This week I had taken some time off from websites like Twitter and Facebook and strived to concentrate more on the immediate. I realized I haven't been the most productive and diligent person and I wanted to take this week to really focus on getting these accomplished, instead of just getting things started. With that being said, I have finished the book "Get Started in Songwriting" by Sam Inglis finally. It was really a helpful motivational and practical guide to songwriting, from theory to the importance of hooks. I also finished a book called "The Songwriter's Survival Guide to Success: How to Pitch Your Songs" by Dude McLean.This book was honestly one of the most informative and helpful books I have ever read. It gave very helpful advice and tips from one of the most successful music publishers and record producers in the industry. Some of the most helpful tidbits I pulled out of the book are about writing and pitch songs you don't like, pitching songs to famous artists, making new contacts, ghostwriting, etc. I think I will definitely elaborate more on those for later posts.
I have also created a business card and a logo. The logo was such a struggle. At first I was going to have a treble clef, but some musicians told me not to do that. I am no graphic artist, as I have mentioned before, but I did some fooling around and came up with a logo that slightly resembles an "L." So I am working with that in the hopes that it is not copyrighted somewhere else. I have also started planning my official website: from the color scheme to the tabs that would be on the site. Once I settle on a domain name, coordinate some audio clips, and learn a little more about web design; I should get that up and running.
This week I have been trying to create a miniature organizer to take around with me wherever I go. It will have my business cards as well as my calendar, to-do list, biography, lyrics, etc. With this, I can always have something handy, because I never know when I will meet someone and I will need something handy to give or show them. I recommend that for all my writers and artists. Also I am applying for an internship at a record label in New York City this summer. I have lived in New York before a few summers ago when I took a class at New York University's Clive Davis School of Recorded Music. Even then, I wasn't set-in-stone about my songwriting aspirations. This internship would require a&r, marketing, and promo work. Even though that is not directly related to what I will be doing in the future, it will be helpful to learn and have experience in those arenas. Also, the internship would be at a music epicenter. Again, I never know who I will run into in the future.
I wrote most of a pop song with a catchy little chorus and hook. The song's content and lyrics center around someone who had their heart broken but goes on looking forward to the future, because everyday gets easier than the last. When I was singing this song out in my room, it immediately reminded me of something Lady Gaga would sing a la The Fame album days. Mainly because the melody and vocals would fit well with her first album's work. Careless, catchy, and fun. Sometimes I want to be so deep as a lyricist and not write the fun poppy music that lots of mainstream singers release nowadays. However I am realizing that it is very helpful to have some of that kind of music in your arsenal of work. That may be what Mr. Hot Shot Producer or Ms. Super Publisher want to pitch. It could be what not only gets me in the door, but kicks it wide open.
It's been a pretty productive week. I want to try to make every "Saturday Check-In" a testimonial to how much I get done. Especially more on the writing side. Just like Dude McLean's book said, a writer is on the clock 24/7. Whether they are writing, researching, contacting, networking, practicing, or dormant but alert to ideas; a songwriter always works. He also said just keep working hard, but if you work smart you won't have to work as hard. Keep on and it will happen.
Work smart,
~L~
Songs listened to while writing this post: "So Happy Being Me" Donald Lawrence and Co., "Just Wanna Say" Israel Houghton, "Surely Goodness" Israel Houghton ft. Chevelle Franklyn, and "Imagine Me," by Kirk Franklin, "Encourage Yourself," Donald Lawrence and Co.
Songs listened to while writing this post: "So Happy Being Me" Donald Lawrence and Co., "Just Wanna Say" Israel Houghton, "Surely Goodness" Israel Houghton ft. Chevelle Franklyn, and "Imagine Me," by Kirk Franklin, "Encourage Yourself," Donald Lawrence and Co.
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