The Magic of Songwriting with Francesca de Valence

Even the most seasoned songwriters hit creative walls and Scottish singer-songwriter Findlay Napier knows that feeling all too well. In this candid and funny conversation, Findlay opens up about how perfectionism once stalled his songwriting and how leaning into play, co-writing, and community helped him rediscover the joy of creating.We talk about everything from songwriting retreats and the power of consistency to goats, spreadsheets, and writing songs that make you laugh just for the sake of it. Findlay shares how joining I Heart Songwriting Club shifted his process and even led to one of the standout tracks on his latest album Outsider The Greatest of All Time.About Findlay: From the Main Stage of Cambridge Folk Festival with folk rock supergroup The Magpie Arc to an intimate acoustic show in the back room of a pub. Findlay Napier is widely regarded as one of the finest performers on the UK music scene. This fact was further highlighted when Napier was the first solo act ever to be nominated for Live Act of the Year at the Scot’s Trad Music awards in 2018. Tirelessly creative he has been touring and releasing music since the early naughties. First with groundbreaking trad folk band Back of the Moon, then with Nu-Folk pioneers Findlay Napier and the Bar Room Mountaineers and most recently as a solo act working under the guidance of legendary songwriter Boo Hewerdine.Contact Findlay: Website / Facebook / InstagramSong Credit: “The Greatest Of All Time" - Written by Findlay Napier. Performed by Findlay Napier. Listen to Findlay’s PlaylistFind out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Ready to deep dive into songwriting? Join our 10-week online intensive course to write 10 new songs with lessons, personalised mentorship and practical tools to refine your craft. Learn more at iheartsongwritingclub.com/songwritingcourses.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

Donna Lynn Caskey blends banjo-driven folk with a no-frills songwriting process to capture what’s real. In this episode, she and Francesca dig into how writing fast and often helped shape her album Tiny Victories—and how “Win the Day” rose from a rough voice memo to a defining track.About Donna: Donna Lynn Caskey, the youngest of ten children from the US Virginia coast, fell in love with the banjo while attending college in the Blue Ridge. She studied at the John C. Campbell Folk School before moving to Southern California in 2001, where she began writing songs and performing. Known for her deft clawhammer-style banjo, pure folk vocals, and evocative songwriting, Donna Lynn blends humor, storytelling, and heart in every song. Her three albums—Tiny Victories (2025), The Love Still Shows (2017), and Nameless Heart (2014)—have received wide acclaim. She lives in Ventura, California, where she combines music, arts, and community service. Contact Donna here. Song Credit: “Win The Day" - Written by Donna Lynn Caskey. Performed by Donna Lynn Caskey. Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Ready to deep dive into songwriting? Join our 10-week online intensive course to write 10 new songs with lessons, personalised mentorship and practical tools to refine your craft. Learn more at iheartsongwritingclub.com/songwritingcourses.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

What happens when you commit to writing one song a week for 100 weeks? For songwriter and producer Joel Riley, it led to his debut album The Fruits of Labour. In this episode, Joel takes us inside his imaginative practice. He shares how consistency built his confidence, how feedback helped him hear his songs differently and how living in Dubbo inspired him to embrace creative limitations as opportunities. Joel’s journey is a reminder that songwriting doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs you to show up.About Joel: Joel Riley is an artist, songwriter and producer making music in Dubbo, Australia. He writes songs  about things he cares about, things he worries about, and the occasional dinosaur. He loves to take adventures into genres he loves, like electronic music (with The Synthesizer Wizards of Dubbo), ambient jazz (with The DM) and indie rock (with Tomorrow Forever). His first album The Fruits of Labour was released in early 2025 to great acclaim in the family group chat. He is always keeping his eyes open for the next musical adventure!Song Credit: “Bets Against Myself" - Written by Joel Riley. Performed by Joel Riley. Listen to Joel's playlistFind out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Ready to deep dive into songwriting? Join our 10-week online intensive course to write 10 new songs with lessons, personalised mentorship and practical tools to refine your craft. Learn more at iheartsongwritingclub.com/songwritingcourses.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Elana Stone shares the joyful chaos of a creative life. A double ARIA Award-winner, Stone blends folk, electronica, indie pop and balladry with lyrical vulnerability and melodic flair. From writing songs between baby naps to performing with Missy Higgins, in this episode she reflects on how staying true to herself has shaped her artistry over time.About Elana: Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Elana Stone is a double ARIA Award-winning musician whose style combines instrumental invention with quirk, and inclines to write pop that is by turns exultant or introspective. Elana Stone encompasses folk, modern electronica, indie pop and balladry, underpinned by Stone’s signature lyrical vulnerability and ear for melody.Contact Elana : Website / Facebook / Instagram Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Song Credit: “Cephalopods" - Written by Elana Stone. Performed by Elana Stone.Ready to deep dive into songwriting? Join our 10-week online intensive course to write 10 new songs with lessons, personalised mentorship and practical tools to refine your craft. Learn more at iheartsongwritingclub.com/songwritingcourses.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

