Welcome to another edition of Songsalive! Songnotes > our newsletter for everything you need to know about the craft and business of songwriting.
Whenever you feel the fear about your career, or wonder what your next opportunity might be, or where it will come from: remember: songwriting is your power.
If you are a songwriter, composer, singer/songwriter, we often feel intimidated by the state of the music business because it sometimes feels like we are knocking on the doors andno one is answering. But think about this: you have the gold. You have the power. The power to create. If one of your songs gets knocked back from a placement opportunity, harshly critiqued, or just doesn't make the cut, never fear: you have PLENTY of more amazing songs to write.
Also, a lot of the decisions made in the biz about song placements are based onsomeone's personal opinion. It doesn't mean it's a blanket statement that your songwriting is not good enough. Don't let others take your power.
Own it. Be the magnificent songwriter that you are.
Quick summary of April 2019 @ Songsalive!
- We’re looking for great songs and songwriters to fill some pitches.
- Next - Orange Country Showcase Tuesday April 9, and looking for artists for future showcases.
- Long Beach, CA Songsalive! Songwriters Showcase on Sat April 13
- Canceling April Los Angeles Song Critique Workshop as falls on Mother's Day. Next one: 3rd Sunday of May
- New Songcraft videos to up your music business acument below.
- Top Members leaderboard: Who's hit the top of the list for most active user backstage? Find out below as we profile her!
- All the details below. Read on...
Thank you for being part of our community.
Got Songs?
Songshop: We’re looking for great songs and songwriters to fill some pitches.
News from Songsalive! Orange County Squad
Coordinator: Rod O'Riley
NEXT: Songsalive! Orange County Songwriter Showcase
DATE: Tuesday April 9th, 2019
TIME: 7:30 pm
WHERE: Sam Ash Music Store, 14200 Beach Blvd, Westminster, CA 92683
COST: FREE!
Artists Performing: Tim Griffin, Rod O'Riley
March Workshop Review: Nine songwriters and their guests came together in Westminster, California for the March 2019 meet-up of the Songsalive! Orange County Monthly Songwriting Workshop. Our guest speaker this time around was Lisa M. Arreguin of Love & Laughter Music, back with us for the first time after the publication of her book The CrazyBrave Songwriter. First up though, we had songs to show HER! Bob Winter started us off with a soaring, soulful country song about a broken heart. Gail Wasserman came next, showing us a song she wrote with Mr. Winter and Sa Cool -- another broken heart song, this time with a decidedly bossa nova, theatrical feel. Gil Mosard cooled things down at a gentle complaint in the style of John Prine. Taking things back into a cowboy mood (and still about broken hearts!), Bob Slawson's soft and pretty piece came across like a ballad Sons of the Pioneers might have covered. Taking things in a totally different direction, Kate Albright performed one of her new songs -- about thoughts of suicide, and the inner strength and love that saves you from them. And finally, new member Rusty Perez brought everything up with an energetic spiritual that had everyone clapping along. After songs and dinner (our thanks to Goldenwest Diner!), Lisa Arreguin stood up to speak to us. Her subject was a term she had used in her CrazyBrave Songwriter: The Critic Connoisseur. What's that? It's the nasty little voice in the back of your head that tells you not only is your new song not good enough, but that YOU are not good enough to even BE a songwriter. It wants, in Lisa's words, to murder your songwriting career. We all have it, and it's loud from time to time. The way to fight it? Observation. Observations about the world around you -- the big picture and the little details -- that lead to more and more interesting songs, and observations about your own songwriting and career -- what you've achieved so far. Along with observation comes gratitude... a genuine thankfulness for your own gifts as a songwriter, lyricist, musician, and whatever else you can do. Learn to celebrate your own unique talents and gifts as reflected in your craft.
News from Los Angeles CA Songsalive! Squad
Los Angeles Workshop Coordinator: Rik Lawrence
Long Beach Showcase Coordinator: Laura Suarez
What: Songsalive! Long Beach Songwriters Showcase
When: Second Saturday of the Month
Next: Saturday April 13Time: 6pm - 9.30pmSign up for open mic 5.30pm
COST: Free!
FEATURED PERFORMERS: Cesar Medrano and Rodney Briggs
LOCATION: Bixby Joe Coffee & Tea, 4245 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach CA 90807
Songsalive! has found a great new venue in Long Beach! Our March 2nd show at Bixby Joe Coffee and Tea was a great success! Our show began with the wonderful bluegrass artist, Feter Martin Homer. He did a great job of showcasing his edgy voice and heartfelt lyrics. Feter has a full-length CD coming out soon. I can’t wait to hear it! Gill Hager followed up with some driving blues material. Following these wonderful artists, we had some great songwriters who showed up to our open mic portion of the evening. After a very successful March show, we are very grateful to be able to go back to our favorite venue. On April 13 th , we’ll be bringing you some great music from Cesar Medrano and blues from Rodney Briggs. ~ Laura Suarez
All Songsalive! Events
Backstage community
Top Members
CONGRATS TO GEORGINA HILTON for being our most active member this month. You Rock!
You could land here if you are a member, and are active
backstage.
Get your learning on...Songsalive! Songcraft
Awesome Songcraft content available
Self-led online learning through an amazing ONLINE VIDEO & CONTENT SERIES. Take control of your learning and power up with some light and heavy reading! Self-service access to some of the best songwriting and music biz articles as well as watch videos from our Master teachers. Topics include songwriting, lyric writing, pitching and the BIZ! We created this because many of our members are not near a chapter to attend an in-person workshop. So we deliver it to you virtually. How cool is that?! How does it work? Videos and online content are posted under Songcraft in our backstage app, to up your craft and music biz know-how. New content added regularly. Includes some courses valued at over $150 each elsewhere. Get your headphones on, grab a notebook and turn up the volume.
Songsalive! SongShare
You can get your songs critiqued any day of the week at Songsalive! 
It’s like a daily feedback party.
What is Songsalive! SongShare? Be in the comfort of your living room and post your song so other members (songwriters, and music professionals) can provide the feedback you are looking for. Receive critique, give critique and INSPIRE. Other members and music business professionals are ready to give your songs critique and feedback ON A DAILY BASIS.
How to get involved in SongShare?
Log in and tap SongShare under Menu > Topics.
Post your song name, full lyrics, the online url to listen to the song, and what kind of feedback you are looking for. Wait for the feedback to come as comments to your post.
P.S.
Well that wraps up another Songsalive! Songnotes for the month.
STILL NEED YOUR HELP - we are almost there. 74 subs on our
SONGSALIVE! YOUTUBE CHANNEL. But we need 100! We want to secure a dedicated web url for our Songsalive! YouTube channel (i.e we want youtube.com/ songsalive) but in order to get that we need 100 SUBSCRIBERS.
Please tap on the link and subscribe to our YouTube Channel so we can secure this url: ==>
http://bit.ly/2LrwIH3. P.S we host our Songcraft video series on YouTube. By subscribing you get early bird preview of our amazing learning videos from our Music Industry Pros.
