Song Commentary & Some Further Analysis accompanying the Spotify playlist Day 1 - “Manhattan Island Serenade” written by Leon Russell So I'm startin' a thing... I'm adding and sharing a song each day to a playlist titled: '365 Songs'. It's a simple idea, not a particularly clever or innovative one, but a chance for me to share songs I think work well and that either I think we can learn something from as songwriters or I just think are really cool, I'll give a little commentary along the way but primarily I just wanna share songs I like with you. Just to start us off I've selected 'Manhat ..read more

(Results Updated Weekly, last update 6/10/2023) ARE YOU AN AUSTRALIAN SONGWRITER OR MUSIC LOVER? CLICK HERE TO CONTRIBUTE YOUR ANSWERS TO THE SURVEY! (Results updated weekly, results will become more granular as more responses are received) ARE YOU AN AUSTRALIAN SONGWRITER OR MUSIC LOVER? CLICK HERE TO CONTRIBUTE YOUR ANSWERS TO THE SURVEY! (Results updated weekly, results will become more granular as more responses are received) MUSIC FROM SURVEY RESPONDEES TO CHECK OUT! The New Sun by Jason McNear FREE STUFF FOR SONGWRITERS. Click here ..read more

Lyric writing is a delicate balance between musicality and authenticity. While rhyme adds a pleasing structure to songs, forcing end rhymes can compromise the natural flow and authenticity of your lyrics. In this article, we'll explore the pitfalls of forced end rhyme, emphasize the importance of speaking your lyrics for authenticity, and discuss the benefits of treating your lyrics as a conversation to ensure they resonate with your audience. The Drawbacks of Forced End Rhyme: While rhyme can enhance the musicality and memorability of your lyrics, forcing end rhymes can lead to awkward phra ..read more

Here are some of my favourate ‘unknown’ bedroom singer-songwriters who are putting out excellent music (and offering their hearts and souls to the world) on YouTube and you should definitely stop whatever you’re doing right now and go check out and subscribe to: The Criteria for this article and list is this: I reckon they are great songwriters and lyricists and have huge unrecognized potential. They currently have less than 500 Youtube subscribers (I’ll update this blog article periodically, and hopefully people will drop off as they start to get the recognition they deserve!) SOMETHING ..read more

In today's digital age, streaming platforms like Spotify have revolutionized the way we consume music. While it has undoubtedly made music more accessible, it has also posed challenges for local artists and singer-songwriters trying to make a name for themselves. For new artists achieving 1000-2000 streams on Spotify for a new song is a massive undertaking and achievement, and 1000 listens for an established artist, represent at least a thousand moments of music enjoyment and ‘creative engagement’ for listeners however note that per 1000 individual song plays on Spotify this would only genera ..read more

In the realm of music, there exists a special breed of singer-songwriters who possess the extraordinary ability to weave intricate stories through their lyrics. Australian singer-songwriters like Paul Kelly, Kev Carmody, and Missy Higgins have mastered the art of poetic storytelling, captivating audiences with their profound narratives. Join us as we delve into the worlds they create, where the struggles, triumphs, and everyday moments of the Australian people come to life through the magic of music. Kev Carmody: Kev Carmody, a revered Indigenous singer-songwriter, infuses his music with powe ..read more

"You have to subjugate yourself to the song and come up with what the song needs rather than what you need." - Paul Simon "The ego is not the enemy; it's the nature of the game. But it's about keeping it in check and realizing that the song is the most important thing." - Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) "When you're writing a song, you have to serve the song, not your ego. The song is the ultimate judge." - John Mayer "The best songs come from a place of honesty and vulnerability. It's about setting aside your ego and letting the song speak for itself." - Alicia Keys "A good songwriter knows when to ..read more

These podcasts provide a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and practical advice for songwriters, covering various aspects of the craft and the industry. Enjoy exploring them and finding valuable insights for your songwriting journey! SONGWRITER THEORY Hosted by Joseph Vadala, this podcast dives deep into the art and craft of songwriting. Joseph explores various techniques, song analysis, and offers insightful interviews with accomplished songwriters, providing valuable advice for aspiring and established songwriters. Spotify, Apple Music, Homepage, Facebook. SONGWRITER TRYSTS Rae Leigh hosts ..read more

WHAT DO MUSIC PUBLISHERS DO? A music publisher plays a crucial role in the music industry by representing and administering the rights of songwriters and composers. Here are some key responsibilities and functions of a music publisher: Rights Management: One of the primary roles of a music publisher is to manage and administer the copyrights associated with musical compositions. This includes obtaining copyright registrations, licensing the compositions for various uses, and enforcing the rights of the songwriter or composer. Song Placement and Promotion: Music publishers actively work to ..read more

Here’s MY list of some of this year’s best new releases by Australian Singer-Songwriters that might be worth a first (or second, third…fourth…fifteenth) listen for you. Music appreciation is a very personal and subjective thing but below are a few of the things I listen for and consider when assessing songs. Lyric Craft - Including efficiency and impact of lyrics, Poetic sensitivity, control. Authenticity, Clarity and communication of message Prosody-Do the lyrics & music suit and support each other? Production - Does the production and instrumentation enhance the delivery of the s ..read more