A podcast where songwriters tell the story behind their craft
La Sera is a dream pop / surf rock / punk band fronted by Katy Goodman, formerly of Vivian Girls. The group released a brand new EP called Queens last month. In this episode, Katy and guitarist Todd Wisenbaker—who also happens to be Katy’s husband—talk about making music that’s relentless, and how La Sera's songwriting evolved alongside their relationship. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/la-sera for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
Lucy Woodward is a singer/songwriter who is perhaps best known for co-writing Stacy Orrico's 2003 pop hit “(There’s Gotta Be) More to Life,” as well as for her work with jazz fusion group Snarky Puppy. In this episode, Lucy talks about how singing on commercial jingles helped her discover the versatility in her own sound, and what it feels like to hand a hit song over to somebody else. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/lucy-woodward for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
Savannah Gardner is a singer/songwriter based in Orange County, California. In this episode, Savannah unpacks how her obsession with a girl’s unprecedented suicide led to the creation of her debut EP, B Movie. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/savannah-gardner for a complete playlist of all the songs featured in this episode.
Anjimile Chithambo is a singer/songwriter based in Boston, Massachusetts. In this episode, Anjimile talks about how religion, death, and love have shaped the way they write music. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/anjimile for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
The Winter Passing is an Irish indie pop band. Their most recent album A Different Space of Mind came out in September of 2015 on FITA Records and 6131 Records. In this episode, bandmates Kate Flynn and Jamie Collison talk about the experience of outgrowing their own songs and how making music was able to ease the frustration of being stuck in their small hometown. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/the-winter-passing for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
Novelty Daughter is the electronic jazz-pop project of Faith Harding. In this episode, Faith talks about the overwhelmingly masculine language that characterizes electronic music, and how she views her production process as a form of dialogue rather than a form of control. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/novelty-daughter for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
Beachwood Coyotes is an alternative rock band based in Los Angeles. In this episode, the band's primary songwriter Jason Nott talks about his history of depression, why he's drawn to Conor Oberst's terrible voice, and how listening to Blink-182's crappy guitar playing made him realize that anyone could write music. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/beachwood-coyotes for a complete playlist of all the songs featured in this episode.
Moniker is a self-described dancy indie-rock band from Virginia and now based in New York. Their third album, the self-titled Moniker LP, came out this past April. In this episode, the band's frontman Jordan Scott talks about growing into his love of music, exploring the intersection of relationships and theology, and his quest to make every album more grand than the one that came before it. Visit http://scratchtake.com for a complete playlist of all the songs featured in this episode.
Calvin Lamothe is a singer/songwriter from Boston. His new album, tentatively titled Golden Boy, should be out in the summer of 2016. In this episode, Calvin talks about the power of simple songs, the importance of not forcing any part of the songwriting process, and why he won't be writing a happy song any time soon. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/calvin-lamothe for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
Gracie is the basement rock project of Boston-born and LA-based Gracie Jackson, formerly of the band Fat Creeps. In this episode, Gracie talks about Spongebob Squarespants, her growing love of soul music, and why she hates playing music alone. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/gracie for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
Ivana Carrescia is a singer/songwriter based in New York City. Best known for the music she's made under the name EDDI FRONT, Ivana has recently been working on a new project called Gioia with GODMODE's Nick Sylvester. In this episode, Ivana talks about using songwriting to unlock her emotions, writing unconsciously, and the freedom and empowerment that she feels when she makes music. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/ivana-carrescia for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
Lawrence is a soul/pop band fronted by siblings Clyde and Gracie Lawrence. The group released their debut album Breakfast this past March and are set to play at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival this summer. In this episode, Clyde and Gracie talk about their love of Motown, making music that puts smiles on people's faces, and the importance of trusting your writing partner. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/lawrence for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
UV Rays is a psychadelic punk band from New York City. The group most recently released a compilation album called A Fistful of Songs this past April. In this episode, one of the band's two lead songwriters, Adrien DeFontaine, talks about the thoughtfulness that goes into writing a single word, the importance of not holding anything back, and the way that leaning into your own uncomfortable feelings might help someone else feel less alone. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/uv-rays for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
Simulcast is the self-described post-apocalyptic punk project of Providence, Rhode Island-based Tristan Rodman. In this episode, Tristan talks about writing for specific spaces and media, his quest to make music that actually sounds like him, and how he hears music as a sort of web that connects everyone to everyone else. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/simulcast for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
Andrea Silva is a Colombian singer/songwriter who is currently living in Los Angeles. In this episode, Andrea talks about listening to music vibes-first, writing stupid songs for boys, and why she finds it easier to write in English than to write in Spanish. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/andrea-silva for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
Humeysha is a multilingual Indian experimental rock project fronted by Zain Alam. The group put out their self-titled debut album last October. In this episode, Zain talks about the diverse influences, the cultural dissonance, and the resulting reconciliation that gave birth to Humeysha. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/humeysha for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
Hurry is a power-pop trio from Philadelphia. The group released their sophomore album, Guided Meditation, just last week. In this episode, the band's primary songwriter Matt Scottoline talks about conveying emotion with melody, the importance of making music that's honest, and how writing songs empowered his nerdy self to feel cool. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/hurry for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
Overcoats is the folktronica project of Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell. Their latest single, "Nighttime Hunger," came out in February of 2016. In this episode, Hana and JJ talk about injecting tension into their music, the vulnerability that comes with writing together, and the powerful empathy and understanding that they've developed for each other through their songwriting. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/overcoats for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
Lauren Tronick is a folky singer/songwriter who is currently based in Austin, Texas. In this episode, Lauren talks about her love of poetry, the emotion that drives her music, and her impossible quest to write from outside herself. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/lauren-tronick for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
Triangle Park is the R&B/electro-pop project of songwriter Sean Eads. Sean has been periodically putting out singles under the name Triangle Park since August 2015. In this episode, Sean Eads talks about how his fascination with the storytelling and melodic nature of musical theater has mixed with his love of R&B and electronic music to form Triangle Park's unique sound. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/triangle-park for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.
Keeper is a self-described sadgirl bedroom pop band from Washington D.C. They put out their debut EP, fawn, in September of 2015. In this episode, the band's primary songwriter Marissa Lorusso talks about how powerful women, journaling, and middle school feelings helped shape her songwriting voice and style. Visit http://scratchtake.com/episodes/keeper for a complete playlist of all of the songs featured in this episode.