Music
**What’s in a Song**

This is a weekly podcast about the craft of songwriting hosted by Berklee College of Music Professor Scarlet Keys. She takes deep dive into the craft, technique and art of songwriting in conversations with eminent songwriters, producers, and other creatives asking questions only a songwriting professor would ask so listeners can walk away inspired and armed with clear and actionable tools and techniques they can apply to their songwriting.

Latest Episodes:

Madi Diaz on writing process, and the magic of co-writing Jul 24, 2024

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My guest today is one of my former students singer/songwriter Madi Diaz

Madi grew up in Pennsylvania where she was homes schooled by her mother and took piano lessons from her father at the age of 5.

After high school, Madi was accepted to Berklee College of Music and met her first collaborator Kyle Ryan which led to her recording her first record skin and bones in Hawaii.

Later, Madi went on to tour with the civil ward and Landon Pig. She was featured in Paste magazine as on of teh top ten buzziest acts at SXSW and had songs featrured in ABC family’s Pretty little liars, Drop dead Diva, Army Wives, had her song “The End of the Day” featured on the television series Nashville performed by Connie Britton and Charles Esten.

Since then she had gone on to record several albums, was a guest on Last Call with Carson Daly, and went on to tour with Harry Styles band playing guitar and singing back up vocals and supported Kacey Musgraves on the UK and European legs of her Deeper Well World Tour.

Madi has released 6 studio albums and 4 EP’s

Today we will talk about so many things that are helpful for songwriters from the biz to inspiration to writing to a prompt for a film placement and listen to a few songs off of her most recent album “Weird Faith”. A case for co-writing and preparing to write.
https://madidiaz.com/
To support this podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys
Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/

Scarlet's website:
https://www.scarletkeys.com
Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/
To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:
https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

What we can learn from Billy Eilish and Bonnie Raitt about great melodies Jul 08, 2024

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In this minisode, I talk about writing melody and thinking of melody as the song's tone of voice.
Auditioning melodies to make sure we pair the best notes with our most important words and the power of unstable notes in writing great melodies.
To join my summer songwriting class "Writing Better Melodies" click here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/melody-writing-intensive-tickets-943422099897
If you sign up before July 15th, you will receive a free copy of my book "The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning and Emotion" or some "What's in a Song" swag.
Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/
Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw

Minisode: Making time for your art and the myth of inspiration Jun 12, 2024

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"Inspiration is for Amateurs"
"Don't be 'a writer' but instead be writing." - Faulkner

"Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!”

― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

To join the "What's in a Song" community membership: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys
Link to song from band Corner Boy "Morning Morning": https://open.spotify.com/track/7wjyEuRd6pYN34BmVkOpa1?si=a25d393f73594a0b
https://www.cornerboymusic.com/
Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/
Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw

Robert Ellis Orrall on writing with Taylor Swift, and writing process May 25, 2024

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In this Episode, Robert Ellis Orrall talks about writing with Taylor Swift. What she was like as a young writer, how he set up the showcase that got her a record deal and shares two songs her wrote with Swift along with an original from his latest record.
Upcoming workshop: Taylor Swift Master class this Tuesday May 28th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-songwriting-of-taylor-swift-writing-great-melodies-tickets-907284772177
Robert Ellis Orrall's website: https://www.robertellisorrall.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6WVQlFV93roOY6iTH3sv6E?si=14585dc1403e4a13
Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/
Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw

Scarlet's website:
https://www.scarletkeys.com
Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

Will Kimbrough: Writing techniques, guitar voicings and so much wisdom May 03, 2024

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My guest today s an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Will Kimbrough.

As a producer, he has produced albums for Rodney Crowell, Todd Snider, Kim Richey, Garrison Star and Matthew Ryan to name a few.

His songs have been recorded by Jimmy Buffett, Little Fear, Jack Ingram, and he has collaborated with Rosanne Cash, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, and Mavis Staples just to name a few.

In 2004 he was recognized as the instrumentalist of the year by the Americana music association.

Will is a prolific writer and recording artist, a member of Willie Sugarcapps, DADDY and Emmylou Harris' Red Dirt Boys, has written extensively with Jimmy Buffet and he has released 10 solo alums.
Order Will Kimbrough's new album: https://www.willkimbrough.com/
Join Taylor Swift Master class May 15th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-songwriting-of-taylor-swift-master-class-tickets-895672148507

Minisode - The impact and storytelling of NOUNS Apr 05, 2024

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The storytelling effects of nouns.
Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/
Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw

Scarlet's website:
https://www.scarletkeys.com
Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

Minisode: The song changing effects of good verbs Mar 18, 2024

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In this minisode, I talk about the power of verbs and how they can do more than just their expected work but can help to tell your story, create characters and build metaphors.
Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/
Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

Singer/songwriter Ingrid Saga on jazz, Joni Mitchell's influence, guitar tunings and process Jan 17, 2024

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In this episode, Ingrid talk about her influences, meeting her producer and shares three songs from her upcoming album.
She talks about writing in opening tuning and writing process.
https://www.instagram.com/ingridsaga/?hl=en
Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/
Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw

Scarlet's website:
https://www.scarletkeys.com
Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

Aidan Laprete on finding your sound and gibberish as a lyric writing process Jan 02, 2024

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In this Episode I talk with singer/songwriter/producer/actor Aidan Laprete about
Voice lessons, finding your sound, and producing.

He walks us through writing melody takes - gibberish to find melodies, turning mumbles into words and making it make sense and shares guitar voicings to help you out of sonic ruts.
Aidan is from Hawaii and was first known for his ukulele playing at age 8. He has been in film and tv such as "Hawaii Five-O" and "The Wilds" and performs and dissects several of his newly released songs sharing his process.
More on Aidan:
http://www.instagram.com/aidanlaprete

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2odS5igGjEJRondDXWBy0K?si=Dcy6AVQgTd6IZxZqW-iAXw

http://www.twitter.com/aidanlaprete

http://www.facebook.com/aidanlaprete

Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/
Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw

Scarlet's website:
https://www.scarletkeys.com
Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

Writing For T.V. and film and how a little bit of Woo woo can help us with Stuart Roslyn Dec 13, 2023

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Stuart Roslyn is a composer, producer and musician specializing in original music for motion pictures and their trailers. He also creates unique soundscapes for network tv and big brand commercials. His career spans more than 20 years composing and producing many genres of music for the biggest names in entertainment. He is either directing a full orchestra or writing and mixing in his studio.
Today, Stuart is here to talk about his approach to work and to life. This episode is packed with wonderful advice for working and living.
https://stuartroslyn.com/
Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/
Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw

Scarlet's website:
https://www.scarletkeys.com
Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/
To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "What if it All Goes Right"
https://www.scarletkeys.com/store/what-if-it-all-goes-right

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What’s in a Song

"Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!”

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