50 Bad Songs

We’re baaaack! Last episode I mentioned that I would be taking a little break as I moved to a new apartment and got my studio set back up. I was imagining that it would be maybe the months of June and July of 2022. But life found a way to keep us apart. But in July 2023, I recorded this episode and it took me until today to release it. So I’ve been sitting with this episode’s song for months and I’ve been SO READY to get back on the BS Train.

In this episode, I was inspired by the work of Artist/Author Yumi Sakugawa. Specifically a particular passage from the book "Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One with the Universe", in the section titled, "We are not just Light, We are not just Darkness, We are Everything":

'So let us get to know our darkness, our demons that exist in the dark shadows of our minds, the aspects of ourselves we feel most ashamed of.

Invite your demon for a slice of cake and a cup of tea.

It might feel awkward and uncomfortable at first.

Allow the demon to say what it feels like saying, feel what it feels like feeling, think what it feels like thinking.

Simply observe and listen with a gentle intention to understand where your demon is coming from.

Let the demon say what it wants to say…and then ask your demon to come back another time for more cake and tea.

Schedule regular tea and cake dates with your demons

Sometimes your demon will give you something in return for your understanding and kindness, something you can only receive for having the courage to face your darkness. A jewel, a beautiful idea, a key to a secret place…

And after a while you may realize that for this whole time your demon was afraid of you and was waiting for you this entire time

For your love, compassion, and time.

Your assignment from the Universe:

Prepare different cake and tea combinations for your different demons.

Once you have gotten to know a good majority of your demons, organize a Dance Party.'

@yumisakugawa

@50badsongs

@timrosko

www.patreon.com/50badsongs

www.50badsongs.bandcamp.com

We've made it to the halfway point! This is the 25th episode and the 25th song. It's hard to believe we’ve written so many songs! Thank you for listening to our songs and for sticking with us up to this point. This project has been a huge part of my life these last several years and I am so grateful for the opportunity to get to make music and share it with all of you!

In this episode we talk about writing a song like a story about a character instead of like a diary entry or therapy session. We also touch on the topic of the delicate timeline of writing and releasing songs. In the end we write a lovely little jazzy waltz about a girl who is decides to turn her fears into wings. Using a songwriting prompt from Sarah Spencer's Five-In-Five Challenge at SongFancy, this song came together from this prompt:

"She Had to Turn Her Fears Into Wings"

To learn more about SongFancy and the Five-In-Five Challenge, go to

http://songfancy.com/5-in-5-songwriting-challenge/

@50badsongs

@timrosko

www.patreon.com/50badsongs

www.50badsongs.bandcamp.com

We’ve made it to April which means I’m coming up on the 1 year anniversary of moving to LA! A lot has happened in the last year–-a lot of good, a lot of not so good…Either way, something that I have come to appreciate more this year is Rest and that is the theme for today’s episode. We spend some time talking about the importance of Rest in today's hyper-productive, hustle-culture society and write a deliciously pop-inspired song about going to bed! Using a songwriting prompt from Sarah Spencer's Five-In-Five Challenge at SongFancy, this song came together from this prompt:

"Write about a sacred place you know well"

To learn more about SongFancy and the Five-In-Five Challenge, go to

http://songfancy.com/5-in-5-songwriting-challenge/

@50badsongs

@timrosko

www.patreon.com/50badsongs

www.50badsongs.bandcamp.com

It is March and we are marching our way towards Spring. The weather here in LA has been ALL over the place – from the 80s to the 30s. I was originally going to do another wintry song this episode, but I changed course because it was already so warm and it didn’t feel right to do 3 wintry songs in a row! SO I chose the song you are going to hear today which is a totally different vibe. It still has a cozy feel, for those of you in parts of the country that are still chilly, but it’s a different inspiration and a very different direction. We discuss the beauty of a quiet morning and write a little song romanticizing the peace and magic in the mundane.

Using a songwriting prompt from Sarah Spencer's Five-In-Five Challenge at SongFancy, this song came together from this list of words:

"Early, Crinkle, Sip, Elaborate, Crease, Paper, Can’t, Gold, Thoughtful, Tear"

