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-brodzinskihttps://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/rubyrossmusichttps://www.youtube.com/rubyrossmusichttps://rubyross.bandcamp.com/track/pretty-little-bird-live-at-hi-ho-loungehttp://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.comJohn Linn at JohnLinnMusic.comTerri Sunflower at https://www.facebook.com/singersongwriterforthesensitivesoul

In this excerpt from the upcoming Raw Songwriting Critique Circle (S4E2), Timmy Riordan, Terri Sunflower and Dave discuss the improvised bridge from John Linn's work in progress "Where You Belong".

H grew up singing and playing piano, having been pushed onto a church stage at 5 years. At 15, she started teaching herself to play guitar. After college, she followed a boyfriend to Oaxaca, Mexico, but left him when she was recruited to play in a band. After a couple years, she traveled back to the U.S. and performed in bars and restaurants– including a stint as a cabaret singing server– while preparing for grad school. Her education, marriage and motherhood prompted a long hiatus from music, but after a cancer scare, lost work, divorce and other life events, H found new inspiration in song. After meeting her partner Britton at an open mic, they formed Naked Dawn, a drum and guitar duo that performs bi-lingual music pulling from traditional Oaxacan music, along with folk, blues, and cabaret. H's songs emphasizes the romantic over the cynical, and she believes that nothing is too dangerous to talk about. She believes in living juicy, loving hard and laughing lots, and that passion is ever present in her songwriting.Find more of H and Naked Dawn's music on Facebook and Instagram.

On the upcoming Season 4 debut episode of the Raw Songwriting podcast, H, lead singer-songwriter for the duo Naked Dawn, talks about how writing in Spanish is different than writing in English.

Dave regathered some of his best guests from last year to play and talk about the best songs they've written in 2021. It's a freewheelin' celebration of songwriting!For more music, check out:Bill Nash at http://putsiecat.com/Trey Roque at https://www.treyroque.com/Roger Heathers at https://rogerheathers.bandcamp.com/Timmy Riordan at https://timmyr.com/Barry Osborne at https://www.barryosbornemusic.com/Terri Sunflower at https://terrisunflower.com/Brian Claflin at https://www.brianclaflin.com/John Bunzli at https://www.johnbunzli.com/

Dave is joined by returning guests Teresa Storch & Peter Lacis, and John Linn, as well as first-timer Valerie Bhat. They talk about writing songs that risk offending people, ask if a song can be too sad, and how to keep track of unfinished song ideas. Plus, they debut four new Christmas tunes! It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out:https://teresastorch.com/https://www.johnlinnmusic.com/http://www.valerie-music.com/

Roger Heathers returns with updates on "Ouija Board," his Challenge song from episode 22 of season 2, as well as an overview of his new album "Y2K". It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCMWT-STlMV6__aqrLNXWw8A

Though Micki Balder's been dabbling with music her whole life, it wasn't until 2018 when a friendship's moment of truth unveiled itself in the middle of a Denver coffee shop. She walked home, wrote a song, and has been writing ever since, now a regular at local music venues around her Colorado home. Micki writes from a place of vulnerable storytelling, with people and relationships at the core of her music.She's been compared to modern folk bands like The Weepies and Mipso, along with classic songwriters like Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon, but she draws inspiration from all over the spectrum — the swing and soul music of her lindy hop days, the earthy folk of Gregory Alan Isakov and Mandolin Orange, the candor and dry humor of John Craigie, or the heartbreak of Sara Bareilles, to name a few. Micki Balder is a folksy singer-songwriter writing sad songs for happy people (and ever so occasionally, happy songs for sad people!). Her music is born from a life-long desire to be a character in a musical, unapologetically singing her feelings for the world through simple and poignant lyrics.Dave sat down with Micki to talk to her about her writing process, alternatives to bridges, using a non-musical friend for creative support, and more! Plus, we each debut a new song. It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out https://mickibalder.com/

