Dear Songwriter...

Episode Description:
As we close out the year 2024, it’s the perfect time for reflection. In this final episode of the year, I share a candid look back at the triumphs, challenges, and invaluable lessons I learned as a songwriter and artist. From releasing my first solo single to battling self-doubt, overcoming perfectionism, and confronting the realities of a creative life, this episode is packed with insights for any songwriter navigating their own journey.

Whether you’re celebrating successes or wrestling with obstacles, these 12 lessons will inspire you to keep creating, learning, and sharing your music with the world.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. No One Owes You Their Time or Attention: Why your effort and passion don’t guarantee a reaction—and why that’s okay.
2. The Only Way to Figure It Out is to Do It: Overcoming the fear of starting and embracing the learning curve.
3. Talent Means Nothing Without Action: How natural ability can lead to overthinking and inaction—and why action wins every time.
4. Success Can Strain Friendships: Navigating the inevitable drift as your career grows and priorities shift.
5. The Pain of Inaction is Greater Than the Fear of Releasing Music: How to overcome the fear of what others think and finally share your art.
6. Impact Comes From What You Share, Not What You Plan: Why the songs you release matter more than the ones you only talk about.
7. Comfort Zones Become Uncomfortable Over Time: The importance of pushing boundaries and embracing growth.
8. Prioritizing Your Music Without Guilt: Giving yourself permission to invest time in your creativity every day.
9. Post-Release Disappointment is Better Than Regret: Why sharing your music—even if it doesn’t meet your expectations—is always worth it.
10. Comparison Paralysis is Counterproductive: How to focus on your unique path instead of justifying someone else’s success.
11. Perfectionism Will Hold You Back: Accepting that your early work might feel flawed in hindsight—and why that’s okay.
12. Whether Life is Meaningful or Not, Make Music Anyway: The ultimate reminder to do what you love, regardless of existential questions.

Why You Should Listen:
This episode is perfect for songwriters, musicians, and artists who are looking for real talk about the highs and lows of a creative career. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, procrastination, or the challenges of pursuing your passion, this episode will resonate with you and remind you why you started in the first place.

Resources & Links:

• Listen to my new single Real Friends on Spotify
• Connect with me on Instagram: @connorlfrost

Thank you for being part of this journey in 2024. Here’s to a new year of music, growth, and creativity. See you in 2025!

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Connor Frost breaks down the process of transforming a single lyric idea into a fully realized, release-ready song. Using his latest track Real Friends as a case study, Connor shares the step-by-step process, key insights, and lessons learned along the way. Whether you're an experienced songwriter or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you craft your next hit.

What You’ll Learn:

1. The Journey: How Connor turned the concept of "What is a real friend?" into a full-fledged song.
2. The Process: A seven-step framework for taking a lyric idea to a completed song, including:
   • Crafting a clear concept.
   • Defining the narrator and ideal listener.
   • Structuring your verses and chorus.
   • Building a roadmap for the rest of the song.
3. Lessons Learned: What Connor wishes he had done differently in Real Friends and how you can avoid similar pitfalls.
4. Implementation Tips: Practical advice to streamline your own songwriting process.

About Connor Frost:
Connor Frost is a musician, international touring artist, producer, and professional songwriting mentor. Since 2019, Connor has helped hundreds of songwriters confidently write and release their first collection of songs. He has toured internationally, opened for renowned bands, and been featured in American Songwriter.

Highlights of Connor’s Story:

• Transitioning from a middle school teacher to a full-time musician.
• Touring internationally in places like China and Taiwan.
• Helping clients achieve milestones, from publishing deals to hearing their songs played in public.

Key Takeaways for Songwriters:

• The importance of defining your song’s narrator and ideal listener.
• Why understanding your listener’s struggles and language can make your lyrics more relatable.
• Tips for avoiding common songwriting mistakes, like spending too much time setting the scene or missing opportunities to build impactful outros.

Connor’s Seven-Step Framework:

1. Develop a one-sentence concept for your song.
2. Define the narrator’s perspective and your ideal listener.
3. Flesh out your concept into a chorus.
4. Outline your verses with clear settings, transformations, and details.
5. Use stream-of-consciousness journaling to develop lyrics.
6. Create a structure or roadmap for your song.
7. Flesh out the remaining sections and finalize your melody and chords.

Want to Work with Connor?
If you’re ready to take your songwriting to the next level, Connor offers personalized mentorship programs. Learn how to find your unique songwriting sound, streamline your writing process, and build your career as an artist.

