Send us a textIn this episode, I talk with singer/songwriter Kylie Rothfield.She shares what she learned about singing and stage fright from Alicia Keys. We talk about what she learned from writing with some of the best writers in Nashville, song craft, process and so much more. This was a good one!Pre save Kylie's single coming out Sept. 27th here:https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/kylierothfield/never-loved-somebody?utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=Email+&utm_source=SendGr...

Send us a textIn this episode, singer/songwriter Michael McDermott talks about writing process, writing from your life and shares new songs off his two new albums dropping Sept 13th.Join the "What's in a Song" membership community:https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keyshttps://michael-mcdermott.com/homeMixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3JwScarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.comScarlet's instagram: https:...

Send us a textToday I have Berklee Professor Ben Camp on the show discussing AI We talk about where it is now and what it means for songwriters in the future. We talk ethics, creativity, originality, works that are derivative and Ben takes a song we wrote together years ago and puts it through AI to demonstrate some of the current possibilities AI offers creatives.Ben Camp has taught songwriting to over 2,000 students at Berklee College of Music, and is a gold record awarded writer and ...

Send us a textIn this episode, Pat Pattison, author of "Writing Better Lyrics" walks us through step by step of how to find metaphors. This is the exercise I gave to writer Madi Diaz that she talked about in the previous episode.Pat talks about the difference between simile and metaphor for songwriters, passing metaphors and central metaphors and takes us through a song by Eli and Fur and Gillian Welch.https://www.patpattison.com/Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/Otto Gros...

Send us a textMy guest today is one of my former students singer/songwriter Madi DiazMadi grew up in Pennsylvania where she was homes schooled by her mother and took piano lessons from her father at the age of 5.After high school, Madi was accepted to Berklee College of Music and met her first collaborator Kyle Ryan which led to her recording her first record skin and bones in Hawaii.Later, Madi went on to tour with the civil ward and Landon Pig. She was featured in Paste magazine as on...

Send us a textIn this minisode, I talk about writing melody and thinking of melody as the song's tone of voice.Auditioning melodies to make sure we pair the best notes with our most important words and the power of unstable notes in writing great melodies.To join my summer songwriting class "Writing Better Melodies" click here:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/melody-writing-intensive-tickets-943422099897If you sign up before July 15th, you will receive a free copy of my book "The Craft of Songwri...

Send us a text"Inspiration is for Amateurs""Don't be 'a writer' but instead be writing." - Faulkner"Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!”― Johann Wolfgang von GoetheTo join the "What's in a Song" community membership: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keysLink to song from band Corner Boy "Morning Morning": https://open.spotify.com/track/7wjyEuRd6pYN34BmVkOpa1?si=a25d393f73594a0bhttps://www.cornerboymusic.com/Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersyk...

Send us a textIn this Episode, Robert Ellis Orrall talks about writing with Taylor Swift. What she was like as a young writer, how he set up the showcase that got her a record deal and shares two songs her wrote with Swift along with an original from his latest record.Upcoming workshop: Taylor Swift Master class this Tuesday May 28th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-songwriting-of-taylor-swift-writing-great-melodies-tickets-907284772177Robert Ellis Orrall's website: https://www.roberte...

Send us a textMy guest today s an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Will Kimbrough.As a producer, he has produced albums for Rodney Crowell, Todd Snider, Kim Richey, Garrison Star and Matthew Ryan to name a few.His songs have been recorded by Jimmy Buffett, Little Fear, Jack Ingram, and he has collaborated with Rosanne Cash, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, and Mavis Staples just to name a few.In 2004 he was recognized as the instrumentalist of ...

Send us a textThe storytelling effects of nouns.Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3JwScarlet's website:https://www.scarletkeys.comScarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/Scarlet's website:https://www.scarletkeys.comScarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.comScarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkey...

Send us a textIn this minisode, I talk about the power of verbs and how they can do more than just their expected work but can help to tell your story, create characters and build metaphors.Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3JwScarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/Scarlet's website:https://www.scarletkeys.comScarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/To pur...

Send us a textIn this episode, Ingrid talk about her influences, meeting her producer and shares three songs from her upcoming album.She talks about writing in opening tuning and writing process.https://www.instagram.com/ingridsaga/?hl=enMixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3JwScarlet's website:https://www.scarletkeys.comScarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/Scarlet's website: https:...

Send us a textIn this Episode I talk with singer/songwriter/producer/actor Aidan Laprete aboutVoice lessons, finding your sound, and producing.He walks us through writing melody takes - gibberish to find melodies, turning mumbles into words and making it make sense and shares guitar voicings to help you out of sonic ruts.Aidan is from Hawaii and was first known for his ukulele playing at age 8. He has been in film and tv such as "Hawaii Five-O" and "The Wilds" and performs and dissects ...

Send us a textStuart Roslyn is a composer, producer and musician specializing in original music for motion pictures and their trailers. He also creates unique soundscapes for network tv and big brand commercials. His career spans more than 20 years composing and producing many genres of music for the biggest names in entertainment. He is either directing a full orchestra or writing and mixing in his studio.Today, Stuart is here to talk about his approach to work and to life....

Send us a textIn this episode, I share a little peak into the craft and poetry of Taylor Swift's songwriting.We look at her choice of chord progressions and one way in to one of her epic bridge sections as well as her use of metaphor.You will walk away with a few tools from the woman currently ruling the world that you can try in your own songs no matter what the genre.Upcoming workshop signup: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-songwriting-of-taylor-weekend-virtual-songwriting-workshop-t...

Send us a textDavid Wilcox is an award winning and highly acclaimed American singer songwriter from Asheville North Carolina.His storytelling cuts deep into the soul and observes the human condition from both the nerve center and the outside looking in. He’s released more than 20 records and is famous for his thoughtful insights, humor and open tunings on guitar.In this episode, David talks about process and prompts and writes a song on the spot.https://www.davidwilcox.comTo pre-order S...

Send us a textDavid Wilcox is an award winning and highly acclaimed American singer songwriter from Asheville North Carolina.His storytelling cuts deep into the soul and observes the human condition from both the nerve center and the outside looking in. He’s released more than 20 records and is famous for his thoughtful insights, humor and open tunings on guitar.In this episode, David takes a deep dive into his writing process and will leave you totally inspired.https://www.davidwilcox....

Send us a textIn this episode, we break down co-writing and talk about reflecting back on process and what can be learned from taking pause and observing what went well and what you wish had gone differently making you a better writer and co-writer going forward.To purchase Mark's books: https://www.amazon.com/Songwriting-Strategies-360-Degree-Approach-Music/dp/087639151X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2P5EAKVUEMJCD&keywords=mark+simos&qid=1691706851&sprefix=mark+simo%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1Mixed...

Send us a textIn this episode of a two part series, Berklee Professor and Grammy winning writer Mark Simos and I try out his unique approach to writing using different chord configurations in a writing exercise he calls Hank Williams in hell. This is a live co-write so if you are curious about how people write songs collaboratively or want to explore new ways to use the classic three chords, this episode is for you. The final song is shared at the end of this episode.To purchase M...

Send us a textIn this episode of a two part series, Berklee Professor and Grammy winning writer Mark Simos and I try out his unique approach to writing using different chord configurations in a writing exercise he calls Hank Williams in hell. This is a live co-write so if you are curious about how people write songs collaboratively or want to explore new ways to use the classic three chords, this episode is for you!Sign up for keyboard class email scarlet@scarletkeys.com Mixed by P...