December Songwriting Challenges
Winter Wonderland Ballad: Write a heartfelt ballad that captures the enchanting beauty of a winter wonderland, exploring themes of snowfall, icy landscapes, and the magic of the season. Think “River” by Joni Mitchell.
Christmas SLAYbell Infusion: Sleigh bells are the hallmark percussive element in many a Christmas smash. Use sleigh bell samples in a track that you write about the Christmas season.
Hanukkah Harmony: Write a song that honors the celebration of Hanukkah, incorporating scales that are more typical in Jewish musical forms, more specifically the Phyrigian scale.
Wintry Setting. Pen a non-holiday song about winter. Invoke the cold, the snow, the leafless trees, the coziness of a space heater, and other sense memories of winter as the setting of your song.
Cozy Fireplace Acoustic Jam: Compose an acoustic jam session-style song that embodies the coziness and warmth of sitting by a crackling fireplace during winter.
Co-write on Zoom (again): Yeah, its a little too cold out there for me to recommend that you leave your house and head out for a co-write. Stay inside in your pajamas and get cozy with a cup of hot chocolate. Log on to zoom and co-write a wintry song from the comfort of your own home.
Countdown: As we approach 2025, we can expect to hear the metronomic countdown to the New Year. 10. 9. 8. 7. You get it! Use a countdown as the inspiration for a chorus lyric in your own song.
Year in Review: Write a song in which the verses catalogue the events of your past year. Drop them into the verse and them make an emotional point about these events in your chorus.
Christmas Movies: Pick one of your favorite Christmas or holiday movies and listen to the soundtrack. Pen a song in that style that could fit into your movie of choice.
Congratulate Your Co-writers: In one of your sessions this month, tell you’re co-writer you’re proud of them for what they’ve accomplished this year. Pay your respects and give your thanks. See if, by starting your sessions with a bit of gratitude, the vibe in the room becomes more open and heartfelt.
Thanksgiving and Music
During Turkey Season 1992, the cast members of SNL wrote comical ditties celebrating Thanksgiving. Adam Sandler and Kevin Nealon sang about, well, how much they love to eat turkey. While the farcical tune is deserving of a laugh, it does beg the question why are we so desperately lacking a zeitgeisty, autumnal canon for Thanksgiving!
When Turkey Day is over and the wheels of Capitalist Christmas begin turning, Americans will be greeted by a bevy of familiar songs by Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey, and other artists who have come to define the winter season. If we, as a culture, can agree on a set of songs that define Christmas, then surely we can agree on a set of songs that define Thanksgiving.
Of course, one might fill in the sonic emptiness with songs that speak to the spirit of gratitude. Bob Marley’s “Give Thanks and Praises” comes to mind. Perhaps The High Women’s “Crowded Table,” a song about wanting to be surrounded by love and friendship could also make its way onto a Thanksgiving soundtrack. And then, there’s always Vince Guaraldi Trio’s Thanksgiving Theme from “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” to inspire a sense of autumnal celebration.
Perhaps, our lack of musical material speaks to an artistic disfavor with the historical trends that underpin Thanksgiving: a dislocation of Native Americans from ancestral land, centuries of genocide in the pursuit of American manifest destiny. A historical fact finding mission makes it difficult to dress up Thanksgiving with feel good cheer. Given the circumstances, perhaps we can consider the lack of Thanksgiving music is blessing as we are not lulled into disregarding history.
Thanksgiving, despite its very Americanness, is a music-less holiday—a rarity in our culture. This Thanksgiving I’d like you to consider why that is? Consider if it’s a good thing or a bad thing or simply neutral? And, if it is a problem, is it one worth rectifying?
Healthy Tour Tips
For my first time touring artists, life on the road is HARD! You’re constantly sleeping in a new room, inundated with air conditioning from a rickety fan, and having viral stew spewed into your face by adoring fans on the nightly. Your bodies got to be tough and your strategies around health need to be even tougher. Let’s discuss a few ways to maintain your health while you’re on the road.
Nettipot after your shows! Using distilled water and a saline solution packet, rinse out those olfactory sensors baby! Based on a 2009 study by Am Fam Physician, Saline was “found to be effective adjunctive care by the Cochrane Collaboration for symptoms associated with chronic rhinosinusitis.” In other words, those suffering from chronic allergies or post nasal drip can benefit from saline irrigation with a nettipot.
It can also be an effective tool to prevent rhinoviruses as it flushes allergens and specks of viral out. In one controlled study, preventive daily spray SNI reported significantly fewer episodes of URIs, shorter symptom duration and fewer days with nasal symptoms.
On tour, time is money. And you don’t want to lose out on a show or two because of a cold or, worse, covid. Preventative Nettipotting is your friend!
Place a fan by your merch table. When you’re chatting with fans after the show, any viral agents they may be harboring—sometimes knowingly by the way—are being launched directly into your schnoz and mouth. By placing a fan facing your fans, you can ensure a bit of protection as those viral loads are blown away from you.
Bring your own pillowcase. When you’re galavanting around the world on tour, you’ll find yourself in a new bed nearly every night. With a new bed comes a new pillowcase, some of them filled with dust mites or washed with detergents you may have a bad reaction to. Ensure your respiratory health by lugging your own pillowcase in your suitcase to place over new pillows!
Watch what you drink. Alcohol is a no go. Its a diuretic that will dry out your vocal cords and lower your inhibitions such that you’ll talk at a higher volume!
