Hey Reader, Keppie here from How To Write Songs 👋

Here's 5 things worth sharing this week!

1. "An artist isn't trying to maximize a portfolio. An artist is trying to maximize a creative life...a label benefits from momentum. An artist benefits from meaning." Songwriter J​P Saxe cancelled his world tour a year ago after ticket sales were floundering. I found his account at the time, and this reflection now, moving in its candour, humility, and clear-sighted thoughts on the tensions and contradictions between creative work and the businesses that try to monetize it.
2. It's a few years old now, but I never get sick of listening to Jon Batiste's album, 'World Music Radio'. If you have kids (and struggle to find the Venn overlap of your taste and theirs), this has hit the spot for me a my kids (aged 8 and 11)! [I've been thinking about creating a playlist of music I'm listening to and getting inspired by weekly and monthly...if it's of interest to you, hit reply to this email - just reply "Playlist!" - and let me know!]
3. This past week, Benny and I officially launched our brand new PODCAST, and Episode #1 is up there already for your ears. This week, we tackle one of the most persistent and controversial topics in the world of songwriting: how much of a role does talent really play? (Available wherever you listen to your poddies!).
4. I wrote about the true (and uncomfortable) story behind the song that Benny and I just released, 'Half of My Heart'. It's a song about acceptance and humility - about acknowledging that, however stubbornly we may fight it, we move through life in need of connection and in service of those we love.
5. If you missed it, Benny made a brand new video tutorial on one of the most resilient and impactful rhetorical devices. Yes, you've heard of it before - but Benny breaks down 2 dimensions of assonance that turn the dial on how much tension is created. It's assonance, but like you've never thought of it before!

See you somewhere songwriting, soon, I hope!

x Keppie