December 16, 2023 · by SiS Administrator
Dear Songwriter Community, As we come to the end of another year of growth and creativity for Songwriters in Seattle, I am writing to share that I plan to step down from serving as Executive Director of the organization in early 2024. January will…
Read more →March 28, 2021 · by David Guilbault
I have written a couple hundred songs over the years. And it's important to me that they find a way out into the world. At my age, I know I won't have a career as a performing songwriter, but I want the songs to have a life outside my computer. It…
Read more →April 7, 2020 · by Griffin
This set of lyrics is seeking music. Please submit a recording or a written account of the chords and melody to collaboration@songwritersinseattle.com and indicate that it is for Mystery Matchup #2. The deadline for this activity is Tuesday, April…
Read more →April 6, 2020 · by Griffin
This piece of music has been submitted as a chart with accompanying audio. The deadline for this activity is Sunday, April 19th, 2020 at 7:00 PM Chart: Mystery_Matchup_1 (If you right click, you can open in another window or tab so that you can see…
Read more →April 6, 2020 · by Griffin
The Mystery Matchup is an online collaboration where an anonymous donor posts a piece of music or set of lyrics, and others are invited to complete the song by adding the missing portion. This activity is designed to inspire creativity and foster…
Read more →March 6, 2020 · by SiS Administrator
Songwriters in Seattle is thrilled to welcome founding guitarist for Heart and Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee Roger Fisher as the final guest instructor for our 2020 Spring Songwriting Retreat, April 24th-26th at Pilgrim Firs in Port Orchard.…
Read more →February 21, 2020 · by SiS Administrator
Songwriters in Seattle is excited to welcome Patrice Haan as a special guest instructor for our 2020 Spring Songwriting Retreat at Pilgrim Firs in Port Orchard, WA! Patrice will be kicking off the retreat Friday evening with an interactive workshop…
Read more →February 12, 2020 · by SiS Administrator
Songwriters in Seattle is delighted to Welcome Jeff Lee as a special guest instructor for our 2020 Spring Songwriting Retreat at Pilgrim Firs in Port Orchard, WA! Jeff will be leading a workshop entitled "A Storyteller's Toolbox for Writing Songs"…
Read more →February 6, 2020 · by SiS Administrator
Songwriters in Seattle is delighted to Welcome Cyd Smith as a special guest instructor for our 2020 Spring Songwriting Retreat at Pilgrim Firs in Port Orchard, WA! Cyd will be leading a workshop entitled "Chords, Grooves, and Hooks" Description: Do…
Read more →February 4, 2018 · by Bob De Dea
If I had a nickel for every time somebody asked me this question, I'd be able to afford studio time to record all my songs! I think it's the kind of a question that people think you're supposed to ask a songwriter. Recently, at a house concert in…
Read more →December 23, 2017 · by Chris Klimecky
[caption id="attachment_1018" align="alignleft" width="200"] Ann Gates Fiser[/caption] We at Songwriters in Seattle are sad to hear of the passing of our friend, creative colleague, and community partner, Ann Gates Fiser. Ann joined SiS in 2013 -…
Read more →October 20, 2017 · by Char Seawell
TV commercial jingles... 60-70’s rock... folk... heavy metal... punk rock: if musical influences were a sandwich, for singer-songwriter Michael Ash, these styles would be the listed ingredients. And he would, as his favorite quote by Warren Zevon…
Read more →October 1, 2017 · by Audrey Goodman
How many of us struggle to be completely free of self incrimination as we forge our own paths as writers and song artists? Speaking for myself, and for others I know, continuing the process of writing and learning is a key element to growing our…
Read more →September 25, 2017 · by SiS Administrator
What has been your songwriting journey? Girls, unrequited love, heartbreak, and misery put me where I am today, lol! Same as many songwriters, I think. Seriously though, I got into music when I was around 10 and I always paid attention to the…
Read more →September 20, 2017 · by Char Seawell
What motivates songwriters varies widely from artist to artist. But whatever the motivation for starting a songwriting journey, time and experience often transform an initial vision to meet the needs of the writer and the culture. For songwriter…
Read more →August 31, 2017 · by Vicki Ambinder
Do you ever get the feeling that you’re not getting what you want from your performances? Or that your audiences aren’t either? If that sounds familiar to you, you can rest assured that you’re not alone. I’ve taught live performance master classes…
Read more →August 16, 2017 · by Char Seawell
