Raw Songwriting

Ohio born T Brodzinski was given a child-sized guitar in the 1st grade and took lessons for several years before taking up the trumpet and joining the school band. T was captivated by her father’s 8-track player, taking in the sounds of doo wop, Janice Joplin and Bob Dylan. But it wasn’t until she turned 30 that she wrote her first song, and then, after founding a women’s collaborative music night, she formed her first band, the non-denominational string trio, Lois and the Lantern. And once the pandemic hit, she formed Ruthless Ginsberg, a band that seeks to sweep aside mistrust and grief with their anti-establishment melodies and tear-down-the-patriarchy harmonies. 

Now residing in Fort Collins, Colorado, T Brodzinski crafts heartfelt narratives through her song lyrics. With a soulful voice and expressive guitar playing, her songs are poignant reflections on life's journey and her personal experiences —honest, introspective tales that weave a musical tapestry which captures the essence of both the Midwest and the Rockies, from small-town roots to the majestic landscapes surrounding her chosen home and travels beyond. Her latest collection of original songs explores themes of loss, forgiveness and gratitude, while addressing social issues and calling for activism. T Brodzinski's performances overflow with authenticity as she invites listeners into a world of musical emotion, a space in which song and strings resonate with the universal human experience.

To hear more of T's music, check out:

https://soundcloud.com/theresa-brodzinski

https://www.loisandthelantern.com/

https://ruthlessginsburg.bandcamp.com/

Ruby Ross grew up singing and harmonizing along to doo wop and the Beatles on long car rides with her parents. Growing up in central Virginia, she was exposed to Bluegrass, Old Time and Appalachian music, then started exploring world music at Wesleyan University. After touring with some eclectic singing groups, Ross dipped her toes in songwriting, spending some time in Boston’s open mic scene, then moving to New Orleans where she spent 12 years as a singer-songwriter and in various bands. 

Ruby won first place at the Bay Saint Louis ArtsAlive Singer-Songwriter Showcase in 2014, has had her music featured on Buffa Lounge’s “Live From the Back Room”, and has been a member of bands such as Trendafilka, Blato Zato, and Crossing Canal among others, and has performed at JazzFest, Lotus Fest and Tipitina.  

Ruby Ross crafts poignant stories of life, longing and love, set to melodies that refuse to leave your head. Her music will leave you feeling introspective and wanting more. 

You can find more of Ruby's music at:

https://www.facebook.com/rubyrossmusic

https://www.youtube.com/rubyrossmusic

https://rubyross.bandcamp.com/track/pretty-little-bird-live-at-hi-ho-lounge

http://www.patrickcoopermusic.com/crossing-canal--a-duo-project.html

Raised in a small town in Maine, Lissa Schneckenburger began playing fiddle at the age of six, inspired by her parent's interest in folk music. In 2001 she graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music with a degree in Contemporary Improvisation. She has been writing, performing, and teaching music around the world ever since, from traditional New England dance tunes, to original songs inspired by her experience as a foster and adoptive parent.

Lissa has toured the globe, from her New England stomping grounds to Quebec, the United Kingdom, Denmark and even Russia, playing and teaching at festivals far and wide. She’s opened for esteemed artists such as Richard Thompson and Judy Collins.

But when the pandemic put a damper on touring, writing music became an essential outlet for Lissa. The result was enough new material for several albums. The first in the queue, Falling Forward, is a collection of Schneckenburger’s original fiddle tunes and two traditional New England songs, just released last March. 

To Schneckenburger “music creates community, It’s what people sing along to, dance to, fall in love to... music brings people together. These songs are part of all of us, and it's an honor” to share them.

You can find more of Lissa's music at https://lissafiddle.com/

Think Twice (Robby Layton and Teresa Penbrooke) return to discuss how they've developed their song "A Place To Lay Our Head" that they originally wrote for this podcast in episode 21 of season 2.

Check out more from Think Twice at https://www.heronshaunt.org/

Originally from Nebraska, Tim Ostdiek was inspired by his father’s passion for music, especially for the Beatles and Paul Simon. Tim picked up the guitar in middle school, started writing songs, and quickly progressed to doing open mics. Once he realized he could get paid to perform several nights a week, there was no turning back from the singer-songwriter lifestyle. 

Now based in Colorado, Tim has been a finalist in esteemed songwriting events such as the Telluride Troubadour and Folksfest Songwriting Showcases. Tim has also had his song “Goodbye” featured in the TV show “Road Trip Nation” and has opened for national touring acts such as Sarah Jarosz. 

Playful, uplifting, and engaging as a singer, songwriter and performer, he writes feel-good, big-hearted folk with a drop of something funky. Tim doesn't shy away from the deep and heavy, but aims to deliver songs with purpose and hope. Tim Ostdiek’s uplifting folk encapsulates the soul of the Heartland.

You can find more of Tim Ostdiek's music at https://timostdiek.com/

In this episode, Dave hosts have the inaugural critique circle with returning guests Pamela Machala (S2E14), Barry Osborne (S2E5) and Jay Stott (S2E3). In addition to giving feedback on four works in progress, they discuss the "right" way to have a critique circle, plus their best and worst critiques of the past. Join us for another raw and riveting episode!

For more, check out:

Pamela Machala at https://pamelamachala.com/

Barry Osborne at https://www.distancewalk.com/

Jay Stott at https://jgstott.com/

In this excerpt from the upcoming Raw Songwriting Critique Circle (S4E4), Pamela Machala, Jay Stott, Barry Osborne and Dave discuss the a line from Pamela's song "Tell Mary Jane I Miss Her".

Born in Lubbock, Texas, Andy Eppler’s love of music began while watching his mother sing in church. Having been diagnosed with AD/HD, Andy had to work hard to overcome the challenges posed by traditional schooling, but he ultimately learned how to work in solitude on various projects, and once he graduated from South Plains College with a commercial music degree, there was no stopping him.

Andy Eppler has been as prolific as an artist can be, having authored many songs, books, art pieces and films. In 2022, Texas Tech University announced a new Andy Eppler Collection to be added to their University Archives alongside other artists such as Waylon Jennings, Buddy Holly and Natalie Maines. He considers the most meaningful waypoints in his career to be associated with political activism, cultural change and community outcomes. 

His goal isn’t to become famous, but to become meaningful. He hopes his passion can be fertilizer for other artists who want to grow their hearts. He wants his life to be measured in inspiration.

For more of his creative output, check out Andy's Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/andotheartist/

In this preview of the upcoming Raw Songwriting Challenge (S4E3), Andy Eppler talks about listening for your song as though you've already written it.

In this episode, Dave hosts have the inaugural critique circle with returning guests Timmy Riordan (S2E1), John Linn (S3E4) and Terri Sunflower (S1E2). In addition to giving feedback on four works in progress, they discuss the "right" way to have a critique circle, and how critiquing differs from workshopping or cowriting a song. Join us for another raw and riveting episode!

For more, check out:

Timmy Riordan at TimmyR.com

John Linn at JohnLinnMusic.com

Terri Sunflower at https://www.facebook.com/singersongwriterforthesensitivesoul