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The creative process can be a difficult one, especially for artists who are constantly questioning themselves and their work. Luc Bradford, better known as ford., has grappled with this issue while writing his third album, 'Guiding Hand.' As he reflects on his past work, Luc realizes that he has often compromised his artistic vision to please others, leaving him with mixed feelings about his previous albums.

However, 'Guiding Hand' has given Luc a chance to reset and create something truly intentional. The process has been an arduous one, with its fair share of self-doubts and mental roadblocks. Yet, despite these struggles, Luc feels that this album represents his best and most authentic work to date.

The title of the album, 'Guiding Hand,' is a symbolic visual representation of the unseen force that helped Luc push through the various struggles that came throughout the writing experience. This force represents the collective human spirit, the gentle momentum of positivity that coaxes us forward when we feel we can't move at all. Luc drew on these influences throughout the creative process, using it to pull him through writer's block and moments of doubt. The hands on the album's cover art are a depiction of an actual sculpture that is of personal significance to Luc and his family, a mold of his mother and older brother’s hands which were taken before his passing in 2007. He has been, and continues to be an unwavering inspiration to Luc in his music.

The question of when an artist creates their best work is subjective and cannot be answered definitively. However, Luc knows that creating from a place of deep personal emotion and experience is different from creating from youthful ignorance. He is excited to see how fans will receive the music, and hopes that they will connect with the album's emotional depth and authenticity. 

Overall, 'Guiding Hand' is a powerful testament to Luc's artistic vision and his journey to create music that is true to himself. It represents a triumph over doubt and anxiety, and showcases the power of the human spirit to guide us through difficult times. For Luc, this album is more than just a collection of songs - it is a reflection of his growth as an artist and as a person.