📞 Book a Free "Just Start" Call: connorfrost.com/startcall

• Step 1: Book your time to speak directly with Connor.
• Step 2: Identify your struggles and leave with clear strategies.
• Step 3: Discuss mentorship opportunities tailored to your goals.

🎶 Listen to Real Friends: (Link available above or below this episode).

Connect with Connor:

• Website: connorfrost.com
• Instagram: @connorfrost
• Podcast: Dear Songwriter

Enjoy the episode?
If you found this breakdown helpful, leave a review and share this episode with fellow songwriters. Your support helps us bring more valuable content to creators like you!

Dear Songwriter! In this episode, originally released on June 29th, 2023, we're analyzing Sia's empowering song "Unstoppable" from her album "This is Acting," released in 2016. This mid-tempo track showcases intriguing songwriting choices that align with contemporary pop music trends. Join me as I explore three key insights from this song, including the concept of an "elevated prechorus," the incorporation of a "postchorus," and the effective use of vivid metaphors in the chorus.

Discover how Sia's songwriting techniques contribute to the overall impact of "Unstoppable" and see if this can apply to your own musical creations!

Mentions and Links:

Sia - Unstoppable
Sia - This is Acting
Green Day - Redundant
Dear Songwriter: 3 Things We Can Learn from Green Day’s “Redundant”
Dear Songwriter: What We Can Learn about Songwriting from Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy”
Pearl Jam - Jeremy

Episode Summary:
Are you focused on making money from your music? Who isn't? In this episode, host Connor Frost takes a step back from the usual "how to make it big" advice to explore the real value of being a musician—experiencing meaningful, life-changing moments that money can’t buy. Connor shares two powerful stories from his own journey as an independent artist and gives you practical steps for embracing your music as a vehicle to connect with the world and others in ways that will last a lifetime.

Key Points Discussed:

• Why Experiences Matter More Than Money:
  Our society often fixates on financial success, but as a musician, the journey is full of experiences that are worth far more than a paycheck.
• Story #1: The Best Show I Ever Played in Taipei, Taiwan
  Connor shares the story of an unforgettable night performing in Taipei—an experience made possible not by a hefty budget, but by taking a chance and putting his music out there.
• Story #2: A 25th Birthday Invitation
  After a quiet show in Pennsylvania, Connor's band gained a loyal fan, Amanda, who later invited him to perform at her birthday party—a unique opportunity that reinforced the value of genuine connections with listeners.
• Two Major Reframes for Artists:
  1. Planning is Overrated: Sometimes, the best moments happen when you let your music guide you instead of trying to control every outcome.
  2. Seek Experiences First, Money Second: Focusing on genuine connections can often lead to unexpected opportunities, including paid ones.

Actionable Steps to Create Your Own Memorable Experiences:

1. Put Yourself Out There
   • Attend an open mic, reach out to other artists, or release a song you’ve been holding back.
2. Nurture Connections
   • Keep in touch with the people you meet—building relationships can lead to lifelong supporters and surprising opportunities.
3. Embrace the Journey
   • Repeat steps one and two and let go of rigid planning. Embrace every unique, unexpected, or even strange opportunity that comes your way.

Follow Along with Connor’s Music Journey:
Connor is documenting his single release process in his newsletter, with his upcoming single dropping on December 13th. Get unfiltered insights by subscribing at connorfrost.com/vaultpodcast.

Listener Invitation:
If this episode resonated with you, Connor would love to hear from you! Leave a review, or shoot him a DM on Instagram at @ConnorLFrost to share your thoughts or your own experiences in music.

Episode Summary: In this episode of Dear Songwriter, we dive into the art of storytelling in songwriting. Host Connor Lin Frost explores how Noah Kahan, a popular folk-influenced pop artist, uses three key songwriting techniques to elevate his music. You'll learn how to incorporate these tools into your own songs to create stronger, more compelling lyrics.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Detailed Two-Part Chorus
   Noah Kahan breaks from the norm by creating choruses that are more intricate and story-driven. This method helps progress the narrative without sacrificing the listener's ability to sing along. Conor analyzes the chorus from Kahan's song Dial Drunk to illustrate this point.
2. Wordplay
   The clever use of language—whether through alliteration or reinterpreting meanings—can add depth and catchiness to your lyrics. Conor uses examples from Kahan's songs Homesick and Dial Drunk to show how wordplay can advance a story in just a few concise lines.
3. The Dialogue Bridge
   Lyrics that mimic real-life conversation help immerse the listener into the song's world. Conor highlights how Kahan employs direct address in Dial Drunk's bridge to create a genuine dialogue between two characters, enhancing the emotional impact of the song.

