Career Songwriter

‘Publish’ is a word we often throw around without really clarifying what it means. We might say ‘I’d like to get this song published’, but really what we mean is that we’d like to get the song recorded by an artist selling records, or placed in TV or Film or other media situation. As a songwriter, if we’re ‘published’ it can mean that the songwriter has a contract with a company whose job is to market his/her songs to the people who have a need for those songs – basically artists or other companies looking to use the music for various media purposes. Or, ‘published’ can also refer to just one song, a single-song-contract between a writer and a company interested in getting that one song placed in a film or TV show, or recorded by an artist.

Being ‘published’ may seem like a goal, but it’s actually just a means to an end. Whether we’re backed by a publishing company or not, we still need to bust our butts to continue to push our own music. It is in the publisher’s interest to push our music down the various avenues they have access to, but it’s our job as the writers to manage our careers in the direction we want. Sometimes acting as our own publisher is the best decision we can make for ourselves. If we’re making connections by attending industry functions, getting to know other artists and writers in our area, and working to circulate our own music by playing clubs, house concerts, benefits, our best-friend’s brother’s son’s Bar Mitzvah, and so on, we are doing the business of a label and publisher. The end result is that our songs are out there in the mix, floating upon the ears of those who need the music we create.

When I first started, I got my songs into the hands of other songwriters by handing them a cassette tape. Back then Myspace wasn’t around, and people didn’t rely on MP3’s sent over email instead of a tangible CD or cassette. I hung out in music stores, I met anyone I could at restaurants and clubs who performed or wrote music, handing out my business card and a few tunes everywhere I went. As a result of those initial meetings, my network grew and soon I was co-writing with friends of friends, with some unsigned writers and some signed writers. My goal was to get hired at a publishing company. Since I had no direct contacts with the Faith Hills and Tim McGraws of the world, I believed I needed a publisher to bridge that sizable gap. It’s true that a publisher can get you through some doors previously unapproachable to you. But, it’s also true that with determination and creativity, and a shining personality, you can begin to connect the dots yourself. Don’t let a publishing deal or a label deal hold you back from the true goal – getting your songs to the artists who want to record them and the listeners who want to enjoy them. Assess the contacts you have and start there, building up. Even if you have practically no contacts, start by taking a course in songwriting online, or taking a few vocal or guitar lessons at your local community college. Get involved in your greater metropolitan songwriting community. Get in the mindset that you have something valuable to offer, and you’ll be amazed how those who need your gift emerge from your corner of the world.

I don’t know about you, but I spent years recoiling from this question for fear of what I’d say or wouldn’t say that would pigeonhole my music forever. You’ve probably listened to a lot of styles of music, and like me, you’ve found remnants of each floating around in your melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. You may have been told your voice or guitar stylings are reminiscent of another artist, dumping you into a specific genre you may or may not be completely characterized by. Or, you may be limited by your instrumental abilities so that your songs consistently fall short of the commercial sound where you intend them to fly. These are all issues we deal with as songwriters trying to compartmentalize what we do in order to put ourselves out there as shows, CDs and MP3’s.

Before I sat down and took a look at the thin red line that ran through my lyrics and musical inklings, I would describe my music as pop/rock. The conversation would usually end right there. Either the person I was talking to liked the genre, or didn’t. Once in awhile I’d get the chance to name a few commercial artists I sound like, but the mixture fell flat when one or more of those artists was unknown or disliked by whomever I was talking to. Needless to say, it wasn’t a very good way to illicit interest in my music. Why would someone want to buy my songs when they can go listen to the real Alison Krauss, Jonatha Brooke, or Sting who they know and love?

I had to learn how to talk about my music in a way that connected with people. It wasn’t that I fit into a genre that was particularly important. What was important was that people could begin to imagine how my music could be useful to them. What am I intending on causing with my music? What issues do I consistently write about? Do my songs make you laugh, tear up, get in touch with old memories, yearn to live more passionately, or bounce down the freeway on your way home from work? How can I summarize the purpose that is consistent throughout my songwriting style so that people are interested in learning more about me and my music?

An artist friend of mine describes her style as ‘Music that soothes the wounds of modern life.’ Knowing how she describes her music in just that simple phrase, a first time listener can approach her music with that foundation. We all have wounds, and we all have our idea of what it means to soothe those wounds. Before she even plays a note I can feel what she’s about. She won’t be a copy of some other artist out there, but a unique voice that is easy to characterize and remember. Furthermore, I can immediately think of other people and situations in which her music would be a good fit. All because of 8 pivotal words.

Imagine yourself in conversation with someone you’d like to expose your music to. What would you say?

If you’re finding this question difficult to answer, grab a notebook and pencil and start journaling about your songs. Read over a few lyrics or titles of yours. Start to talk about the songs in conversational language as if you were telling them as a story to your best friend. What are the far-reaching themes that continue to emerge?

Another exercise might be to grab one or two friends who know your music. Ask them to help you list adjectives or verbs that capture the essence of your music and lyrics. Notice any common threads and start thinking about how you might include them in your own ‘8-word pitch.’ Don’t be confused by songs that land outside this circle of common themes. It’s not so much ‘what’ you write about that may matter in these instances, but ‘how’ you have approached it. Go back to the list of words and think about what experience you’re causing with your music. Everyone wants to experience something, and the more clearly you understand how your music is perceived the more confident you will be that people need what you do.

Andrea

A question I get asked a lot as a working songwriter is “What else can I be doing to grow my music career while I’m writing songs?” It’s true, the most important thing you can be doing as a songwriter is writing songs. But as you’re writing, there are activities you’ll want to adopt that will help open doors for those songs to be heard. After all, feverishly writing songs without an outlet to play them for other people can eventually thwart our creativity altogether.
For the next several weeks, I’d like to post a weekly blog with an activity you can add into your schedule that I hope will help you grow as an artist and musician. Even if you perform the activity for 10 minutes a day, such as picking up a guitar or sitting down at the piano, you are building connections between your life and your creativity. I’ll also separate the activities into business and craft, so you can identify what activities might benefit the work you do in the writing room, and what benefits you outside that circle. Eventually, these activities will all run together as you knit a lifestyle that fosters creativity and connection in the music world. I encourage you to tailor the ideas to your own environment and run with any extra ideas you might have. Let’s get started!

Business:
Check your local paper for who’s playing at a nearby music venue. Try to attend one show this week of an act that is similar to your writing style or the style you aspire to. If you aren’t familiar with any of the artists or venues in your area, pick one at random. If you have a musical friend or co-writer you haven’t connected with in awhile, ask him/her to come along. If you have family or work related responsibilities, consider how you can take your family along, or schedule your meeting to include the show.

After the performance: If you enjoyed the show, introduce yourself to the band or artist afterwards. Mention that you are a songwriter and that you enjoyed their music. Be sure to ask when they’ll be playing again…..and plan to attend.

Craft:
Pick up any newspaper, magazine, or book, and choose an article or page at random. Begin reading, and as you do, consider each phrase - no matter how insignificant - as the title of a song. What might you write sparked from the ideas of those titles?