“Playing a real song is like keeping a wild animal for a pet: gorgeous and terrifying, it lives in your house, but it is never really yours…” Kristen Hersh - Rat Girl . Pacific Northwest singer/songwriter Erin Jordan, inspired by this favorite…
Read more →August 15, 2017 · by Char Seawell
Imagine two floors of a major hotel reverberating with a variety of “unplugged” music flowing out of rooms and down the hallways in an ever-shifting scene until the wee hours of the morning. Then imagine a hotel conference room turned into a first…
Read more →July 31, 2017 · by Todd Christoffel
NOTE FROM EDITOR: This is companion piece to Are You a Liar? , an opinion piece submitted by David Guilbault. If you haven't read that piece yet, we'd suggest you start there, then come back here. It is our sincere hope that you will read both…
Read more →July 31, 2017 · by David Guilbault
NOTE FROM EDITOR: This article is an opinion piece written by our own board member, David Guilbault. It does not represent the opinions of our organization as a whole and is meant to inspire thought and discussion. A companion piece, a response ,…
Read more →July 31, 2017 · by Audrey Goodman
In case you don't know, we local singer-songwriters have a terrific opportunity coming up in October. The Western Folk Alliance is holding their yearly singer-songwriter conference here in Seattle, and Songwriters in Seattle will have it's own…
Read more →July 30, 2017 · by SiS Administrator
Saral Navlakha is launching a new recurring event on our calendar, so we decided to interview him and share with you why he is taking this on. To begin, Saral, tell us a little about your music. "My name is Saral and I am primarily a singer these…
Read more →July 24, 2017 · by SiS Administrator
Todd Christoffel has been involved with Songwriters in Seattle nearly from the start, and joined the Songwriters in Seattle online membership on meetup.com in 2008. As a board member, Todd hosted board meetings at his home for several years. He has…
Read more →July 10, 2017 · by Char Seawell
The childhood home of singer/songwriter Jim Hanna was one infused with the sounds of Americana. “There was always music in the house. Dad played several instruments including tenor guitar, tenor banjo, mandolin, piano, and the occasional…
Read more →June 28, 2017 · by James Linderman
Many would consider a four-chord-song to be a song with one completely unnecessary chord in it, and it is true that there are many brilliant three-chord-songs. Country songwriter Harlan Howard famously stated that all he needed was “three chords and …
Read more →June 23, 2017 · by Griffin
Have you ever played an open mic and you couldn't hear your vocals? Or maybe they were drowned out by your guitar? Have you ever tried getting a little more volume out of your guitar but it wouldn't stop feeding back? Or maybe the guitar sounded…
Read more →May 25, 2017 · by Todd Christoffel
We don't often talk about this in Songwriters in Seattle but let me remind you... songwriting is an art form, and you are an artist. This is an essential truth about songwriting. So I would recommend that you don't be too hung up on writing your…
Read more →May 25, 2017 · by SiS Administrator
Chris Klimecky, Executive Director of Songwriters in Seattle, describes his own musical development as, “a long, slow evolution - even after 30 years, it is an inspiring and surprising process!” Here's his story in his own words: Songwriting started …
Read more →May 24, 2017 · by Kimberly Newland
Song Critiques: Why You Need Them, Why You Should Do Them There are two crucial steps that many amateur songwriters overlook in their quest to improve their craft and take their songs to the next level. First, they fail to subject their songs to a…
Read more →May 15, 2017 · by Char Seawell
Playing to sold out stadiums, having #1 hits on the Billboard Charts, climbing the stairs at the Grammys to receive accolades... these are often daydreams that enter the thoughts of up-and-coming artists. But for Pacific Northwest singer-songwriter…
Read more →April 30, 2017 · by Audrey Goodman
As the Seattle Times wrote about her in an article in 2014, "Debby Watt can harmonize with a dryer". We are lucky to be able to offer our members a workshop with vocalist extraordinaire, Debby Boland Watt. Singing and teaching others to find their…
Read more →April 27, 2017 · by Gary Milici
CAVEAT EMPTOR - Following are some thoughts and rambles on my approach to songwriting. Outside of my two girls, it's my life's biggest passion. I don't pretend that these thoughts are unique, or even unified, but I hope that some part of them may be …
Read more →April 1, 2017 · by James Linderman
