to this issue! - San Diego Songwriters Guild

SongWritersNotes
28 Years Supporting San Diego Songwriters
The San Diego
Songwriters Guild
SDSongwriters.org
[email protected]
858 270 7169 (Sandi Shaner)
3368 Governor Drive
Suite F-326, SD, CA 92122
2010 SDSG Board of Directors
President
Sandi Shaner
Vice President
Eddie Jason Coven
Treasurer
Richard Widney
Secretary
Annie Rettic
Webmaster
John Pape
Member
Sean Reilly
Advisors
Bridget Brigitte
Mark Charles Hattersley
Photographer
Steve Covault
In this edition...
Performing Showcase
2010 Live Contest - Page One
2009 Contest Review
Winners & their Songs - Page Two
Garden of Song
Sven Eric-Seaholm - Page Four
Venue Revue - Lestat's
Annie Rettic - Page Four
Holiday Party Review
December 8 Coolness - Page Five
Lindsay White
SDSG Member Interview - Page Six
2010 Food Drive
Sandi Shaner - Page Eight
Seven Lessons: Part 2
Bridget Brigitte - Page Nine
School of Rock Vista
San Reilly - Page Ten
Bad Science Fiction
Eddie Jason Coven - Page Twelve
Legal Seminar
Entertainment Law - Page Fourteen
Songwriters' Community
Reaching Out - Page Thirteen
Meetup.com - Page Fourteen
The Gig Page - Page Sixteen
Volume XXIV • February 2010
Coming in March: 2010 Performing
Songwriters Showcase
The Fourth Annual San Diego Songmust come from songwriters or bands
writers Guild Performing Songwritwho are able to perform live, on stage,
ers Showcase is a great way to show
during the finals. Songs will be acceptSan Diego what your music is all about.
ed the night of the Listening Session,
Co-Sponsored by 102.1 KPRi FM
but pre-registered entries will have
Homegrown Hour, www.ListenLopriority, so early registration is encourcalSD.com and StudiOB92107.com,
aged.
the Showcase kicks off with a ListenEntry Form and Rules are found on
ing Session on Tuesday, March 9 at
Page 17 of this issue of Songwriters
Country Inns & Suites in Sorrento
Valley. At this session, we will listen
Notes.
to each artist’s CD submission. Judges
The showcase is open to the pubwill select the top six acts (plus several
alternates) to
lic. You may join
perform at the
the Guild or renew
Finals at Humphrey's
LIVE Finals,
your membership
Backstage on April 3
which will take
simultaneously with
place at the
your entry and take
Humphrey's Backstage Shelter Isadvantage of additional member disland, on the evening of Saturday, April
counts. Check the Guild website at
3, 2010. Performing writers and bands
SDSongwriters.org.
are encouraged to submit their original
• Tues, March 9 Registration 6 PM
songs to the Guild for consideration for
the showcase. Enter in person at the
Listening Session 7 PM
Listening Session or by mailing your
5975 Lusk Blvd,
San Diego 92121
entry form to SDSG with CD & 5 Lyric
858 450 7175
Sheets of your best song.
PRIZES: The top band, selected at the
live finals, will receive a Six-Hour Recording Session from StudiOB92107,
Radio Airplay courtesy of KPRi
Homegrown Hour and www.ListenLocalSD.com, and $250 from SDSG
Submit your entry early and save.
To qualify for the early entry discount,
songs must be received by SDSG no
later than March 1, 2009. You can
enter at the March Listening Session
if you can’t mail in your entry. Entries are limited to one per songwriter
or team of writers, and all submissions
• Saturday, April 3 LIVE at
2241 Shelter Island Drive,
SD 92101 619 224 3577
Please see the Showcase Rules &
Entry Form on Page Seventeen for
complete details. All entrants and the
public are invited to attend both the
“Listening” and “Performing” events.
Anthony Plourd
Wins 2009 SDSG
Song Contest
Performer and songwriter Anthony Plourd won
SDSG's 18th Annual Song Contest held this past
November at the Country Inns & Suites on Sorrento
Valley, taking home $500 Cash from SDSG, plus the
opportunity to open at the House of Blues courtesy of
Black Cherry Group. Anthony's winning song, performed by Anthony and his band JD Romance, is an
upbeat tune that grabbed everyone's attention when it
his the PA. Titled "Daylight", the tune is radio-ready
and inspired our panel of judges to award the 2009
Platinum Prize.
Black Cherry Group.
Brian Darnell and Mark Charles Hattersley nabbed
the Silver Award with a co-write, "Chasing Trains" for
which they received a 500 retail-ready CD Package
from CDRollout.com.
Our final top winner for 2009 was Sarah Petite with
"Little Souvenirs." Sarah received a three hour studio
session with Mark Charles Hattersley at Rancho Bohemia Studios.
