What's in a Song

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Ken Yates has gained a reputation as one of his country’s brightest rising singer-songwriters. The winner of two Canadian Folk Music Awards for Songwriter of the Year and New Artist of the Year.  Yates supported Passenger on their tour across North America and in Europe in 2020, and has shared stages with Ryan McMullan, Jenn Grant, and many others.He doesn’t like bar chords

• In this episode, he talked shares his secret sauce open tuning that inspired several songs off of his newest record.
• How a three chord progressions sound interesting using different chord voicings
• How a repetitive chord progression allows room for the lyric: iv V vi 
• Low Cadd9 tuning: C   GDGG   B tuned down to the G then high D string
• Writing the guitar part and chords first, living with the track for weeks then finding the lyrics in response to the feel of the chords 
• Making a big living with a small audience the in-between famous and not famous While having an emerging career
• Opening for other artists and what you can learn
• Playing Living rooms/backyards/ selling c.d.’s building you’re fanbase
• Then getting on bigger shows as supporting acts to grow your audience and bigger crowds
• Persistance and patience
• How it won’t be the one big thing that sends you over the edge, but many small things

https://www.scarletkeys.com
https://www.instagram.com/skeys2021/
https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

http://www.kenyates.com

Engineer: Peter Sykes https://www.petersykesmusic.com

The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross
Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 
@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)
https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

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In this episode, I talk with legendary master songwriter Hugh Prestwood about his craft and break down two of his masterpiece songs "The Song Remembers When" and "Ghost in this House".

Show highlights:

•  Writing alone and how for some writers, co-writing causes anxiety and doesn't allow you to do your best work.  He likens cowriting to a painter handing another painter their paint brush in the middle of a painting.
• How important truth is in a song and how it gives you confidence
• Sus chords and starting on the V chord
• How much people love images in lyrics
• How perfect rhyme can offer challenge when it's a boundary
• Writing simple but sophisticated melodies

https://www.scarletkeys.com

https://hughprestwood.com

Engineer: Peter Sykes https://www.petersykesmusic.com

The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross
Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 
@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)
https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

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Multi grammy award winning songwriter Lori McKenna. 

Lori is an American folk, Americana, and country music singer-songwriter. In 2016, she won a grammy for Best Country Song    "Girl Crush" performed by Little Big Town.  In 2017, she won a grammy for her song “Humble and Kind” recorded by Tim McGraw and most recently was nominated for a grammy for best song “Beautiful Noise” co written with Brandi Carlilie, Alicia keys, Brandy Clark, Linda Perry, Ruby Amanfu, Hailey Whitters, and Hillary Lindsey.

 Lori She has 11 solo albums as an artist, and cowritten  with other artists such as Tylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sarah Barielles, Lady Gaga and many many more.

 Lori is one of the nicest and most talented people you could want to meet and  is    a songwriter that other songwriters study to write better songs.  This conversation inspired me and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Some show highlights:

• The power of mumbling to find a lyric
• Letting the song be a cowriter
• How some times a chord will tell you what to say
• When you start overthinking-take a walk
• Using imagery in your song to tell people what the room looks like so they can put themselves in there 
• Anaphora as a lyric writing device 
• First part of the song is the most important 
• Writing on paper and the computer
• Keeping notes
• Changing the last chorus even a little bit, so the last chorus doesn’t just pass you by
• The grand finale of the last chorus, all the fireworks
• Sing the first verse and chorus to your best friend and sing the second verse and chorus to yourself 
• Last verse and chorus to your someone else 
• A song is a conversation and you don’t have to express it all to just one person, think of it as three different conversations “how to kiss a boy”

http://www.lorimckenna.com

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Engineer: Peter Sykes https://www.petersykesmusic.com

The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross
Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 
@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)
https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

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Wendy Moten 

Is known affectionately in various industry circles as “The Voice,” the multi-talented Memphis born performer launched her career with a self-titled  album that included the ballad “Come In Out Of The Rain,” which reached the Top 5 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and later hit the Top Ten on the UK singles chart. Wendy opened for Michael Bolton and then recorded well received albums (including one produced by Foster).
Wendy diversified and launched a new phase of her career recording guest duets with Michael McDonald (“No Love To Be Found”), Kirk Whalum (“All I Do”), Peabo Bryson (“My Gift Is You”), Larry Carlton (“I Still Believe”) and Julio Iglesias (“Just Walk Away”), the latter whom she toured with for over 15 years. 