Perhaps two of the only things left that we can all agree on is that we live in a world divided, and it is now a time of protest. Whether people are protesting truth to power, or power to truth, protesting a certain ideology, or defending it, it…
Read more →March 30, 2017 · by SiS Administrator
In an effort to build a more friendly and welcoming community through our volunteer activities, Songwriters in Seattle would like you to get to know our volunteer leaders. This month we'd like to introduce active Board Member, and host of the…
Read more →March 30, 2017 · by SiS Administrator
David Guilbault has been booking and hosting a concert series called "Voices Raised: Some Things Gotta Be Said." The shows feature 4 to 6 singer-songwriters, each performing three original topical songs. We wanted to introduce David to you through…
Read more →March 30, 2017 · by Chris Klimecky
I remember very little about the first song I wrote...I was in sixth grade, and I know it was a cheesy breakup song in A minor about my first "girlfriend" in fifth grade. I don't think any recordings of "The Love We Shared" exist (mercifully), and…
Read more →March 29, 2017 · by Char Seawell
“Seattle-Brewed Soulgrass” A long way from the rainy Pacific Northwest, a budding guitar player from Virginia sat in front of a TV set watching “Here Comes the Brides” which is set in old Seattle. In watching the interplay of two characters, Candy…
Read more →February 28, 2017 · by Char Seawell
“glass spilling over, pouring out the past, room fills up, a story's cast” - Jean Mann The stories that spill from the past of singer-songwriter Jean Mann are as rich and varied as the images that fill the lyrics of her six albums. Growing up “in a…
Read more →February 28, 2017 · by Ginine Mizerski
I’ll begin this by saying there are a million ways to approach songwriting. But this is not going to be about the technical musical notation aspects of creating a song. I want to discuss the emotion - the experiences inspiring a song’s creation. It…
Read more →February 9, 2017 · by SiS Administrator
Sheri Roberts-Greimes has recently taken on our newest showcase, Capps Club. As host, she will help SiS songwriters put their best foot forward when playing their original compositions at this Kenmore club whose motto is "LIVE MUSIC. DONE WELL." As…
Read more →January 28, 2017 · by Eric Tingstad
Twice a year for the last six years or so, I have attended the four-day Durango Songwriters Expo. The people that attend this intensive confab are publishers, film supervisors, performers, and most of all songwriters of all ages. I’m going to break…
Read more →January 28, 2017 · by SiS Administrator
With the desire to build a more friendly and welcoming community through our volunteer efforts, Songwriters in Seattle would like you to get to know our volunteer leaders. This month we'd like to introduce active Board Member, host of the monthly…
Read more →January 28, 2017 · by SiS Administrator
Todd Christoffel, a long-time member of the Songwriters in Seattle Board of Directors has recently taken on our newest showcase, the Columbia City Theatre . As host, he will help SiS songwriters put their best foot forward when playing their…
Read more →December 30, 2016 · by Steve White
SUMMARY: This debut article takes a reasonably deep look at a basic topic. It describes the dominant chords, which are often referred to as V and V7. I'll also illustrate how the chords function, how they're used, and I'll end with some examples.…
Read more →December 30, 2016 · by David Guilbault
There is no right or wrong way to write a song lyric. And there are no right or wrong lyrics. But, there is truth and falsehood. Is your song honest? Or are you just making rhymes? I was honored to be asked to write this column exploring the craft…
Read more →August 25, 2013 · by SiS Administrator
At the 3rd Annual Songwriters in Seattle BBQ and 1st Northwest Music Experience Awards, 14 performers entertained the crowd along with the presentation of all 40 awards finalists ! From each category of 5 finalists, a winner was announced based on…
Read more →August 23, 2013 · by SiS Administrator
As part of the annual Songwriters in Seattle Summer BBQ, we are giving awards under the Northwest Music Experience event name. More information at nwmusicexperience.org - here are the results: Congratulations to our finalists and a huge thank you to …
Read more →March 15, 2013 · by SiS Administrator
It has taken Songwriters in Seattle a number of years to put together a collection of music that represents the group in any significant way. We are now very proud to present this new compilation CD we've entitled "2012: Contest Winners and…
Read more →October 29, 2012 · by SiS Administrator
