Deep Talk About the Songwriting Process.
In-depth interviews with songwriters about their songwriting process. That's All. No talk of band drama, band names, or tour stories. Treating songwriters as writers, plain and simple. By Ben Opipari, English Lit Ph.D.
Recent Episodes
April 2, 2026
Carl Newman (The New Pornographers)
It's the return of Carl Newman of The New Pornographers ! We were just kids back in 2015 when I first interviewed Newman and we discussed his love of the 10cc song "Dreadlock Holiday." We return to that song in this episode, ...
March 28, 2026
King Tuff (Kyle Thomas)
"I'm a jacket man," King Tuff (aka Kyle Thomas) told me as we discussed why feeling good is important to the songwriting process. I had mentioned a writer who told me that he must wear a winter coat when he writes--even durin...
March 24, 2026
Snail Mail (Lindsey Jordan)
"I very much consider myself a writer," Lindsey Jordan ( Snail Mail ) says. And any good writer has a ritual. Part of Jordan's ritual involves the balance between keeping the writing process precious and recognizing that too ...
March 17, 2026
Nate Ruess
Nate Ruess's songwriting catalog includes his Grammy winning band Fun ; his co-write and co-performance with P!nk on "Just Give Me a Reason"; and songs for Hayley Williams, Kesha, and Young Thug. After feeling no urge to writ...
March 4, 2026
Tyler Ballgame
Procrastinators unite! Thank you, Tyler Ballgame , you are a kindred spirit. Finally someone who admits that procrastination is a great tool for writing. So much has been written on the evils of procrastination, yet some peop...
Feb. 25, 2026
Buck Meek (Big Thief)
“When I go to the grocery store, that’s part of the songwriting process. When I work on my truck, that’s part of my songwriting process. Every aspect of our life feeds into our creativity. The more present I can be, the bette...
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