Music Is the Most Direct Route to the Soul
Music’s power is that it expresses the inexpressible. Touching other people through our songs means understanding what music is and how it works.
What If Your Greatest Liability Is Actually Your Greatest Strength?
Lots of people are embarrassed about their so-called negative traits. But they might turn out to be the most positive traits they’ve got.
Seven Things No One Told You About Being Creative
Creativity is a habit that can be learned, just like anything else. All it takes is an understanding of some common-sense principles, and you’ll surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.
Copyright Basics: Part Two
The second part in our riveting series on Copyright Law. Find out what happens when your rights start to interact with other peoples’.
Copyright Basics: Part One
Songwriters harbor all kinds of misconceptions about Copyright Law. Here are some basic principles every writer ought to know about.
Why I Object to People Who Call Me Talented
Talent, schmalent. I got where I am today through years of hard work. Just like everyone else.
The Importance of Being Full of Yourself
Being full of yourself has gotten a bad rep and a bad rap. Maybe your parents told you not to show off. But to be a creative person, at any age, means showing off as much and as often as you can.
How to Choose a Great Lyrical Hook
A great lyrical hook is a great starting point for a great song. Some ideas on reeling one in, no bait required.
Mean Tweets: Music Edition
Posting content online today inevitably means some people are going to send meanness your way. Watch these well-known songwriters take these mean tweets in their stride like the pros they are.
Stop Trying to Be the Next Someone Else. Be the First You.
Lots of emerging artists undersell themselves by aspiring to be a version of someone else. Here’s how and why to aspire to be something even better.
Verse-Chorus Structure 101
Verse-Chorus form is the bread and butter of songwriting structure: dependable, popular and versatile. Here’s how it does what it does.
Alan Watts: Music and Life
Mark Twain famously said ‘I never let my schooling interfere with my education’. In this awesome video philosopher Alan Watts puts our schooling systems into perspective. With animation by Matt Stone and Trey Parker.
Seth Godin: Fail Until You Succeed
Seth Godin is one of the US’s smartest entrepreneurs. While as writers we’re here first and foremost to make art, there’s a lot we can learn about entrepreneurial spirit. In this video Godin explains why anyone trying to be innovative ought to get comfortable with failure.
Self-forgiveness: Why It’s an Essential Creative Tool
Great artists know that holding themselves to exceptionally high standards is what makes and keeps them great. But living creatively also means giving themselves a break from time to time.
Ze Frank’s Thoughts on the Creative Career
Ze Frank has a lot of advice for those starting out, and reminders for those who’ve been at it for a while. He also does a great job explaining the difference between ‘easy fun’ and ‘hard fun’, and why anyone would want more of the second than the first.
Let’s Face It: No One Knows What They’re Doing
It’s good to know things. It’s good to gain experience. It’s good to develop skills. But no matter how far you get, you’ll still more or less be winging it. And that’s how it should be.
What Are You Waiting For?
No, seriously. What’s stopping you telling your story?
“Smart may have the brains, but stupid has the balls.”
The awesome people at Diesel have an important philosophy: Be Stupid. They made this video to explain why.