One of the most widely-acclaimed albums of 2020, Fiona Apple’s shimmering return to the limelight is filled with lyrical gemstones.
Resistance Is Futile: On Letting Creative Flow Happen
Resisting feedback, or change, can be the single biggest mindset obstacle you have to overcome in your songwriting. Don’t let it destroy yours.
Will My Poems Work as Songs?
Poetry offers a great starting place for developing lyric ideas, but poetry and songs don’t always flow the same way — here’s how to tell if it’s working.
Inspired By or Just Plain Copying: A Guide to “Borrowing” Song Ideas
How do you morph admiration into inspiration while avoiding unacknowledged theft of song ideas? Borrowing with respect and intention is how.
5 Tragically Overlooked Preparations to Make When You Start Writing
Making mistakes along the path of your career is part of, well, your career. But some mistakes can lead to tragic roadblocks, here are five ways to prepare.
Public Enemy’s Model for Breaking “Second Album Syndrome”
Looking for a cure to the dreaded “Second Album Syndrome”? Look no further than Public Enemy’s brilliant 1988 sophomore release for answers.
Too Many Lyrics, Not Enough Tune: How Melody Helps Grab Our Attention
There’s as much grammar in a tune as there is in a paragraph. Learn to harness the power of melody and your lyrical strength will follow.
Bee Sides: A Playlist to Celebrate World Bee Day 2019
We celebrate the creature our global food security depends on with a custom-made playlist dedicated to the magical bee!
10 Myths About Songwriting Busted!
People make so many excuses for themselves when they don’t feel up to writing. Here are ten common ones and why they’re all wrong.
Why Are There No Saxophones in Orchestras?
A quick historical deep dive on the journey of the saxophone from French military pride to jazz band spotlight, but never the symphonic orchestra.