Watch your decibel count! Speak quietly when you can, though not at a whisper as pushing air over the vocal cords can be damaging. When you speak louder, you’re more likely to wear out your precious voice. Keep that girl healthy!
Hydrate often! The air in an air conditioned vehicle is extremely dry and changing time zones and microbiomes can have an adverse effect on your respiratory system. Make sure to fight dryness by hydrating often and hydrating well!
These are just some of the tips can ensure that your tour is carried out with health in mind. If you’re a singer, your instrument is in your body so ensuring that your health is optimal is also ensuring that your sound is optimal! Hope this helps!
Organization 101 for Songwriters
Creatives are free spirits disinclined toward the business minutia that can be essential to pushing their careers forward. I know it. You know it. In fact, I'm pretty sure that everyone knows it. That said, for those of us lacking publisher or managers, this minutia is unfortunately something you need to prioritize. So, let's go over a few ways that you can stay organized to optimize your chances of success.
Name your voice notes. I'm willing to bet that each and every one of you have untitled voice notes floating around on your phone. Some of you likely have hundreds of them ambiguously titled something like New Recording 475. I want you to get in the habit of giving them specific names. Edit them to either be the title of the song or the date of the session with your co-writers names. This will make them easily accessible if you need to listen back to a song for reference or if there are song split disputes that you'd like to clarify.
Send e-mails confirming publishing splits. An e-mail is a document that can keep you legally protected. After each co-write, send out an e-mail confirming everyone's split of the publishing. Make sure that each co-writer sends an e-mail confirming an agreement to the splits. This can literally be a one or two line e-mail that can keep you safe in the event that one of the co-writers is a bad actor who tries to diminish your cut of the publishing at a later date.
Keep Dates in a Google Calendar. As a phone junkie myself, I like to have all my meetings laid out for me in my Google Calendar. This helps me stay organized and prevents me from missing a session, a consultation, or a business meeting. Whenever you plan a session, make sure to write down when and where it will be so that you can arrive promptly and professionally.
Maintain a "Songs" Folder. Whether it be on your computer desktop or backed up onto a hard drive, you should have a single folder that contains each of your songs. Make sure that each song is titled and includes the names of your co-writers so you do not forget who worked on the song. Within this major folder subdivide the songs into separate folders by date. For instance, name a folder "Jan 4- Jan 11 2024" and include all the songs written in that time frame. This will provide you with easy access to songs if you need to call on them during publishing meetings.
Keep Lists. At the top of each week, you should make a list of To Do's for yourself. You can include things like cutting vocals, sending mix notes to a producer, scheduling three co-writes for next month, or even uploading your song to Spotify. The list will help keep you focused throughout the week. If you don't accomplish everything in your weekly list, add it to the top of the list for the following week. If you maintain weekly lists throughout the year, you'll also have a tangible record of all that you accomplished. This can be very satisfying in December when we often ask ourselves, "What did I accomplish this year?"
Stay organized. Stay on top of it. And stay inspired!
November Songwriting Challenges
Bonfire Folk Anthem: Create a folk anthem that revolves around the camaraderie of a bonfire gathering, sharing stories, laughter, and the warmth of friendship.
Pumpkin Spice Romance: So much of the end of fall and the beginning of winter, concerns itself with advertising for wintry products like the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Write a song inspired by your favorite seasonal product, one that could be used in an ad for said product.
Sweater Weather Banger. I’m not talking about the hit “Sweater Weather,” though that is a good reference point for this particular challenge! Write a smash hit that celebrates the comfort and warmth of sweater weather, exploring themes of coziness and love.
Harvest Festival Hoedown: For generations, to survive the bleak and impending cold, humanity has come together in celebrations of music and dance to ward off our vitamin D deficient seasonal depressions. Compose an energetic hoedown-style song inspired by the festivities of a fall, complete with fiddles, banjos, and lively rhythms
Acoustic-to-Electric Evolution: Start a song with an acoustic arrangement and gradually evolve it into an electric production, showcasing the transformation of sound throughout the song.
Cozy Coffee Shop Duet: Write a duet set in a cozy coffee shop, with lyrics that explore the simple joys of sipping warm drinks and watching the world go by on a fall day.
Thanksgiving Reflection Interlude: Create a reflective and introspective instrumental interlude that captures the spirit of gratitude and contemplation during the Thanksgiving season.
Golden Hour Reflections: Like the title of Kacey Musgrave’s third album might suggest, Golden Hour is a wellspring of inspiration. Crack open those windows as the sunsets and use the magical spirits of Golden Hour to guide your writing.
Analog Warmth Synth Ballad: Craft a synth ballad that captures the warmth and richness of analog synthesizers, focusing on creating a nostalgic and emotive atmosphere.
Thankful Voices Harmony: Compose a song in which you record layers of rich vocal harmonies that express thankfulness, with each voice contributing to a collective chorus of gratitude.
Horror Movie Scores & Soundtracks
The mood of horror films is established not just by spurts of blood and spine tingling plot lines, but by scores and soundtracks. Sound can enhance spook factor or give horror its campy edge. Today, let’s examine a few great uses of music in horror.