The driving force behind Parry Adams' music is her voice; her tender tone warms her candid manner, trading in harsh observations for sincerity and introspection. Her raw writing style combined with her soulful sound, deliver a strong shot of honesty. Parry Adams may not always tell you what you want to hear, but we know you're going to want to hear this. Just be careful if you're asking for break-up advice or how your new haircut looks.Dave catches up with Parry, who appeared in both the Xmas and New Year's Roundtables in season one, to talk about a brand new song and find out about her other recent musical adventures. Along the way they talk about studio recordings, developing songs with your voice and more! It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out http://parryadams.com/

Dave catches up with Vicki Pompea, one of his guests from Episode 15 of Season 2, to hear her talk about a new song she's recently written and what other musical adventures she's been having. Along the way, they talk about writing outside of your usual style, using mentors to support your writing, and the positive energy of Steve Poltz. It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out https://vickipompea.com/

Born into a musical family, John Linn was exposed to the sounds of the Weavers, the Kingston Trio, Woody Guthrie and other folk music royalty playing around the family piano. At the age of 19, he picked up a guitar, but it wasn't until his early 30s when he started writing songs. After easing into the open mic scene in Massachusetts, he was encouraged by a guitar teacher to take his music more seriously. Since then, he's gone on to become a mainstay in the Washington, D.C. Americana scene, playing both solo and fronting the folk-rock band After The Flood, while also acting as a creative coach, guitar teacher and all-around community resource. John has released a solo album “Illinois 14” and an eponymous album with After The Flood that got to #7 on the national folk radio charts. He's played the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival and the D.C. State Fair. After writing extensively over the pandemic, he has an album in the works tentatively called “Sinners and Saints”John Linn's writing vibrates with the tones of hidden struggles and triumphs. Whether you hear stories of growing up on the prairies of the Midwest or of the sweet disappointments of love, John's music will leave you with a sense of the depth and mystery of human experience, with its often hidden joys and tragedies. Often drawing on spiritual themes, John uses vivid imagery and carefully crafted lyrics to paint the pictures of the ordinary lives of people you see everyday.Dave sat down to talk to John about musical Rorschach tests, writing historical songs, and how to get addicted to finishing things. Plus, we each debut a new song. It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out https://www.johnlinnmusic.com/music

Dave catches up with Nichole Wagner, his guest from Season 2, Episode 7, to hear her talk about two songs she's recently written, and what other projects she's currently working on. Along the way, they talk about using the cut-up technique to write lyrics, having a co-writer to help guide you through your song, and how to clear obstacles that keep you from writing. It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!Find more music at https://www.nicholewagnermusic.com/

In this special Halloween Roundtable, Dave challenged Jay Stott, Dan Harris, Teri Sunflower and Brian Claflin to write some songs for that season when the lines between the living and the dead are blurred. Hear songs about coffins, ghost children, learning the date of your death, and all the saints you'd ever care about... and more! It's another raw and riveting discussion about songwriting, Halloween style!For more music check out:https://jgstott.com/http://danharrismusic.com/https://terrisunflower.com/https://www.brianclaflin.com/

Eric Richard Stone has been creating Americana music since well before it was labeled as such. Raised in a musical family of professional classical musicians in Philadelphia and Rockport, Maine, he tried Cello, then was lured away by the ways of folk after hearing James Taylor, Jim Croce, Joni Mitchell, and Tom Rush. Eric wrote his first song in 1975 and never stopped. In 1983 he recorded his first album, then recorded his next album 30 years later. What happened during those 30 years could best be described as "Life". Eric is now a regular on the folk singer-songwriter circuit. His performance credits include Rocky Mountain Folks Fest, Pagosa Folk N' Bluegrass, Four Corners Folk Festival, Red Lodge Songwriter Festival and many more. He has shared the stage or opened for Utah Phillips, John Denver, Tom Rush, Chuck Pyle, Kate Wolf and David Mallett.Eric writes songs that give a vocalist space for interpretation. Whether sung straight or with embellishment, his songs have phrases that sound clear and natural; he wants the audience to catch every word and every meaning. Dave sat down with Eric to talk about writing songs that give vocalists room to embellish, strategies for beating writer's block, and why magpies are the bikers of the avian community. Plus, we each debut brand new songs! It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out http://ericrichardstone.com/