To learn more about SongFancy and the Five-In-Five Challenge, go to

http://songfancy.com/5-in-5-songwriting-challenge/

@50badsongs

@timrosko

www.patreon.com/50badsongs

www.50badsongs.bandcamp.com

We are starting this year off STRONG!-- Episode two, in month two of 2022!~~ AND this is song #22 out of 50. The schedule moving forward for this year will be new episodes on the first Monday of the month, unlike last season which was on the 1st of the month. In this episode, Tim writes a golden-era instant classic that is also the introvert’s anthem about NOT going out and instead, staying in with you. Using a songwriting prompt from Sarah Spencer's Five-In-Five Challenge at SongFancy, this song came together from this concept:
”She started peeling back the layers and wished she could put them right back.”
To learn more about SongFancy and the Five-In-Five Challenge, go to

http://songfancy.com/5-in-5-songwriting-challenge/

@50badsongs

@timrosko

www.patreon.com/50badsongs

www.50badsongs.bandcamp.com

Welcome back to 50 Bad Songs! This is the Season 3 premiere, episode 21, "Green, Red, and Gold". With Season 3, we are moving forward with a new format to the episodes. Instead of recording the full songwriting process and editing it down to be listenable, we will take a retrospective look at the details of how the music, lyrics, and production all came together. You will hear the song at the top of the episode and again at the end. In this episode, Tim writes a Christmas song that is not actually a Christmas song. Using a songwriting prompt from Sarah Spencer's Five-In-Five Challenge at SongFancy, this song came together from this list of ten words: Cedar, Approach, Minute, Turn, Waiting, Twilight, Clear, Wool, Hands, and Warm. To learn more about SongFancy and the Five-In-Five Challenge, go to

http://songfancy.com/5-in-5-songwriting-challenge/

@50badsongs

@timrosko

www.patreon.com/50badsongs

www.50badsongs.bandcamp.com

Truly, this year has gone by so slow and somehow so fast. I cannot believe we are here in November, like what even is time. This episode is going to be the Season Finale for Season 2. So there will be no new episode on Dec. 1st. But we will be returning on Jan 1st with Season 3! In the meantime, stay tuned in to our social media and patreon for updates prior to the launch of Season 3.

In this month’s episode, I spend some time talking and writing with singer, songwriter and vocal coach, Greg Breal. Greg is a dear friend of mine with a tender heart and a voice like butter. Greg and I have a delightful conversation about singing and the voice and the self-doubt that can get in the way. We stretch ourselves to write a really cool song that’s unlike most of the songs I’ve written so far. Greg also helped me produce this demo, much like our guest in episode 13 Colby Lapolla. I hope you enjoy this episode!

@keepinitbreal

@50badsongs

@timrosko

www.patreon.com/50badsongs

Unbelievably, it is October and we have officially reached autumn in 2020. The weather in Nashville has been gracious enough to actually reflect the season and that is something worth celebrating. Tim approaches this episode a little differently than previous episodes. He is writing alone and is exclusively using his ukulele! Unheard of! Tim talks about how he is feeling stalled out and like everything has come to a halt in his life and the world, but he writes a nice little tune anyways. I think you'll enjoy it. As always, reach out to us and let us know what you think!

@50badsongs

@timrosko

www.patreon.com/50badsongs

And in the blink of an eye, it’s September. As we’ve established, time is an illusion this year and somehow we are nearing Autumn. BUT your favorite podcast carries on anyways! As things are still uncertain in the world, things are still complicated with recording with guests. But as you will hear in this episode, we are starting to figure out new and different ways of recording with guests. We may even get to record in person again soon, but in the meantime, we press forward.

This month’s guest is another friend of mine and local singer and songwriter, Natalie Royal. Natalie is a wonderful person with a lovely voice and a beautiful heart, as you will soon hear. We recorded this episode back in May, you know, back when we thought we'd be out of quarantine in the Summer. But in spite of that, Natalie and I had several truly wonderful conversations about life, quarantine, and creativity. I know I say this every month, but the song we write together is my favorite song that we've written so far on this podcast! I think you'll enjoy it too. But of course, let me know what you think!

@natalieroyalmusic

@50badsongs

@timrosko

www.patreon.com/50badsongs

Hii here we are in August, how the heck? When did? 2020?? What’s happening. As you may have noticed, we took last month off. In truth, I had another episode recorded but was having technical issues and I recorded this episode at the last minute. I didn’t give myself enough time to record this song to the quality level I wanted, so instead I didn’t release it and took this last month to record it right! I think we all were hoping that we’d be out of quarantine at this point, but alas, things are still complicated with recording with guests. I am still working on recording a guest remotely, but no matter what there will continue to be episodes!

This month’s episode is me by my lonesome again. BUT I talk about a subject that I think a lot of people are experiencing right now given the state of the world at large. We are all experiencing difficulties right now and the frustrations can become overwhelming--to the point of losing all motivation to connect and live. We’ll get into it more in the episode and eventually, write a song about it!

@50badsongs

@timrosko

www.patreon.com/50badsongs