In John Carpenter’s Halloween, a slasher flick that came to define horror well into the 80s, a high-pitched and turbulent piano melody define the film’s musical theme. Played in 5/4, the idiosyncratic time signature heightens the discomfort of the listener. Elsewhere, keyboard stabs cause viewers to jump out of their seats and descending piano lines force a bit of audience contemplation. There is a simplicity to the music mainly because Carpenter is playing the piano. He reports that he has “minimal chops as a musician” but the impact of this score is deeply felt. Boo!
Jennifer’s Body, Diablo Cody’s 2009 effort, featuring a demonically possessed Megan Fox chewing up the bodies of teenage boys, opts for a different musical approach. The musical sensibility is defined by the use of 22 songs written and recorded by bands, which include contributions from Hayley Williams, Panic! At the Disco, and All Time Low. Indeed, Fueled by Ramen is well-represented here. By leaning into the emo-punk wave of the late aughts, Jennifer’s Body in retrospect can read almost like a time capsule, allowing us to question how patriarchy and on band’s desire for fame conspire to harm young women.
Panos Cosmatos’ Beyond the Black Rainbow, a 2010 release, uses music to temporally dislocate the audience from their present day. The sci-fi thriller, set in 1983, has a score composed by Sinoia Caves. In conversation with Noisey, Caves used old analogue synthesizers that dates to the period of the film. By employing 80’s gear, Caves enhances the period piece of it all. The music is ominous and suspenseful, but this almost musicological approach to texture is what makes the soundtrack worth a listen.
There’s so many great scores and soundtracks coming out of horror. It’s definitely a genre where music can exist almost like a narrator, pushing us through the plot into spaces of terror. I hope that, this Halloween, you clue your ears into the soundtracks of your favorite horror flicks. Listen deeply and consider how music informs your viewing experience.
The Definitive Must-Listen Halloween Song List Presented without Commentary
Michael Jackson - Thriller
Bobby "Boris" Pickett - Monster Mash
Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me
Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters
Blue Öyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
The Addams Family Theme
John Carpenter - Halloween Theme
Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - A Nightmare on My Street
The Rocky Horror Picture Show - Time Warp
Marilyn Manson - This Is Halloween (Nightmare Before Christmas Cover)
David Bowie - Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
Rob Zombie - Dragula
Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put a Spell On You
AC/DC - Highway to Hell
The Cranberries - Zombie
Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party
Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Alice Cooper - Feed My Frankenstein
Blue Öyster Cult - Godzilla
Sheb Wooley - The Purple People Eater
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bad Moon Rising
The Specials - Ghost Town
War - Why Can't We Be Friends (Don't Let No One Get You Down)
The Cure - Lullaby
Sia - Reaper
Danny Elfman - Beetlejuice Theme
Stevie Wonder - Superstition
The Rolling Stones - Sympathy for the Devil
The Eagles - Witchy Woman
Silence Your Inner Critic
The greatest hindrance to your creative process is your inner critic. That snide and antagonistic voice in your head frequently questions your word choice and scoffs at your melodies. It compares you to your peers and those ascending the proverbial ladder at a swifter speeds than you. Your inner critic injects your creative process with paralysis by sowing seeds of doubt.
Silencing the inner critic is a battle that all creatives must fight, whether they're a nameless troubadour at an open mic or a megastar whose followers are legion. Ultimately, it is a battle worth fighting, for only by silencing your inner critic can you free yourself to experiment, fail, and find your footing.
When you start to listen to your critic, I want you to give your permission to write freely. Remind yourself that it's ok if you make something mediocre or lackluster today. Remind yourself that creating is a long process and pushing through to finish a song will help you on your journey. Remind yourself that in order to edit something to your liking you must first create a rough draft. Remind yourself that you need to write 100 bad songs in order to write a few incredible ones. Make it okay to exist in a world where not everything is perfect and your inner critic's words will have no weight.
The struggle to push aside the critic in favor of the creative is a daily struggle. However, the longer you fight, the smaller the critic becomes. It may pop up stronger at certain points in your journey, but it can be pushed down again and again and again
Do not let your inner critic win. So many of us deal with inferiority complexes or feelings of fraudulence. I want to remind you that your creativity is special and that your voice needs to be heard. Create - always - from a place of love and acceptance of yourself. And, when you hear that little voice in your head say "you can't do it," reply with a "yes, I can."
October (SPOOKY SEASON) Songwriting Challenges
Midnight: Taylor Swift’s recent oeuvre includes the 2022 album “Midnights,” and let me tell you, there is something magical about the witching hour. Compose a song that begins and ends at midnight.
Hollow Wind Whispers: Go out into the night and use your phone to record fieldsounds of hollowing winds. Incorporate the sounds of those winds into your composition, adding an unsettling and ghostly quality.
The Ghostly Song: The word “ghost” is ubiquitous is pop music, spooky season or not1 Lean into the ghost of it all and write a song that tells the tragic tale of a ghost, capturing the emotions and memories that linger.
Cathedral Choir: A choir can be beautiful, but a chorus of voices can also be haunting and creepy. Use the reverberant sounds of a cathedral choir as inspiration to underlay a composition, leaning into feelings of mystery and eeriness.
Spooky Sound Design. A creaking door opening and closing. A hooting owl. A witch’s cackle. Use classic, even campy, sounds of spooky season. Pepper them throughout your production but twist them to be ear candy as opposed to unsettling tidbits pulled from the Halloween catalogue of sounds.
