Songwriting Zen » Songwriter Spotlight

Songwriter Spotlight – Courtney Robb

Corey Stewart — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:23:19 +0000

Our next songwriter to be under the Songwriting Zen spotlight is Courtney Robb, a singer/songwriter that I personally have a lot of respect for.

She is one of those rare performers that turns a rowdy crowd into a quietly attentive audience just by the way she delivers her songs.

I’m very privileged to be playing with her at the Daniel O’Connell Hotel this Sunday for the third installment of my Sunday Singer/Songwriter Session series of gigs.

Here is how the interview panned out…

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Name
Courtney Robb

URL
www.courtneyrobb.com

Main genre
Acoustic Pop

Years writing
About 6 years

Words or music first
They usually happen simultaneously…

Why do you write
It isn’t really a conscious decision, I write because if I didn’t write I would go a little crazy.

How do you write
I generally have to be alone to write. I get distracted very easily. Once I put down the pen, it’s hard for me to get the flow back. I tend to write at night too.

This isn’t something I do on purpose, just I feel more at ease at the end of the day. I can reflect on things that have happened and how I feel. There’s something about the night that is very calming to me too, everyone is tucked away and the streets are quiet.

What inspires you
I get inspired to write when I let myself be open to all that’s happening around me and to me. Other musicians… relationships… the world around us is a smorgasbord of inspiration but you just have to let it in.

Most important aspect of songwriting
Honesty in lyrics is really important to me. As soon as I stop beain true to myself, the song starts to become a bit contrived. I feel like if I write freely, from the heart, my audience with be able to connect to the song and to me as another human being.

Advice for beginners
Write as much as possible, whether its a journal or actual songs or letters. It doesn’t matter if it’s not perfect, the more you write the easier it will flow. Never throw anything out, you never know what gems you may find when you go back through old scribbles.

Songwriting goals
I feel like I am growing as a songwriter with each song. I just hope to be able to continue to do this.

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Notice how Courtney answers the “why do you write?” questions. She says that writing songs “…isn’t really a conscious decision, I write because if I didn’t write I would go a little crazy.” I know how she feels.

When you really think about it, songwriting is not what we do but it’s who we are. I reckon it’s the ability to make that distinction that seperates great songwriters from good ones.

If you’re in Adelaide catch Courtney and myself at the Daniel O’Connell Hotel this Sunday.

Until next time, happy writing,

Corey Stewart
Singer/Songwriter/Musician

Keywords: songwriting, songwriter, writing songs, songwriting tip, songwriting idea, songwriting help, songwriting zen, songwriting blog, corey stewart

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Songwriter Spotlight – Edel Perth (Combee!)

Corey Stewart — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:40:23 +0000

Today I’m going to put the songwriters spotlight on Edel Perth. She is one half of an up and coming acoustic duo called Combee! with guitarist Chrissy Rinaldi.

The music that Edel and Chrissy write is described as having “a Jazz, Funk and Blues feel with a rock edge.” Sounds good to me.

Combee! is also part of my Sunday Singer/Songwriter Showcase gigs. The next one happening at the Daniel O’Connell Hotel THIS SUNDAY. If you’re in Adelaide and you want to hear some amazing music then come along.

In the meantime enjoy getting to know a little more about Edel Perth.

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Name:
Edel Perth

URL:
www.myspace.com/combeemusic

Main genre:
Funk/Blues/Jazz

Years writing:
Since I was 14. The first lyrics I wrote inspired one of my mums friends to write the music. I have managed to write quite a few pieces, lyrics and melody really.

Can’t play a musical instrument effectively to save my life.

Words or music first:
Because I don’t play a guitar very well it is usually the words, then a melody however sometimes I wake up I the middle of the night and will have a melody running thru my head.

I grab my mobile phone as it has a voice recorder. In the past I would press record on the old cassestte player (REMEMBER THEM).

Why do you write:
A myriad of reasons really.

Recently I have been writing lyrics to my new musical partners Chrissy’s great guitar riffs.

We will record them on the mini disc and I will take them home and come up with a melody and lyrics and some arrangements. I find this new process really exiting as its new and it works for us both.

Sometimes I will feel driven to put pen to paper, I think of what Loreena Mckennit says about ‘the visit’.

I have no idea what I’ll write about so I trust the process and let it flow. I am quite amazed at this process really.

Sometimes I will be having an emotional day and I’ll sit down and write some words, this will usually put things into perspective. The deal I have with myself is to turn a negative into a positive.

I think music has the power to do this, well the creative process does for me anyway.

Lately I have picked up the guitar and I will just play a few chords and a melody will come to mind, lyrics then follow in this case.

Most important aspect of songwriting:
Trust yourself, there is no right or wrong.