When he was just 18 in a Liverpool pub, Trey Roque was approached to be a bassist in a rock & roll covers band. Soon, he had formed a pretentious prog rock band, then a heavy metal unit, but soon learned the ways of jazz at Penny Lane. A bout with tendinitis prompted Trey to take up the guitar and try taking his turgid teenage poetry and turn into rap-rock and irish-folk. Now he lives in Prague, where he writes songs and stories, and generally manages to avoid all those damn vampires. In 2018, Trey started writing hundreds of songs a year, and has since started a YouTube channel called “Trey's Way: Songwriting Made Easy” where he opens the kimono! On songwriting. Inspired by the likes of Elvis Costello, Neil Young, Nirvana, Joni Mitchell, early David Bowie, and of course, the Beatles, Trey Roque blends his love of wordplay with a wide range of musical styles, from Garage Rock to Orchestral Suites to Soulful singer-songwriter.  Dave sat down with Trey to talk about writing hundreds of songs a year, creating musical puzzles for you yourself to solve, and how lyrics don't matter. Plus, we each debut new songs! It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out https://www.treyroque.com

After growing up in a musical family, UK-based  songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Roger Heathers started releasing music independently when he was 19. Over the last 9 years, he's released upwards of 20 albums while also co-hosting The Weekly Song Podcast with Declan Kitchener. He's just released the collection “Swear Jar”, compiling many of his latest songs written for his podcast. Roger's melodic tunes and complex chord progressions take you back to the hey-day of The Beatles, Harry Nillson, with a dash of Elliot Smith tossed in. Dave sat down with Roger to discuss his songwriting process, writing for piano with a guitar, accountability buddies, and how to balance producing a weekly podcast with producing music. Plus, we both debut new songs! It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft.For more music, check out https://rogerheathers.com/music and https://soundcloud.com/weeklysongpodcast

Robby Layton grew up wanting to sing like Peter, Paul and Mary and play guitar like John Fogerty. After stints in various bands in Texas, he finally settled in Colorado and continued his musical pursuits. Teresa Penbrooke grew up in Colorado playing clarinet and piano while listening to Roberta Flack, but stage fright kept her from chasing her muse until the rhythmic rowing on river trips inspired her to sing Patty Griffin songs to the canyon walls. It was on the river that Robby and Teresa formed a long term musical partnership that has been the foundation of many ensembles, but as a writing and performing duo, they go by the moniker “Think Twice.”A finalist in the 2020 South Florida Folks Festival songwriting contest, Think Twice has played a variety of venues and festivals from North Carolina to Colorado, and they've just released their first album called “Corona Suite”. Their Alt.Americana blends the musical genres of many eras, but always reveals a love of solid vocal harmonies, thoughtful lyrics, and a good beat.Dave sat down with them to talk about composing for different sized ensembles, long distance co-writing, how to write a song with a message, and more. Plus, we debut two new songs! It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out https://thinktwicemusic.hearnow.com/

As early as Kindergarten, Alicia Stockman knew she had to be singer, but it took her 15 years before she really pursued it. Dabbling in angsty songwriting in her college years, she then formed Bonanzatown and paid her dues on the rock and roll covers circuit. Encouraged by fellow Utah musician, Elizabeth Hareza, Alicia enrolled in the Rocky Mountain Song School in Lyons, CO,  and quickly decided to pursue a career as a singer-songwriter.She connects with her audiences through memories, experiences, and stories. Her songs are intimate moments, meant to draw listeners in and leave them hanging on every word. Simple, but to the point. Strong rhythm guitar, creative yet tasteful phrasing, and soulful sweet vocals bring the experience full circle.She takes inspiration from stories, places, and memories to craft songs that draw listeners into an emotional journey. “These are songs about moments that seem fleeting at the time, but that turn out to be major turning point in our lives – these are small moments that represent so much more.” Dave sat down with Alicia to talk about her songwriting process, how to develop a songwriter support system, and writing pieces that are both childish and sophisticated at the same time. Plus, they each debut a new song written for the show! It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!Check out more music at https://aliciastockman.com/