Zombie Love: In Hozier’s debut album, he duetted with Karen Cowley on the song “In A Week,” a romantic tale about two corpses rotting in the woods together. And, before you ask, yes Hozier managed to make it extremely romantic, hiding the decay under sweet guitars and melodies. Write about something creepy or vile, but mask it in the sounds of joy, love, and happiness so as not to turn off your listener.
Monster Mash Update: Write a modern take on the Monster Mash. Use the same melodies and song structure but pen verses that fit with our modern language and ideas of monsters.
Cast a Spell: In Fleetwood Mac’s “Silver Springs,” Stevie Nix curses her band mate and ex-boyfriend Lindsey Buckinham, promising him that “you will never get away/from the sounds of the woman who loves you.” Use the power of repetition to incite a bit of magic—a curse, a love spell, or something else.
Trick-or-Treat Anthem: Imagine that you are writing a song for a children’s cartoon in which the characters are going out trick-or-treating. Create an upbeat anthem that captures the excitement and thrill of trick-or-treating on Halloween, with catchy melodies and playful lyrics.
Ritual Drum Circle: Explore the rhythmic patterns of a ritualistic drum circles. Infuse a track with these hypnotic beats and rhythms and then write a topline over them.
Easily Identifiable 21st Century Music Trends
The Millennial Whoop. Coined by musician Patrick Metzger, the Millennial Whoop is a melodic sequence involving a series of alternating notes—usually the fifth and third notes of a major scale—creating a distinctive, recognizable pattern. This pattern can be heard in songs like “California Gurls” by Katy Perry or “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga.
Vocal Chops. This technique involves taking snippets of vocal recordings and chopping them and rearranging them for use as melodic or rhythmic elements. You can hear vocal chops in the chorus of “Sorry” by Justin Bieber or “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” by Mike Posner and Seeb.
ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) Sounds: In a unique twist, some artists have incorporated ASMR elements into their music. These include gentle whispers, tapping sounds, and other auditory triggers designed to evoke a tingling sensation. This trend adds a sensory and immersive layer to certain tracks. In the intro to Billie Eilish’s debut album, she pulls out her mouthguard right up on the mic. By employing a bit of nasty ASMR, Eilish pulls the audience into her world.
Polystylism. This is the use of multiple styles or techniques in music. This can be a jarring juxtaposition of unique styles or a seamless interlacing of different techniques. The jazz breakdowns in Rosalia’s Reggateon “Saoko” and the rock ending of Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever” come to mind in this regard.
808 Bass Drops. The use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine's bass sounds, often in the form of deep, resonant bass drops, has become a hallmark of modern pop and electronic music. This technique, which originated in hip-hop and electronic genres, has become a go-to element for creating impactful moments in songs. Usher’s “Yeah” and Kanye West’s “Love Lockdown” are two songs that employ this technique.
Trap Hi-Hats: The rhythmic use of hi-hats, particularly the quick and skittering patterns associated with trap music, has become a defining feature of Hip Hop. This rhythmic element has transcended genres, influencing pop music and creating a distinctive texture in many contemporary tracks. To hear quintessential trap hi hats listen to songs like “Bad and Boujee” by Migos, “Black Beatles” by Rae Sremmurd, or “Hotline Bling” by Drake.
Reading Material for Songwriters
"Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting" by Jimmy Webb
A comprehensive guide by the legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb, providing in-depth perspectives on the art and craft of songwriting.
"Writing Better Lyrics" by Pat Pattison
Renowned Berklee College of Music professor Pat Pattison offers practical exercises and techniques to enhance lyric writing skills in this comprehensive guide.
"The Anatomy of a Song: The Oral History of 45 Iconic Hits That Changed Rock, R&B and Pop" by Marc Myers
Through interviews with the songwriters and artists, this book delves into the stories behind some of the most iconic songs, providing insights into the creative process.
"The Artist's Guide to Success in the Music Business" by Loren Weisman
While not focused solely on songwriting, this book covers the business side of the music industry, offering essential insights into marketing, branding, and career development.
"Songwriters on Songwriting" by Paul Zollo
A collection of interviews with notable songwriters, this book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the creative processes of artists such as Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and Joni Mitchell.
"A Songwriting Sourcebook: Inspiration and Tips for Songwriters" by Michael R. Miller
This sourcebook covers a wide range of topics, including melody, lyrics, and song structure, making it a versatile resource for songwriters seeking inspiration and guidance.
"The Songwriter's Idea Book" by Sheila Davis
Sheila Davis offers a comprehensive guide that sparks creativity with exercises and prompts designed to help songwriters generate ideas and refine their craft.
"How to Make It in the New Music Business" by Ari Herstand
While not focused solely on songwriting, this book provides valuable insights into the modern music industry, covering topics like self-promotion, building a fanbase, and navigating the digital landscape.
"The Craft of Lyric Writing" by Sheila Davis
Another insightful book by Sheila Davis, this focuses specifically on lyric writing, providing practical advice and exercises to help songwriters craft meaningful and impactful lyrics.
"Judy Stakee: The Songwriter's Survival Guide" by Judy Stakee
Judy Stakee's book focuses on the creative and business aspects of songwriting, drawing from her extensive experience in artist development.
"Confessions of a Serial Songwriter" by Shelly Peiken
Shelly Peiken shares her experiences and insights as a successful songwriter, offering a glimpse into the songwriting process and the music industry.
Live Aid: A Retrospective
In the summer of 1985, the world witnessed a groundbreaking musical event that transcended borders and united humanity for a cause greater than any single artist or band. Live Aid, a monumental charity concert organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, was born out of a desire to address the devastating famine in Ethiopia.