Award-nominated composer Andrew McCrorie-Shand joins Francesca de Valence to share a songwriting journey shaped by curiosity, cinematic vision, and emotional depth. From hit TV themes like Teletubbies to reflective solo work, Andy’s decades-spanning career reveals the power of imagination and storytelling in music.About Andrew: Andy is a multi-instrumentalist, arranger, producer and composer. As a teen he was greatly influenced by the American rock musician, composer and filmmaker Frank Zappa and British rock musician Keith Emerson. In 1974 Andy joined the progressive rock band Druid, with whom he co-composed and recorded 2 albums for EMI: Toward the Sun (1975) and Fluid Druid (1976). He went on to play with Curved Air, which included a pre-Police Stewart Copeland on drums.Contact Andrew: WebsiteSong Credit: “Streetlights" - Written by Andrew McCrorie-Shand. Performed by Andrew McCrorie-Shand.Ready to deep dive into songwriting? Join our 10-week online intensive course to write 10 new songs with lessons, personalised mentorship and practical tools to refine your craft. Learn more at iheartsongwritingclub.com/songwritingcourses.Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

Darwin-based songwriter and music therapist Crystal Robins shares how her connection to place and her work in music therapy shaped her debut album Moonflower, and explains how a weekly songwriting prompt led her to the powerful, fully produced track “Where This Heart’s Been”. About Crystal: Crystal Robins is a songwriter living on Larrakia country (Darwin NT) in the tropical north of Australia. With stunning vocals and intricate guitar playing, Crystal’s songs weave a dreamy mix of indie-folk with a twist of alt-country and Americana, layering lush harmonies to accompany her heartfelt lyrics.Contact Crystal: Website / Facebook / InstagramSong Credit: “Where This Heart's Been" - Written by Crystal Robins. Performed by Crystal Robins. Ready to deep dive into songwriting? Join our 10-week online intensive course to write 10 new songs with lessons, personalised mentorship and practical tools to refine your craft. Learn more at iheartsongwritingclub.com/songwritingcourses.Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

Genre-fluid pop artist Jaime Jackett shares the creative journey behind her debut album Reinvention, and how a single songwriting prompt led to the playful, percussive track Lemonade. From beatboxing and found sounds to multiple live arrangements, Jaime reveals how reinvention is both her process and her power. About Jaime: Jaime Jackett is a powerful and evocative performer based in Broome, Western Australia. Jackett’s music delicately treads the contrast between light and dark, deliberately juxtaposing them, and playing with the patterns and shadows they create.Contact Jaime: Website / Facebook / InstagramSong Credit: “Lemonade" - Written by Jaime Jackett. Performed by Jaime Jackett and James Newhouse. Ready to deep dive into songwriting? Join our 10-week online intensive course to write 10 new songs with lessons, personalised mentorship and practical tools to refine your craft. Learn more at iheartsongwritingclub.com/songwritingcourses.Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

Roots troubadour Pat Tierney joins Francesca to reflect on a decade of songwriting, the power of creative community, and the process behind his latest album Lost in the Haze. From songwriting as self-expression to turning a weekly challenge into a lead single, this episode explores the beauty of showing up and staying true to your voice.About Pat: Pat Tierney is a lap slide guitarist and roots troubadour whose soulful fusion of blues and folk draws on influences like Bob Dylan, Ben Harper, and JJ Cale. Since his 2015 debut, he has toured extensively, performed at major Australian festivals, and shared stages with artists including The Beautiful Girls, Bobby Alu and Harry Manx. His acclaimed albums Red Moon and Lost in the Haze showcase his poetic songwriting and have earned national radio play, millions of streams, and multiple Queensland Music Award nominations. Tierney’s heartfelt performances and socially conscious lyrics mark him as a standout voice in modern folk and roots music.Contact Pat: Website / Facebook / InstagramSong Credit: “Golden Lover, Silver Song" - Written by Pat Tierney. Performed by Pat Tierney. With thanks to Yama-Nui Records. Ready to deep dive into songwriting? Join our 10-week online intensive course to write 10 new songs with lessons, personalised mentorship and practical tools to refine your craft. Learn more at iheartsongwritingclub.com/songwritingcourses.Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

