GigFanatic Blog·12 articles
Songwriting that gets finished, heard and paid.
Straight talk on writing songs people remember and building a real career from them, from the co-writer of "It Wasn't Me."
Music Business·3:00
Should You Join ASCAP, BMI or Another PRO?
I've been with ASCAP for many years and I'm happy with it. Here's how I joined, what a PRO actually does for you, and why the choice matters less than people think.
Songwriting·3:15
Should Songwriters Use AI Tools Like Suno and ChatGPT?
AI can write a decent song now. I watched ChatGPT write one in my style in a couple of minutes. Here's why I'm still not worried, and how I think you should use these tools.
Music Business·3:00
How Do You Get Your Songs to Artists?
I started writing with Shaggy, Maxi Priest and Brian & Tony Gold through introductions, not cold pitches. Here's exactly how each one happened and what you can copy.
Songwriting·3:15
How Do You Co-Write a Song?
Here's how a typical co-writing session runs for me, from the first melody to the next-day listen, including the one session with Shaggy where we had no music at all.
Songwriting·3:15
Do Songs Have to Rhyme?
Songs don't have to rhyme, but most good ones do. The trick is that the rhymes don't have to be exact. Here's how I use rhyme and the one place I break the rule.
Songwriting·3:00
Can You Write Songs Without Playing an Instrument?
Yes. I've written hit songs without officially playing any instrument. Here are the two ways I write, and how to get the music in your head out to the musicians who can play it.
Songwriting·3:45
Should You Write the Chorus First?
Yes. Writing the chorus first gives every verse a destination, cuts your options down, and makes you far more likely to finish the song. Here's why it works.
Songwriting·3:30
How Do You Know If Your Chorus Is Strong Enough?
A strong chorus is the part people remember, sing back, and type into a search bar to find your song. Four simple tests to check yours before you write anything else.
Music Business·4:00
Does the Poor Man's Copyright Actually Work?
Mailing your song to yourself doesn't protect it. The US Copyright Office says so directly. Here's what actually protects your songs and when registration is worth the fee.
Recording·9:00
The Limitations of Recording At Home
Recording at home is the right place to start, but rules, space, mixing, family and isolation can all get in the way. Here's what to plan for.
Music Business·14:00
8 Different Ways To Make Money From Your Music
Live shows, endorsements, sales, streaming, radio airplay, publishing, sync fees and merchandise. Here's where the money in music actually comes from.
Recording·9:45
When You Set Up A Home Recording Studio Never Go Cheap On These Items
Studio monitors, microphones, cables, an audio interface, headphones and a sound engineer. These are the home studio items where going cheap costs you more.
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