Geldof, lead singer of the Boomtown Rats, was deeply moved by the televised reports of suffering and starvation, prompting him to initiate a massive fundraising effort. Collaborating with Midge Ure of Ultravox, Geldof spearheaded the creation of Live Aid, a dual-venue concert held on July 13, 1985, at Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia.
Live Aid would come to feature an extraordinary lineup including Queen, U2, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, and many more. The concerts were broadcasted globally, reaching an estimated 1.9 billion people across 150 nations. The event exemplified the unifying power of music, as artists from diverse genres and backgrounds came together to contribute their talents for a common cause.
Culturally, these performances are long remembered as some of the modern day’s finest. Queen's performance at Wembley Stadium is often regarded as one of the greatest live performances in rock history. Freddie Mercury's charismatic stage presence and the band's electrifying set, including the iconic "Bohemian Rhapsody," left an indelible mark on pop culture. U2's rooftop performance at Wembley showcased the band's commitment to social causes. Phil Collins achieved a unique feat by performing at both Wembley and Philadelphia on the same day. His transatlantic journey highlighted the global reach of the event and his dedication to the cause.
All in all, Live Aid raised over $125 million for famine relief efforts in Ethiopia, making it one of the most successful fundraising events in history. However, the charitable impact of Live Aid is up for debate. It is alleged that a portion of money was siphoned off by the Ethiopian government of Mengistu Haile to purchase weapons of war from the Soviet Union. The immediate impacts are up for debate.
That same year however, inspired by the events of Live Aid, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil young began the annual tradition of hosting Farm Aid, a benefit concert to help American family farmers. The organization has since raised millions of dollars to foster family farmers. On a macro level, we can draw a direct line between Live Aid and a sort of Western propensity toward the infantilizing “Let’s Save Africa” industries, a topic Moky Makura wrote about recently in The Guardian in response to a potential Live Aid musical.
For all its cultural impact and charitable good as well as questionable use of funds and continental infantilization, Live Aid remains one of the 20th centuries most important musical events.
Creativity is a Habit
American choreographer Twyla Tharp once said that “creativity is a habit.” Many non-creatives believe the opposite. That creativity is something the muses just drop in front of us is an overly romantic notion many hope is true. Stories of authors creating novels in a ravenous flurry or artists producing entire albums over the course of two weeks do pop up throughout artistic history. However, they are few and far between. For the most part, it is the artists who make creativity a habit that produce our finest works.
Pablo Picasso is one artist whose prolific artistic practices served him well. Throughout his life Picasso produced 50,000 artistic works comprising thousands of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and drawings. The sheer quantity of works is astronomical. Not every work is recognized as a master piece; however, over time, several pieces were denoted as such: 1907’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and 1937’s Guernica are two such works. In the thirty years between these pieces, Picasso experimented with medium and style and created a treasure trove of work that is considered among the best in the western cannon. Quantity is an obvious side affect of creative habit. But, so too is quality.
The music industry is inclined toward similar notions of creative habit. Published writers are in so many sessions that they end the year with 200 new songs in their catalogues. Producers will spend tens of hours pouring over a single track to fine tune the sounds. Performers in the 21st century have longer and longer tours playing 100's of shows over the course of year. The greatest among us live the idea that creativity is a habit.
We can look toward both Mozart and Prince as prolific creators who treated their art as a daily practice. Mozart's incredible output of over 600 works showcases the power of cultivating creativity as a habit. Hundreds of years after his heyday, his music is treated as near religious text by the music community. Similarly, Prince, known for his innovation and musical prowess, was dedicated to his craft, spending countless hours in the studio refining his sound. It is widely known that Prince has a vault of completely produced unreleased albums and music videos. In order to get to his best material, he created regularly and earnestly.
When creativity becomes a daily exercise your font of inspiration multiplies. You’ll have more ideas to tackle and a greater ability to bring them into fruition. I encourage all of you to create as much as possible. Create as a habit and then create with abandon. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll even eclipse Picasso in his prolificness!
September Songwriting Challenges
Alternate Tuning Exploration: Joni Mitchell is famous for using alternate tunings on her guitar that explore beyond the EADGBE guitar tunings. Follow in her footsteps. Experiment with alternative tunings on your instrument to discover new chord progressions and melodic possibilities.
Songwriting Speed Round: How many songwriting interviews have you read for the writer brags that the song was written in 30 minutes? Set a timer for a short duration (e.g., 15 minutes) and challenge yourself to write a complete song within that time frame.
Dream Journal Lyrics: For one week, go to your journal immediately upon waking up and try to recall what you dreamed about that night. Then, use entries from a dream journal as inspiration for lyrics, exploring the surreal and imaginative elements in your songwriting.
Polarizing Genre: A lot of folks (not me) have genres that they hate to listen to. This week, try to write something in that genre and see what comes out.
Geographical Inspiration: Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind.” Katy Perry’s “California Gurls.'“ Choose a specific location (real or imaginary) as the inspiration for your song. Explore how the setting influences the mood and themes of the composition.
Interconnected Songs: Pick one of your favorite songs that you’ve ever written. Now write a prequel and a sequel to that song.
Chord Progression Copycat: Choose a song you’ve listened to over and over again. Analyze the chord structure employed and use it as the basis for a new song this week.
