Episodit

  • 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: Jelightly

    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

    YouTube

    Be inspired by Francesca on socials:

    YouTube

    Facebook

    Instagram

    Theme 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.

  • Living in Nashville as a songwriter is like being in the heart of the music industry. Just ask Sally Barris, a Nashville-based performing songwriter whose tracks have been covered by Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack, Trisha Yearwood, and Keith Urban, earning one of her songs a Grammy nomination in 2009. Sally’s journey and experiences offer a glimpse into the unique world of Nashville’s music scene, and her co-writing tips are gold for any aspiring songwriter.

    Timestamp:
    6:20 - Sally discusses joining the I Heart Songwriting Club and its impact
    8:03 - Sally shares her journey to Nashville
    26:37 - The Grammy nomination
    33:19 - Reflecting on the feedback and categorisation of songs by the publisher
    37:19 - The universal appeal of honest songwriting and the importance
    40:59 - Writing regularly with a group
    51:48 - The learnings from touring
    1:01:45 - Creating songwriting themes, including challenging prompts
    1:07:30 - Performance of "Magnify"

    About Sally: Sally Barris is a Nashville based performing songwriter who has had songs covered by such top-level artists as Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride, and Lee Ann Womack. Her song “Let The Wind Chase You”, recorded by Trisha Yearwood and Keith Urban, received a Grammy nomination for vocal collaboration in 2009. While her writing credits mightily impress, fans and peers are most captivated by her bright spirit and expressive mountain soprano. Dirty Linen says “Barris knows how to write lyrics that are as forthright as a stream of clear water and how to support them with melodies that share that quality”. The Minnesota native has performed Mountain Stage, New Bedford Summer Fest, Wildflower Arts & Music Festival and The Kerrville Folk Festival. In 2021, Sally released her new cd “Grasshopper Mile”. Contact Sally: Website / Facebook / Instagram

    Song Credits:
    "Grasshopper Mile" - Written by Sally Barris, Sam Gay and Templeton Thompson and Performed by Sally Barris.
    "Magnify" - Written and Performed by Sally Barris.


    Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.

    Check out more incredible music from our members:
    Listen to Helen Perris on BANDCAMP
    Follow Amanda Thomas via her WEBSITE and INSTAGRAM

    Sign up for our Co-writing Course to improve your writing skills with others.

    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 / YouTube

    Be inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / Instagram

    Theme 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.

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  • Jackie Marshall is an independent songwriter, performer, recording artist and has starred in and composed music for the independent feature film "Three Chords and the Truth". She is a shining light in the independent music and film scene. In this episode we follow Jackie’s unconventional journey to her golden opportunity and discuss how allowing the practice of songwriting lead her to unexpected places.

    Timestamp:
    3:23 - Jackie's Background and Approach to Songwriting
    5:29 - Philosophy of Creativity and Handling Resistance
    16:49 - Living in the Mystery and Career Opportunities
    31:26 - Holding Space and PTSD
    32:33 - Watching Oneself on Screen
    34:49 - Songwriting and Film Integration
    39:27 - Recording and Collaborations
    45:48 - Performing Old Songs
    1:01:08 - Reflection on Life's Journeys
    1:04:34 - Performance of the Song 'Lake Saint George'

    About Jackie:
    Jackie Marshall is a fully independent songwriter, performer and recording artist who creates music in alternative contemporary genres, glancing across folk, country, rock, improvised and art music realms. Jackie most recently starred in and wrote the music for independent full-length feature film Three Chords And The Truth, which debuted at the Brisbane International Film Festival. TCATT also featured in the Sydney Film Festival and its Traveling Film Festival program, as well as Cinefest OZ and Vision Splendid film festivals. The film subsequently had a successful cinema run in Australia and is now available to watch on various streaming services.

    Jackie has released three critically acclaimed full-length LPs, including the alt-country "Lilith Shrugs", the Brisbane all-star supported "Ladies' Luck", and her head-turning Australian Music Prize shortlisted “Fight n’ Flight” debut featuring alt-country musician Chris Pickering and Trinkets’ Savannah-Jo Lack and Ben Tolliday. She also has numerous recording collaborations under her belt with artists such as CODA, The Boat People’s Robin Waters, legendary Brisbane musician and journalist Sean Sennett, cult Australian country rock’n’roll band the Re-Mains’ Leigh Ivin and Slovenia’s Imer Traja Brizani and his Romani music ensemble Amala to name just a few. Her new album “You Are Not Too Much and You Are Enough” is out now. Contact Jackie: Website / Facebook / Instagram

    Song Credit: “Lake Saint George" - Written by Jackie Marshall. Performed live by Jackie Marshall at I Heart Songwriting Club Headquarters.