After hearing “Roll with it” by Oasis, Dan Raza was struck with the musical bug. It started a journey delving into the classics of the 60s and 70s, and then the roots of those artists all the way back to the pre-war blues. Since then, Dan Raza has become one of the mainstays of the London singer-songwriter and folk roots scene. His distinctive approach has won him a following across the UK and abroad as he has taken his songs on the road performing solo and opening for Joan Armatrading, Badly Drawn Boy, and Alejandro Escovedo, amongst others. And he has been praised by artists such as Slaid Cleaves and Mary Gauthier, and even had a song included on Neil Young's ‘Living With War' website.Reminiscent of the Waterboys, Nick Drake, and Bob Dylan, Dan Raza's intimate guitar playing and poetic yet personal lyrics will pull you directly into the scenes he scripts and the portraits he paints.Dave sat down with Dan to talk about his normal songwriting process, his days in a rock band, finding inspiration while traveling abroad, and how walking may help you write more songs. It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out http://www.danraza.com/

Originally lead guitarist/singer/songwriter with the early 80s NY punk band Tension Envelopes, Tim Byrnes played CBGBs about a minute after it meant anything. He then moved to Colorado in a successful attempt to get sober, then spent time in Flashback, a classic rock and country band for about 10 years. After reuniting with the Tension Envelopes many years later, Tim decided to start writing again. Since then, he's released several DIY solo albums, resulting in the new compilation “Elektra” available on iTunes, Spotify, and other streaming sites. Splitting time between fully orchestrated recordings and stripped down acoustic live performances, Tim Byrne's lo-fi literate punk will make you think and make you think about starting your own band.Dave sat down with Tim to talk about the early 80s punk scene in New York, how dark songs can make you feel better, ancient critics of Homer, and the musical side of minimum wage. It's another raw and riveting discussion about songwriting!For more music, check out https://soundcloud.com/timbyrnes

Singer-songwriter Meg Braun grew up in Toledo, Ohio, and began singing with her family, in and outside of church. Braun moved to New York City where she started writing and honed her craft.  She played at and eventually ran the Tuesday Open Mic at the C-Note in the East Village, helped found both the Christopher Street Coffeehouse and  women's songwriters collective called “Chicks with Dip”. Meg has released three albums of original songs and is currently working on a new album about survival and resilience in the face of hard circumstances. “Better Than Fine” is due out in 2022. Meeting at the musical crossroads of old time, folk and Americana, Meg Braun is known for her fearless writing, dynamic vocal style and performances that have charmed audiences throughout her musical travels.In part 2 of the interview, Dave sat down to talk to Meg about both of their challenge songs, what makes a Nashville song a Nashville song, and more! It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out https://megbraun.com/

Singer-songwriter Meg Braun grew up in Toledo, Ohio, and began singing with her family, in and outside of church. Braun moved to New York City where she started writing and honed her craft.  She played at and eventually ran the Tuesday Open Mic at the C-Note in the East Village, helped found both the Christopher Street Coffeehouse and  women's songwriters collective called “Chicks with Dip”. Meg has released three albums of original songs and is currently working on a new album about survival and resilience in the face of hard circumstances. “Better Than Fine” is due out in 2022. Meeting at the musical crossroads of old time, folk and Americana, Meg Braun is known for her fearless writing, dynamic vocal style and performances that have charmed audiences throughout her musical travels.Dave sat down to talk to Meg about her songwriting process, what makes a timeless song, songwriting mentors, and more! It's another raw and riveting discussion about songwriting!For more music, check out https://megbraun.com/