Non-Western Scale Exploration: Beyoncé’s music often incorporates scales more common to Eastern musical styles. Incorporate scales from non-Western musical traditions into your songwriting for a cross-cultural influence.
Unison to Harmony Transition: Begin a section with a melody where the vocal is doubled. Then, gradually introduce harmonies to build complexity throughout the song. Notice how harmony influences the stickiness of your melodies.
Back Catalogue: If you’re deep in the grind, this is your sign to pick a day and recharge. Use your recharge day to review bits and pieces of unfinished songs you’ve written this year. Take note on which ones are promising and create a folder for these songs so you can bring them into future writes.
Bridge Ideas that Work
In songcraft, a bridge is a distinct musical section that provides contrast to the main themes of a song, typically situated between two choruses. The bridge serves as a transitional passage, introducing new elements that temporarily deviate from the established chord progressions, melodies, or rhythms. Its primary purpose is to add variety, build tension, and offer a refreshing break from the repetition of verses and choruses. So then, what are strategies you can employ to make your bridges work?
Lyrical Distinctinction: Often, the lyrics in the bridge differ from those in the rest of the song. They may provide a different perspective, introduce new themes, or offer a resolution to the song's narrative. We can see this approach in the bridge of Caroline Polacheck’s “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings.” Throughout the verses and chorus Polacheck is pining for a long distance lover when she hears “their song” at the club.” It’s about loneliness and yearning. And then, BAM, in the chorus she hits the audience with a lewd, surrealist diversion with a repetitive chant: “Show me your banana.”
Harmonic Departure: Bridges frequently involve a change in harmonic progression, providing a sense of movement or tension that is resolved as the song progresses. We can hear this in Beyoncé’s “Love on Top” in which the singer goes through four key modulations until the end of the song. This builds tension and is an incredible vocal feat. Only by leaving the original key and exploring new ones does this song reach its full potential.
Spoken Word: For pop songs, diverting from singing to spoken word can have great impact. We hear this in Britney Spear’s “Oops…I Did It Again.” When we enter the bridge we are transported to a completely new world where Britney and a nameless flame discuss a ring dropped on the titanic. Its a bit of reprieve—sonically and stylistically—and a bit of humor wrapped up all in one.
Instrumentation Changes: The bridge often incorporates changes in instrumentation, with different instruments taking the spotlight or altered arrangements to heighten the impact. We can see this in Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” where the track drops down to a simple stop and clap rhythm, which then is re-layered with background vocals. This percussion departure from the 4 on the floor kick drum creates a sense of newness that reengages the audience.
Builds Tension: The bridge is strategically placed to build tension before returning to the final chorus, creating a sense of anticipation and adding emotional depth to the song. We can hear this in The Beach Boy’s “Good Vibrations,” when, around the 1:40 mark we are taken on a whacky musical ride through the brain of Brian Wilson. Almost everything about the song changes until we are dropped once again into that banger of a chorus
Music Producer Resource Guide
Whether you're a budding musician eager to produce your own tracks or an aspiring music producer looking to refine your skills, the world of music production offers a myriad of resources to help you master the craft. Dive into these 10 handpicked resources, including YouTube videos, masterclasses, online courses, and books, to unleash your potential as a music producer.
1. YouTube Videos:
1.1 Produce Like A Pro: Recording, Mixing, and Production Tips
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/user/WarrenHuartRecording
Grammy-nominated producer Warren Huart shares recording, mixing, and production tips on his channel.
1.2Pensado's Place: Mixing Techniques with Dave Pensado
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/user/PensadosPlace
Grammy-winning mix engineer Dave Pensado shares invaluable mixing tips and techniques in his informative video series.
2. Masterclasses:
2.1 Deadmau5 Teaches Electronic Music Production (MasterClass)
Enroll at: https://www.masterclass.com/classes/deadmau5-teaches-electronic-music-production
Join iconic producer Deadmau5 as he shares insights into electronic music production, covering everything from sound design to arrangement.
2.2 Timbaland Teaches Producing and Beatmaking (MasterClass)
Enroll at: https://www.masterclass.com/classes/timbaland-teaches-producing-and-beatmaking
Learn the art of beatmaking from Grammy-winning producer Timbaland, exploring rhythm, sampling, and creative production techniques.
3. Online Courses:
3.1 Berklee Online: Music Production Courses
Explore at: https://online.berklee.edu/music-degrees/undergraduate/music-production
Berklee Online offers a range of courses in music production, covering topics such as mixing, mastering, and electronic music production.
3.2 Pyramind: Electronic Music Production Courses
Explore at: https://www.pyramind.com/online/
Pyramind offers a range of online courses in electronic music production, covering topics such as synthesis, arrangement, and mixing.
4. Books:
4.1 "The Mixing Engineer's Handbook" by Bobby Owsinski
Find it at: Amazon
Bobby Owsinski's handbook provides in-depth insights into the art and science of mixing, a crucial aspect of music production.
4.2 "Music Production: A Manual for Producers, Composers, Arrangers, and Students" by Michael Zager
Find it at: Amazon
Michael Zager's comprehensive guide offers practical advice for producers, composers, and arrangers, covering various genres.
5. Interactive Learning Platforms:
5.1 Soundfly: Music Production Courses
Explore at: https://soundfly.com/courses
Soundfly provides a range of interactive music production courses catering to different skill levels, with a focus on real-world projects.