Honorable Mention Awards went to:
Aaron Echeverria & Amber Plaster “Lily Among
Thorns”
Sara Petite “Shouldn’t Be Doing This”
Lindsay White “Give Up, Give In”
Cindy Santini “Making Sound”
Ed and Christian Williams “Dark Rain”
L to R: SDSG VP Eddie Jason Coven, Contest Winner
Anthony Plourd, and SDSG's Mark Charles Hattersley
Special thanks go to our hard-working panel of
judges: Eddie Jason Coven, Gregory Page, Diane Waters, and Steven Ybarra, and to our SDSG
volunteers in the trenches: Sandi Shaner, Bridget
Brigitte, Annie Rettic, John Pape, Richard Widney, Barby Hattersley, and our MC and DJ Mark
Charles Hattersley. We couldn’t have done it
without you.
Before we give kudos to our runnners up, a little background is in order. SDSG's Annual Song Contest is
an event in which participants' pre-recorded songs are
judged based on a variety of attributes by a panel of
industry judges. The entire contest takes place on a
single jam-packed evening, during which each song is
listened to by judges and attendees, winners are picked,
and prizes awarded. The quality of entries, and the talents exhibited, were undisputable at the 2009 event.
Scoring of the top songs was extremely close, with
only a few points separating the winning entries.
Please don’t forget to remember our sponsors, without
whom the event would have been far less stimulating:
Taylor Guitars, CDRollout.com, RagingBohemian.
com, and Black Cherry Group.
Lindsay White (interviewed starting on Page Six
of this issue of Songwriters Notes) landed the Gold
Award with her song "Fancy Shoes" and took home a
Baby Taylor guitar, courtesy of Taylor Guitars. She
also pocketed $100 in cash from SDSG and landed an
opening spot at a North Park Rocks venue courtesy of
If you were in the room when Anthony Plourd's
“Daylight” was announced as the winner, you know
what a perfect ending we shared to this year’s contest.
Congrats again to Anthony and all our entrants... we
enjoyed all your music, and thank you for sharing it
with SDSG.
SongWriters Notes • Page Two
Finally, let’s not forget Country Inns & Suites for
allowing us to host the event in their fine hotel, and
FruitFlowers.com for providing us with incredibly
edible delights including some tasty chocolates which
we raffled off on Contest breaks to appreciative SDSG
members.
©2009 SteveCovault.com
Contest Judges at Country Inns & Suites, L to R: Gregory Page, Diane Waters, Eddie Jason Coven, and Steven Ybarra
2009 Song Contest Sponsors and Prizes
$500 Cash from SDSG
A beautiful Baby Taylor Guitar from
Opening Spot at
House of Blues or 4th and B
from Black Cherry Group
500 Printed CDs from
CD Rollout
Three hour recording
session with Mark
Charles Hattersley
The Judges
Gregory Page - Producer • Songwriter • Astronaut
Steven Ybarra - Songwriter • Performer
SD Music Awards 2009 Winner • SDSG 2007 Song Contest Winner
Eddie Jason Coven - Black Cherry Music Group
Diane Waters - Songwriter • Performer • SDSG 2008 Song Contest Winner
SongWriters Notes • Page Three
Garden
of Song
Why this one word would seem so surprising to many of
us is in itself perhaps, part of the mystery. Mysterious I
suppose, because it came from them so matter-of-factly,
as if they were proclaiming that the sky was blue, or the
ocean deep. Yet here I was each time, blindsided by this
apparently universal truth. Staring at them as blankly
Under Your Hands
as the first person to be told that the earth was indeed
round, and not flat, as had been the belief for countless
by Sven-Erik Seaholm
centuries preceding this moment of undeniably proI am haunted. Not by ghosts, memories or
found proclamation.
It is a word that each of us hears at our first piano,
some particularly bad pressed turkey (okay,
guitar,
drum or vocal lesson. Yet here were these harmoso maybe that last one), but by the words
nious gods, some of them over 80 years old, still creditof wisdom I have had the extreme privilege
ing this eight letter word for everything they own, are
to have heard proffered by true giants of
or will be. Some of them even said it thrice. After 300+
music. Articulated by people who have carved their
words, it may seem a bit anticlimactic, but it stands in
legacies so deep into the seemingly impenetrable stone
all of it’s seemingly benign splendor at both the pinnacle
walls of musical history, that they have transcended the
and very foundation of excellence and accomplishment.
mortal constructs of remembrance and infused their
That word is Practice.
artistic heritages directly into our collective musical
I can almost hear the thunderclap of mass bored
conscience. Perhaps, even our DNA.
disinterest. Who wants to practice, when there’s songs
These words were,
to write? When there’s
somewhat surprisingly,
... it stands in all of it’s seemingly
tones to explore? New
not about creativity. Nor
benign splendor at both the pinnacle
gadgets to play with?
did they address matters
and very foundation of excellence.