In this round table discussion, Dave sits down with several veterans of Timmy Riordan's Fearless Songwriting Challenge. You'll hear Marci Geller's musical soundscapes, Brian Claflin's twisty word play, Vicki Pompea's emotional impact, and Timmy Riordan's vivid imagery; and you'll hear about how they wrote each of those songs in just one day! It's another raw and riveting discussion about songwriting.Check out more music at:https://www.marcigeller.com/https://www.brianclaflin.com/https://vickipompea.com/https://timmyr.com/

Colorado-based singer/songwriter Pamela Machala strikes an earthy yet elegant aesthetic balance with influences ranging from jazz and soul to musical theater and folk. Signatures of Pamela's music include sprightly hooks, effortless vocals, subtly complex chord changes, feel-good funky grooves, and boldly vulnerable lyrics. The songs on her latest album "Something Simple," which would fit comfortably on a playlist with artists such as Sara Bareilles, Vulfpeck's Theo Katzman, and Lake Street Dive, have already earned Pamela some accolades: an Honorable Mention from the American Songwriter Magazine Lyric Contest for her original song "Cardboard Cutout”, and the Grand Prize in the 2019 SongDoor International Songwriting Competition for "Bleeding Me Dry".Dave sat down with Pamela to talk about which chord is the most melancholy, how guitars are like a musical hug, and finding inspiration when you're on the verge of giving up. It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out https://pamelamachala.com/To support Pamela, check out her Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/pamelamachala/

Maya Bennett finds her inspiration in the in-between moments. The ones when we feel most human. Her recent sophomore album "As the Pink Fades" explores her struggles with mental health, and where she fits into this world. Bennett's honesty has won her multiple songwriting awards through Swallow Hill and E-Town, and she's been praised by Denver's 303 Magazine for her live performance. Her passionate vocals, dramatic music and striking lyrics create a uniquely affecting experience for the listener.Dave sat down with Maya to discuss how writing for a band differs from writing for solo performance, how grief can affect your songs, and why she used to think revising songs was disingenuous. It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out https://mayabennett.bandcamp.com/

Allie Chipkin, is a folk singer-songwriter based in upstate New York. Originally from Poughkeepsie, Allie studied Musical Theatre at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She went on to specialize in poetry at Skidmore College, where she began her professional songwriting career. Allie has released two solo records to positive critical acclaim, and her songs have been featured on radio stations across the US. Allie sang the National Anthem for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, and her songs have received honorable mention in the Telluride Bluegrass Songwriter's Competition. Allie also serves as the founder and CEO of Give Love Originals ( http://www.giveloveoriginals.com/ ) , a company that writes custom love songs for couples on their wedding days. Allie's lyrics are the jewels of her work; listeners describe her words as poetic, quirky, and precise. Dave sat down with Allie to talk about writing on commission, how small personal details can be more universal, and how she wrote three new songs based on this week's prompt. Join us for a raw and riveting discussion about song craft! For more music, check out https://www.alliechipkin.com/ or https://www.giveloveoriginals.com/

David Burchfield writes American folk music that swaggers wildly through raw emotion within a meticulously written and arranged package. Burchfield’s literate lyrics meet emotive grace in nods to Jason Isbell, Mandolin Orange, and David Ramirez. There is a powerful candor in Burchfield’s writing – raw, emotive, and rich with details that bring the listener right into the scene of his passion. Solo, Burchfield performs with a surprising ferocity and emotional delivery that has silenced even the rowdiest of rooms. Critics have called his 5-piece band, David Burchfield & the Fire Guild, akin to “the Band meets the Stray Birds” – equal parts all out rock n roll party and sensitively arranged balladry. Burchfield has played the Middle of the Map Fest, Boulevardia, was featured in the Chevy Music Showcase, and American Songwriter has said: "This type of solid songcraft would make Burchfield fit right in on a bill with the likes of Lucinda Williams or Jason Isbell." Dave sat down with David to talk about his writing process, what it's like when you're not writing songs about yourself, when obscurity helps, and writing songs that make your audience dance! It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft! For more music, check out https://davidburchfieldmusic.com/

