episodes

Zach Williams,  Kanene Pipkin, and Brian Elmquist go deep into their songwriting processes and even learn a few things about each other that they didn't know before!

Aly and AJ Michalka have been writing and recording songs together since they were teenagers. It’s  easy to see why: their processes are remarkably in sync. 

For Tim Burgess of The Charlatans, the best ideas come when he’s preoccupied. And ideally when he’s at the gym.

Dave Hause and Kathleen Edwards have known each other for a while and are huge fans of each other’s music, so this was a fun conversation on the creative process. We talked a lot about whether large expanses of time make them more productive, how reading affects their songwriting process, and what they do when they get stuck. And how twins and dogs affect their songwriting process.

S.G. Goodman was raised a farmer's daughter and studied philosophy in college. This means that not only does she love to ponder, she has time do it during those long days in the field. The product of all the pondering? Amazing lyrics.

As an instrumental guitarist steeped in improvisation, Julian Lage isn't one for specific rituals. And that's why I loved this conversation: it's a deep dive into the abstract elements of creativity as we try to figure out where it all comes from.

Gavin Rossdale’s favorite lyrics are those with “speckles of blood, speckles of sweat.” The more truthful the writing, he says, the bigger the power.

Grian Chatten of Fontaines D.C. calls songwriting his “constant annoying companion. I have writing on speed dial 24/7.”

Madison Cunningham writes every day. No excuses. Because a writing regimen takes the pressure off those days when she’s just not feeling it.

Will Sheff believes in writing every day, first thing in the morning. But he’s also a firm believer in loafing.

Falling asleep on the job is usually not a good thing. But Emily Haines says that if you’re in Metric, it can be a great thing.

Matt Nathanson’s latest album Boston Accent was produced by Butch Walker. in this episode, they dissect why their creative relationship in the studio was so successful.

John Moreland needs a good headspace to write his “bummer songs.” Also helpful is a cold, dark room in the middle of the night. But the one necessity? Tokyo walking videos.

Kelsey Waldon finds the beginnings of spring and fall to especially conducive to songwriting. A good yellow legal pad helps as well.

Ready for some light summer reading? Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes isn't. He's currently reading Homer's The Iliad.

Kevin Morby’s writing process involves cheap pens, cheap paper, a good hardwood floor, and running shoes. Dental floss proves it.

Real Estate’s Martin Courtney is trying to make his songwriting process less “painstaking” by plowing through the initial stages and chipping away later. But he’s always got Strega Nona.