February 4, 2018 · by Bob De Dea
If I had a nickel for every time somebody asked me this question, I'd be able to afford studio time to record all my songs! I think it's the kind of a question that people think you're supposed to ask a songwriter. Recently, at a house concert in…
Read more →December 23, 2017 · by Chris Klimecky
[caption id="attachment_1018" align="alignleft" width="200"] Ann Gates Fiser[/caption] We at Songwriters in Seattle are sad to hear of the passing of our friend, creative colleague, and community partner, Ann Gates Fiser. Ann joined SiS in 2013 -…
Read more →June 28, 2017 · by James Linderman
Many would consider a four-chord-song to be a song with one completely unnecessary chord in it, and it is true that there are many brilliant three-chord-songs. Country songwriter Harlan Howard famously stated that all he needed was “three chords and …
Read more →April 1, 2017 · by James Linderman
Perhaps two of the only things left that we can all agree on is that we live in a world divided, and it is now a time of protest. Whether people are protesting truth to power, or power to truth, protesting a certain ideology, or defending it, it…
Read more →March 30, 2017 · by Chris Klimecky
I remember very little about the first song I wrote...I was in sixth grade, and I know it was a cheesy breakup song in A minor about my first "girlfriend" in fifth grade. I don't think any recordings of "The Love We Shared" exist (mercifully), and…
Read more →January 28, 2017 · by Eric Tingstad
Twice a year for the last six years or so, I have attended the four-day Durango Songwriters Expo. The people that attend this intensive confab are publishers, film supervisors, performers, and most of all songwriters of all ages. I’m going to break…
Read more →January 28, 2017 · by SiS Administrator
With the desire to build a more friendly and welcoming community through our volunteer efforts, Songwriters in Seattle would like you to get to know our volunteer leaders. This month we'd like to introduce active Board Member, host of the monthly…
Read more →January 28, 2017 · by SiS Administrator
Todd Christoffel, a long-time member of the Songwriters in Seattle Board of Directors has recently taken on our newest showcase, the Columbia City Theatre . As host, he will help SiS songwriters put their best foot forward when playing their…
Read more →January 27, 2017 · by Char Seawell
Songwriters discussing their craft often focus on structure and style, or perhaps a particular genre that inspires their stylistic choices. However, songwriter Andy “Roo” Forrest’s writing process begins at his feet… literally. “I walk. I have…
Read more →December 30, 2016 · by Steve White
SUMMARY: This debut article takes a reasonably deep look at a basic topic. It describes the dominant chords, which are often referred to as V and V7. I'll also illustrate how the chords function, how they're used, and I'll end with some examples.…
Read more →December 30, 2016 · by David Guilbault
There is no right or wrong way to write a song lyric. And there are no right or wrong lyrics. But, there is truth and falsehood. Is your song honest? Or are you just making rhymes? I was honored to be asked to write this column exploring the craft…
Read more →December 27, 2016 · by Char Seawell
Jaspar Lepak has become, according to Richard Haslop, Audio Video Magazine (South Africa) “… a compelling and sometimes even riveting singer, pure and pretty without being precious, emotionally raw without being raunchy, with a clean, clear voice…
Read more →So for this month I have decided to write about creating music that tells a story or at least generates a specific type of feeling or emotion. It seems to me that I frequently encounter songwriters who have a melody and some great lyrics, but the…
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