Ball of Confusion
Songs about coming together and living in peace are everywhere at Christmas time. Where are they the rest of the year?
Come Together
When it comes to deciding who should go to DC to represent the creative community it is my view that no single group will be as influential or effective as we can be in a united front.
Musical Musings in a Digital Age
If we had a crush on a boy (or girl) and were able to kiss him whenever we wanted to for however long we wanted, would we want to kiss him as much?
Writer's Block...Work It Out!!
If you still don’t have any ideas at the end of a workout I would seriously consider a new career.
Writing by Committee
If all songs are written in a factory-like environment, what happens to the songsmith who enjoys a more intimate creative experience?
Tune Me Up!
There was a soulfulness to those imperfect vocals…just like the humans who sang them. Full of sharps and flats. Nobody’s life is perfectly on pitch.
Dear Bob Lefsetz, Please R.S.V.P.
I have found that my adversaries are more motivating than my allies.
Calling All Angels
All who inhabit the music landscape - from creators to consumers, and all those in between - must adopt simple, ethical practices that ensure all parties in the music value chain, including songwriters, composers and artists are fairly compensated for the use of their work.
To Taylor, Love Shelly
In the spirit of the precarious state of the business of writing songs we nominate you, Taylor Swift, as our official spokesperson—our poster child in chief—to continue leading the way.
Testing-Testing 1-2-3
Although I can’t deny I am delighted when I’ve written a potential single that tests well, I have to ask myself if all this data-mining undermines creativity?
(Not So) Gently Down the Stream
Anyone making a contribution to the music the world enjoys deserves to be paid for it. Because music has value. Or has that idea been forgotten in the fog of digital?
To College or Not To College
College isn't for everyone. But if you're someone who's on the edge because you're in a hurry to get in the room with Rihanna, I suggest thinking twice.
How To Write A Better Song
She frames things in ways that are tangible and saucy and fun. Eighteen years later I am still learning…
What's Going On...
Maybe this whole thing wasn't so much about the law as it was about Karma. Maybe this was one of those times the Universe caught us off guard.
Blurred Lines: Did Sam Smith Cross Them?
Whether or not one ultimately gets busted for a transgression, premeditated or not, depends a lot on the zen of the infringee. And you can't get much more easy going than Tom Petty...
All About That...Grammy
We're all running around trying to get in the right room. And sometimes we don't even realize that the right room is right there in front of us...the one we are in with one trusted ally. Or two.
Help Me!
I downloaded two new albums last week from iTunes. I was interested in the first one because I heard a song from it that I loved on KCRW. I bought the second on a friend’s recommendation. I was stoked. Went to the gym, excited that I had some new music to listen. Got on the treadmill and...