Shanna in a Dress is your quirky best friend who refuses to wear pants. She says what everyone is thinking but no one else will say and you'll get an uncensored journey of clever humor and heartbreak with a hefty side of entertainment at her shows. She masterfully manages to take on complex subject matters with smart, yet accessible lyrics. Her songs are laden with clever wordplay and they delight audiences of all ages. This witty wordsmith is known for making audiences laugh and cry, sometimes in the same song. In 2020, Shanna was a winner in the Kerrville New Folk competition, winner of the Great River Folk Fest Song Competition, a semi-finalist in Songwriter Serenade, and a Grassy Hill Emerging Artist at the Falcon Ridge Folk Fest. Her debut album, Robot, is coming soon. Dave sat down with Shanna to talk about her writing process, hunting for rhymes, writing scandalous songs about your acquaintances, and more! Join us for another raw and riveting discussion! For more music, check out https://www.shannainadress.com/

A pure voice is a rare find and Theresa Peterson has found hers, both as a singer and a songwriter. Her smooth tone echoes the ease of singers like Joni Mitchell and Alison Krauss, floating between octaves with melodies that stretch the line between old and new. Peterson's songs have been called "achingly beautiful" with themes that call up our deepest dreams and nostalgias. ​A native Texan and a lifelong musician, starting out on violin at age 3 and writing songs since childhood, Peterson claims songs flooded out of her after moving to Colorado in 2014. The call to move west was ever present and it's now apparent why. After finding her way back to herself and pouring back into her music, she discovered her true voice as well as a passion for creating community. She is founder, host, and curator of Boulder In-the-Round, a monthly songwriter showcase at eTown, which hosts 3 local singer-songwriters every month. ​Peterson is continuing to take her Dream Americana into 2021 with a new self-produced album "No Rules in Montana" due out soon. Dave sat down with Theresa to talk about her usual process, writing while driving, the magic hour between 3 and 4 o'clock in the morning, and more! It's a raw and riveting discussion about songcraft! For more music, check out https://www.theresapetersonmusic.com/

In this special birthday episode, regular host David Coile is put on the hot seat as guest host John Bunzli asks him about speed writing, writing by request, Halloween tunes, and co-writing. Get an in depth look into Dave's bittersweet, sardonic and sometimes silly style. It's another raw and riveting interview!

Dave spends a lot of time talking about the writing process every week, but he thought it would be fun to have an episode where the process is laid out in real time. Back in January, Dave did several Live Streaming Co-writes with some of his music friends. The idea was to write a song in two-hours-or-less, with an audience providing feedback and even suggestions. This session, with Nichole Wagner, is from January 23rd. It's lightly edited, but it retains the false starts, changes in direction and sometimes painful deliberations of a full writing session. It's songwriting in its rawest form. Nichole is a wonderful songwriter on her own, and she delivers emotionally intense lyrics spiked with hard truths bookended by her soulfully broad, raspy-tinged vocals and thoughtful arrangements. You can check out more of her music at https://www.nicholewagnermusic.com/

As with many artists, Matt Tedder didn’t really start writing until he had a bad breakup. Then he couldn’t stop. He found his words would often be shaped by the music he was listening to, until they eventually became their own songs. In 2004, he was profoundly affected by the tsunami that hit Thailand, and then got really serious about songwriting. Over the last 20 years, he’s been in bands like Codename Minnesota and the Flipping Crepes, playing open mics and BBQ restaurants all across Colorado. For the last 3 years, he has hosted the Pizza Bar 66 open mic in Lyons, Colorado, where he’s brought together musicians all across the front range. Now he’s released his first solo album, “Indecision”, a collection of 3-chord cowboy songs with introspective and comedic lyrics, a genre he dubs “Dumpster Folk”. Dave sat down with Matt to talk about his creative process, how songs stand up to interpretation, and stealing lines from your own lyrics. It's a raw a riveting discussion about songcraft! For more music, check out https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/matttedder2/indecision