    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 / YouTube

    Be inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / Instagram

    Theme 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 music industry, everything you do with your songs revolves around copyright, and the effective exploitation of your copyright. One of the ways to exploit that copyright is to have your music synced to films and TV shows and ads. In this conversation with Music Supervisor, Tyler McLoughlan, we break down the key concepts of music copyright, sync, and how songwriters can make the most of this space.

    Timestamp:

    3:51 - Explaining Copyright and Its Importance
    8:26 - The Role and Function of Sync Agents and Supervisors
    16:00 - Practical Advice for Songwriters and Artists in Sync
    30:52 - Discussion on Lyrics and Visuals
    32:44 - Genre and Sync Opportunities
    35:45 - Common Themes in Advertising and Sync Opportunities
    44:46 - Pitching Strategies
    1:00:38 -Sync and Money Discussion
    1:01:05 - Advertising Revenue
    1:01:34 -Sync Money and Ownership Rights
    1:03:21 - Information Sources for Ownership
    1:04:12 - Sync Agents and Copyright Understanding

    About Tyler: On her return from London as a music license broker with Ricall, Tyler McLoughlan founded The Sound Pound in 2011, a Brisbane business specialising in music supervision, clearances and composition across advertising, film and TV. She has worked on projects including music supervision for Billabong, Lunatics (Netflix), Robbie Hood, Bananas (SBS), Retrograde, Content (ABC), and advertising campaigns for Telfast, TAFE, Tourism & Events Queensland, Destination Gold Coast, RACQ and The Natural Confectionary Company. As an artist manager, Tyler looks after the international career of tropical roots artist Bobby Alu. Contact Tyler : Website

    Song Credit (excerpt): “Holiday Home” written by Francesca de Valence.

    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 / YouTube

    Be inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / Instagram

    Theme 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.

  • Ack Kinmonth is a seasoned composer with over a decade of experience in crafting captivating soundscapes for various media. From composing for blockbusters like 'The Wishmas Tree' to lending his talents to beloved shows like 'Bluey'. In this episode we discuss the interesting journey of a composer. We hope the light this conversation sheds will help songwriters bridge the gap between songwriting and composition for different visual media.

    Timestamp:

    0:00: Introduction to the World of Composition2:23: Delving into Different Creative Spheres4:49: The Diverse Landscape of Media Composition6:28: Composer vs. Songwriter: Understanding the Difference7:24: The Sesame Street Breakthrough10:15: From Songwriting to Placement12:23: The Power of Sync: Amplifying Artists14:31: Beyond Songwriting: The Composer's Skill Set18:16: Crafting Music for Iconic Shows19:48 Understanding Director's Intentions31:22 - Challenges and Rewrites34:51 - Importance of Non-Musician Feedback40:05 - Final Mixing and Dub Stage47:04 - Key Traits for Success49:21 - Importance of Networking and People Skills57:24 - Managing Business Aspects and Finances58:30 - Earning Royalties and Copyright Management

    About Ack: Ack Kinmonth is a Brisbane-based composer scoring for films, TV shows, and games. His credits include "Sesame Street," "Bluey," and "Scarygirl," which earned a 2023 Screen Music award nomination. Ack's diverse skills bring stories to life through music. Contact Ack: Website / Facebook

    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 / YouTube

    Be inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / Instagram

    Theme 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.

  • Toni Childs is the powerhouse behind hits like "Don't Walk Away" and "Stop Your Fussin',". She isn't just a singer-songwriter; she's a force of nature. Listen to Toni's inspiring journey from open mic kid to international sensation. This episode is a testament to the transformative power of music.

    Thanks to the 2023 Whitsundays Songwriter Festival for bringing us this episode today.

    Timestamp:
    2:42 - Exploitation is ok
    6:32 - The Open Mic Moment
    10:03 - The Evolution of Creativity
    13:20 - The London Interlude
    20:12 - A Meeting of Minds
    22:26 - Shamanic Sonic Journeys
    26:58 - The Publishing Puzzle
    29:26 - Defiance and Destiny

    About Toni Childs:
    Toni Childs is an Emmy Winner and three-time Grammy nominated American recording artist. The celebrated singer-songwriter is known for her powerful voice, inspiring independent spirit and crafted storytelling. With fans in over 50 countries around the world, Toni has produced a list of international hits such as: Don’t Walk Away, Stop Your Fussin’, Walk and Talk Like Angels, Many Rivers to Cross, to name a few. Over Toni’s illustrious career she has opened for Bob Dylan and performed duets with greats such as Al Green and Peter Gabriel. She has toured the world over gaining a much loved fan base.

