Help! I Need Somebody, Help!
I believe great songwriters are born with some kind of songwriting DNA. But with hard work and guidance even those who weren’t given an ample dose at birth, can nurture what they were given and improve. Even go Pro.
Many people reach out to me for advice. Sadly, time constraints and legalities make it impossible to listen to all the material I receive. I usually point hopefuls in the direction of 4 trusted colleagues with some life experience, whose daily work is dedicated to helping creative people get better at their craft or whatever needs attention in their lives.
If you (or your child or friend or mother) is looking for a little perspective you may be interested in sharing what they have to say:
Suzan Koc / Songwriters Rendezvous, Los Angeles
Background
Suzan was a music publisher for decades before starting the Songwriters Rendezvous. She worked for Hit and Run Music, the first company I signed with. Suzan critiqued many of my songs over the years. Sometimes she told me things I didn’t want to hear. But there’s no doubt she made me a better songwriter.
What would you call yourself?
I call myself a songwriting coach, however when my students refer to me, they usually go with “mentor.”
What is your goal?
I help writers find their voice. The work we do is tailor made for the individual writer. We don’t focus so much on how to sell the songs, but how to tap into the writer’s truth, or their “emotional well.” Once we do that, then we talk about writing good songs, bad songs. Bad songs are a necessary part of the process. It’s like driving from LA to NY: you’re gonna drive through a lot of unexciting and bland towns, but you can’t get to NY if you don’t. Once the writer is consistent, we look at what’s going on in the market place, but it’s just as important to look at what’s not happening.
Is there a protege or a success story you are particularly proud of?
The most recent and significant is Connie Lim, aka MILCK, who I mentored for 3 years. When she came to me, she was chasing the market place. If you chase the market, you’ll always be behind! We focused on her, what she has to say, her truth. Then we made sure everything was well built and articulate. In January, she went to the Women’s March in D.C and did a flash mob performance of her song “Quiet.” Someone captured it on live video and posted it on Facebook. It got 15 million views by the end of the weekend. Her life changed in a second and I am very proud to say she is signing with a major label.
What if someone approaches you for guidance and you don’t feel they have talent?
Drive and taste are more important than talent. Someone who wants it badly will work very hard to get good, and surround themselves with the right people. I find extreme talent with lack of drive to be more difficult to work with.
Anything you want to add?
Is it Friday yet? :)
Suzan offers workshops in her home and via Skype. Visit her website: SuzanKoc.com or email her at Songwritersrdv@gmail.com. Suzan also teaches music publishing at Musician’s Institute in Hollywood.
Mark Cawley / I Do Coach, Nashville
Background
I met Mark at a songwriting retreat in 1992 where we started a co-writing relationship. Mark has made his living as a songwriter his entire adult life with the exception of one misguided job at Bullocks. :) He’s written songs for Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, Joe Cocker, Diana Ross, Wynonna and the Spice Girls. He’s had #1s and songs on albums that sold 16 million copies.
What would you call yourself?
I would probably consider myself more of a mentor. My sessions cover way more than songwriting. My clients and I may go from how to raise a family while you’re trying to get a career going, to the etiquette involved in dealing with co-writers, publishers, social media and more. They all become friends and being older than most of them makes it easy to feel like I’m mentoring!
What is your goal?
I don’t have a set curriculum. I ask my clients about their goals. Then I decide if I’m a good fit and if my experience can help them. No matter the level a writer is, my goal is to make them better. Sometimes it’s a hobbyist who just wants to write the best song they can for themselves. I work with professional writers and artists, 16 year old beginners, 65 year olds returning to their passion. Even lawyers, doctors and everything in between.
Is there a protege or a success story you are particularly proud of?
The measure of success is so different depending on the client’s goals. But I’ll pick one: Jayne Sachs wanted to write commercially viable country songs. She is a wife and mother with real world responsibilities but she dug in, took every bit of advice to heart, started making trips to Nashville to network. She put up with all the rejection. She kept coming and getting better. Better songs, better co-writes, better demos, better meetings and now she’s getting some single song contracts and signing with SESAC. She won best song/country division at the recent International Acoustic Music Awards, as well as The UK Songwriting and John Lennon Songwriting Contests.
What if someone approaches you for guidance and you don’t feel they have talent?
I don’t know if talent can be taught but so many of the things that go into making a great writer can be shared. The writers and artists that I have passed on usually have an unrealistic view of themselves or the business. For instance, “I’m looking for a staff writing deal in Nashville. I only need 100K a year to quit my job.” Then, well, we’ll have the ‘come to Jesus’ talk. But if they’re open to understanding how they can succeed in the music/publishing business as it exists today, I’m open.
