I often create recorded works in a non-linear way. The more linear or standard approach would be, say, to write some lyrics and then some music to go around the lyrics. Then possibly an arrangement would emerge from that followed by a production as the work is converted to a recording. Not everyone does that of course but it would be fairly typical.

My non-linear way is more like a jigsaw where firstly I “hear” a fragment of the completed picture. That may include parts of the composition, arrangement and production. I then search for other bits of the jigsaw and from there go on to craft the finished work.

For me the work is an actual recording as opposed to the traditionally conceived component parts such as song, arrangement and production which used to all be separate skills performed by separate people. In my mode of working they are enmeshed and tend to arrive at the point of initiation as if in some way already complete in my ear.

The jigsaw metaphor is a good one as a way of describing this non-linear method and although there will be others who appreciate this I’ve never actually heard anyone so describe it and who would understand what the hell I’m talking about.