Award-winning Brisbane synth-pop artist Mardi Lumsden has long been known for her ethereal songwriting and shimmering sonic landscapes. But her sophomore album Slow Emotion came to life in a way that was as delicate and intimate as its title suggests—written asynchronously and collaboratively with her husband and producer, Pennay, in the quiet hours while their baby slept.This episode of The Magic of Songwriting podcast explores the creative journey behind Slow Emotion, and in particular the evolution of its standout track, “nineteen.”About Mardi and Andrew: Mardi Lumsden is an award-winning synth-pop charmer from Brisbane. Mardi spent 2020 writing happy music resulting in her sophomore album "Slow Emotion", an 8-track delight written in IHSC that transverses disco, indie pop and stargazer anthems. The title track was added to Double J and was called "another stellar success" by Obscure Sound.Andrew Pennay has spent his days teaching music in schools, lecturing in music education, and slowly working through a PhD in (not surprisingly) songwriting education. Contact Mardi : Facebook / InstagramSong Credit: ‘nineteen’ Written by Mardi Lumsden and Andrew Pennay and Performed by Mardi Lumsden. Ready to deep dive into songwriting? Join our 10-week online intensive course to write 10 new songs with lessons, personalised mentorship and practical tools to refine your craft. Learn more at iheartsongwritingclub.com/songwritingcourses.Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song:  “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

Francesca introduces the podcast theme for Season 8: turning consistent creative practice into a powerful body of work. She shares how members of I Heart Songwriting Club—from remote communities to bustling cities—have written full albums inside the Club. Each episode this season includes a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, sharing a song from demo to final production.Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. This is THE essential writing practice that has changed the careers and lives of 1000s of songwriters worldwide. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. They are the perfect place to begin and cover everything you need to know to write your first songs. You’ll receive lessons from Francesca directly! Ready to deep dive into songwriting? Join our 10-week online intensive course to write 10 new songs with lessons, personalised mentorship and practical tools to refine your craft. Learn more at iheartsongwritingclub.com/songwritingcourses.Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Want more for your songwriting but don’t know where to go from here? Take the I Heart Songwriting Club Quiz to discover your next steps and inspire your way to writing better songs.Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: InstagramFacebookYouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials:YouTubeFacebookInstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting. Thank you for joining us.

Collaboration in the musical realm often focuses on the process of writing a song together. But as Francesca de Valence and Emma Bosworth shared during the recent co-production of their songwriting retreat, collaboration can extend far beyond just crafting songs  - it can foster professional partnerships, exchange a diversity of skill sets, and create innovative growth opportunities for both people and their communities. Join our next Songwriting Retreat here and find out more about our online co-writing course here. About Emma Bosworth:  Emma is a singer-songwriter, founder of Wild Mountains Songs and National Project Manager of Green Music Australia. Emma is a long time friend of Wild Mountains Trust. In her teenage years, she attended multiple earth education camps managed by the Trust, and she says it was a major turning point in her life. In 2016, Emma had a yearning to create time and space to create new music; she knew Wild Mountains could provide a space with big creative impact. Using her collaborative heart, she asked some friends to join her on a weekend away amongst the trees to co-write and take some deep breaths. It was the start of something really special.Find out more about Wild Mountains Songs Find out more about Wild Mountains Trust Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

We take you behind the scenes of our Songwriting Retreat to give you a glimpse of co-writing in real-time. Thank you to our songwriters Maddison Kate and Amanda Thomas for sharing a brand new created work on this podcast. We explore the chaos and order of nature, overcoming imposter syndrome, and how collaboration across generations can highlight our universal connection. Find out more about our Songwriting Retreat here.Join I Heart Songwriting Club’s Co-writing Course here.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