Songwriters in Seattle is proud to announce an exciting partnership with Benaroya Hall that will bring the inaugural Northwest Music Experience (NWME) conference and expo into their beautiful downtown venue. Benaroya Hall is the place to be August…
Read more →October 14, 2012 · by SiS Administrator
After 9 months of planning, anticipation, and building excitement, we are very happy to announce that we are ready to make the big push to bring the Northwest Music Experience convention and expo to life! Our grassroots effort to create a major…
Read more →July 29, 2012 · by SiS Administrator
Songwriters in Seattle is proud to be planning the 2013 Northwest Music Experience convention and expo. Teaming up with other key organizations in the community such as Seattle WAVE Radio and Music Aid Northwest, SiS member volunteers have played a…
Read more →March 5, 2012 · by Jeff Hatch
CD Release Party at The Gypsy Cafe in Fremont featuring Jabi Shriki, with special guests Eric Haber and Roo Forrest Eric Habér, who also helped on the CD Puzzle Pieces opened the show with a mellow acoustic set warming us up for the rest of the…
Read more →February 23, 2012 · by Thom Schroeder
Johannes Brahms once wrote about Johann Sebastian Bach’s Chaconne in D minor for violin in a letter to Claire Schumann - ‘On one stave, for a small instrument, the man writes a whole world of the deepest thoughts and most powerful feelings. If I…
Read more →December 22, 2011 · by Jeff Hatch
Interview with Mark & Linda Gordon of My Seattle Night Out and Seattle Wave Radio With a website containing an online radio station focusing on local, Greater Seattle (and really the State of Washington) bands and singer/songwriters, Linda and Mark…
Read more →December 15, 2011 · by Jeff Hatch
Over three years ago I began meeting with a successful podcast producer in hopes to start an Internet radio station. The station was to feature Seattle bands with an emphasis on Songwriters in Seattle. The Internet had become a major player in the…
Read more →December 13, 2011 · by Thom Schroeder
So this has nothing to do with social networking or recording ideas or songwriting tips. It is just a story some fifteen years or so in the making of the search - a journey of sorts - for the perfect piano. Maybe someone coming across this can…
Read more →October 24, 2011 · by David Rix
I would like to start off our little coaching session with a tip that is crucial for good song development. It's sad but true that many songwriters ignore this skill I am about to tell you resulting in underdeveloped songs. It's also a skill that's…
Read more →September 23, 2011 · by bilgem
We had a great monthly meeting this week at Cafe Allegro. As always, the meeting inspired me in many ways and gave me things to think about. One area that I heard from many fellow musicians there was the difficulty everyone felt when they tried to…
Read more →September 16, 2011 · by bilgem
In this day and age, distribution of your music has become accessible to every musician, whether they are signed or not. You can get your music up on the net and make it available for free or for sale. Various sites can produce several hundreds of…
Read more →September 14, 2011 · by Chris Klimecky
Songwriters in Seattle had a really cool and unexpected bit of national media attention Monday with our song, "A Black Market For Mooncakes" being part of a segment on NPR's Marketplace. I've been asked a lot about how it happened, all the way back…
Read more →August 15, 2011 · by Chris Klimecky
One of the toughest first steps that anyone wanting to get into home recording has to go through is picking which Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to use. As the DAW is the heart of any home studio, it's also one of the most important steps. The good …
Read more →So for this month I have decided to write about creating music that tells a story or at least generates a specific type of feeling or emotion. It seems to me that I frequently encounter songwriters who have a melody and some great lyrics, but the…
Read more →Cast your mind back to the year 2000. Remember it? I do, some of it, and one thing I did late that year and early 2001 was to write a song called "Saturday." "Saturday" is one of the more upbeat songs I've come up with, though the lyrics are a…
Read more →Now that you have your music in your hand you have a tangible product to sell. One VERY important thing to remember is that you are not selling simply music, you are selling yourself. Next up are most likely the hardest, most time consuming, the…
Read more →When I went through army basic training one of the exercises was to enter an enclosed room and get "gassed" (tear gas unfortunately). After entering the room and doing several drills with our pro-mask (gas-mask) we were finally told to take it off,…
Read more →