    In 1997, Toni was diagnosed with Graves Disease, a hyper-thyroid condition that pulled her away from touring and music making. It was 19 years in between albums and by then the industry and the world had changed. Living on Kauai in Hawaii, it became crystal clear to Toni that she wanted to create innovative new works with more engagement and play that supports life and shines a light on environmental solutions in ways that inspire action.

    Adding environmental activist, artistic director and installation artist to her bow, Toni has been bringing together the disciplines of music, film, 3D mapping, animation, lighting, set design and interactive components to three new works including an underwater concert, Reef 360.

    Contact Toni: 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 / YouTube

    Be inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / Instagram

    Theme 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 chat with Vika & Linda at the 2023 Whitsundays Songwriter Festival, to shine a light on their journey as artists and songwriters - from singing with The Black Sorrows, to discovering their artistic sound as a duo, finding the songs to record for their first album, and how they started writing songs as established artists.

    Timestamp:
    2:27 - Exploring Song Selection for Albums
    4:47 - The Evolution of Choosing Songs
    6:59 - Diverse Sounds and Genre Experimentation
    9:08 - The Gospel Album Journey
    12:07 - Refining Song Choices Over the Decades
    12:40 - Entering the World of Songwriting
    15:27 - The Rolodex and Collaborations
    15:54 - Listening to Demos and Musical Intuition
    18:05 - Authenticity Over Spit and Polish

    About Vika & Linda: Vika & Linda have enjoyed a remarkable musical journey over the past 3 decades. After three classic albums with The Black Sorrows, Melbourne’s Bull sisters, Vika & Linda released eight studio albums, two live albums and a chart-topping anthology. They have also sung on number one albums by Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers and John Farnham, done gigs for the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and the King of Tonga, and been nominated for six ARIA Awards. Contact Vika & Linda: Website / Facebook / Instagram

    This episode was recorded at the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival.

    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 / YouTube

    Be inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / Instagram

    Theme 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.

  • Not every songwriter will get a publishing deal, so we pose some questions to Mark Sholtez that may help songwriters understand how they can succeed as a songwriter without a music publishing deal. Having had success both as a published and self-published songwriter, Mark offers invaluable insights to this question.

    Timestamp:
    3:00 - What is an essential element of being a songwriter?
    5:25 - Tips for getting in a room with other artists
    8:06 - What does having a publisher mean for a songwriter and is it still necessary to have a publisher?
    10:40 - How can you make the most of your publishing deal if you’re not an artist?
    12:25 - What quality of demos do you need for pitching your songs to artists?
    13:39 - Mark shares the key steps that enabled him to get his publishing deal

    About Mark Sholtez:

    Mark Sholtez is an ARIA nominated and APRA award-winning songwriter and recording artist currently signed to EMI Music Publishing Australia. He was the first Australian artist to record for the legendary Verve record label in New York, and his career to date has included collaborations with music industry icons including Tommy LiPuma (Barbra Streisand, George Benson, Miles Davis), Grammy Lifetime Achievement recipient and noted veteran engineer Al Schmitt (Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson), multiple Grammy winning producer Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Tracy Chapman), as well as internationally renowned artists and songwriters including Don Walker (Cold Chisel), The Veronicas, Iain Archer (Snow Patrol), Troy Cassar-Daley, and Wendy Mathews. Contact Mark Sholtez: Website / Facebook / Instagram

    This episode was recorded at the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival.

    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 / YouTube

    Be inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / Instagram

    Theme 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.

  • Music publishing is an area of the music industry that is complex and hard to get a handle on so we ask publisher and 2019 Billboard International Power Player, Rachel Kelly all the hard questions: What is a music publisher? How do they support songwriters? And do you really need a publishing deal? This episode is a solid overview of music publishing and how they can support songwriters.

    Timestamp:
    4:45 - What does a publisher do?
    8:50 - How do publishers pitch songs to artists?
    15:00 - We talk selling songs vs selling catalogues
    19:35 - Pitching for Sync vs Pitching for A&R Cuts
    26:00 - Examples of publishing deals
    33.50 - How to get a publishing deal?

