Hey songwriters, All of the seats were occupied at the Feb. 7 Songwriters Circle meeting, lots of good songs were shared, quality critiques and discussions were exchanged and we finished in time for Calliope Songwriters Open Stage to start at 9 p.m. with an outstanding featured set by Jon Eric (trickyhipster@gmail.com). Good work, people. Rohlf […]
Hey songwriters, The Jan. 3 meeting went well — bla bla bla — but the showcasing and discussion of the monthly songwriting assignment was outstanding. Mention “songwriting mechanics” to some amateur songwriters and you get a blank stare. Sounds too complicated, too professional, too hard to think about what I’m doing, too … not fun. […]
Hey songwriters. Sometimes it’s hard to write a happy song, but a few members tried to put a smile at the end of the chorus at the final Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle meeting of 2016. A good crowd showed up Tuesday and discussed, analyzed and critiqued old songs that had been dusted off because they fit […]
Hey songwriters, OK, so the fairy tale songwriting assignment bombed. Just a few takers and a lot of people didn’t bring a song … or even an instrument. But it gave the meeting’s 24 Songwriters Circle members, including three newcomers, an opportunity to do something we usually can’t because of time constraints. Discussion ranged from […]
Hey songwriters, The last few meetings have been great. Great songs, great people, great discussions about songs and songwriting — I hope all the new members don’t think we’re always that great. The October meeting was a fun mix of tunes ‘bout da ‘Burgh n’at, critique and discussion not in Pittsburghese, the introduction of five […]
Hey songwriters, Ask anyone who was there. The Sept. 6 meeting of Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle was one of the best meetings Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle has ever had. A full house, five new members, interesting twists on the assignment (lullabye) and thoughtful commentary on the songs. The meeting ended in time for “Cowboy” Ken Nowacki (veronicanowacki@yahoo.com) […]
Hey songwriters, Among the full house that attended the August meeting, a good number brought songs that included a change in time signature. Some worked, some seemed forced — perhaps in an attempt to comply with the August songwriting assignment — but it led to lively discussions about why a time change might be written […]
Hey songwriters, A full house showed for the July 5 meeting bearing diverse approaches to the optional assignment, “write a story song.” Liss Victory (lissvictory@gmail.com) performed a strong set in the featured slot. We get a treat at the Aug. 2 Songwriters Circle meeting — the featured performer is Adam Burrows, a Nashville singer-songwriter who’s […]
Hey songwriters, At this week’s meeting of Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle a few gender-reversed songs explored the opportunities that open when the sex of a song’s protagonist is flipped, and sisters Jessica Lanigan (jssdali@gmail.com) and Chelsea Ali (chelsea.ali8@gmail.com) showcased dark and intimate songs from their separate repertoires. At the next meeting, Tue., July 6, Dave Graham […]
Hey songwriters, There’s a theory that a truly “good” song works no matter how it’s performed. That was put to the test with the optional May songwriting assignment: significantly alter one of your existing songs. At the May 3 meeting of Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle, members performed part of their original versions and alternative interpretations that […]