Denver singer-songwriter Barry Osborne plays post punk old time banjo. According to Marquee Magazine, Barry “takes the old-time clawhammer sound and blends it with his influences of early 1980s college rock." In 2018, he released his debut EP, “Back of the Title Page”; and in 2019, he was nominated for a Westword Music Award in the Folk/Bluegrass category. He has since joined forces with fiddle-player Olivia Shaw (of Avenhart), vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Niki Tredinnick (of The Dollhouse Thieves), and guitarist Yoni Fine, to form the band Distance Walk, who have just released their self-titled debut EP. Whether solo or with a band, Barry leans into his clawhammer banjo-playing to deliver humor and hard truths - often in the same song. Dave sat down with Barry to talk about his regular songwriting process, how obscure lyrics can enhance a song, the power of literary allusions, and perfect nights that you can't plan for. It's a raw and riveting discussion about songcraft! For more music, check out https://www.distancewalk.com/ and https://www.barryosbornemusic.com/

Antonio Lopez is a musician, composer, and the executive director of the nonprofit, Sound Bridge Music ( https://www.soundbridgemusic.org/ ). He is a quiet man who has something to say. His music is like an onion: It has many layers, each one revealing something more. At the core, Antonio is a singer-songwriter in service to the song. His adept guitar work and composition skills are never used in a showy way, but rather like the spices in a delectable home cooked meal. The result is a feast of emotions that is a delight to the listener. Antonio has just released his fourth album, Roots & Wings, to critical acclaim for its earthy, modern folk and acoustic soul. Dave sat down with Antonio to talk about his typical songwriting process, how a morning routine can be useful, the relative value of music and lyrics in a song, and more! It's a raw and riveting discussion about songcraft! For more music, check out https://www.antoniolopezmusic.com/

Over the course of the last 30-odd years, Jay Stott has been a ski instructor, a fishing guide, brick layer, carpenter, hot tub technician, retail store manager, janitor, heavy equipment operator, house painter, vacuum cleaner salesperson, security guard, and even a bouncer for a strip club. Along the way, he's also drafted a couple of novels, and dabbled in print journalism, too. But he’s carried a guitar at every stage of his life since he was 13 years old. Now he’s released his second album, “The Wreckage of Now,” which balances his roots-rocking Americana with the mature perspective of a 51- year-old grown-ass man who's seen, and done, a lot. Dave sat down to talk with Jay about his typical songwriting process, how to avoid being creepy when writing love songs, using lists and countdowns in your lyrics, and what kind of adjustments you make when getting into a studio. It's a raw and riveting discussion about song craft! For more music, check out https://jgstott.com/

Timmy Riordan makes tools and opportunities for writing songs available to songwriters. He is the catalyst and creator behind the Fearless Songwriting Challenge (which is to write seven songs in seven days) and each week he posts a savory new writing prompt, and simple, jargonless music principle on his blog, TimmyR.com. He loves supporting songwriters in the journey of honing their writing voice and their craft. In Part 2 of this interview, Timmy and I talk about our challenge songs, but also take detours to talk about the best books for songwriters and when it's okay to use a cliche in your lyrics. Join us for a raw and riveting conclusion! For more information, check out https://timmyr.com/

Timmy Riordan makes tools and opportunities for writing songs available to songwriters. He is the catalyst and creator behind the Fearless Songwriting Challenge (which is to write seven songs in seven days) and each week he posts a savory new writing prompt, and simple, jargonless music principle on his blog, TimmyR.com. He loves supporting songwriters in the journey of honing their writing voice and their craft. In Part 1 of this interview, Timmy and I talk about Fearless Songwriting, February Album Writing Month, and the best kinds of warm-ups and research to do before you start writing. Join us for this raw and riveting discussion about songwriting! For more information, check out: https://timmyr.com/

