Songwriting Shop Talk: Deep Diving and Mining for Gold

By Cari Cole

 

 

Picture1

 

It’s that time of year again that we host another one of our popular Signature Songwriting Circles. Songwriters, artists, music producers and creators come together to co-write 26 songs in 26 weeks. Not something most songwriters (unless they live in Nashville) are prone to do. It’s a fast paced, professional community where songwriters cut their teeth on their co-writing prowess, sharpen their skills and take a deeper dive into writing signature songs from the grist of their creative well. All you need is some songwriting skills, drive and determination – and you’re off to the races. It’s rare that anyone finishes all 26 songs, but along the way, some unexpected co-writing bonds are made, magical new songs are formed and all emerge a better, more confident, and experienced, writer.

 

And the truth is, that regardless of the sometimes tumultuous changes that hit the industry, one thing always remains the same – songwriting.

 

And it’s the only thing you’ve really got to have to breakthrough. Great, heart pounding, emotionally wrenching, powerful songs that resonate with people.

 

And the number one reason to look to if fans and industry are not tripping over themselves to get to you — your songs. It’s the number one thing I see artists not working hard enough on.

 

Unfortunately with the decline of A & R and the guidance that helps artists dig for this stuff, too many records are being made with half-baked songs that haven’t had the proper nurturing and probing to get to the good stuff.

 

Because chances are, there’s more under those layers than you got to the first or second go around on your songs. It takes three, or four or five or ten digs to get to the gold inside the mine. The stuff that shakes the core of you, so much that it transforms you. That, is great songwriting. And you know you’ve nailed it when it’s not just your opinion, but the opinion of everyone around you.

 

The first step is to dig deeper – way deeper than you think.

 

Writer Natalie Goldberg says, ”“Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.”

Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within

 

If you prompt yourself to work in this way, to aim for something that blows you away, that maybe you were scared to write about — you’ve probably got something. Something big.

 

Plus, with today’s market focused on licensing and sync, it becomes all the more important to focus less on “commercial hits” and focus more on taking that deep, dark, dive into the creative abyss – to dive for the gold under the dirt.

 

But what do you write about? How do you bring it to home plate with a home run?

 

Here’s my top 3 tips in digging for those song gems…

 

1. Dive Deeper Than You Think

Most records are written from the current state of mind of the artist. It seems like an obvious thing once I said it, but you’d be surprised how many independents miss this little jewel. Art reflects life. Use your life and experiences to fuel your art. Only go deeper than you think and share more than you want to. Makes for compelling songs that hit us square in the solar plexus. Boom.

 

2. Use What You’re Afraid to Say As a Starting Point

I’ve heard it said that the well known songwriter Nick Cave uses this as a starting point – ‘What is the most vulnerable thing I can say right now?’ As I mentioned above, writer Natalie Goldberg says to “Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.” I say “what is screaming inside you to be said?” and start there.

 

3. Rewrite Until it’s Just Right

Songs are not written, they are rewritten. By the time you’ve written 100 finished, demoed songs, you know this to be true. It’s nice when a song pops out in 10 minutes, but we all know those are rare and the result of the many songs that came before. Each song paves the way for the next. Rewriting is the key to great songs. Do it.

 

If you’re ready to dive in head first — check out our Signature Songwriting Circle where we teach you to write from this deep dive. You’re gonna love it! It’s a great community of artists and writers. Some are newish, many are experienced and everyone helps everyone else.

 

SSC

Share this post

Categories

Hi, I’m Cari Cole.

You’ve got talent, but you want to become great at it. You’re in the right place! My mission is to help you refine your unique artist vision to bring to the world.

About Cari Cole

Cari Cole is the CEO / Founder of caricole.com and CCVM: Label Without Walls. She is a Holistic Vocal Coach, Artist Development Expert, A&R Director, and Songwriter based in New York City helping artists for the past 38 years. She is a mentor for Women in Music and The Association of Independent Music Publishers.

Her latest venture, CCVM a label services company, provides artists with a seamless path from creation to completion. After 30+ years of observing the overwhelm and challenges that artists face, Cari pulled together the best top creative professionals and designed a new approach to supporting our artists.

Disclaimer:
The information provided on Cari Cole's website is informational only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on Cari Cole's website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Worried About Losing Your
Voice During a Performance?

In a few minutes you'll learn:

  • Where your voice rates on the vocal health scale
  • How to realign your voice and regain vocal health
  • How to stay healthy and vocally fit throughout your career

Get Your Free Vocal Health Quiz

A Gift from Holistic Vocal Coach, Cari Cole.

Assess your vocal health + get my proven techniques and holistic remedies to support your vocal health.

INSTANT ACCESS

FREE DAY TRIAL

FREE DAY TRIAL

... I’ll show you how to manifest your music and get on track to the career of your dreams.

Kickstart your craft + career with FREE access to my Step Up to the Spotlight Artist Development Program

30 Videos      30+ Worksheets      52 Week Artist Plan

INSTANT ACCESS

FREE DAY TRIAL

FREE DAY TRIAL

... I’ll show you how to manifest your music and get on track to the career of your dreams.

Kickstart your craft + career with FREE access to my Step Up to the Spotlight Artist Development Program

30 Videos      30+ Worksheets      52 Week Artist Plan

Announcing a brand new experience...

Cari Signature_White

Presents:

VOCAL PERFORMANCE CIRCLE

8 weeks to your best performance, ever.

Ease. Execution. Excellence.

Cari Cole Vocal Coach Signature

free vocal workshop

The Power of the
Singing Voice

Thursday, May 4th at 2:30pm ET
*Limited seats available

Held LIVE on

Untitled design (3)

WORLD VOICE DAY

SAVe up to

50% OFF

ENDS APRIL 17!

Love yourself with a special gift...

VALENTINE’S DAY

SAVE UP TO

30% Off

ENDS FEBRUARY 15!

CCVM
Monthly Musician

MEMBERSHIP

CCVM

VOCAL
EXERCISES

CCVM

PROGRAMS

with Cari Cole

CCVM

PRIVATE
SESSIONS

with Cari Cole

Cari Cole Vocal Coach Signature
Cari Signature_White

Black Friday

SAVE UP TO

50% OFF

ENDS NOVEMBER 28!

CCVM
Monthly Musician

MEMBERSHIP

CCVM

VOCAL
EXERCISES

CCVM

PROGRAMS

with Cari Cole

CCVM

PRIVATE
SESSIONS

with Cari Cole

Back by popular demand!

Cari Cole Presents:

VOCAL FREEDOM CIRCLE

20 minutes a day.
3 months.
Your best voice ever.

*Program starts February 7 - April 10, 2024

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions