Minding Your Songwriter Business
Every so often I take a break from writing about me me me to give a heads- up on initiatives that you you you should be aware of if you’re a professional songwriter or plan to be one some day. After all being a consumer of digitally delivered music is awesome but getting paid for CREATING digitally delivered music is a bit more complicated. This piece will help you get ready for 2021.
Everything Is Material
I woke up totally devoid of my plot. Couldn’t write a note or a word. But an invasion of house-flies gave me purpose. It’s no wonder we lose the plot once in a while. Especially at the 7-month mark of isolation in our respective bubbles...yearning for some OPB (Other People’s Bubbles) and the state of our Democracy is in peril and not everybody believes that Black Lives Matter and we’re throwing water on our roofs in California.
I Wouldn’t Want It Any Other Way
What do you do when the industry shuts down for the summer and you had your heart set on filming a video to support the release of your latest single, “Bitch 2.0”? You cry. And then you call your friends and ask for HELP!
Up On The Roof
My eyes were drawn to Jessica Childress in a yellow dress with a matching face-mask. You can’t miss her. She was looking like the Statue of Liberty to me. And I thought, 'how hopeful: a woman and artist-of-color standing strong it this pivotal moment in the history of our country.’ There’s so much more going on than Covid 19.
Wet And Gushy
I offered up some lyrics last week in a co-write. My collaborator asked if I’d dirty them up a bit. (I didn’t disagree. I can be a little vanilla sometimes.) He suggested I reference “WAP” (Aka “Wet Ass P***y”), Cardi B’s new single which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and broke the record for the largest opening streaming week in US history. I just wasn't sure I was that girl for the job.
To Lighten Your Heart
I was thinking of putting my blog on pause for a while —thought maybe I’ve been bombarding you with too much Life According to Me. But then I received several random emails from lovely ppl telling me how much they enjoy it. So…I’m back. And I never even left. 🤭 I thought I’d share a few things that happened this week that in retrospect make me smile. I hope they do the same for you. 🌺
Follow the YOLO Brick Road
YOLO = You Only live Once. I highly recommend that any career songwriter carve out some time to make their own record. Cut your hits. Your never-been-heards. They’re your babies. Your life. What will you leave behind?
Does This Song Sound Familiar? 🎸
When it comes to infringement issues I tend to side with the writer who thinks another song sounds like hers, but IS it always worth going down the rabbit hole to prove it?
“I Hate The World Today” 🎸🎶
I think of “Bitch” as the love-child conceived by 2 mothers who were complicated in the same way. Meredith Brooks and I knew that other women were complicated too. People of all genders for that matter. This song is their megaphone. Without further ado I give you "B**** 2.0." If you loved it the first time, I’m hoping you’ll love it again. 🎸
Post Covid Predictions
People who swore they were in love will break up. People who were breaking up will re-fall madly in love. Lots of babies gonna be born in December through the 9-month mark from the end of stay-at-home. Someone out there will name their kid “Covid.” 🙄Read on for more...
Taylor’s New Album
Taylor conjures language that beelines for (and captures) hearts and minds…language that taps into the coulda-beens, the lost summers, the unexplained good-byes, the incurable romantic, the insecurity, obsession, desperation and hope of young love. And for those who aren’t so young any more but remember ‘it’ all too well, she speaks to us too — to our inner 20-year-old with whom we get into bed at night and still wonder about the one that got away.
Virtual SongSex
All in all, I think that “order” is necessary when co-writing virtually. I like order on my bedside table and inside my refrigerator. But for me writing is messy and spontaneous and disorderly. This will take some getting used to.
It’s Ok Not To Be Ok
It’s Ok not to be Ok. Jessie J blurted out those words on the day we wrote “Who You Are.” Truth be told, I wasn’t sure about that line. But now, I’m glad she said it. Because I need it. A lot of us are not Ok. And it’s become a mantra.
Human
When we write things down we’re more invested in them compared to when we record a digital voice memo. Napkins (and receipts and the like) are physical. They have energy. We find them the next day in the bottom of purses and pockets. The words become lyrics. Lyrics become songs. Songs have lives of their own. Some die a quick death. Some live long and prosper. Today, I give you “Human” 2.0, a song I started on a napkin in a ladies room; made famous by The Pretenders 20 years ago.
Takin’ It To The Streets
My colleague (and “wifey”) Suzan Koc and I were enjoying our weekly float-in-my-pool catch-ups — talking about how musicians are dealing with venues being shut down. She said she was tired of livestreams and that the Italians had the right idea when they just went out onto their balconies and played. She said, “Shelly…you should go out on your front steps with a guitar and an Amp and just sing. Don’t even promote it. Don’t do it for likes. Give back to the people who’ve been watching you through a screen all these months. They deserve live music. Real live music.”
Mentoring Matters
I imagine I’ll have a lot in common with my mentee. See I’ve been a beginner, I’ve wondered where my first break would come from, I’ve faced rejection (still do daily), failure (constantly). I’ve gotten lost in crowds and found refuge in ladies room stalls where I could catch my breath and remember who I am: a dreamer who believes in herself.
My Privileged View
I’ve been doing some suggested reading and Doc. watching assigned to me by friends. It’s making me feel very uncomfortable. I hear that’s good a thing…
Laurel Canyon
Every so often I’ll fire up Sonos and tap on Four Way Street and I’m at Woodstock, especially if I just had a hit of a joint. It doesn’t matter that I wasn’t actually there. Joni, who penned “Woodstock,” the quintessential masterpiece ABOUT the festival, wasn’t there either. She was a vessel. She was stardust. She was golden. She channeled a movement. Everything they were writing was a reflection of whatever was going on sociopolitically at the time. That’s what it was about.
#TheShowMustBePaused
Music Industry Black Out Tuesday — Due to recent events The Music Industry is taking an urgent step of action to provoke accountability and change. As gatekeepers of the culture, it's our responsibility to come together to celebrate the wins but also hold each other up during a loss. Please join us on Tuesday June 2 as a day to disconnect from work and reconnect with our community.
Follow That Song
About 2 years ago I was stirring some tomato sauce on a Sunday night, listening to the radio (yes, radio!) and on came a song that made me put down that spoon and pay attention. Not long after that I was in the studio with the guy who sang that song and he was playing on my album! Good things happen when you seek out what you love. Even if you don’t realize you’re doing it!