Dave gathered up as many of his guests from last year to play their best songs written in 2020 and to talk about their goals for 2021. It's a freewheeling celebration of songwriting! For more music, check out: https://www.johnbunzli.com/ http://www.parryadams.com/ https://www.finnosullivanmusic.com/ http://www.putsiecat.com/ https://www.jeannemcadaramusic.com/ https://terrisunflower.com/ Please support the podcast by sending a donation to Venmo @DaveCoile or https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/davecoile

Jeanne McAdara writes songs from the perspective of her own experiences with—and compassion for—the tragic beauty of human frailty. Her lyrics remind us that even the best people sometimes do wrong in the quest to avoid facing down their fears, and they also remind us that even the worst people can find redemption if they have the courage to seek it. Through her poetic songs, her warm contralto vocals, and her spare playing style, Jeanne wishes to pull aside the imaginary veil between the mind and the heart, our past and our future, pain, growth, and the universal truths that make us human. Dave sat down with Jeanne to talk about her typical songwriting process and how that compares to taking the Raw Songwriting Challenge. Along the way, they talk about the best environment to support your creative inspiration. Get ready for a raw and riveting discussion about song craft. For more music, check out https://www.jeannemcadaramusic.com/

In this special holiday episode, Dave is joined by two songwriters. Parry Adams' raw writing style, combined with her soulful voice and sound, deliver a strong shot of honesty. Her tender tone warms her candid manner, trading in harsh observations for sincerity and introspection. She may not always tell you what you want to hear, but you’re going to want to hear this. Just be careful if you’re asking for break-up advice or how your new haircut looks. She has two albums, the most recent, “Whisky Aftermath”, came out in April 2020 and is available on all streaming and download platforms. BJ Suter started her musical adventures at the age of 5 when she knocked her front tooth on the middle C of her parents piano. 15 years later, she was making a living a live performer in Miami, Florida. But it wasn’t until some time later that she took up songwriting, inspired by the Rocky Mountain Song School in Lyons, Colorado. She’s a past president of the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society, and a longtime volunteer with Planet Bluegrass. They sit down with Dave to talk about how writing holiday song might be different from normal writing, plus everyone chimes in with what kind of Hallmark movies would feature their songs. For more music, check out http://www.parryadams.com/

Finn O’Sullivan got her start performing Taylor Swift concerts in her bedroom while her parents were out. The Boulder, CO-based singer-songwriter picked up her first guitar at age 12 and hasn't put it down. In addition to guitar, Finn plays ukulele and piano, and her sound and style and voice have been compared to such artists as Regina Spektor, dodie, and Phoebe Bridgers. In 2016, Finn won the eTown Handmade Songs Competition and she has since released two EP's and her first LP, When the Power Comes Back On, in 2020. The title song of which won the grand prize in the folk category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Finn is currently  pursuing a singer-songwriter/music business double major at The University of Colorado Denver. Finn writes about the universal themes of love and loss with both humor and compassion. John Dioso, former editor for Rolling Stone said, “Regardless of the complexity or spareness of the arrangements, the perplexing, seemingly effortless tunefulness... and catchy choruses in every song will remain with you long after you've stopped listening.” Dave sat down with Finn to talk about her typical songwriting process and how that compares to taking the Raw Songwriting Challenge. Get ready for a raw and riveting discussion about song craft. With special appearance by the ghost of Kurt Cobain... * Check out more music at https://www.finnosullivanmusic.com/

Based in Ellicott City, Maryland, Susan Veit Heslin has been writing songs and playing music most of her life.  She loves creating and listening to music.  Susan composes and performs on guitar and piano and has recently added ukulele to the mix.  She is proud to be a part of the diverse musical community that exists today. Dave sat down with Susan to talk about her typical songwriting process and how that compares to taking the Raw Songwriting Challenge. Along the way, we talk about proper ways to critique songs. Get ready for a raw and riveting discussion about song craft.