Verse Chorus Verse

Alan Sparhawk from the minimalist indie-rock band Low talks about his personal songwriting process. Identifying ideas, putting the work in, and using techniques sparingly are all discussed. Listen to a fragment of a new song he’s piecing together, as well as a more fleshed out live performance of a brand new, never-before-heard track.

Singer-songwriter Emma Pollock wants to surprise and challenge herself as a songwriter, as she reveals how she shakes up the writing process. As founder of Chemikal Underground Records, Emma also offers a keen insight into the current state of the music industry and offers some advice for newcomers. Hear a work-in-progress song, and a live performance of a track from her latest album, “In Search Of Harperfield”.

Rachel Sermanni has been on a creative journey, but makes a stop-off in the Verse Chorus Verse bothy to share her songwriting secrets. Music vs Lyrics, Touring vs Camping, Buddhist Monastery vs Day Job. Hear two work-in-progress songs, and a live performance of an unreleased song “Put Me In The River”. Her latest album “Tied to the Moon” is out now on Middle of Nowhere Recordings.

Guitarist RM Hubbert reveals his songwriting process, and divulges his top secret recording strategy for acoustic guitar. Is there a magic frequency? Hear a snippet from an upcoming collaboration with Aidan Moffat, as well as a live performance of “The Dog” from “Telling The Trees”, out now on Chemikal Underground Records.

Drummer-songwriter Alex Neilson talks songwriting and discusses how he, as captain, steers the ship that is psych-folk rockers Trembling Bells. Hear an in-progress 'space shanty', recorded at a practice session, as well as a live acapella performance of 'The Day That Maya Deren Died' from Wide Majestic Aire - out now on Tin Angel Records.

Frightened Rabbit songwriter Scott Hutchison discusses wells, nuggets, and emotional outlets. Hear an in-progress song and what's niggling him about it, as well as a rousing acoustic version of Get Out - a single from Painting of a Panic Attack, out Fri 8th April on Atlantic Records.

Miaoux Miaoux (Julian Corrie) discusses his brand of off-kilter electronic music, and we delve into the rabbit's warren of production and audio engineering. Hear a couple of in-progress songs, as well as a piano version of School of Velocity - the titular track from the album School of Velocity, available from Chemikal Underground Records.

De Rosa songwriter Martin John Henry reveals his unstructured approach - is A minor the key to success? Hear an in-progress song and a solo acoustic version of "Prelude to Entropic Doom" from De Rosa's new album "Weem" - out now on Rock Action Records.

Avant-folk musician Richard Youngs comes clean about his unconventional approach to songwriting and plays a song off his new album. "Inside the Future" is out now on Glass Redux records.