Today we’d like to introduce you to Merritt Goodwin.
Hi Merritt, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In my early years, I played piano and trumpet but it wasn’t until 8th grade when I started to learn guitar. Throughout high school, I played in a few bands ranging between punk and death metal. Once in college, I was studying music and philosophy. It was here at NAU where I began to become interested in composition. Then I got an opening to move to LA to attend Musicians Institute in Hollywood. When I finished my time at MI I ended up playing in many bands. One of those bands is the one I’ve been in since, which is Stitched Up Heart. We got signed to Century Media/Another Century and began years of crazy touring and writing. While being in the studio with many great producers my interest in music composition reignited. I started to re-listen to soundtracks that inspired me to want to compose to film, TV, and games. In college, I always used pencil and paper so I had to learn the correct computer software and techniques of modern-day media composers. In tandem with the band, I began to write for production/trailer libraries and short films. As of today, the band is on the horizon of releasing its 3rd album off Sony Orchard and I am working on multiple composition projects.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been smooth. There have been many moments where things all lined up and worked but mainly there is always some fight or push to keep moving forward. One of the consistent struggles was being in a touring band and playing on these great tours but once home having no income. So in order to survive I would have to come up with many side hustles. Being on the road also has many challenges like bus engines blowing up in the middle of Alabama mid-tour and finding ways to get to the next show. There are so many obstacles to even mention. However, with these obstacles comes great rewards. Once you have conquered a huge challenge the small challenges of everyday life don’t seem so bad and you gain a strong sense of confidence and mental endurance. With high risk comes high reward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I play guitar in a band called Stitched Up Heart. This is probably what I am known most for. I am also a composer for media. So I’ve composed music for some films, games, ads, etc. I am probably most proud of the fact that I am still able to do this stuff after so many years. Many of the experiences I have had I thought I would never have so I am so grateful. Every project is so different and challenging in its own way that I am proud of them all. As mundane as it may sound, the thing that sets me apart from others is just me. Everyone has their own voice and it can be really hard to describe what our own voice is. So my experiences in life will vary from everyone else’s. When I write a piece of music it is filtered through my perception of reality. Whether that’s good or bad I don’t know but it comes out sounding like me.
How do you think about happiness?
Music is probably one of the main things that make me happy because it has always been there for me and gives me a sense of purpose in the world. Some other things that make me happy are philosophy, education, and coffee. Philosophy helps me try to understand what happiness is and the good life. Education helps me feel a sense of growth and coffee helps me stay up to do all these things.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merrittgoodwinofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StitchedUpHeartRock/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIb_YuBoltulQwy_Hk9vLKg
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/merrittgoodwin
Image Credits
Kenny Brown KRB2 Photography Luke Szudzik Amy Harris Terrell Stewart Dave Clark