5.2 LinkedIn Learning: Music Production Training and Tutorials
Explore at: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/topics/music-production
Access a variety of video tutorials and courses on LinkedIn Learning, covering aspects of music production for beginners and advanced users.
Conclusion:
Embark on your music production journey armed with these versatile resources, ranging from insightful YouTube videos to in-depth masterclasses and courses. Whether you prefer hands-on learning or absorbing knowledge from industry experts, these resources are your gateway to becoming a proficient music producer. Unleash your creativity, refine your techniques, and let the music production adventure begin!
Folk Revivalism in the 21st Century
In the early years of the 2010s, a quiet but powerful revolution was taking place in the music world. Folk music, with its roots deeply embedded in storytelling and acoustic simplicity, experienced a revival that resonated with a new generation of listeners. In this blog revival, we'll journey through the folk revival of 2010 and explore the artists who defined it, as well as glimpse into the ongoing resurgence that continues to shape the musical landscape.
The Folk Revival of the 2010’s: A Quiet Roar
At the dawn of the decade, there was a palpable shift in the air. A longing for authenticity and a return to the raw, unfiltered essence of music led to the folk revival of 2010. This resurgence saw a blending of traditional folk elements with contemporary influences, giving birth to a sound that felt both timeless and fresh.
Artists Who Defined the Era:
Mumford & Sons: Hailing from London, Mumford & Sons catapulted to the forefront of the folk revival with their debut album, "Sigh No More" (2009). Songs like "Little Lion Man" and "The Cave" showcased their foot-stomping, anthemic style, earning them widespread acclaim.
The Lumineers: The Lumineers, based in Denver, brought a rustic charm to the folk revival with their self-titled debut album in 2012. "Ho Hey" became an anthem of the era, and the band's blend of Americana and indie-folk resonated with audiences worldwide.
Of Monsters and Men: Hailing from Iceland, Of Monsters and Men gained international acclaim with their debut album, "My Head Is an Animal" (2011). Tracks like "Little Talks" enchanted listeners with their whimsical yet introspective storytelling.
Bon Iver: Justin Vernon, the mastermind behind Bon Iver, garnered attention with the haunting beauty of "For Emma, Forever Ago" (2007), but his influence continued to shape the folk revival with subsequent albums like "Bon Iver, Bon Iver" (2011).
The Head and the Heart: Formed in Seattle, The Head and the Heart captured hearts with their eponymous debut album in 2011. Their harmonies and emotive songwriting, as heard in tracks like "Rivers and Roads," contributed to the folk revival's narrative.
The Evolution Continues: Today's Folk Revival
In the late 2010’s, the folk revival was replaced by other dominant styles: trap music, dark pop, edm drops. As our technology became more complex, our desire for a more electrified sound increased. However, we seem to, once again, be turning our ear toward the analog. In the past few years, the mainstream has welcomed a new set of folk revivalists.
Artists Paving the Way Today:
Jade Bird: British singer-songwriter Jade Bird gained attention for her self-titled debut album in 2019, but her influence has continued to grow in the subsequent years. Known for her powerful vocals and a blend of folk, country, and rock influences, she might be considered among the emerging talents in folk.
Adrienne Lenker (Solo): While Adrienne Lenker has been active with Big Thief, her solo work has received acclaim in recent years. Her albums "songs" (2020) and "instrumentals" (2020) showcase her raw and intimate approach to folk music.
Noah Kahan: With his Vermont roots and soulful voice, emerged into the folk-pop scene with the breakout single "Hurt Somebody" in 2017. Since then, he has continued to grow and gain national acclaim through songs like ‘Stick Season” which recalls the folk revivalist production of the early 2010’s.
The folk revival of 2010 served as a reminder that, in an era dominated by digital sounds and electronic beats, the timeless simplicity of acoustic storytelling still holds immense power. As folk revivalism reemerges again in the present day, the folk revival is not just a nostalgic glance backward; it's a living, breathing movement that evolves with each strum of the guitar and every heartfelt lyric. The echoes of Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, and their folk brethren are still heard in the music of today's troubadours, weaving a musical tapestry that connects generations and transcends time.
August Songwriting Challenges
Juxtapose Genre Experiment: Combine elements from different musical genres in your songwriting, in a way where they do NOT flow seamlessly together. Use the Jazz breakdown in Rosalia’s “Saoko” at timestamp 1:27 or the metal chorus/country verse format in Hardy’s “Radio Song” as reference points.
Tempo Traveler: Write a song that explores different tempos within a single composition. Experiment with tempo changes to create dynamic shifts and enhance the overall musical experience. An easy option is to end your song with a ritardando.
One Note Chorus: Hinge your entire chorus melody on a pedal tone. Use one note and one note only to express a complex or simple rhythmic and lyrical idea. Fight the urge to shift notes.
MIDI Controller Inspiration: If you have a MIDI controller, use it as the inspiration for your song. Let the tactile experience of manipulating sounds guide your creative process.
Lyric Ekphrasis: Ekphrasis is a literary device by which a new piece of work creates a detailed description of a work of visual art. by which. Choose a piece of visual art, whether a painting, photograph, or sculpture, and write a song that serves as a musical interpretation or response to the artwork.
Instrumental Call-And-Response: Write a song in which the vocal melody and the instrumental melodies are trading lines. Make the instrumental respond to the vocal melody you write.
