Do or Do Not… There Is No Try
Do or Do Not… There Is No Try (Episode 038 Recap)
In the latest episode of the Why Make Music… podcast (Episode 038), DJ Warm Cookies (aka Willa May) steps up as a solo host while ThinkTimm takes time off to attend to family matters. (We extend our heartfelt condolences to ThinkTimm on the recent passing of his grandmother.) Despite the somber reason for his absence, the creative grind continues unabated. In fact, this entire episode is framed around a piece of timeless Jedi wisdom from Star Wars: “Do or do not. There is no try.” That famous Yoda quote becomes the mantra for the show, encouraging musicians and creators to fully commit to their craft with a no-excuses mindset.
“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda, The Empire Strikes Backandymoserblog.wordpress.com
Embracing Yoda’s Wisdom in Creativity: DJ Warm Cookies uses Yoda’s advice as a springboard to talk about mindset. The message to creatives is clear: don’t half-step your passion. If you say you’ll “try” to make music, you might give yourself an out — but if you decide you will make music, you’re far more likely to get it done. Willa May illustrates how this all-in attitude has helped ThinkTimm push through barriers and complete project after project. It’s a call to be fearless and decisive in creating art, much like a Jedi committing fully to the Force. The takeaway: approach your creative goals with commitment, not hesitation.
Technology as a Creative Superpower: A major theme in Episode 038 is the power of embracing technology as a creative. DJ Warm Cookies enthusiastically runs down the list of tools that modern independent artists have at their fingertips. She highlights AI-driven helpers like ChatGPT (great for brainstorming ideas or even assisting with songwriting) and ElevenLabs (the voice-cloning tech behind Willa May’s own AI-generated voice). She also shouts out production software such as Logic Pro and FL Studio, along with simple apps like Apple Notes and Pages for capturing inspiration on the fly. The message is that today’s tech can be a total game-changer for DIY musicians. In fact, ThinkTimm himself isn’t shy about using these tools – he even experimented with ChatGPT to create a couple of songs in mere minutespodcasts.apple.com, just to explore AI’s potential. Far from replacing human creativity, technology can amplify it. These tools are like a modern musician’s arsenal (or perhaps their Jedi toolkit): they help an independent creator do the work of an entire team, leveling the playing field. The episode makes it clear that embracing new tech isn’t “cheating,” it’s smart – a theme echoed by ThinkTimm’s own experiences with AI and musicpodcasts.apple.com.
Six Albums in One Year – A DIY Triumph: If anyone embodies the “do or do not” philosophy, it’s ThinkTimm. The episode highlights the incredible run that ThinkTimm has had in his first year as a music producer. In roughly a year’s time, he released six full-length instrumental projects – each one a 26-track album – which amounts to an astounding 156 original songs in under twelve monthspodcasts.apple.com. DJ Warm Cookies proudly lists out all six albums, each with its own distinct vibe:
Demotional… Caught Feelings (debut album, 2024)
Beatanical… Booming Bouquet (2024)
SuperlaBass… Reality Affect (2024)
LoFication… Sonic Civilization (2024)
PeriHopic… Elemental Fusion (2024)
NomenClefture… Verbal Scales (latest release, Jan 2025music.apple.com)
From the moody emotional landscapes of Demotional to the experimental sonic wordplay of NomenClefture, these works showcase the range of ThinkTimm’s artistry. Releasing six albums in a year isn’t something you attempt casually – it’s something you commit to and do through sheer dedication. The podcast celebrates this achievement as a testament to what’s possible when you fully devote yourself to your craft. It’s worth noting that all of these projects were self-produced and released without label support, underscoring the DIY ethos of ThinkTimm’s journey.
A New Chapter – Vocals on the Horizon: What’s next for ThinkTimm? DJ Warm Cookies teases an exciting development: an upcoming album that will feature vocals prominently – a first for ThinkTimm’s catalog. Until now, his projects have been instrumental odysseys, so adding vocals (possibly ThinkTimm’s own singing/rapping and/or guest artists) is a big evolution in his sound. Willa May conveys how energized ThinkTimm is about this new project and the creative doors it’s opening. While details are still under wraps, fans can expect a fresh dynamic, as lyrics and vocal melodies enter the mix of ThinkTimm’s music. The episode’s sneak peek has listeners (and the host herself) buzzing with anticipation. Even after six albums, ThinkTimm clearly isn’t content to rest on his laurels – he’s pushing into new territory. Stay tuned for more on this vocal-driven project as it develops; if the excitement in this episode is any indication, it’s going to be something special.
