Features

Interviews, inspiration, songwriting tips and more…

We talk to up-and-coming artists and big names alike to get the inside story on their songwriting techniques and on how they got to where they are today, while our own team of experienced songwriters share some of their ideas to help get your creative juices flowing. To view an archive of all the previous Songwriting features visit our Songwriting Features section.

25/04/2018

How I wrote ‘I Wanna Go Where The People Go’ by The Wildhearts

BRITROCK WEEK: The band’s frontman Ginger explains how a soundcheck riff and a casual interview comment inspired their unpredictable single…

24/04/2018

How I wrote ‘Perseverance’ by Terrorvision’s Tony Wright

BRITROCK WEEK: The Bradford band’s singer tells the story behind the writing of their riff-tastic ode to whales and dolphins…

23/04/2018

Britrock Must Be Destroyed

BRITROCK WEEK: Before their playful UK tour celebrating mid-90s British rock, we hear from Reef, The Wildhearts, Terrorvision and Dodgy…

21/04/2018

Songs In The Key Of… Country Pop

Here we get Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jenn Bostic to pick out 10 tracks that perfectly straddle both pop and country music…

12/04/2018

Interview: John Carter Cash

Johnny Cash’s son talks to us about bringing his legendary father’s unpublished words to life on a star-studded new album…

11/04/2018

Songs In The Key Of… Shoegaze

We’re delighted to bring you a collection of songs from one of the most influential genres in guitar-pop’s alternative canon…

09/04/2018

Interview: Ben Harper

The genre-blending, Grammy-winning musician and performer extols the benefits of songwriting, collaborating, skateboarding and channelling the frequencies of the universe…

08/04/2018

The legend of the 27 Club

In reviewing a recent documentary film about the famous musicians who died aged 27, Fern Dunn explores the tragic phenomenon…

04/04/2018

Interview: The Magic Numbers’ Romeo Stodart

As the English pop-rockers return with a new album, we chat to the band’s songwriter about life as an outsider…

28/03/2018

Songwriting Magazine Spring 2018 out now

Latest issue features Eels’ Mark Oliver Everett, Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson, Calexico, Jonathan Wilson, Levellers, Scouting For Girls and more…

28/03/2018

How I wrote ‘Living In The Past’ by Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson

On the 50th anniversary of the band’s formation, the enigmatic, flute-toting frontman talks about writing one of their best-known songs…

26/03/2018

Harris Paseltiner of Darlingside’s Songwriting Survival Kit

Want to know what the Boston alt-rocker couldn’t write without, then look no further as he reveals their 10 essentials…

22/03/2018

Christina Martin’s 10 tips on songwriting, music and life!

The Canadian singer-songwriter extols the virtues of daily routine, following your heart, journaling, wearing blinders, hiring musicians and saying ‘no’…

14/03/2018

Interview: Richard Youngs

The release of his latest album gives us a chance to learn about the creative process of this post-punk master…

09/03/2018

Songs In The Key Of… Nigeria

Seun Kuti, the youngest son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, introduces us to 10 songs that represent his home country…

05/03/2018

10 tips for good songwriting mental health

The author of the book ‘Staying Sane In The Music Game’, Brett Leboff, shares some tactics for controlling your head…

01/03/2018

Shelf help: 10 of the best books for songwriters

In celebration of World Book Day, we share our favourite songwriting reads and also include several titles that you’ve suggested…

20/02/2018

Interview: Bill Nelson

Including his work in Be-Bop Deluxe, this uncompromising English songwriter has remained true to his vision throughout his long career…

11/02/2018

Songs In The Key Of… Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo-born singer-songwriter, formerly of super-group Gonzalez, Diego Mena takes us through a playlist of his country’s finest alt-rock artists…