Anything you want to add?
I’ve travelled the world as a songwriter. It’s been an amazing, blessed way to go through life and that’s part of what I try to pass on through coaching. I grew up in an era of incredible music but I can’t say I knew someone who was a real life songwriter. There was no one to learn from. I reached a natural point of evolution a few years ago that led to coaching. Coaching offers me the chance to pass along hard won lessons.
Mark offers sessions via Skype. Later this year he will lead workshops in the U.S. and internationally. Visit his website, www.idocoach.com or email him at mark@idocoach.com
Cindy Warden / Reinspire Your Life, Los Angeles
Background
Cindy was a comedic actress, singer, pianist, and worked for a record label in A&R before becoming a coach. I approached her for some consulting when I was feeling jittery about writing and putting out Confessions of a Serial Songwriter.She gave me skills to fight my fears and trust the Universe.
What would you call yourself?
A Life Coach
What is your goal?
To help smart and successful men and women transform challenging events into bold new beginnings. Entertainment industry professionals are the majority of my client base. My goal is for my clients to 1) Feel happier, more alive, and more fulfilled 2) Reach the potential of who they truly want to be and 3) Play a bigger game than they dreamed possible in whatever area of their life they're focusing on changing (career, relationships, health, etc).
Is there a protege or a success story you are particularly proud of?
Courtney Harrell—Grammy winner and songwriter. Despite writing for artists like Beyonce, Chris Brown, Jennifer Hudson, and Mary J. Blige, the disappointing financial implications of being a songwriter in this digital age were taking a toll on her.
No matter how successful you are, the extreme highs and lows of navigating the music industry can wreak havoc on one’s self-esteem and sense of identity. You can feel so lost and have no clue how to move forward. I would say that's how Courtney was feeling when I met her. We worked on rebuilding her from the inside out—arming her with mindset tools she needed to navigate her life (and the industry) in a new way.
Ironically, it came to light that she had this amazing singing voice she longed to share with the world. We uncovered unconscious ways she'd been holding herself back. Together, we kicked them to the curb! Feeling powerful, confident, and determined to stop hiding, Courtney put herself out there as a singer and ultimately rose to being one of the Top 10 Finalists on this past season of The Voice. She's currently continuing with her songwriting and singing, and even creating her own company: www.thecycward.com.
What if someone approaches you for guidance and you don’t feel they have talent?
Because of the nature of the "personal" work I do with clients, I focus more on their willingness to do deep personal work with me in our sessions, and also on their willingness to step out of their comfort zone and take massive action in their lives.
Anything else you might want to add?
Setbacks happen "on purpose." They are life's way of allowing us to grow and move forward. No matter what you're going through—a career disappointment, a relationship loss, a family struggle, a health crisis—if you're willing to do the work, the disappointment and frustration you feel will become a portal for great personal transformation and life changing opportunities.
Cindy offers sessions via phone and Skype. Visit her website: www.reinspireyourlife.com or email her at cindy@cindywarden.com
Alex Forbes / Creative Songwriter, New York
Background
I met Alex in a songwriting workshop in NY way back when we were the mentees. Alex went on to write pop hits, have TV and film placements and win ASCAP awards. She is the author of the inspirational guide Write Songs Right Nowand has led courses and workshops for NYU Steinhardt and the ASCAP Foundation.
What would you call yourself?
A Songwriting Coach
What is your goal?
I want to inspire writers to bring their work to the next level. I focus on lyrics and melodies that come from the heart and create a powerful emotional roller coaster ride for both the writer and the listener.
Is there a protege or a success story you are particularly proud of?
Among others, my coaching client Mary Haller recently scored a Nashville publishing deal!
What if someone approaches you for guidance and you don’t feel they have talent?
Crazy but true, I feel that everyone has a valuable contribution to make with their original song—if they're 100% willing to "go there." I never told anyone to give it up... I'm sort of the anti-Simon Cowell of songwriting coaches.
Anything else you might want to add?
Great songs might share underlying concepts, but it's the way those ideas are colored, shaped and delivered that make them worth a listen. It's like cooking: we all share a common set of ingredients, but we each cook them up differently.
Alex offers sessions in person in NY and via Skype. Visit her website: Creative Songwriter.com or email her at Alex@CreativeSongwriter.com to book a free 20-minute Song Chat on phone or Skype. "It's a great way to find out if it's a good fit."
Write on!
Thanks for reading, everyone! I hope this was helpful. Please visit me on my Serial Songwriter Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter and Instagram....Buy my book...Confessions of a Serial Songwriter. And if you’d like to receive my blogs via email click here.