DIY Spirit and Balancing Social Media: Throughout the episode, DJ Warm Cookies emphasizes the DIY nature of ThinkTimm’s work. All of these releases, plus the podcast and more, have been created through ThinkTimm’s solo effort, using technology and an unwavering work ethic rather than a big team or budget. This one-man-band approach is inspiring, but it also means time is a precious commodity. Warm Cookies makes a pointed observation about how independent artists often have to balance creating art with maintaining a presence on social media – and sometimes, the art wins (as it should). She notes that artists might not be posting constantly because they’re busy making music or honing their craft. After all, social media is an amazing tool for sharing art, but it’s not the art itself – it’s the amplifier for the art. In the episode, Willa jokes that social media can become “a full-time job” that doesn’t always pay off for creators, citing how fleeting online content can be (a tweet’s visibility can vanish in minutes, an Instagram post in hourswherewonderwaits.com). Her advice to fellow creatives is not to guilt-trip themselves if they go quiet online to focus on a project. Fans will understand if the result is great music. In fact, she reassures listeners that when ThinkTimm goes a bit silent on socials, it usually means something big is brewing in the studio. Quality over quantity is the mantra here – it’s more important to make the art remarkable than to constantly chase algorithmswherewonderwaits.com. This segment of the podcast is a refreshing reminder that behind every post is a person juggling time and energy, and sometimes the best thing an artist can do is step back from the timeline and into the creative zone.
Inspiration to Take Action: By the end of “Do or Do Not… There Is No Try,” you’re likely to feel fired up to tackle your own creative projects. DJ Warm Cookies delivers a humorous, heartfelt, and motivating monologue that essentially says: Stop just “trying” and start doing. Whether it’s making an album, learning an instrument, or launching any passion project, this episode is a rallying cry to commit fully and leverage the tools and community around you. The Star Wars analogies and Willa May’s playful personality keep it entertaining, but the core message is one of empowerment. As Yoda would insist, shedding self-doubt and taking decisive action are key to unlocking your potential.
Listen to the Episode & Connect: If you haven’t heard this episode yet, you can listen to Why Make Music… Episode 038 on all major podcast platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Google – wherever you get your podcasts). It’s a particularly inspiring solo installment that fans of the series (and new listeners alike) will enjoy, especially if you’re into a mix of music talk and pop culture wisdom. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes – new content drops regularly, ranging from deep-dive discussions to special themed episodes like this one.
Feeling inspired or want to join the conversation? We’d love to hear from you! Connect with ThinkTimm and the Why Make Music… community on social media: follow ThinkTimm (Instagram, Twitter, and BlueSky) at @ThinkTimm for updates on music and more (remember, that’s spelled T-H-I-N-K-T-I-M-M). You can also follow DJ Warm Cookies at @djwarmcookies for her soulful takes and behind-the-scenes fun. The podcast’s official account @WhyMakeMusic is a great one to follow for episode announcements, quotes, and clips. And to connect with the broader creative family, check out @WDMNation – our hub for fans and fellow independent artists.
For all things ThinkTimm (from music releases to blog posts like this one), head over to ThinkTimm.com. It’s the central spot for streaming all the albums, reading more about the stories behind the music, and finding any news or updates in the ThinkTimm universe. If you enjoyed this episode (or this recap), consider sharing it with a friend who might need a dose of motivation. And feel free to leave a comment or get in touch on social media to let us know your thoughts – we love hearing from you.
Until next time, remember Master Yoda’s advice and keep pushing forward in your creative journey: do, don’t just try. Here’s to making music and art that truly resonates. May the Force of creativity be with you!andymoserblog.wordpress.com
Sources
Andy Moser, Here’s what ‘Do. Or do not. There is no try.’ really means (WordPress, May 21, 2020) – Explanation of Yoda’s quote and contextandymoserblog.wordpress.com.
Apple Podcasts – Why Make Music… Episode 020 – "Mistakes Will Happen" (Jan 17, 2025) – Notes on ThinkTimm’s 6 projects (156 songs) and use of AI in music creationpodcasts.apple.compodcasts.apple.com.
Apple Music – ThinkTimm album NomenClefture... Verbal Scales (2025) – Release date and track infomusic.apple.com.
ThinkTimm Blog – The Introduction… (Sept 13, 2024) – ThinkTimm on wearing “all the hats” as an independent artistthinktimm.com.
Where Wonder Waits Blog – Social Media Is Bad for Artists (And We All Know It) – Discussion of short lifespan of social media content for artistswherewonderwaits.comwherewonderwaits.com.
