John Braheny discusses common challenges for lyric writers: trapped by precision, expressing yourself vs. communicating, telling the story, not ABOUT the story, and creating context.
Archive | Articles
Interview with TAXI’s Michael Laskow
I recently sat down with TAXI’s Michael Laskow to be grilled on Songwriting and the Music Business. Here is my interview (reposted from Ustream).
Songbook Errors – Proof ‘em 1st
When noted lyricist, K. Lawrence Dunham (aka Kaye L. Dunham) told me the story of the wrong version of his lyric to a jazz classic ending up in a songbook and another artist recording that wrong version, I felt there was a lesson to be learned. I asked him if he’d allow me to post [...]
Cautionary Tales of TV Song Rip-Offs
“No cue sheets, no pay.” That’s the mantra you need to remember when you’re dealing with film/TV music. Sometimes it’s easier said than done. When my friend, topical songwriter Smokey Miles (aka Count Smokula) started to tell me the story of his “Balloon Boy” song and it’s use on TV surrounding that hoax, I though [...]
10 Good Reasons To Join A Songwriters Organization
Many of you are active members of several different songwriters groups but there are a lot of loners out there who may not be aware of the opportunities organizations provide. From needing a local support group to involvement in national legislation, their services are rarely one-size-fits-all and there is a great diversity of services available. [...]
Taxi Road Rally Virgin?
The Annual Taxi Road Rally is a major event that no songwriter should miss. It’s free for Taxi members + one guest, so if you’re not a member, attach yourself to one and get here to L.A. , usually on the first weekend in November. Details at www.taxi.com. These are my answers to some questions [...]
Q&A Pitching to Music Publishers
I have found some of the writers of (hit Country group) tunes. Their publishers are listed with ASCAP. Would it be common practice to contact the publisher of that writer in hopes that they could publish and pitch another tune to the band? Answer: Good work. You’re on the right track. However, sending the songs [...]
SongBizness: Production Music Libraries
Production Music Libraries By John Braheny Production music libraries are a major source of songs and underscore for film and TV productions, multi-media projects, video games, commercials, music between TV and radio programs and commercials, station ID’s, station and show promo’s, direct to DVD/video productions and many other uses where producers need quick access to [...]
SongBizness: Collaborations and Co-Writes
Let’s assume that you’ve found a lyricist and/or composer whose words or music feel like the magic ingredient you need to write great songs. You find that you can work well together and, first thing you know, you’ve got a fantastic song. You say, “Great, let’s find a publisher!” Your partner says, “Oh, I guess [...]
SongBizness: Music Supervisors
The following article by music supervisor Michael Rogers is the first in a regular column for Film Music Magazine, a must-read for anyone interested in writing music for film and TV. This is a great introduction to what music supervisors do. Michael Rogers is owner of Rogers Entertainment, a full-service film & television music supervision [...]