How do I know when the song is finished? If it's done does it mean I have to like it?
"What happens to all our unfinished songs? All the false starts and mumbled melodies waiting for lyrics? All those doors knocked on and walked away from, unopened? They're alive. And like a program running in the background of your computer, they're draining energy." – Mike Errico, Music, Lyrics, and Life
And most importantly: “There is no such thing as writer's block for writers whose standards are low enough.” ― William Stafford
When: 5-7pm PT / 8-10p, ET Tuesdays – October 1, 8, 15, & 22
Because fall is for harvesting. Growing beets is nice, and so is cooking them and serving them to your friends :)
Who: Anyone with a musical project they've been meaning to do – songwriters of any shape, size, and stage of the journey.
The Facilitators: Touring troubadours Jenner Fox and Cuchulain Kelly have over 10 studio albums between them, 7 years of collaborating on songwriting camps and workshops, and a knack for inspiring. Cuchulain is an expert on home & studio recording, and Jenner is a self proclaimed expert on forever battling the finish line.
What: In week one we'll clarify the musical "thing" you want to make and develop a strategy for actually doing it. In each subsequent session we'll spend most of our time working and workshopping on and off of zoom, with inspirational instruction in between. Instructors will be available for feedback, and we will all learn a method for compassionate partner critique. The virtual format works well because we can join from the comfort of our music spaces, minimizing distance from idea to instruments. If you have to miss any Tuesdays, no sweat, we'll catch you up.
Your "thing" could be anything... here are a few examples:
- You have lots of song starts but can't seem to finish them.
- You have this ONE song you really want to write, but you just can't seem to.
- What does an album or an EP entail? You're ready. But how do you actually make one?
- The last 5%! You have a batch that just need some fresh ears for the final polishing.
- You write songs in your room and want a group to show them to. A group of songwriters trained in gentle and constructive feedback.
- You like writing songs but feel like they all suck.
- You can do the music but not the words.
- You can do the words but not the music.
- Songwriting is lonely: you want some friends.
- Is there anything to do on Tuesday nights besides dishes and Star Trek reruns?
Yes, the finishing is often the "scary," or the "not fun" part. Perhaps, it's because in calling something done we actually have to contend with our taste, and whether or not our thing is "good." BUT, you're not alone. That feeling of failure and frustration IS part of the process. And perhaps, we can enjoy wading into those waters together and learning from each other. Because things must end. And "quantity begets quality" (Mike Errico), and finishing means we get to start again.
More about our songwriting camp: https://www.cassiopeiaacademy.com/
More about Jenner: https://jennerfox.com/
More about Cuchulain: https://www.cuchulainkelly.com/
Testimonials from previous attendees:
“That weekend changed me. I was taught to play piano, complete a song, construct a bridge & perform in front of a group I admire. WOW!” - Jennifer
"I have recommended this to all my musical friends." - Jim
“I walked away with 4 rough versions of new songs! We were so engaged and busy that the weekend flew by so fast. The thoughtful sequencing of the experience was perfect at giving us time to access our creativity, mess around with music and lyrics, to learn a little content about songwriting, to apply what we'd learned to writing songs, and to share them with each other. I felt awash in positivity and creative flow, which left me glowing at the end.” - Kevin