We take you behind the scenes of our Songwriting Retreat to give you a glimpse of co-writing in real-time. Thank you to our songwriters Kate Battersby and Halimah Perez-Torres (Finlonsen) for sharing a brand new created work on this podcast. The conversation was a reminder of the magic that happens when songwriters come together, share their stories, and allow the creative process to unfold in unexpected ways. Find out more about our Songwriting Retreat here.Join I Heart Songwriting Club’s Co-writing Course here.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

We take you behind the scenes of our Songwriting Retreat to give you a glimpse of co-writing in real-time. Thank you to our songwriters Cath Russell and Mona Verdour for sharing a brand new created work on this podcast. This episode is a reminder that songwriting is more than just creating melodies and lyrics. Find out more about our Songwriting Retreat here.Join I Heart Songwriting Club’s Co-writing Course here.Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

We take you behind the scenes of our Songwriting Retreat to give you a glimpse of co-writing in real-time. Thank you to our songwriters, Shauna Tohill, Kerrie Gamley and Stella Di Santa for sharing a brand new created work on this podcast. We also discuss the value of revisiting and refining your creative ideas. Find out more about our Songwriting Retreat here.Join I Heart Songwriting Club’s Co-writing Course here.Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

In this episode, Francesca de Valence chats with legendary Australian artist Wendy Matthews at the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival 2024. Wendy shares insights into her songwriting journey, from her early days busking across Canada and the USA to creating multi-platinum albums. Known for her timeless hits including The Day You Went Away, Wendy discusses her approach to crafting songs that resonate deeply, her commitment to beauty in music, and how storytelling shapes her artistry. With stories of collaboration and creative evolution, this conversation offers an intimate look at the process behind one of Australia’s most expressive artists. A must-listen for music lovers and creators alike.Find out more about the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival here. Join I Heart Songwriting Club’s Co-writing Course here.About Wendy Matthews:An Australian musical treasure, Wendy Matthews has an expressive voice that never fails to move those who hear it. Her music is an unhurried journey of clean melodies, infectious energy and simple grace. In an age where uber-production techniques are thought to be hip, and cynicism an attribute, Wendy has proven that commitment to beauty is still not only valid but applauded by the public ear, her music now in more than 1 million homes in Australia with all her albums having multi-platinum status.Her solo debut album Émigré (Double Platinum) earned Wendy Best Female Artist and Best Debut Single (for Token Angels) at the 1990 ARIA Awards. In 1992 Wendy received the ARIA for Best Female Artist and Best Single and in 1993, Best Female Artist. Wendy was also voted Best Female Singer in the 1990 Rolling Stone Reader’s Poll. The Day You Went Away was the ‘highest selling single’ of 1993 and the ‘single of the year’. Contact Wendy Matthews: Facebook / Instagram Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Find out more about the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival here. Join I Heart Songwriting Club’s Co-writing Course here.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

Johnny Manuel’s astronomical career has been shaped by his vocal talent. His appearances on shows like America’s Got Talent and The Voice have created a global audience that sees him as “just a vocalist,” not recognizing the depth of his creative vision. But what this global audience most likely doesn’t know is that Johnny started out as a songwriter. In this episode, we chatted with the US artist and songwriter at the 2024 Whitsundays Songwriter Festival. Find out more about the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival here. Join I Heart Songwriting Club’s Co-writing Course here.About Johnny Manuel: From a four chair turn and final of The Voice Australia to America’s Got Talent to performing at Eurovision, Johnny Manuel thrills audiences with his artistry. Discovering the joy of performance and musicianship in the church choir in Flint Michigan, at the age of ten he had recorded his first demo; a cover of Run DMC’s ‘It’s Like That’ and had a recording contract at 14 with Warner Records, touring with NSync and Jessica Simpson along the way. Recently honored to perform for United States President Joe Biden in New York City, Johnny continues to build an international fan base from his new home in Australia. A fan favourite of Queensland’s Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols for the past several years, Realizing his creative vision across multiple projects with creative collaborators ARIA-winning artist/producer Nick Littlemore (PNAU and Empire of the Sun) and rising artist/producer Aidan Laprete he has released two EP’s independently; “Younger Skin” and “Blue”. Johnny’s new sound finally allows him to be his authentic self. Contact Johnny: Website / Facebook / Instagram Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

