Music by Daniel Portis-Cathers and Friends
Who at some point hasn't wanted to ask a good songwriter what they write first, the music or the lyrics? And who has actually not asked that question in an interview to some road weary songwriter who would much rather talk about their latest trilogy in D minor, the saddest of all keys?
So let's settle the question here and now, once and for all. The answer is ...continue reading "Music or Lyrics – Which Comes First?"
Co-writing is like dating in so many ways. You're looking for someone who inspires you. You're looking for someone who can make difficult work fun, someone who can help make the future look bright even though the road ahead seems so unclear. And you're looking for someone who can tell the truth - as well as recognize it to begin with.
Of course those dates will cost you something ...continue reading "Match.co-writing"
Songwriting for most people must be a very solitary process. It certainly has been for me over the years. Until I moved to Nashville where co-writing happens to be the norm. If you've never lived in Nashville, or at least visited, it's likely you've never co-written a song. It's a foreign experience for the average songwriter and can be a bit intimidating.
Speaking of dating, it's very much like that. Basically, you need to try it with different people to find out who you mesh with. It's fine to date around, but there are still some ground rules - discussed here.
I spent several months this year working on a songwriting project for a music-licensing-for-film-and-tv company. (Here's No Tears Allowed from the album Big Whisper):