Advice for beginners:
Write what ever comes to mind and trust the flow, you can edit it later.

Songwriting goals:
I would love to write a whole set and accompany myself on the guitar. At the moment I have neither the skill nor confidence.

Anything else to add:
I find that working with another songwriter can add a whole new perspective and feel to the song.

I have 3 or 4 songs that I wrote a few years ago and my musical partner at the time played guitar.

I didn’t want to let those songs go so I recorded the songs acapella and gave them to my new musical partner Chrissy and she came up with her own interpretation. This really changed the feel and added a whole new dimension to the songs.

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I’ve seen Combee! a few times now and what I find fascinating about their musical relationship is that Edel and Chrissy really know what works between them and they use that knowledge as a template for their songwriting.

The beauty that I can see about collaborating in this manner is that as they grow as a partnership their songwriting grows with them creating an inbuilt consistancy in their songs.

Very, very cool indeed.

I also love it when Edel says that she has “…no idea what I’ll write about so I trust the process and let it flow.” Automatic writing has never sounded so effortless and eloquent at the same time.

I’m really looking forward to playing with Combee! this Sunday. Hope to see you there.

Until next time, happy writing

Corey Stewart
Singer/Songwriter/Musician

Keywords: songwriting, songwriter, songwriting tip, songwriting idea, songwriting help, songwriting zen, songwriting blog, open mic, corey stewart

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Songwriter Spotlight – Joe Murphy

Corey Stewart — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:44:04 +0000

As mentioned in my last post I’m organizing a series of gigs called the Sunday Singer Songwriter Showcase at the Daniel O’Connell Hotel (165 Tynte Street, North Adelaide).

It kicks off on Sunday, July 27th from 7pm, and the first songwriter to be playing with me at S4 is Joe Murphy.

As well as being a songwriter about town and guitarist for local band Twelve Dollar Monkey he also runs an Open Mic at the Lord Melbourne Hotel on Thursdays.

It’s safe to say that Joe is a very busy boy indeed. He did however, take some time out of his busy life to participate in Songwriters Spotlight.

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1. Name:
Joe Murphy

2. URL:
http://www.myspace.com/joemurphy1603

3. Main genre:
Acoustic blues and roots music

4. Years writing:
Ten

5. Words or music first:
I started out writing words first and then music but Ive turned full circle. For me the words have to fit to the music. The other way round is too hit and miss!

6. Why do you write:
It’s the true test of musical ability.

7. How do you write:
I mess around with some guitar licks until something happens that I like. I play it until it’s smooth then merge the ideas together. Then myself or my beautiful partner Susana will write some words.

8. What inspires you:
I have never really gone in for the inspiration thing! I find music comes in waves for a while, one day you can have it and then its gone for a bit. I just write as much as possible in those times.

9. Most important aspect of songwriting:
Hooks both musically and lyrically.

10. Advice for beginners:
Listen to all different styles and learn to complete and format songs.

11. Songwriting goals:
To write songs that are varied but have a consistent style.

12. Anything else to add:
Write as much as possible. It’s the best way to get better and a whole lot of fun!

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I found it interesting what Joe said about music coming to him in waves and that he saw his job as a songwriter as being able to ride that wave for as long as possible.

If you want to hear some of Joe beautiful music go and see him at the first Sunday Singer Songwriter Showcase at the Daniel O’Connell Hotel on Sunday, July 27 from 7pm.

I’ll be doing a set of songs as well and best of all, entry is FREE!

If you can’t make it go to Joe Murphy’s MySpace Page and stay tuned for some possible video.

Until next time, happy writing,

Corey Stewart
Singer/Songwriter/Musician

Keywords: joe murphy, open mic, songwriting, songwriter, songwriting tip, songwriting idea, songwriting help, songwriting blog, corey stewart

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Songwriter Spotlight – Cal Williams Jr

Corey Stewart — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:34:22 +0000

Today I would normally blog about my guitar lesson with Cal Williams Jr.

However, as I had a four day break without my guitar I wanted to spend another week practising before receiving new information so instead I thought I’d introduce a new category to the Songwriting Zen blog called “Songwriter Spotlight”.

I want to showcase other songwriters that I know or I want to know and ask them a series of questions about themselves, how they got into writing songs and their songwriting process.

It’s my hope that their answers will spark something in your own mind about what you do and how you write.

I know it will for me.

The first songwriter to be put under the spotlight is Cal Williams Jr himself. It’s the least I can do for canceling my guitar lesson with him.

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Name:
Cal Williams Jr

URL:
www.myspace.com/calwilliamsjr

Musical Genre:
Folk/Blues

Years writing:
15 years

Words or music first:
Music

Why do you write:
I write because it is natural for me to be creative.