    About Rachel:
    With over 20 years’ experience in music publishing, Rachel Kelly has held executive roles at both major and independent publishers including Downtown, BMG Rights Management, J Albert & Son (Alberts) and Warner/Chappell. In 2019 Rachel was named as a Billboard International Power Player. She served for two years as a board member for the Australasian Music Publishers Association (AMPAL) and mentor for Women in Music.

    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 / YouTube

    Be inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / Instagram

    Theme 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 6 of the Magic of Songwriting Podcast. This season is all about songwriting opportunities - from publishing deals, pitching your songs to artists, co-writing, sync opportunities and more. By the end of this season, our hope is that you will have a greater understanding of how songwriters can grow their careers, networks, and opportunities.

    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

    YouTube

    Be inspired by Francesca on socials:

    YouTube

    Facebook

    Instagram


    Theme 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.

  • The idea of playing your music on a stage at a key industry event somewhere in the world can sound alluring, but showcasing can be a big financial investment and should be part of a much bigger picture growth strategy for you as an artist. How do you know if the time is right for you to showcase and what’s involved?

    Want Professional Development mentorship to guide and support you to release your songs to the world? Find out more about Level Up Club 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. 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

    YouTube

    Be inspired by Francesca on socials:

    YouTube

    Facebook

    Instagram

    Theme 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.

  • To shed light on the intricacies of the PR landscape, the potential impact of publicity on your release, and what you can realistically anticipate, we spoke with a PR expert, Genna Alexopoulos. This episode offers valuable insights for artists navigating the complex PR decision-making process and the impact of the multifaceted PR world on the artistic journey.

    Want Professional Development mentorship to guide and support you to release your songs to the world? Find out more about Level Up Club here.

    Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.

    About Genna Alexopoulos:
    Genna Alexopoulos is the founder of Super Duper, a Melbourne-based music publicity and consulting company. Genna has led PR strategy for artists including Alex the Astronaut, Camp Cope, Jaguar Jonze and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, and programs with Sydney Opera House, City Recital Hall, National Geographic, Zoos Victoria, Taronga Zoo and more. Contact Genna here.

    Timestamp:
    4:45 - What is a publicist and what is PR?
    7:40 - The importance of correctly positioning the pitch
    12:10 - Telling people what is happening is not bragging
    13:54 - How do artists and PR teams connect?
    21:18 - Is PR worth the money it costs?
    29:03 - What can an artist do to be their own PR agent?

    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

    YouTube

    Be inspired by Francesca on socials:

    YouTube

    Facebook

    Instagram

    Theme 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.

  • Viv Mellish, founding partner from GYROstream, shares how independent artists can best use their digital distribution service and power up their digital marketing game to make the most of release day and reach as many people as possible.

    Viv mentions Every Noise At Once as a tool to help you get clear on your genre.

    Want Professional Development mentorship to guide and support you to release your songs to the world? Find out more about Level Up Club here.

    Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.

    About Viv Mellish:
    Viv Mellish is a founding partner and CMO at independent, Queensland-based digital music distribution and artist services companies, GYROstream and DistroDirect. Viv oversees GYROstream and DistroDirect's global marketing and A&R strategy as well as the wider artist promotions team across DSPs, PR and Digital Marketing. Viv has previously held marketing, communications and PR roles in a range of sectors including music, the Commonwealth Games, politics, theatre and film. She is also on the board of QMusic, Queensland’s peak music industry body which also oversees events such as the QMAs and BIGSOUND. Contact Gyrostream here.

    Timestamp:
    2.00 - What a music distribution company does and how to get your music onto streaming sites
    9.00 - Metadata, DSP backends and choosing your genre
    13:30 - Your release checklist
    18:00 - How a pre-save campaign can impact release day
    26.25 - Paid digital advertising - when and when not to use it
    29:50 - Release day and post release campaign insights

    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:

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    Be inspired by Francesca on socials:

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    Theme 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.

  • In this industry conversation with Michael Parisi, we look at how he took Celia Pavey from a third-place finish on The Voice to Aussie pop sensation Vera Blue. If you’re still developing your artistic sound and look, or evolving it to the next level, check out this conversation for some practical and inspiring tips to create your unique artist brand.

    Want Professional Development mentorship to guide and support you to release your songs to the world? Find out more about Level Up Club here.

    Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.

