Emily Warren Mentor Session 2021:: Watch Full Length Video
How I Became A Songwriter While at NYU:: Emily: How did I become a songwriter? She says she fell in love with songwriting for other people. One of the best things about going to music school was having people who were in the business coming in and speaking. Kohn signed her publishing deal.
When Did You Start Writing Songs Differently?:: Did you start writing songs differently? And if so, what changed? I got way more intentional about song meaning. A lot of it came from collaborating with other people. What makes a good pop song?
Writing Lessons: The Rules:: The Rules: If your chorus is in one space, melodically and rhythmically, that the section that comes right before it should build like this. Just variation between sections I think is pretty much always important. I find it really fulfilling to learn something in a session.
Have You Prepared For Your Sessions?:: I think there's a fine line between preparing and being spontaNe-Yous. The producers that I love working with have something when we get there. I find it more inspiring when there's room to move around and there's just kind of an idea there just a couple of chords. Being a creative person gives mundane things meaning.
How To Work With Artists:: When working with an artist, the best is if they're excited about it and happy about it. It's really important to just support them and bring out the best in them. My number one priority in a session above getting a song is that the person likes me.
What If...:: Another way of dealing with it is saying what if? Instead of saying, I think it should be what happens if what if we tried this? The etiquette of how you phrase something is so crucial in the session, not just with artists, with everyone.
Songwriters on Working With Producers:: Legit: The producers should not get in the way of a song. Ian Kirkpatrick and Caroline and I write together all the time. There's nothing like joint success. What would be your advice to producers out there?
Don't Start Now:: The first day we met, we wrote new rules. Especially when someone's going through something tough, the best way to think about it for a song is writing your way out of it. Some of my favorite songs are that where it's like, how do we close the loop on this thing you're experiencing?
The Ten Commandments of Success:: When something works and it clicks, it clicks right away. The takeaway from that would be when you find someone that it works with, stick with this group. Sometimes success can be the hardest to keep everyone's ego in check.
New Rules::: Emily Starr: It is so important to assemble the right team around you. To wait on that until it feels right and feels right is often like if someone wants to manage you or publish you. The right people exist and you will find them.
Luke Perry on Songwriting:: Emily Starr: I really learned how to songwrite by listening to John Mayer. What are the best things you've learned from Luke prescription? How important was having people around you that encouraged you to not feel defeated if you didn't feel like you had it in yourself?
Writing For Other People:: You also have your own artist project, which you've released up. How do you choose which songs to pitch and write for other people? It really depends who it is. Writers and producers and artists need each other.
Songwriters on Self-Respect:: Sometimes being a songwriter is the best job in the world. But it can be really demoralizing to be sitting there while artists are taking FaceTimes and scrolling TikTok. Songwriters are really like bottom of the totem pole in terms of what people think in the music. The Grammys are thinking about adding a Songwriter of the Year award.
How To Balance Working Full Time and Writing:: How did you balance starting out that grind and hard work to now working on your longevity and figuring out your lifestyle as a writer? I think you have to put a balance in for yourself. If you can maintain a balance and maintain a life outside of it, not only will it make your writing better.
How Songwriters Get Paid:: Is there incentive on wanting to stop working on Netflix series? Not in my experience. A songwriting fee is a cheap way for a label and an artist to get a bunch of songs for practically nothing. It's much more valuable to retain control over this song.
The Art of the Down Choruses:: When did you start having the confidence to just say it's finished with an unconventional down chorus? And then what do you think makes the great down chorus effective? I love a down chorus.
NYU vs. College: Should I Go?:: Jeff has never gotten a session with his college degree. What did you learn from NYU and Clyde that has helped in your career versus not? It's got to be if you have the money and it's not going to put you in debt. Otherwise, it's something worth considering.
On Songwriters' Issues:: LZ: How do you navigate a scenario where an artist wants to take your song, but they also want a huge chunk of the publishing songwriting credits. Do you stand up for yourself? Do not give anyone publishing who didn't write the song. LZ: The only way to make that stop is for us to all say we're not going to do it.
It's Not Cool to Give Up Publishing:: As a songwriter, what's not cool is giving up publishing in exchange for nothing. I don't think that's worth it. I think if they want the song, they're going to do it anyways. And if they have to take a percentage, you have negotiating rights.
It's Complicated Writing With An Artistt's Complicated Writing With An Artist:: Does that mean that you guys don't prefer to write with the artist at all? It depends. What if you have an artist that's actually great songwriter? That's the best. There's nothing better.
Working With Drew Carey:: The Chainsmokers are probably the most misunderstood artists in the world. Drew, who does most of the writing, is like, I've learned so much from really. I feel really challenged when working with him.
On Working With the Big Names:: The best way to come up in this world, in the world of music, is by finding the next Sean Mendez. Instead of competing for a song with the biggest artist, it's so inspiring to get in with someone who you just like and no one knows about them.
Working Without a Cut:: How long were you writing songs with the intention of being a songwriter before that cut came for you? Were you working extra jobs during that time? It's important to make sure, regardless of what's happening, that there's some kind of regularity of songwriting in your life.
Fear Imposter Syndrome:: Fear is like, number one, creativity killer, and it's the hardest thing to get rid of if it's think. Everyone has imposter syndrome at every level. If you're scared, push against it by putting yourself out there more and trying more things.
What Made Caroline Quit Her Waitressing Job:: The night New Rules went number one on the radio, Caroline quit her job. If that song didn't happen, Caroline would be probably a waitress right now. If it's in you, there's still so much possibility and just things.
On Working With Female Artists:: When you feel like nobody thinks you're good, and you have to prove yourself, that is the most motivating thing ever. I always like working with people who I think are better than me because then I'm being pushed. Being a female and a writer, I think I've gotten more opportunities because of that.
Ian & Caroline on New Rules:: I think making a demo is so important, especially with the vocals. But that's not so done that an artist feels intimidated by singing it. It's such a big part of our lives, is knowing what to control and when to let go.
Don't Stop Careening:: Caroline's voice for a demo is like the perfect. Thinking about the way I was did the heartbreak change me? Maybe look at where I ended up. I'm all good already so moved on it's scary. Did you go back to the bar in Wyoming and did they play this song? Amazing.
The Art of Letting Go:: This week's assignment is an exercise to learn what you can control and when you have to let go. Sometimes the best songs are written when you don't think about the pile next to you. Be careful with catering too much to the next pod.

Emily Warren Mentor Session 2021

Emily Warren

A Grammy-winning songwriter and artist, Emily Warren's profound narratives in songs for The Chainsmokers, Dua Lipa, and Shawn Mendes highlight her exceptional songwriting skills. Her approach to storytelling in music provides aspiring songwriters with insights into crafting relatable and emotionally resonant lyrics.