I love the feeling of carefully crafting a song and watching it twist and turn underneath my fingertips. When it is complete I love hearing it evolve and grow independently of me until it becomes a song for everyone.

Songwriting to me is a limitless expression of life’s journey that changes and colours with new experiences. When I make a record it is a record of new friends, new loves and new places.

How do you write:
When creating a song I usually play around with the guitar melodies first and work my vocal lines around the notes I play in the scale or chord. The lyrics are constructed first as working lyrics and then allowed to form naturally at repeated sittings with the guitar.

What inspires you:
My first real songwriting musical influence was the late sixties/early seventies era British fingerstyle folk/blues guitarists such as Nick Drake, John Martyn, Bert Jansch, Davey Graham, Dick Gaughan and John Renbourne. I was also inspired early on by Delta Blues guitarists such as Son House, Skip James, Lightning Hopkins and Blind Willie Johnson.

Literature wise I am a huge fan of 1950′s beat poets such as Jack Kerouac, Alan Ginsberg, Gregory Corso and the writings of Kurt Vonnegut and Charles Bukowski.

I find I also gain incredible songwriting inspiration from classic seventies road movies such as Paris Texas, Vanishing Point, Five Easy Pieces, Midnight Cowboy and Easy Rider.

Inspiration for me also comes in the form of train journeys, sunsets, oceans, conversations, good friends and late nights.

Most important aspect of songwriting:
The most important aspect in any kind of human emotional communication is honesty. Songs that are written purely from the heart achieve more longevity as they are sincere reflections of a particular emotion and/or experience.

Advice for beginners:
My advice for anyone starting out on the road of being a songwriter is to stay focused.

Songwriting is a craft that evolves with experience and the more you write the better you become. Songwriting is very much about the journey and not the destination.

Keep challenging yourself with new chords and tunings and musical genres. Absorb as much music as you can and learn how great songs are made.

Never compare your songwriting progress with any other songwriter. We are all on the road travelling at our own pace and in different directions. Comparison will only lead to negative emotions such as jealousy and inferiority.

Protect your creative mind by avoiding negative and unconstructive criticism and controlling your inner critic.

Feed your creative mind with a healthy diet of books, poetry, music, art and film and avoid watching too much T.V.

Always write from your heart and enjoy the process of creating a song that you are proud of. The true rewards of being a songwriter have nothing to do with monetary gain.

Songwriting goals:
My songwriting goals are simple. Keep on writing.

There are so many musical avenues to explore as a songwriter that the possibilities are literally endless. As I have said, songwriting is the journey not the destination.

The moment you feel that you have ‘arrived’ at the best song you will ever write and feel you have exhausted all songwriting directions is the day you stop being a songwriter.

Fortunately for most of us that day will never come. There are always new chords and scales and tunings and poets and books and music to discover that will take your songwriting in new directions.

At the moment I have released seven albums of original songs.

I love seeing them sitting on the shelf as they are all testaments to different stages in my life. I remember the subject matter, where I was, the musicians I recorded with, the studio and how I was feeling at the time.

Those memories are now sealed inside each and every song I have written and I enjoy looking back and remembering how I felt.

My goal now is to write the next album. And then the next and then the next.

Anything else to add:
I would like to leave this conversation with an excerpt from a poem by Charles Bukowski. I was introduced to his work by a good friend in Leeds, England who I met whilst busking and travelling in the U.K.

This poem is one of three main poems that have inspired me at different stages of my songwriting career. The other two being ‘Song of the Open Road’ by Walt Whitman and ‘Essentials of Spontaneous Prose’ by Jack Kerouac, both of which I highly recommend seeking out and reading.

if it doesn’t come bursting out of you
in spite of everything,
don’t do it.
unless it comes unasked out of your
heart and your mind and your mouth
and your gut,
don’t do it.
if you have to sit for hours
staring at your computer screen
or hunched over your
typewriter
searching for words,
don’t do it.
if you’re doing it for money or
fame,
don’t do it.
if you’re doing it because you want
women in your bed,
don’t do it.
if you have to sit there and
rewrite it again and again,
don’t do it.
if it’s hard work just thinking about doing it,
don’t do it.
if you’re trying to write like somebody
else,

forget about it.

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I really like Cal’s songwriting goal. Keep on writing. It’s simple, to the point and brilliant.

In his music, Cal displays a perfect balance between the intuitive and the theoretical aspects of songwriting.

He writes from the heart but at the same time is inventive and creatively intelligent in his approach without being too clever for his own good.

I recommend that you check out his stuff. You won’t regret it.

Until next time, happy writing,

Corey Stewart
Singer/Songwriter/Musician

Keywords: songwriting, songwriter, songwriting tip, songwriting help, songwriting idea, songwriting resource, songwriting blog, corey stewart

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