For The Dreamers
A go-to co-writer is someone who continually delights you. They bring out colors you didn’t know you had. Because they believe in you, you’re on your game when you’re with them. Little do they know it’s because THEY are special. THEY are having an effect on you! Maybe we need to let them know more often how much we appreciate them. Feel free to tell about or post a pic one of your favorite collaborators in the thread below. Let’s honor the creative spirit of the people who bring out the best in us.
Jukebox: The AI of Music
As if songwriters aren’t struggling enough with dwindling digital royalty rates and competition for song placements, will we now have to compete with thousands of compositions composed by non-humans as well? I feel fortunate that I never had to think about this stuff as a young songwriter. Diane Warren was my biggest fear! I’m more grateful every day that I came up in an innocent time when a Jukebox was a music-generating device in a diner into which we dropped a coin and pressed B5 or C8 to hear out favorite tune.
Are You a John or a Paul?
You may ask ‘why do we have to choose?’ We don’t. But why not? It’s fun. Do we ultimately prefer John’s heady, trippy world or Paul’s tales of imaginary (and not so imaginary) friends, lovers, mothers, dogs —Maxwell, Rita, Mary, Penny, Martha, Lady M…It’s a long and winding road.
That’s So 2020
2020 cheated everyone out of something. A canceled wedding, a canceled tour, a deserved vacation or the worst... the loss of a loved one. Like all of us, I’m looking forward to a new year and I’m hoping it’s all up hill from here. (Read on for my most recent 2020 moment.)
Dark Horse vs Joyful Noise
Recently I was asked to consider signing an Amicus brief in support of the “Dark Horse” position in an infringement suit filed by the writers of Flame’s “Joyful Noise.” Newsflash, if it were your song in the test tube you may not want me on the jury. I tend to hear similarities my colleagues don’t. That said I’m concerned that the onslaught of lawsuits of late are threatening the creativity of my community. Still, I want to be thoughtful about each individual case. So let’s take a deeper dive.
Thankful
“I don’t write because I think I have something to say. I write because if I don’t, everything feels even worse.” — (Lily King — “Writers & Lovers”) I’m thankful to have a passion for a process that can usher me through the gamut of ‘lifely’ emotions. Life just wouldn’t be the same if I couldn’t write my way though it.
Almost Doesn’t Count
I’m eternally grateful to Suzan Koc for pitching the track to Atlantic Records’ Craig Kallman in 1997 when it had nothing to do with the purpose of their meeting. 😳 That’s what a song publisher was all about back then. Turns out “Almost Doesn’t Count”’ actually counted…a lot. And looking back I can honestly say, I’m glad that idiot broke my heart.
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.
“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. 🎸
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.
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.
#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.
Slow Down The World
I muse these thoughts as I drive south on La Cienega Blvd. in the middle of the afternoon with absolutely no traffic on my way to a doctor’s appointment where there will be nobody in the waiting room. When I left my house I realized how odd it was to well, leave my house! I rolled down the window and turned up Classic Hits: “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More.”
It's All Right There, Don't Forget...
On May 1st I’ll be releasing my next single — “Notebook” — a song about a journal I started 22 years ago. The words sprung to life when Layla called me from a semester abroad and said she kept dreaming I was dying! 😟 I wanted to reassure her that I was more alive than ever but…when the day comes when I AM gone (hopefully not any time soon) she can flip through the pages and feel my love. When we got off the phone I picked up my guitar and got started.
6 Stages Of Isolation 😱😩🤪😞🙃😬
I’m not a scientist. But you know that! And I don’t know this for a fact (it’s JUST my opinion) but...I suspect that, just like the five stages of grief there are also (at least) five stages of coping with the emotional changes we’re going through right now because of social isolation and distancing. Furthermore, I believe we’re all more or less going through the stages together! Here’s why…
Who’s Zoomin Who
Suzan Koc, my long-time-work-wife, the ultimate song whisperer, teacher and mentor to hundreds — wanted to use this time to give back to creatively-starved songwriters who are feeling isolated from their community. Understandably, there are a multitude of virtual creative online offerings right now. Suzan's Zoom Songwriting Camp is one I can vouch for. She’ll make a more mindful songwriter out of anyone. She told me all about it over our virtual dinner.
