I was about to fire up a playlist for inspiration, something I’ve done a thousand times, when I stopped. What’s the theme of today’s jam going to be? Do I lead with sound design, try to build around a unique sound? Or do I follow a feeling, something I want to express? Maybe I just need to limber up first. Listen to a few favourite tracks, catch a spark. A bass line I like. An arp that pulls me in. Then off I go. But on this particular day, I paused. And a thought landed: “He