    About Michael Parisi:
    Michael Parisi is one of Australia's most renowned A&R people: an acknowledged master of finding and nurturing raw talent and connecting it to successful outcomes. In more than 30 years in all facets of the global music business, the artists he has signed have accounted for sixteen #1 albums and 15 million album sales. From REM and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Muse, Kylie Minogue, and the Whitlams, Michael has helped to forge the musical landscape of the last 30 years. Today, his management, music publishing, and recording and consultancy connections span from The Voice in Australia to the world's largest music conglomerate, Universal Music. Check out Parisi’s podcast, Vinyl Tap here.

    Timestamp:
    04:31 - Understanding exactly what A&R is

    07:31 - What are A&R reps looking for initially these days?

    08:21 - What about the music?

    08:50 - Understanding your expectations as an artist

    10:04 - How to develop your sound and personality

    14:10 - Making a mood board for the visual aspects of your act

    18:40 - None of this matters without a strong work ethic

    23:30 - Getting a publishing deal

    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:

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    Be inspired by Francesca on socials:

    YouTube

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    Theme 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.

  • In this industry conversation with music media stalwart Stephen Green, we tackle the question of what marketing is from a macro viewpoint as well as best practices for pitching to media outlets and radio, and how artists can focus their marketing efforts on where it counts most and for maximum impact.

    Want Professional Development mentorship to guide and support you to release your songs to the world? Find out more about Level Up Club here.

    Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.

    About Stephen Green:
    Stephen Green is the CEO of The Music Press, which runs four of Australia's most vital music media outlets, TheMusic.com.au, Purple Sneakers, Kill Your Stereo and Countrytown, speaking to nearly half a million music fans every month. Stephen also runs communications company SGC Media and Radio Monitor, Australia's key B2B airplay statistics platform. Stephen has been working in music media and marketing for over 25 years, with his businesses spearheading campaigns for the likes of Gurrumul, Sheppard, Fire Fight Australia, BIGSOUND, Queensland Music Trails and more. He's also a Dad, husband, vinyl collector, political campaigner and music industry advocate.‹

    Timestamp:
    2:45 - You never know who the next big songwriting or artist is going to be
    6:53 - This is what makes a great song
    10:30 - How an enhanced fan opportunity created different audience dynamics on Hansen’s tour
    13:50 - How emotional connection to a song is enhanced by key events in your life
    16:00 - Choosing songs is part of the marketing strategy
    23:40 - Big marketing mistake artists make
    36:05 - What works well when doing your own pitching and publicity
    54:00 - Why marketing services cost so much

    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:

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    Be inspired by Francesca on socials:

    YouTube

    Facebook

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    Theme 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.

  • It’s not what you know, it's who you know. If you struggle with networking at music industry events, then be empowered and guided with a few simple tips to help you to stay grounded, present and balanced so that you can build quality relationships for your career.

    Want Professional Development mentorship to guide and support you to release your songs to the world? Find out more about Level Up Club 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. 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

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    Be inspired by Francesca on socials:

    YouTube

    Facebook

    Instagram

    Theme 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.

  • What does a record label do? How do I get a record label deal? And what are some ways that I can get my songs out to the world without a label? To answer these questions, we chat with Sweetie Zamora, Head of Labels & Promotions at Remote Control Records. Sweetie shares about the role labels play in an artists’ career and what artists should be focusing on regardless of having a label deal or not.

    Want Professional Development mentorship to guide and support you to release your songs to the world? Find out more about Level Up Club here.

    Timestamp:
    3:13 - What does a record label do?

    7.40 - How artists who are not signed can take strong steps forward

    12:50 - How to be authentic in your marketing endeavours

    17:10 - Some pathways for radio promotion in Australia

    19:26 - What does a label deal look like?

    23:00 - How does a label make their money?

    24:54 - How to approach labels that you want to work with?

    About Sweetie Zamora:
    Sweetie is the Head of Labels & Promotions at Remote Control Records, and board member of the Australian Independent Record Label’s Association. With over a decade at Remote Control, Sweetie has delivered multiple ARIA #1 Albums, as well as Gold and Platinum sellers for the likes of Adele, Courtney Barnett, Radiohead, Queens Of The Stone Age, and more, as well as guiding the careers of beloved local artists including Ngaiire, Donny Benet, Memphis LK, Carla Geneve, and many others. In early 2021, she founded Pointer Recordings, her own label imprint, home to Telenova, Glenn Hopper, Jamaica Moana and a number of other genre-bending artists. Check out some of the Remote Control Records artists 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. 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

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    Be inspired by Francesca on socials:

    YouTube

    Facebook

    Instagram

    Theme 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.