She was most recently a finalist on The Voice on Blake Shelton’s team and on today’s show, she’s going to talk about:

On today's show, Wendy talks about what she’s learned from the masters including Michael Jordan about singing

The Dynamic arch as a singer

How she plans the architecture as a vocalist

Be a vocal techniqnition

Emotional composition as a singer

Some tips on being a professional on tour

And her favorite warm up exercises

David Santos is a world class musician, primarily known as a touring and recording bassist, but also known as a guitarist and pianist. He has toured and recorded with Billy Joel/Elton John, John Fogerty, Crosby Stills and Nash, The Neville Brothers, Tommy James  Toby Keith, Faith Hill, Tim Mcgraw and many others. David is also a respected educator and songwriter/producer. 

Today, he talks about:

Being a master musician

Continuing to study and learn and play 

The importance of learning to read music as a musician

Being true stylistically to the genre you are playing

Accessing the moment as you play

Don’t be the guy that’s happening elsewhere

Be in the moment 100% 

Handling criticism like a pro

Staying open

Being a touring working musician on the road with Billy Joel, Elton John, Melissa Etheridge and Crosby Stills and Nash

https://www.scarletkeys.com

https://wendymoten.com

https://davidsantos.com

This episode was mixed by Peter Sykes:
https://www.petersykesmusic.com

"The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning and Emotion: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1638411380&sr=8-2

"What's in a Song" co-written with Otto Gross

Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 

@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)

https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

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In this episode, 
VP and A&R of Warner Bros. Nashville B.J. Hill, shared music biz gold! He talked about what he looks for in a writer he signs to a publishing deal, what he looks for in a song and nuances in lyric writing that he feels takes a song over the edge and onto the radio.

He  plays two of his favorite songs and talks about why he loves them.  He shares a number 1 song and plays the original work tape before it was recorded by Kenny Chesney.   He talked about how there's still big money to be made if your song is a top 10 hit and insight into what he thinks it takes to make it as a songwriter.

https://www.scarletkeys.com

https://www.instagram.com/skeys2021/

https://www.petersykesmusic.com

The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross

Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 

@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)

https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

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Rob Giles is a singer-songwriter known for his solo work, along with working with Andy Summers of the Police and the band The Rescues. He pivoted to film and television writing in 2015 when he sold two spec scripts to Warner Bros. Warner Bros also developed two shows with the CW in 2016 and 2017.

This was such an inspiring and honest conversation touching on sobriety, therapy and working on yourself as well as your craft.   We talked about lyric structure and the freedom in the boundaries of craft and how the number of lines in a song section can support the emotion of your song and How changing a chord changes the feeling

 We talked about rethinking and reframing success as Rob takes us through his journey of writing songs in New York, Nashville and L.A., making a record with Andy Summers from the Police, his own artistic journey and his work as a member of the Rescues to writing screen plays for television.

 Focussing on the process, doing what you love and knowing when to quit a dream to dream a better dream.

Rob Giles "You're Not Listening"
https://music.apple.com/us/album/youre-not-listening/500690568?i=500690696

https://www.scarletkeys.com

The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross

Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 

@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)

https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Jeff walks us through one of his songs and how he makes melodic decisions.

Show take aways:

• How to evolve your  melody
• Focus to the relationship between chords and melody
• Secondary Dominant can be great chords for the bridge
• Create hooks both in the melody and piano part
• Focus on the song, not the business

http://jefffranzel.com

https://www.scarletkeys.com

The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross

Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 

@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)

https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Send us Fan Mail

Liz Longley is a singer/songwriter who became the #4 most funded solo female musician in Kickstarter history - a story covered by Billboard Magazine. We talk about the power of a devoted fan base, building super fans, how important an email list is, booking venues and she performs her song "Fine" off of her new album "Funeral for my Past" and walks us through her thoughts on chords, melody and story development and a surprising place to use modulation!

https://www.scarletkeys.com

https://www.lizlongley.com

This episode was mixed by Peter Sykes:
https://www.petersykesmusic.com

"The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning and Emotion: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1638411380&sr=8-2

"What's in a Song" co-written with Otto Gross

Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 

@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)

https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Send us Fan Mail

This week, I talk with Neuroscientist and best selling author of the book "This is your Brain on Music".  Why we feel better when we hear sad songs, how certain compositional decisions affect the brain of the listener and so much more.

https://www.scarletkeys.com

http://daniellevitin.com

This episode was mixed by Peter Sykes:
https://www.petersykesmusic.com

"The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning and Emotion: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1638411380&sr=8-2

"What's in a Song" co-written with Otto Gross

Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 

@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)

https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Send us Fan Mail

This week, I talk with Norwegian born L.A. based  hit songwriter and producer about how he found his unique voice as a writer and a producer.  Creative Bravery and being yourself in a wold that wants you to follow the trend and writing with and producing artist Salem Ilese.

https://www.scarletkeys.com

http://www.bendikmoller.com

This episode was mixed by Peter Sykes:
https://www.petersykesmusic.com

"The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning and Emotion: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1638411380&sr=8-2

"What's in a Song" co-written with Otto Gross

Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 

@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)

https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1