Raw Songwriting

Think Twice (Robby Layton and Teresa Penbrooke) return to discuss how they've developed their song "A Place To Lay Our Head" that they originally wrote for this podcast in episode 21 of season 2. Check out more from Think Twice at https://www.heronshaunt.org/

Originally from Nebraska, Tim Ostdiek was inspired by his father’s passion for music, especially for the Beatles and Paul Simon. Tim picked up the guitar in middle school, started writing songs, and quickly progressed to doing open mics. Once he realized he could get paid to perform several nights a week, there was no turning back from the singer-songwriter lifestyle. Now based in Colorado, Tim has been a finalist in esteemed songwriting events such as the Telluride Troubadour and Folksfest Songwriting Showcases. Tim has also had his song “Goodbye” featured in the TV show “Road Trip Nation” and has opened for national touring acts such as Sarah Jarosz. Playful, uplifting, and engaging as a singer, songwriter and performer, he writes feel-good, big-hearted folk with a drop of something funky. Tim doesn't shy away from the deep and heavy, but aims to deliver songs with purpose and hope. Tim Ostdiek’s uplifting folk encapsulates the soul of the Heartland. You can find more of Tim Ostdiek's music at https://timostdiek.com/

In this episode, Dave hosts have the inaugural critique circle with returning guests Pamela Machala (S2E14), Barry Osborne (S2E5) and Jay Stott (S2E3). In addition to giving feedback on four works in progress, they discuss the "right" way to have a critique circle, plus their best and worst critiques of the past. Join us for another raw and riveting episode!For more, check out:Pamela Machala at https://pamelamachala.com/Barry Osborne at https://www.distancewalk.com/Jay Stott at https://jgstott.com/

In this excerpt from the upcoming Raw Songwriting Critique Circle (S4E4), Pamela Machala, Jay Stott, Barry Osborne and Dave discuss the a line from Pamela's song "Tell Mary Jane I Miss Her".

Born in Lubbock, Texas, Andy Eppler’s love of music began while watching his mother sing in church. Having been diagnosed with AD/HD, Andy had to work hard to overcome the challenges posed by traditional schooling, but he ultimately learned how to work in solitude on various projects, and once he graduated from South Plains College with a commercial music degree, there was no stopping him.Andy Eppler has been as prolific as an artist can be, having authored many songs, books, art pieces and films. In 2022, Texas Tech University announced a new Andy Eppler Collection to be added to their University Archives alongside other artists such as Waylon Jennings, Buddy Holly and Natalie Maines. He considers the most meaningful waypoints in his career to be associated with political activism, cultural change and community outcomes. His goal isn’t to become famous, but to become meaningful. He hopes his passion can be fertilizer for other artists who want to grow their hearts. He wants his life to be measured in inspiration. For more of his creative output, check out Andy's Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/andotheartist/

In this preview of the upcoming Raw Songwriting Challenge (S4E3), Andy Eppler talks about listening for your song as though you've already written it.

In this episode, Dave hosts have the inaugural critique circle with returning guests Timmy Riordan (S2E1), John Linn (S3E4) and Terri Sunflower (S1E2). In addition to giving feedback on four works in progress, they discuss the "right" way to have a critique circle, and how critiquing differs from workshopping or cowriting a song. Join us for another raw and riveting episode!For more, check out:Timmy Riordan at TimmyR.comJohn Linn at JohnLinnMusic.comTerri Sunflower at https://www.facebook.com/singersongwriterforthesensitivesoul

In this excerpt from the upcoming Raw Songwriting Critique Circle (S4E2), Timmy Riordan, Terri Sunflower and Dave discuss the improvised bridge from John Linn's work in progress "Where You Belong".

H grew up singing and playing piano, having been pushed onto a church stage at 5 years. At 15, she started teaching herself to play guitar. After college, she followed a boyfriend to Oaxaca, Mexico, but left him when she was recruited to play in a band. After a couple years, she traveled back to the U.S. and performed in bars and restaurants– including a stint as a cabaret singing server– while preparing for grad school. Her education, marriage and motherhood prompted a long hiatus from music, but after a cancer scare, lost work, divorce and other life events, H found new inspiration in song. After meeting her partner Britton at an open mic, they formed Naked Dawn, a drum and guitar duo that performs bi-lingual music pulling from traditional Oaxacan music, along with folk, blues, and cabaret. H’s songs emphasizes the romantic over the cynical, and she believes that nothing is too dangerous to talk about. She believes in living juicy, loving hard and laughing lots, and that passion is ever present in her songwriting. Find more of H and Naked Dawn's music on Facebook and Instagram.

On the upcoming Season 4 debut episode of the Raw Songwriting podcast, H, lead singer-songwriter for the duo Naked Dawn, talks about how writing in Spanish is different than writing in English.

Dave regathered some of his best guests from last year to play and talk about the best songs they've written in 2021. It's a freewheelin' celebration of songwriting!For more music, check out:Bill Nash at http://putsiecat.com/Trey Roque at https://www.treyroque.com/Roger Heathers at https://rogerheathers.bandcamp.com/Timmy Riordan at https://timmyr.com/Barry Osborne at https://www.barryosbornemusic.com/Terri Sunflower at https://terrisunflower.com/Brian Claflin at https://www.brianclaflin.com/John Bunzli at https://www.johnbunzli.com/

Dave is joined by returning guests Teresa Storch & Peter Lacis, and John Linn, as well as first-timer Valerie Bhat. They talk about writing songs that risk offending people, ask if a song can be too sad, and how to keep track of unfinished song ideas. Plus, they debut four new Christmas tunes! It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out:https://teresastorch.com/https://www.johnlinnmusic.com/http://www.valerie-music.com/