Actionable Challenge: Try incorporating one of these techniques into your next song. Choose between a detailed two-part chorus, clever wordplay, or a dialogue bridge to elevate your storytelling.

Listener Engagement: We’d love your feedback! Do you enjoy these episodes? Are they too detailed, or not detailed enough? Shoot Connor a DM on Instagram @ConnorLFrost and share your thoughts in 3-5 sentences.

Resources Mentioned:

• Noah Kahan's songs: Dial Drunk, Stick Season, and Homesick
• Machine Gun Kelly’s song: Emo Girl

Thank You for Listening!
Make sure to subscribe to Dear Songwriter for more songwriting tips, and as always, happy writing!

Feeling frustrated with your home vocal recordings? You're not alone! In this episode, I share my personal journey and the biggest lessons I learned while recording vocals at home for the first time. From overcoming perfectionism to fine-tuning your process, these insights will help you produce better-sounding vocals and make your home recording experience more fulfilling. Whether you're struggling with dry, flat vocals or just looking for tips on vocal production, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

1. Record Section by Section:
   • Forget the idea of nailing the vocal in one take. Recording vocals piece by piece, starting with the verses, allows for better control and consistency. Don’t be afraid to copy and paste choruses if needed.
2. Edit as You Go:
   • Save time and avoid perfectionism by editing while recording. This method keeps your digital workspace tidy and encourages quick decision-making.
3. Imperfections Can Be a Strength:
   • Don't obsess over hitting every note perfectly. Slight imperfections in your voice add character to the performance, and pitch correction can be done during editing.
4. You’re Your Harshest Critic:
   • It’s easy to be overly critical of your voice, but remember, listeners might love the unique qualities that you’re so critical of. Trust yourself, make decisions, and know when to call it done.

Free Resource:
Need help turning your voice memo ideas into finished tracks? Book a Just Start Call with me! Let’s discuss your goals and see if we’re a good fit to work together.
🔗 connorfrost.com/startcall

Connect with Me:

• Website: connorfrost.com
• Instagram: @connorlfrost

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe!

Until next week, happy writing! 🎶

Episode Summary: In this special birthday episode, host Connor Frost reflects on turning 36 and shares 36 hard-earned lessons from his journey as a songwriter and musician. These insights are intended to inspire and provoke thought, whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out.

Episode Highlights:

• Connor shares personal anecdotes about his music career, including the time and energy invested and the mistakes made along the way.
• The first 12 lessons cover themes of perfectionism, self-permission, and the value of failure.
• Lessons 13-24 discuss the importance of taking action, the nature of relationships, and redefining success.
• The final set of lessons tackles creativity, routine, and the courage to share your work without seeking permission.

Call to Action: Connor invites listeners to book a free "Start Call" to discuss songwriting goals and explore potential collaboration. Spots are limited as he plans to close enrollment soon for the year.

Key Lessons Discussed:

1. Embrace imperfection in your songwriting.
2. The role of demos as a tool for growth, not perfection.
3. Understanding that rejection is part of the journey to success.
4. The necessity of routine in harnessing creativity.
5. The importance of investing in yourself as an artist.

Final Thoughts: Connor reflects on the challenges faced this year and the continued support from listeners that keeps him motivated. He expresses gratitude for the songwriting community and encourages everyone to keep creating.

Resources:

• Book your free Start Call: ConnorFrost.com/startcall
• Follow Connor on social media for more insights and updates.

Closing: Thank you for tuning in! Remember, you don’t need permission to write songs or share them with the world. Happy writing!

Welcome to Dear Songwriter, the podcast to help you confidently and consistently write and release your songs. In this episode, we're diving into something all too familiar for many songwriters: being stretched too thin. With the pressures of social media, content creation, and maintaining connections, it’s easy to lose focus on the main thing—writing your music.

Episode Highlights:

• Shiny Object Syndrome: We often feel pressured to follow every new trend, post daily on social media, or try new things in hopes of getting discovered. This can lead to burnout.
• My Solution: I introduce the MCC Prioritization Method, focusing on three areas: Music, Content, and Conversations. By honing in on these categories, you can focus your efforts and reduce overwhelm.

