The Inscape

We focus more on production, rather than the songwriting here, as nobody likes to hear people stroke their own egos about messages or meaning in songs, but we still wanted to take the opportunity to indulge ourselves, just a little, as we haven’t released original music as Deliah for a good few years. 

We hope you find it useful, interesting or can at least give us some slack on this one!

Get an exclusive first listen of the track on our Patreon now! https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=32310962

Let us know what you think, or do no hesitate to get in touch with feedback and suggestions via our instagram (@theinscapestudios) or on [email protected]

You can support us by heading to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=32310962

It’s Michelle’s turn to bring the track this week and she’s brought in a modern classic. My Mind by Yebba is literally a track that we use in our songwriting camps to show off some of the techniques that we’re teaching and trying to implement. Yebba is a tour de force vocalist and performer who has gone on to big things, but we’re going back to the start of her career to comb through this emotional bomb of a song.

Check out the track, and watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXwE1G7_U9M 

Let us know what you think of the track and our interpretations. Also, do no hesitate to get in touch with feedback and suggestions via our instagram (@theinscapestudios) or on [email protected]

You can support us by heading to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=32310962

I like to call her a Neo-Folk artist, even if that may not be a real thing. She fuses ambient music, such as gong baths and meditation inspired drones, with a classic Pop arrangements and Folk melodies, all of which makes for a beautiful and unique sound. A sound that you can hear on her album ‘Some Hills Were Once Islands’, co-produced by us here at The Inscape. You can listen everywhere now or even purchase a vinyl and print to support Sami. 

She is a mature, insightful artist who lives what David Lynch would call “The Art Life”. She’s as candid as she is romantic about the journey that many of us creatives undergo and offers a great example for many artists to follow.

We delve into what it means to be an artist, the creative process and touch on Ralph Wiggum’s heart breaking infant of our eyes.

Support and follow Sami here: https://samifitz.bandcamp.com

Recommendations

Tommy Guerrero - Road To Knowwhere

Nemo - Unexplainable

Dying For Sex - Disney+

Leigh Bowery - Tate Modern

This week, Alex brings the song, and it’s predictably depressing! Andy Hull is the lead songwriter and singer for US band, Manchester Orchestra. He has a knack for distilling the complex into something accessible, simple yet soul crushingly effective. We take a look at that part of his craft, as well as his ability to tell us a s story, regardless of whether it’s something he has experienced himself. This track also doesn’t have a usual chorus, and we look at how to walk that line.

Check out the track, and watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71U_qjHLM58

Let us know what you think of the track and our interpretations. Also, do no hesitate to get in touch with feedback and suggestions via our instagram (@theinscapestudios) or on [email protected]

You can support us by heading to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=32310962

Lydia Shute is a singer-songwriter based in Liverpool, with whom we have been working for a few years now. She’s gone from strength to strength and is a real example of how to grow as an artist sustainably and effectively.

2024 was her best year yet, receiving national radio play on Radio 1 with her single “Same Side”. With her new single “White Flag” out this Spring, 2025 is the year that she takes things to the next level. We get into that and much more on this episode of The Inscape.

Follow her here: https://linktr.ee/lydiashute?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=8853154b-2f14-4b58-b355-34abca841261&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacU636KTMp_BZOQgSDMmXImgPlSERtGA1CtEiCeQAG5tsYVgOJvj57mbbosOg_aem_QoFXVybNx_qgnPOsLtRBYw

Recommendations

Alessia Rose - Pretty World

Zander - Over Now

Jitwam - Honeycomb

Lydia Shute - White Flag

Scavengers Rein (Netflix)

Architects - The Sky The Earth & And All In Between

Severance (Apple TV+)

In this debut episode of Between The Lines we’re diving into Messy by Lola Young. You can check out the track here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-k2_Liofy8

We mainly focus on the lyrics and vocals from this upcoming Pop Pioneer, but also touch on production and structure, including the controversial choice to scrap the MIDDLE EIGHT!

When running our songwriting camps we often use our favourite songs as jumping off points to talk about music theory, songwriting as a craft and as inspiration, to show our artists that what they’re engaging with is as accessible to them, as it is to the original artist. So, that’s exactly what we’re doing here! Stay tuned for more songs, alternating with guests, and feel free to send us over any recommendations!

You can support us by heading to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=32310962

Recommendations

Whethan - Savage (Ft. Flux Pavilion & MAX)

Louis The Child

Deep Work - Cal Newport

The War of Art - Steven Pressfield

The Go Giver - Bob Burg

Chris Stapleton - Higher

Andre 3000 - New Blue Sun

This week is mostly about getting started. From recording equipment to getting your music out there, we're here to provide you with the info to get started, from the perspective of artists who have had to muddle through this stuff themselves.

Be warned! Some of these topics might be so boring that they send you to sleep, but try and stay awake! A lot of this info is very valuable for artists who are just getting going on their journey.

We'd love to get your feedback and find out if there was anything that we missed. Also, if there are any question you would like to submit, just get in touch in the comments, over on instagram @theinscapestudios or via [email protected]

Enjoy (or at least try)

Equipment (don't forget the cables)

Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 - https://www.musicradar.com/news/the-best-audio-interfaces

Microphones: https://www.musicradar.com/news/the-best-cheap-microphones-for-studio-and-stage

Headphones: https://www.musicradar.com/news/best-budget-studio-headphones

Speakers: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjc5e-Fo9iCAxX_WUEAHTllBKUQFnoECBMQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.musicradar.com%2Fnews%2Fbest-budget-studio-monitors&usg=AOvVaw0jw0vffkG0OZ3toy8iYti2&opi=89978449

Bundles: https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/external-audio-interfaces/focusrite-scarlett-2i2-studio-3rd-gen-usb-audio-interface?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17868851192&utm_term=&adgroup=&creative=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6vaqBhCbARIsACF9M6l26tcViwuVxh7N4S-pqz5l7OhWjHj4QeMZ8cfM7rvcPOVMk7AJ1t4aAlIKEALw_wcB

Distribution: https://pirate.com/en/blog/best-music-distribution-services/

Recommendations

Chris Stapleton - Higher

Flux Pavillion

Knife Party

We sit down together to discuss some breaking, important news from the industry: Spotify and their new royalty model. This could, potentially, be the start of another big shift in music and, although Spotify have been very nonchalant and vague about the whole thing, it could have massive impacts on various levels of the creative industries, including podcasting and audiobooks. We discuss the news in depth, pondering possibilities and you can refer to the articles mentioned below.

We also talk about lighter stuff, such as forgetting about fear and competition since getting to Anglesey and how that benefits us creatively and just in our every day life. Plus our regular segments!

ARTICLES:

https://variety.com/2023/music/news/spotify-new-royalty-model-really-means-1235781554/

https://www.irishtimes.com/media/2023/11/07/spotifys-zero-royalty-plan-tells-musicians-their-work-is-worthless/

https://www.nme.com/news/music/spotify-confirms-streaming-thresholds-for-new-royalty-model-3533006

Recommendations

I Wish I Knew That About Songwriting (Podcast)

Talk To Me (Film)

@sketchbenjamin

@elladoespottery

Check out and follow Luni here: @just.luni

https://beatsbyluni.com

https://beacons.ai/just.luni

Recommendations

The Miracle Equation - Hal Elrod

Untamed - Glennon Doyle

If Women Rose Rooted - Sharon Blackie

Anthology II (Movie Themes 1976-1988) - John Carpenter