Roger Heathers returns with updates on "Ouija Board," his Challenge song from episode 22 of season 2, as well as an overview of his new album "Y2K". It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCMWT-STlMV6__aqrLNXWw8A

Though Micki Balder’s been dabbling with music her whole life, it wasn't until 2018 when a friendship's moment of truth unveiled itself in the middle of a Denver coffee shop. She walked home, wrote a song, and has been writing ever since, now a regular at local music venues around her Colorado home. Micki writes from a place of vulnerable storytelling, with people and relationships at the core of her music.She's been compared to modern folk bands like The Weepies and Mipso, along with classic songwriters like Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon, but she draws inspiration from all over the spectrum — the swing and soul music of her lindy hop days, the earthy folk of Gregory Alan Isakov and Mandolin Orange, the candor and dry humor of John Craigie, or the heartbreak of Sara Bareilles, to name a few. Micki Balder is a folksy singer-songwriter writing sad songs for happy people (and ever so occasionally, happy songs for sad people!). Her music is born from a life-long desire to be a character in a musical, unapologetically singing her feelings for the world through simple and poignant lyrics.Dave sat down with Micki to talk to her about her writing process, alternatives to bridges, using a non-musical friend for creative support, and more! Plus, we each debut a new song. It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out https://mickibalder.com/

The driving force behind Parry Adams' music is her voice; her tender tone warms her candid manner, trading in harsh observations for sincerity and introspection. Her raw writing style combined with her soulful sound, deliver a strong shot of honesty. Parry Adams may not always tell you what you want to hear, but we know you’re going to want to hear this. Just be careful if you’re asking for break-up advice or how your new haircut looks.Dave catches up with Parry, who appeared in both the Xmas and New Year's Roundtables in season one, to talk about a brand new song and find out about her other recent musical adventures. Along the way they talk about studio recordings, developing songs with your voice and more! It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out http://parryadams.com/

Dave catches up with Vicki Pompea, one of his guests from Episode 15 of Season 2, to hear her talk about a new song she's recently written and what other musical adventures she's been having. Along the way, they talk about writing outside of your usual style, using mentors to support your writing, and the positive energy of Steve Poltz. It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out https://vickipompea.com/

Born into a musical family, John Linn was exposed to the sounds of the Weavers, the Kingston Trio, Woody Guthrie and other folk music royalty playing around the family piano. At the age of 19, he picked up a guitar, but it wasn’t until his early 30s when he started writing songs. After easing into the open mic scene in Massachusetts, he was encouraged by a guitar teacher to take his music more seriously. Since then, he’s gone on to become a mainstay in the Washington, D.C. Americana scene, playing both solo and fronting the folk-rock band After The Flood, while also acting as a creative coach, guitar teacher and all-around community resource. John has released a solo album “Illinois 14” and an eponymous album with After The Flood that got to #7 on the national folk radio charts. He’s played the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival and the D.C. State Fair. After writing extensively over the pandemic, he has an album in the works tentatively called “Sinners and Saints”John Linn’s writing vibrates with the tones of hidden struggles and triumphs. Whether you hear stories of growing up on the prairies of the Midwest or of the sweet disappointments of love, John’s music will leave you with a sense of the depth and mystery of human experience, with its often hidden joys and tragedies. Often drawing on spiritual themes, John uses vivid imagery and carefully crafted lyrics to paint the pictures of the ordinary lives of people you see everyday.Dave sat down to talk to John about musical Rorschach tests, writing historical songs, and how to get addicted to finishing things. Plus, we each debut a new song. It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out https://www.johnlinnmusic.com/music

Dave catches up with Nichole Wagner, his guest from Season 2, Episode 7, to hear her talk about two songs she's recently written, and what other projects she's currently working on. Along the way, they talk about using the cut-up technique to write lyrics, having a co-writer to help guide you through your song, and how to clear obstacles that keep you from writing. It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!Find more music at https://www.nicholewagnermusic.com/

In this special Halloween Roundtable, Dave challenged Jay Stott, Dan Harris, Teri Sunflower and Brian Claflin to write some songs for that season when the lines between the living and the dead are blurred. Hear songs about coffins, ghost children, learning the date of your death, and all the saints you'd ever care about... and more! It's another raw and riveting discussion about songwriting, Halloween style!For more music check out:https://jgstott.com/http://danharrismusic.com/https://terrisunflower.com/https://www.brianclaflin.com/

Eric Richard Stone has been creating Americana music since well before it was labeled as such. Raised in a musical family of professional classical musicians in Philadelphia and Rockport, Maine, he tried Cello, then was lured away by the ways of folk after hearing James Taylor, Jim Croce, Joni Mitchell, and Tom Rush. Eric wrote his first song in 1975 and never stopped. In 1983 he recorded his first album, then recorded his next album 30 years later. What happened during those 30 years could best be described as "Life". Eric is now a regular on the folk singer-songwriter circuit. His performance credits include Rocky Mountain Folks Fest, Pagosa Folk N’ Bluegrass, Four Corners Folk Festival, Red Lodge Songwriter Festival and many more. He has shared the stage or opened for Utah Phillips, John Denver, Tom Rush, Chuck Pyle, Kate Wolf and David Mallett.Eric writes songs that give a vocalist space for interpretation. Whether sung straight or with embellishment, his songs have phrases that sound clear and natural; he wants the audience to catch every word and every meaning. Dave sat down with Eric to talk about writing songs that give vocalists room to embellish, strategies for beating writer's block, and why magpies are the bikers of the avian community. Plus, we each debut brand new songs! It's another raw and riveting discussion about song craft!For more music, check out http://ericrichardstone.com/