  • Do I need a music manager? When do I need a manager? What does a manager really do? And until I have one, how can I effectively manage myself as an artist? To answer these questions, we chat with Simone Ubaldi, co-director of Sundowner Artists and co-manager of internationally acclaimed, three-time ARIA award winning band, Amyl and The Sniffers. In this conversation, Simone clearly articulates the role of a manager and offers valuable insights on how to build a team.

    Want Professional Development mentorship to guide and support you to release your songs to the world? Find out more about Level Up Club here.

    Timestamp:
    5.17 - What is a manager and what do they do?
    7:40 - What is a good next team player for an artist after a manager?
    9.44 - How do you build an artist’s team as a manager?
    13.26 - What are some of the daily activities of a manager?
    18.35 - Why be a music manager? The pros and cons.
    25:25 - How do you get the music industry to pay attention to what you’re doing?

    About Simon Ubaldi:
    Simone Ubaldi was named the Australian Association of Artist Managers’ inaugural ‘Manager of the Year’ in 2022 and won the 2023 Lighthouse Award celebrating Australia’s female and non-binary managers. Simone has pursued, developed and managed The Sniffers’ partnerships with Rough Trade Records/Beggars Group, Universal Music Publishing, ATC Live Agency and Virgin Music Australia, amongst others, and oversaw The Sniffers’ extensive, strategic international touring and a successful international debut album release pre-Covid. She managed the production and release of The Sniffers’ ARIA #2 album ‘Comfort to Me’ (Top 25 Album Charts in the UK, Germany, Spain, Top 20 Billboard Physical Sales Chart USA).

    Check out some of the Sundowner Artists here:
    Amyl and the Sniffers
    Grace Cummings
    Girl and Girl
    Nice Biscuit
    Baby Cool


    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

    YouTube

    Be inspired by Francesca on socials:

    YouTube

    Facebook

    Instagram

    Theme 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.

  • How do you fit into the music industry as a songwriter and artist, and how do you build your music industry team? These music industry conversations will offer you a deeper understanding of what support exists in the industry, how you can build your team, what roles different people play to help you take your career to the next level, and how you can take some of those steps yourself.

    Want Professional Development mentorship to guide and support you to release your songs to the world? Find out more about Level Up Club 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. 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

    YouTube

    Be inspired by Francesca on socials:

    YouTube

    Facebook

    Instagram


    Theme 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.

  • 17 year old queer singer songwriter, Kaiyah Mercedes has gone from writing their first song at eleven years old to their debut album being streamed over 200,000 times, just a handful of years later. In this Club Conversation, Kaiyah shares her clear artistic vision and how they manifest this into tangible form with the support of their creative community, and as well as their discovery of sexual identity, and their diagnosis with ADHD and Autism.

    Want Professional Development mentorship to guide and support you to release your songs to the world? Find out more about Level Up Club here.

    Timestamp:

    2:20 – Kaiyah takes us through her songwriting journey from the start to now.

    13.09 – We talk about self-reflection through the lens of her new single “Hindsight” and the wisdom of hindsight.

    16:00 – We talk about self-acceptance and being diagnosed with Autism and ADHD and navigating relationships.

    24:50 - Kaiyah shares her vision for her artistic projects and some of the ways she brings ideas into tangible forms.

    29:20 – We discuss the artistic development phase and the process of building an artist brand, putting together release assets, and building a team.

    36:00 - Building trust in collaborative teams.

    39:37 – Kaiyah talks about self-discovery and coming to terms with her sexuality and self-identity as a queer person.

    43:56 – Kaiyah shares her song “‘Hide with me”.

    48:00 – A practical path to establishing yourself in a new genre.

    About Kaiyah:

    Kaiyah Mercedes is an LGBTQI+ singer/songwriter who, at just 17 years old, has already gained recognition for her deep and introspective music. Her lyrics are crafted with an intention to connect with listeners, touching on relatable themes such as young love, heartbreak, and the struggles of being a teenager in today’s world. Her music is a testament to her ability to capture the universal experiences of adolescence and beyond. Contact Kaiyah: Website / Facebook / Instagram

    Song Credit: “Hide With Me" - Written by Kaiyah Ridgway. Performed live by Kaiyah Mercedes.

    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 / YouTube

    Be inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / Instagram

    Theme 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.