What does it take to write songs for name artists?
Posted by admin on 11 Feb 2010 at 8:22 am | Tagged as: gadgets, tip
I took some time at Midem 2010 to put a question to David Stark, publisher of SongLink. His tipsheet provides some of the best tips in the business, hooking up major artists with songs. The “names” have included Tina Tuner, James Blunt, Kim Wilde and many others. Publishers and songwriters use SongLink obviously to get their songs on the shortlist. So the obvious question was: what does it take to write for a name artist?
You’ll find the answer here.
As someone who spends time listening to other peoples’ songs with a view to pitching them to established artists I can certainly say what may hold you back.
1 Long intros – if it doesn’t catch my attention from the outset I will not listen. Harsh but true, when you have a lot to get through you simply do not waste time.
2 Bad production – I want to hear EITHER a totally flawless pop production of a quality that you would expect to hear on the radio, OR a simple but well recorded piano or guitar vocal that shows the songwriting off.
3 No quality control – Before you send anything out to anyone, check the honest opinions of some peers. Only send your BEST work. It will only taint your future relationship with the person you wish to impress if you send inferior material that really doesn’t compare with what is on the charts
4 Ignoring the brief – If you send something that is a mile away from what is being asked for you will not gain a favourable response.
5 Old fashioned writing – It is VITAL to keep up to date with what is going on NOW in your chosen genre. If the majority of what you are listening to for pleasure is over 2 years old you seriously need to review your listening habits.
I hope some of that was helpful – if it sounded harsh, ask yourself if you are too removed from the realities of the business.
Good Luck!