The MCC Prioritization Method:

1. Music:
   • My Struggle: I felt the need to constantly reinvent my sound, purchasing countless tools and feeling overwhelmed.
   • Solution: Stick to what works and improve. Build on the sound you're happy with, and focus on finishing your songs rather than chasing new ideas.
   • Next Steps:
     • Inventory your current skills and tools.
     • Create outcomes based on those tools.
     • Identify the next steps and new skills you'll need to grow.
2. Content:
   • My Struggle: I was posting across too many platforms and experimenting too much, which led to burnout.
   • Solution: Focus on content creation that feels natural to you, and choose one platform to start with.
   • Next Steps:
     • Pick a content type (writing, video, or audio).
     • Choose 1-2 platforms to focus on.
     • Determine a sustainable posting schedule.
3. Conversations:
   • My Struggle: I was engaging with too many people, from clients to collaborators, and it drained my energy.
   • Solution: Get clear on who you want to engage with and prioritize meaningful connections.
   • Next Steps:
     • Identify three groups of people you want to regularly engage with.
     • Set monthly conversation goals (e.g., reaching out to local artists).
     • Track your conversations to stay organized.

Call to Action:

• If you feel overwhelmed with your music journey, I’m here to help! Book a free Just Start Call to get clarity on your goals and create a personalized plan. Visit connorfrost.com/startcall to schedule a time.

Closing Thoughts:

When in doubt, refer to one of the MCC buckets—Music, Content, or Conversations. By focusing on these areas, you'll always have something to work on, and you'll never feel stuck. Take a step today and start building toward your songwriting goals.

Sincerely, Connor
Happy writing!

Episode Resources:

• Free Just Start Calls: connorfrost.com/startcall
• Join the Newsletter: connorfrost.com/vault

Be sure to follow the podcast for more songwriting tips and actionable advice!

Originally aired in 2022

Do you feel very “untrained” when it comes to your songwriting?

Do you feel like you just go based off of what’s in your head, but you’re not really sure what you’re doing?

I certainly felt that way when I got started.

A good way to learn is not only through listening to other artists’ songs, but through analysis.

But what does that even mean? And how would you go about doing that?

That’s exactly what I dive into, in this episode of “Dear Songwriter”. 

Episode Title: Breaking Down the Costs of Producing Your Song

Episode Description: Dear songwriter, you've written a song and are ready to take it to the next stage—production and release. But when it comes to investing in your music, you're unsure where to start. What should you spend on? Who should you hire? How much is fair? These are common questions that every songwriter faces, including me.

In this episode, I share my recent experience producing a single, breaking down the exact costs involved. From hiring instrumentalists to mixing and mastering, I'll walk you through the investments I made to help you get a better sense of what to expect for your own projects. Whether you're thinking, "Wow, that's a lot," or "That’s not too bad," this episode will give you the clarity you need to make informed decisions about your music production budget.

Key Investments Discussed:

1. Hiring a Violin/Viola Player:
   • Investment: $255 (85/hr for 3 hours)
   • Why: I wanted a secondary voice in the production to complement the vocal melodies. Initially considering trumpet, I realized strings would better suit the song's overall vibe.
   • How: I worked with Godfrey, a past acquaintance, who provided remote live recordings.
2. Hiring a Cello Player:
   • Investment: $150 (flat rate)
   • Why: The song needed more "body" in the arrangement, particularly in the low/mid-range frequencies, which the cello provided.
   • How: Godfrey connected me with Tiger, a Brooklyn-based cellist who also recorded remotely.
3. Hiring a Drum Programmer:
   • Investment: $150 (flat rate)
   • Why: The song called for programmed electronic drums instead of acoustic ones. Despite attempting it myself, I recognized someone else could do it better.
   • How: I reached out to my friend Sam, who brought his expertise to the project.
4. Hiring a Mixing Engineer:
   • Investment: $350 (flat rate)
   • Why: Mixing is crucial to create the best blend of all recorded tracks. Given Sam's success with the drums, I entrusted him with the mixing as well.
   • How: We agreed on the rate, and I provided isolated tracks for each song element to begin the process.
5. Hiring a Mastering Engineer:
   • Investment: $150 (flat rate)
   • Why: Mastering is the final stage of production. I prefer to work with a separate engineer from the mixer to get a fresh perspective on the song.
   • How: I reconnected with Jason Livermore from The Blasting Room, whom I'd worked with before, and arranged for mastering.

Sneak Peek at Upcoming Investments: In the next episode, I'll detail the costs involved in promoting and releasing the single, including hiring a PR agency, creating album art, and running ads.

Conclusion: Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how much you should invest in your music. I could have spent less or more, but I’m satisfied with the decisions I made and thrilled with how the song sounds. If you’re navigating these decisions and want to discuss your goals further, consider booking a free call with me to see if my mentorship could help you reach your goals.

How to Stay Connected:

• Free Call Booking: connorfrost.com/startcall
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: connorfrost.com

Closing: Thank you for tuning in! I hope this episode provided value and insight into the real costs of producing a song. Stay tuned for more in the next episode, and until then, happy writing!