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 […]
Hey songwriters, No one wrote a song about cake — probably for the better — but a lot of good songs were showcased at the April 5 meeting of Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle, and Northern Vibe (Kim McInnis, kim@immortalsong.com) played an outstanding set of well-structured and interesting songs. For the May 3 meeting, put a new […]
Check out our CD’s review in the Pittsburgh City Paper: http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/new-releases/Content?oid=1887236
Hey songwriters, If you didn’t make it to the Feb. 2 meeting, you missed a good one. Members showcased songs including all kinds of bridges, or no bridge, and explored when a song may need one and when it doesn’t. Pianist and songwriter Jessica Saenz (jessicasaenzmusic@yahoo.com) ended the meeting, and began the open stage, with […]
Hey songwriters, At the first Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle meeting of 2016, just about everyone started the year with a “key change.” Call it an easy songwriting trick, a musical modulation designed to hold listener attention or the awe-inspiring moment when a song explodes into unforgettable dimensions. Several good examples were played by members. In an […]
On Saturday November 5th, Mike Hickman, Sue Gartland and Brian Price appeared on WPTS radio’s Saturday Light Brigade to talk about the upcoming Circle’s release of the annual compilation CD. Sue and Brian played a few choice songs, and along with Mike they discussed the Songwriter’s Circle, the CD release, and other topics. You can catch the […]
Hey songwriters, Chatty might be the best way to describe the final Songwriters Circle meeting of 2015. Twenty-one members, including two new to the group, traded new and unfinished songs and coached those searching for lyrical inspiration. Despite some insightful song critiques, extracurricular gabbing of the non-songwriting kind occasionally distracted from the purpose of the […]
Hey songwriters, Sorry to get this out late. I’ve been slammed. “Death” works. With 20 songwriters in attendance at the Nov. 3 meeting of Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle, just about everyone showcased a song about or including death. Four first-timers participated as the Circle also revisited last month’s assignment — detailing individual songwriting processes — and […]
