Episodes

  • Episode 12: Art Is Just a Choice

    Episode 12: Art Is Just a Choice
    Aug 24 2023
    Today's episode is about simplifying your art into small choices. I talk a bit about one of my favorite movies of all time and about how terrible I was in art class as a child.I hope it helps you in some way. If you'd like to subscribe to the mailing list you can go here: https://toolsofsongwriting.com/ All of the songs in this episode of the podcast are available here: https://sincerelyiris.com/ Photo by Jon Tyson
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    7 mins
  • Episode 11: Tristan Dougherty

    Episode 11: Tristan Dougherty
    Apr 27 2023
    Tristan Dougherty is a folk musician in Richmond, Virginia, whose songs combine meditative, finger-style guitar playing with warm, illuminative lyrics. He's been a huge support to the Richmond, VA songwriter community over the past few years. On today's show, he provides some great insight into the songwriting process.https://www.tristandougherty.com/
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    43 mins
  • Episode 10: Mackenzie Roark

    Episode 10: Mackenzie Roark
    Feb 9 2023
    Today I have a very special guest on the show. I'm here with Richmond, VA musician Mackenzie Roark. Mackenzie has a cool country sound in the vein of songwriters that I've always admired like Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Whiskeytown, and Bob Dylan, and classic singers like Patsy Cline and Hank Williams. She's part of Vocal Rest Records also based here in Richmond.She recently released her album "Rollin' High, Feelin' Low."To hear more of her music head over to: https://mackenz...
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    52 mins
  • Episode 9: Analog vs Digital

    Episode 9: Analog vs Digital
    Jan 19 2023
    In today's episode, I talk about my writing process and the idea of being creative in an analog vs digital way. They're both useful, but I've found, that when I sit down at the computer the ideas can just dry up. Very quickly. I hope you enjoy the episode. More interviews coming soon! If you'd like to subscribe to the mailing list you can go here: https://toolsofsongwriting.com/ All of the songs in this episode of the podcast are available here: https://sincerelyiris.com/ Photo by Gritt Zheng
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    7 mins
  • Episode 8: Mindset

    Episode 8: Mindset
    Sep 11 2022
    In today's episode, I talk about the amazing book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol Dweck. I think some of the ideas in that book can be really helpful when you're writing songs. Here is the infographic that I currently have hanging on my wall: https://www.mindsetworks.com/science/ImpactIf you'd like to subscribe to the mailing list you can go here:https://toolsofsongwriting.com/All of the songs in this episode of the podcast are available here: https://sincerelyiris.com/ Phot...
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    10 mins
  • Episode 7: Word Vomit

    Episode 7: Word Vomit
    Dec 16 2020
    On today's episode of Tools of Songwriting, I'm talking about word vomit and how useful it can be to songwriters. I've been doing it off and on for years and it always helps me clear out my brain so the good stuff can come out. I hope it helps you with that and more.https://toolsofsongwriting.com/podcasthttps://juliacameronlive.com/The Music Lesson
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    6 mins
  • Episode 6: Mitchel Evan

    Episode 6: Mitchel Evan
    Oct 15 2020
    On today's show, we have my friend, Mitchel Evan. He's a Richmond, VA musician who plays solo and with his band Mitchel Evan and the Saboteurs. Mitchel shares some really great insight into his writing process and his journey as a songwriter. I hope you enjoy the episode. He and the band have a brand new album coming out very soon.http://www.mitchelevanmusic.com/https://toolsofsongwriting.com/podcast
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    44 mins
  • Episode 5: Judith Avers

    Episode 5: Judith Avers
    Aug 18 2020
    On today's show, we have my friend, Judith Avers. Judith is one of my favorite people and has really helped me out over the years. Not only in songwriting, but in how to navigate the music business. She's played music all over the place and has even opened up for another one of my favorite songwriters, Josh Ritter. Today we zone in on her songwriting and how her songs have evolved over the last few years. Judith is just as honest in real life as she is in her music. I hope you enjoy the inter...
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    49 mins