Unconventional Instrument Pairing: Challenge yourself by pairing together two or more instruments that are rarely combined. Explore the sonic possibilities and unique interactions between these unconventional choices.
Role Reversal: If working with close collaborators, swap roles. Let the songwriter lead the production and the producer lead the songwriting. This can lead to fresh perspectives and new creative insights.
Character Creation: Develop your own fictional characters together. Write freely in a journal for ten minutes about what they look like, where they’re from, and what they’re going through. Using this journal entry as inspiration, pen your fictional character a theme song.
Three Syllable Word Challenge: Choose a three syllable word to end your first line of your verse. Now, make sure that every line after ends with a three syllable word that rhymes with it. See if this restrictive based writing shifts your patters at all.
Cutting Artist Costs
If you're pursuing an artist path, a heavy stream of content is essential for our internet age. Keeping up with the pace of our ADD culture is quite expensive. Between paying producers, photographers, and videographers, an artist can rack up a hefty bill in order to properly promote a song. So let's discuss a few ways that an artist can cut down on the upfront costs of their business.
Master Split Agreements. Look, any industry vet will tell you that owning your masters is essential. The master is the actual recording of the song and generates the bulk of your streaming revenue. In addition, if you get a sync license half of the money will go to the owners of a song's master and half will go to the owners of the publishing. There is real financial value in the master. That said, producing masters can be an expensive affair. If you're working with an up-and-coming producer you could be looking at spending anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 for a single song. In order to drive down that cost, you might want to engage in a master split with your producer. A master split is an agreement in which multiple people have ownership over a single master. You can offer a percentage of the master to a producer in exchange for a reduced rate or a free track. This is an excellent business strategy if you need to prioritize producing content at a cheaper rate.
One Take Videos. Music videos are expensive. If you're trying to create something high quality, you'll need to hire videographers, directors, gaffers, directors of photography, and hair and make up. One way to cut cost is to make a one take video like Kiesza's "Hideaway" or Lawrence's "23." Though you might still want to hire a colorist, one take videos don't require you to hire an editor. This cuts down on the post production time and cost.
Distribution Costs. Every songwriter has options when it comes to their distributor. CDBaby, TuneCore, and Distrokid all require upfront costs in order to use their services. If you're an independent artist I do think that these are excellent financial choices to make because you will get 100% of the sales revenue. If you're really in a pinch, you can submit your music to Stem or AWAL who will take a percentage of your sales revenue in exchange for their services. Please note that certain distribution services do require a process of company approval. If you opt for a percentage split distributor, you will cut out the cost of uploading a song but you will likely loose out on streaming revenue. Choose what works best for your business model.
On Demand Merch Sites. When you start to gain some traction, you might want to capitalize on your new fandom by selling them merch. You can do so by buying in bulk up front, footing the cost for production, storage, and artistic work. You can also use a site like Printify to ensure that costs to you, a small business owner, only happen at point of purchase. If your business and fandom exist largely online, this can be a great tool for ensuring that costs remain low. Once you’re on tour, you’ll unfortunately have to cough up the cash for that in person sale!
Negotiate Your Door Deals. Look, when you’re starting out it can be hard to get a venue to give you a great door deal. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try! See if you can eek out another 5% or so from ticket sales from a venue and always always always nix any attempt by a venue to get a cut of your merch split!
Sell Your Own Merch and Use Transactional Apps. At shows, a merch person can be a bit of an unnecessary financial drain, especially when you’re just starting out. Plan to man your merch table—your fans will want to meet you anyway. When selling merch, opt for using apps like CashApp or Venmo or Zelle for transactions. That way you can avoid fees incurred using credit card running systems like Square.
Niche Genre Exploration
If you’re finding the predominant musical genres a little lackluster as of late, have no fear! We live in an era where nearly the entire world’s encyclopedic record of music is available on line. Lean just a little bit to the left or to the right and you’re discover some magical musical invention you’ve yet to encounter. This week, I’ve done a little digging and would like to present you with my findings.
For the numerically minded musician, there is Math Rock, a genre characterized by complex and atypic rhythmic structures, counterpoint, odd time signatures, and extended cords. Pop music is swamped with 4/4 time signatures, but Math Rock rejects this familiarity in favor of 5/4, 7/8, or even 13/8 time signatures. Math Rock can be challenging and is best understood through the music of bands like Game Theory or the Japanese band Toe.
Another genre of interest is an extreme subgenera of heavy metal that combines elements of doom metal and hardcore punk: Sludge Metal. Slow tempos. Tuned down guitars. Lyrical nihilism focused on economic disparity, drug use, and environmental disaster define the genre. This sound great out of the 1980 hardcore punk bands of California culminating in the music of Balck Sabbath. Today, artists Primitive Man and Sunrot are carrying on in this nihilistic tradition.
For those rejecting analog soundscapes, I might recommend delving into Chiptune, a style of synthesized electronic music made with programmable sound generator (PSG) sound chips or synthesizers in vintage arcade games, computers, and video game consoles. It is as much about the technology of musical invention as it Is about the sound. Think of Chiptune like a more technologically minded cousin of Hyperpop. Relevant artists to check out include Bit Shifter, Nullsleep, and 8-bit weapon.
We live in an age when your ears never have to be bored. There’s an endless font of songs to listen to. A quick google search can lead you to your next favorite sub-genre. Hopefully some of the ones we explored today will excite you!
Master your craft.
Sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and advice—straight from Judy Stakee.