Songwriting Magazine Issue 40

Songwriting Magazine Issue 40: think of this edition as a pile of autumn leaves to dive in and enjoy!

Margo Price, Tim Minchin, Sam Ryder, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Subways, Toby Gad, Jhart, Kathryn Williams

We’ve always believed the best songwriting doesn’t live in just one genre of music. It thrives everywhere, from country storytelling to pop powerhouses, from theatre stages to garage clubs. This issue reflects that spirit of range and discovery: the styles may differ, but what binds them is the same dedication, sacrifice and raw talent it takes to make songs that truly connect. We hope you find these pages as energising for your own writing as they were for us to put together.

We’re thrilled to have Margo Price on the cover. With songs like Hands Of Time, All American Made, and Lydia, she has built a career on fearless honesty, turning struggle into music that resonates far beyond Nashville. A songwriter who has stood her ground against injustice while constantly reshaping her sound, Price now returns with Hard Headed Woman, a record that taps into the roots of traditional country while proving she’s still finding new ways to strike gold.

From Price’s cosmic country, we leap to the Space Man himself. Sam Ryder’s new album Heartland, written largely in Nashville, shows a whole new side to the Eurovision star. From his early days in punk to the leap of faith that took him across the Atlantic, Ryder tells us about the highs, the setbacks and the determination that carried him to this bold new chapter.

We also sit down with Australian superstar Tim Minchin. His latest release, Time Machine, finally brings to light songs written years ago, recorded and released for the first time. Known worldwide for smash-hit shows like Matilda and Groundhog Day, Minchin has changed the landscape of modern musical theatre. Here, he talks candidly about the differences between writing for the stage and creating a traditional album, and what happens when those two worlds collide.

Of course, there’s plenty more. Our Technique section is packed with tools to spark your creativity: making the most of Bandcamp, using rhythm and percussion to unlock fresh ideas, silencing that inner critic, and reconnecting with your truest artistic voice. With wisdom from writers including Beth Nielsen Chapman and Bonniesongs, these pages are designed to get you writing with renewed confidence.

And then there’s our ever-popular How I/We Wrote features. This time, The Subways relive the creation of their explosive anthem Rock & Roll Queen, JHart takes us back to the LA trip that gave birth to Little Mix’s Power, and Toby Gad walks us through the making of John Legend’s All Of Me, now a modern classic at weddings around the world.

That’s just the start. Also inside, you’ll find a song-by-song deep dive into Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s Howl, revered folk artist John Smith deconstructing a 20-year-old love song, exclusive access to EMIN’s songwriting retreat in Baku, folk icon Kathryn Williams on the lessons she’s learned across her career, and the indispensable songwriting kit of Holly Blair.

And still, we’re not done. We have album and single reviews, three new artists to discover, and plenty more to keep you inspired. Think of this issue as a pile of autumn leaves – dive in and enjoy.

Find out how you can get this brand new edition of Songwriting Magazine, along with all 39 of our back issues, by subscribing at steadyhq.com/songwriting

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