In the next few episodes we take you to the serene blue waters of Airlie Beach for the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival 2024. This year, Jude York joined the festival as one of the professional songwriters. Jude York is a fast-rising Australian star, whose self-produced pop delicacies have gone viral. Join us as we chat with Jude about co-writing, collaboration and more.About Jude: Jude York is a fast-rising Australian star, whose self-produced pop delicacies have gone viral. Growing up rurally with an opera-singer mother and jingle-writer father, there was little else for Jude to do but create his own musical world. In 2022, Jude debuted with a unique cult-favourite performance in Australia’s national round for Eurovision, before releasing hits, ‘Mr Porcelain’ and ‘Cashew.’ With breathtaking vulnerability, Jude quickly garnered a fanbase of like minded misfits, a community solidified by seeing him live on tour throughout Europe supporting Dean Lewis and later on his own headline tour of Australia.With 6 million streams on his first mixtape, a Queensland Music Award under his belt and Jude’s latest sensation, ‘Monaco’ climbing the international charts and amassing a staggering 1 million streams in its first week, a new era is on the horizon for the pop star-in-the-making.Contact Jude York : Website / Facebook / InstagramFind out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Find out more about the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival here. Join I Heart Songwriting Club’s Co-writing Course here.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

Welcome to Season 7 of the Magic of Songwriting Podcast. This season is all about collaboration and co-writing. Collaboration is an inherent part of being a musician, but is often a behind the scenes thing. To help shed light on this, I interview songwriters and artists of all experience levels about their co-writing - from multiple-ARIA winning artist, Wendy Matthews, to first-time co-writers. And I do all of this, from the most beautiful places in Queensland, Australia - on location at the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival 2024, and in situ at our 10th Anniversary Songwriting Retreat near the Border Ranges National Park.Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. This is THE essential writing practice that has changed the careers and lives of 1000s of songwriters worldwide. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. They are the perfect place to begin and cover everything you need to know to write your first songs. You’ll receive lessons from Francesca directly! Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Want more for your songwriting but don’t know where to go from here? Take the I Heart Songwriting Club Quiz to discover your next steps and inspire your way to writing better songs.Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials:YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting. Thank you for joining us.

For 10 years I Heart Songwriting Club has been helping songwriters around the world to write their best songs yet. With over 30,000 songs written by over 1500 songwriters from 30 countries around the world, it's no wonder entire albums have been written, ARIA awards have been nominated, film soundtracks have been created, and many careers have been launched from this simple writing club.I Heart Songwriting Club is a place for all songwriters, created by songwriters. We have songwriting courses, professional development programs, mentorship, workshops, and our signature songwriting club.Whether you’re a songwriter in our global online songwriting club, or a songwriting fan who’s been enjoying our concerts, workshops or even this podcast for the past few years - we want to thank you for being part of our community.Thank you to our members who sent in a happy birthday message:- Audra Santa (Toronto, Canada)- Danielle Caruana - Mama Kin (Perth, Australia)- Kaiyah Mercedes (Mornington Peninsula, Australia)- Karen Jacobsen (Airlie Beach, Australia)- Leah Jett - Kissing the Flint (Newton Stewart, Scotland)- Winston (Perth, Australia)- Ed Robins (Melbourne, Australia)- Sally Barris (Nashville, USA)- Ken Davis (Koonawarra, Australia)- Findlay Napier (Isle of Arran, Scotland)- Alan Atkinson - Protis (Brisbane, Australia)- Katie Harder (Alice Springs, Australia)- Kim Imber (Tasmania, Australia)- Kara Spradbury (Perth, Australia)- Soph Sav (Sydney, Australia)- Matt Cal (Perth, Australia)- Kerrie Gambley - Haystack Mountain Hermits (Mount Tamborine, Australia)- David Hethorn (Brisbane, Australia)- Gitika Partington (Newport, Wales)Image Credit: JelightlyFind out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. This is THE essential writing practice that has changed the careers and lives of 1000s of songwriters worldwide. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. They are the perfect place to begin and cover everything you need to know to write your first songs. You’ll receive lessons from Francesca directly! Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Want more for your songwriting but don’t know where to go from here? Take the I Heart Songwriting Club Quiz to discover your next steps and inspire your way to writing better songs.Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: InstagramFacebookYouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials:YouTubeFacebookInstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting. Thank you for joining us.