Episodes

Morgan Wade

Morgan Wade’s songwriting process doesn’t involve a lot of sitting around. But it does involve some really early mornings. And I mean early.

Leah ChambersFebruary 22, 2022Ep. 13

Debbie Gibson

Debbie Gibson thanks The Song Fairies—and sometimes a carousel horse—for the zen-like calm that allows her to write so many iconic songs.

Leah ChambersFebruary 21, 2022Ep. 12

Julien Baker and Matt Nathanson

Julien Baker and Matt Nathanson make music not just because they want to, but because they have to. For both songwriters, it’s a vital form of self-expression that’s not always easy.

Leah ChambersFebruary 19, 2022Ep. 11

Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast

“Raw source material is supposed to be crap,” Michelle Zauner says. “You have to allow yourself to be terrible.” Her best writing comes in the revision process, not in those “garbage” first drafts.

Leah ChambersFebruary 17, 2022Ep. 10

Britt Daniel of Spoon

Spoon’s Britt Daniel often finds his greatest success as a songwriter comes when he’s not trying to write songs. In his songwriting process, organization often leads to a dead end.

Leah ChambersFebruary 15, 2022Ep. 9

Lauren Mayberry of CHVRCHES

Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches has a songwriting process that involves spreadsheets, Pinterest boards, and hotel pens. And a jar full of scrap paper.

Leah ChambersFebruary 13, 2022Ep. 8

Mia Berrin of Pom Pom Squad

For Mia Berrin of Pom Pom Squad, how a song looks is as important as how it sounds. And her latest album Death of a Cheerleader looks and sounds like red.

Leah ChambersFebruary 11, 2022Ep. 7

Yola

For Yola, songwriting is all about the colliculus. And sometimes a good vacuum.

Leah ChambersFebruary 10, 2022Ep. 6

Anais Mitchell and Charlotte Cornfield

Artists are always searching for the ideal creative state, that perfect time when the songs effortlessly flow. For both Anaïs Mitchell and Charlotte Cornfield, that ideal state involves, well, not really being aware of when they’re in that ideal state.

Leah ChambersFebruary 9, 2022Ep. 5

Keb' Mo'

“As a songwriter, my job is to figure out how to draw some optimism out of any situation.” Five-time GRAMMY winner Keb’ Mo’ draws that optimism from the “big bubbling river” of creativity. And folding clothes.

Leah ChambersFebruary 8, 2022Ep. 4

Allison Russell and Aoife O'Donovan

Allison Russell and Aoife O’Donovan are celebrated songwriters—and working moms. This makes for a songwriting process in which the only ritual is recognizing that you don’t have one.

Leah ChambersFebruary 7, 2022Ep. 3

Ben Bridwell from Band of Horses

“You would think that suffering leads to good art, but that’s false. I find it stifling.” Like most songwriters, Ben Bridwell from Band of Horses has found the past two years to be a bane to his creative process.

Leah ChambersFebruary 6, 2022Ep. 2