Philip Kuehn Spent Years Learning When to Let Go
Punk Head: ”By Design" was inspired by the Pacific Coast Highway. Was there a specific stretch of road or memory that kept pulling you back to the piece?
Philip Kuehn: "By Design" was inspired by the Pacific Coast Highway. Was there a specific stretch of road or memory that kept pulling you back to the piece? A. The song is generally inspired by those moments when you're driving down the road, the sun is shining, there's a cool breeze in the air, and everything seems to slow down for a moment. I'd had the melody in my mind for years, but when I finally drove along the Pacific Coast Highway, I remember thinking, "This is the perfect backdrop for this song." For me, By Design is a reminder to slow down, rest, and remember that God has plans that are bigger than what we can see in the moment. Beautiful scenery has a way of helping me remember that perspective.
Punk Head: Much of your career has involved bringing other people's visions to life. Did stepping into the role of primary storyteller reveal anything about yourself that years of collaboration hadn't?
Philip Kuehn: Much of your career has involved bringing other people's visions to life. Did stepping into the role of primary storyteller reveal anything about yourself that years of collaboration hadn't? A. Absolutely. It reminded me how much of a perfectionist I can be with my own music. When I'm contributing to someone else's project, I'm usually responsible for one or two pieces of the bigger picture. If the artist or producer is happy with what I've contributed, I'm generally satisfied as well. But when I'm responsible for every decision—from the composition to the arrangement, production, and final mix—it's much harder to let go. Releasing By Design taught me that at some point you have to stop chasing perfection and trust that the work is ready to be shared.
Punk Head: You've worked with artists connected to very different musical traditions, from jazz to orchestral projects to film music. How do those experiences filter into a smooth jazz composition without overwhelming its identity?
Philip Kuehn: You've worked with artists connected to very different musical traditions, from jazz to orchestral projects to film music. How do those experiences filter into a smooth jazz composition without overwhelming its identity? A. I think those traditions are all different facets of who I am as a musician. Over the years, I've absorbed lessons from jazz, orchestral music, film scoring, and many other styles. The cinematic sense of space from film music, the improvisational language of jazz, and the color and texture of orchestral writing all influence the way I hear music. When I'm composing, I don't consciously try to insert those influences. Instead, I try to listen to what the music needs and respond honestly. Whatever elements serve the song naturally find their way in, while the core identity of the piece remains intact.
Punk Head: The story of "By Design" seems to challenge the idea that art arrives in a flash of inspiration. Do you see composition more as discovery than creation?
Philip Kuehn: The story of "By Design" seems to challenge the idea that art arrives in a flash of inspiration. Do you see composition more as discovery than creation? A. I’ve experienced both. Some musical ideas arrive almost instantly, as if they've always existed and you're simply discovering them. The original idea for By Design came very quickly, but the rest of the song took years to develop. For a long time, I felt I didn't have the resources or production skills to realize it the way I imagined. Eventually, I realized I needed to stop making excuses and find a way to bring it to life. Looking back, the process felt like both creation and discovery. I was building something, but I was also uncovering what the song wanted to become over time.
Punk Head: If someone put on "By Design" during a late-night drive, what do you hope they're feeling by the final note?
Philip Kuehn: If someone put on "By Design" during a late-night drive, what do you hope they're feeling by the final note? A. I hope they feel joy, peace, and a renewed sense of hope. Life can be overwhelming, and it's easy to get caught up in what's right in front of us. I hope the song reminds people that things aren't always as bad as they seem and that there may be a bigger picture unfolding than they can currently see. If they finish the song feeling a little more optimistic than when they started, then I've accomplished what I set out to do.
