpacks how expectations shape our sense of musical “truth” — and how stepping outside of those expectations can lead to deeper listening and creativity.

micro/Maker 002: Pursuing Curiosity Over Clout (featuring Vanessa Ague)

Vanessa Ague reflects on the importance of curiosity in music criticism — especially when tempted by the visibility of writing about what's popular.

Episodes are released every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe now!

🔜 Coming Up Soon

micro/Maker continues next week with moments from composers Shelley Washington and Roger Zare.

Shelley reflects on the leap she made into a master’s program in composition — a decision shaped by a year of soul-searching, an odd job, and the weight of financial uncertainty. Roger shares how hearing The Firebird live reignited his love for orchestral music and set him on a path of creative momentum that still shapes his work today.

And new full-length conversations of music/Maker with Tyler Kline are on the way — including episodes with:

  • Composer Marc Mellits, on how writing music that’s fun has fueled his creative momentum and career.

  • Cincinnati-based filmmaker C. Jacqueline Wood, in a poignant conversation exploring parallels between filmmaking and composing.

  • Composer Yue Song, who shares how moving from China to Ireland gave her the confidence to take her music further.

  • Composer Charly Daniels, on how his hometown of Mexico City subtly finds its way into every piece he writes.

  • Composer and organist Graeme Shields, who offers a deep dive into the world of organ music — and how he creates interesting and eccentric work for church services.

That’s all coming up this summer on music/Maker with Tyler Kline!

☕ Support the Work

Love what you’re hearing?

Here are some easy, no-cost ways to support the work — just the cost of a click:

  • 💌 Share an episode with a friend who might enjoy it

  • 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app

  • 📱 Follow along on Instagram or Facebook

  • ⭐ Leave a rating or review — it helps more than you’d think!

And if you’re feeling extra generous, you can support Loose Leaf Transmissions on Patreon. Your support helps make space for thoughtful, independent work like this, and you’ll also get some perks.

Until next time — stay well, and I hope these episodes bring something good your way.