The hottest Songwriting Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Music Topics
Front Row & Backstage 491 implied HN points 06 Feb 24
  1. Nic Briscoe shares insights about music and recording experiences in a UK studio.
  2. The Tune Tag series features songs by Jeff Buckley, Red Hot Chili Peppers, David Bowie, 10cc, and Wax.
  3. Songs like Jeff Buckley's 'Last Goodbye' and 10cc's 'I'm Not in Love' hold personal significance.
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Front Row & Backstage 412 implied HN points 18 Jan 24
  1. Jimmy Webb was a young, talented songwriter recognized by artists and producers in the 60s.
  2. The song 'Rosecrans Boulevard' by Jimmy Webb was covered by various artists like Johnny Rivers and Gordon Waller.
  3. Zumpano, a Canadian power pop band, produced a compelling version of 'Rosecrans Boulevard' in the 90s.
The New Cue 412 implied HN points 15 Jan 24
  1. Bill Ryder-Jones discusses his new album 'Iechyd Da' and the creative process behind it during lockdown.
  2. The album features themes of relationships and personal struggles, with Bill mentioning having three breakdowns during the lockdown period.
  3. Bill Ryder-Jones incorporates samples and revisits characters from previous albums in his latest work, aiming for a more positive and hopeful tone.
Colin Meloy's Machine Shop 2555 implied HN points 15 Feb 23
  1. The Decemberists are recording music in a studio and sharing the process openly with fans.
  2. They operate on practical hours, record fragments of songs, and focus on the music rather than late night sessions.
  3. The band tracks multiple takes of a song, focusing on drums and bass, and decides to take a break and return the next day with fresh ears.
Escaping Flatland 1572 implied HN points 21 Mar 23
  1. Sweden's success in music is due to scene creation engines and apprenticeships that foster talent development.
  2. The infrastructure in Sweden with public music schools and study circles nurtured a culture of music-making and collaboration.
  3. The tradition of established songwriters mentoring young talent through apprenticeships has been a key factor in Sweden's music industry success.
Colin Meloy's Machine Shop 1434 implied HN points 23 Feb 23
  1. The song 'July, July!' was written in 2001 and is based on personal experiences and reflections.
  2. The lyrics of the song contain references to specific places and events in the author's life at that time.
  3. The chorus of the song 'July, July!' pays homage to another band's lyrics and reflects the author's personal relationship experiences.
The New Cue 98 implied HN points 05 Feb 24
  1. Gruff Rhys released his eighth solo album, Sadness Sets Me Free, which is his thirty-fifth album overall.
  2. Gruff Rhys enjoys music and the process of creating records, valuing albums as a medium of expression.
  3. Gruff Rhys drew inspiration for his album from personal experiences, Cardiff's evolving landscape, and a mix of musical influences.
Xavi Benjamin 19 implied HN points 18 Mar 24
  1. The new song 'Mueva La Cintura' by Xavi Benjamin and Aleyzza was a collaboration that started in February 2023, inspired by the Spanish phrase 'mueve la cintura,' meaning 'move your waist.'
  2. The song's creation process involved FaceTiming with Cardec and led to the birth of a dance song with a hook co-written during a trip to Puerto Rico.
  3. The post offers a special preview of the song set to be released on May 1st and gives insights into the creative journey behind it.
Front Row & Backstage 334 implied HN points 14 Jul 23
  1. Nic Collins has his own band and tours with Mike + The Mechanics.
  2. Nic Collins is kind and caring towards his family, including being a supportive figure for his father Phil Collins.
  3. Nic Collins is determined to make a global impact as a drummer and songwriter, aiming to inspire the next generation of musicians.
Front Row & Backstage 393 implied HN points 13 May 23
  1. The songwriters of Steely Dan, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, had an interesting origin story starting from Bard College.
  2. Kenny Vance played a crucial role in discovering and managing Becker and Fagen, leading to the formation of Steely Dan.
  3. The journey of the Steely Dan songwriting team from anonymous staff writers to successful recording artists is a testament to their talent and perseverance.
Front Row & Backstage 353 implied HN points 02 Jun 23
  1. The album 'Difford & Tilbrook' was released in 1984 as a project by the key songwriters of the band Squeeze.
  2. The album was considered a mix of blue-eyed soul and synthesizer sounds, but failed to achieve commercial success.
  3. Despite its lack of commercial success, the album is still appreciated by serious fans of Squeeze for its consistency and unique sound.
Expanding Dan 314 implied HN points 11 Mar 23
  1. Peter Farrelly discovered Steely Dan while at a boarding school and was deeply moved by their music, leading to a lifelong appreciation.
  2. Farrelly's interaction with Walter Becker for the 'Me, Myself & Irene' soundtrack showcased his passion for Steely Dan and the importance of their music in his films.
  3. Farrelly reflects on his career, his love for Steely Dan's less popular songs, and the inspiration he drew from creative duos like the Zucker brothers and his unconventional encounters with musicians.
Dada Drummer Almanach 202 implied HN points 16 May 23
  1. Copyright lawsuits in the music industry can have varying outcomes, like with the cases of Marvin Gaye's songs and recent hits.
  2. Ed Sheeran's legal victory in a copyright case highlighted the debate over common elements in music.
  3. Sheeran's argument about pop songs being similar, written quickly, and prone to plagiarism raised questions about the future of AI-generated music and copyright laws.
Litverse 59 implied HN points 09 Oct 23
  1. The song 'Lighthouse' by Job Creators was inspired by a proposal at Roosevelt Island's lighthouse to capture a moment of anticipating a new source of light and life.
  2. The creation of the song took place during a period of chaos and uncertainty, with the song evolving to reflect the feeling of waiting for a significant moment.
  3. The band's upcoming album, 'Love Monster,' is set for release on October 13, with 'Lighthouse' being a part of the album available on various music platforms.
Grist Potentia 19 implied HN points 05 Jun 23
  1. Trunk songs are pieces written for a show but set aside for later use.
  2. Songwriters often save trunk songs for future projects.
  3. Subscription to Grist Potentia gives access to full post archives.
The False Consensus Effect 19 implied HN points 29 Jan 21
  1. Writing what you know doesn't guarantee success in creative pursuits, as demonstrated by examples like Stephen King. People often prefer stories of magic and fantasy over reality.
  2. Creative expression in various forms like painting, sculpture, and music requires a deep connection to the subject matter, but success and financial reward aren't guaranteed.
  3. Songwriting is a personal and cathartic process, and it's essential to engage in it for personal fulfillment rather than for public performance or external validation.
The False Consensus Effect 0 implied HN points 12 Mar 21
  1. Songwriting can be a valuable and rewarding practice that allows for creative expression and personal growth.
  2. Embrace the amateur mindset in creative endeavors, allowing room for experimentation and the freedom to fail without the pressure of perfection.
  3. Reflect on personal experiences and emotions as inspirations for songs, embracing simplicity and honesty in storytelling.