When there are people
of taste, melody or chord
ready to jam, right now?
progression.
Of course the main question for many of us, and
In particular, there was one word that they all agreed
I definitely include myself in this group, is how can I
was the singular thing responsible for whatever manexpress myself from my brain’s right (creative) side, if
ner of success they had achieved. The singular path by
I’m too busy working on the left (technical, analytical)
which each of them arrived at what we would collecside?
tively perceive as musical greatness, even if their own
There’s another one word answer to that, that all the
sense of modesty would keep them from acknowledging
afore mentioned virtuosos alluded to: Coltrane.
their ascension to such stature.
John Coltrane was more than just a master of the
continues on page thirteen
Venue Review by Annie Rettic
Lestat’s Coffee House, located at 3343 Adams Avenue in Normal Heights, is a great little place
that has something going on every night of the week. Monday night is Open Mic Night , hosted by Jimmy Lundsford.
Due to the immense popularity of this Open Mic, it’s done by lottery. You arrive before 6:30, and put your name in a
jar. At the appointed hour, the jar is fetched by Jimmy or his lovely assistant for the evening, and taken next door to the
music room stage. As each person’s name is picked, they get to choose a time to play. The times go from 7 until 11, and
each person gets 10 minutes. Comedians get 5, and keeping it clean is the rule. If you’re lucky enough to play, you can
get a very clean recording of your set for $10. Just speak to the excellent sound engineer, Louis
Brazier. Tuesday night is Comedy Night, and there are shows by many local artists and others
passing through the area on Wednesday through Sunday nights. A variety of excellent treats are
available next door, as well as coffees, teas and other non-alcoholic beverages. You owe it to
yourself to come and check out this great little coffeehouse, and in doing so, you are supporting
the many excellent local artists who play there.
SongWriters Notes • Page Four
San Diego Songwriters Guild's First Annual
Holiday Party
For those members who did not make it in December
to our First Annual Holiday Party, I can tell you, it was
amazing. The stage was filled with performers who are
our own members, like Gregory Page, Steven Ybarra,
Gregory Page
2010 is going to be packed with exciting Guild growth,
and we want you to be a part of it. If you want to attend our meetings, and find out how you can be a
part of a team of Songwriter’s who are making these
events happen, just email me, Sandi Shaner at
[email protected]
By the end of 2010, when we have our 2nd Annual Holiday Networking Party, I hope to have
all of our members in one room celebrating each
other’s music.
Sandi Shaner
Paul Moeller and Folding Mr. Lincoln.
Also joining us was Katie Leigh and her
amazing entourage.
The music was very uplifting and provided us with the Holiday Spirit. I was about
to leave, because I have a newborn baby at
home, when Gregory Page started his set.
He did this loop thing that planted me in a
chair with amazement. Then he went on to
play some tracks off of his new album. That
man is a rare talent, with a unique sound,
and we really enjoy what he contributes to
this city. All of the performers delivered a
memorizing performance. Thank you.
We decided to have this party once per year
to celebrate you and your commitment to
the San Diego Songwriting Scene. You,
our members and supporters, are going to
see the Guild go through changes this year,
for the better! We are opening showcases
at three prominent venues- House of Blues,
Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, and Winston’s in OB. We are having a Legal Seminar
in addition to our two Annual Songwriting
Contests, and we even have a Pitch Session
planned for this Summer.
SongWriters Notes • Page Five
SDSG Featured Artist
Lindsay White
by Sandi Shaner
Our Featured Artist in this issue of Songwriters Notes is
local singer-songwriter and SDSG Member Lindsay White.
If you are wanting to experience humor with a twist of
female emotion that goes straight to your stomach like a
Tequila Shooter, and brings the laughs just the same, GO
SEE LINDSAY! She is awesome! In our interview, Lindsay
provides us with some insight into what makes her tick...
How long have you been playing guitar? I grew up connected to music. I sang in front of my church when I was
still in diapers, and I took piano lessons through elementary school. I started teaching myself to play the guitar when
I was about 13 years old. I stayed home sick from school
one week, got bored out of my mind, and picked up some
junky guitar my dad had lying around the house. I would
pick out the melodies of songs by ear and then figure out
the chord progressions from there. My parents eventually
bought me an acoustic Hohner. When I was about 15, I
decided I wanted an electric-acoustic so I bought my pretty
little Dean at a pawn shop in Orange County while in town
for a basketball tournament. Over a decade later, that Dean
is still my main squeeze, but now I have a Baby Taylor and
my grandma’s old dobro keeping me company on the side
too.
What style of music and which artists made you want
to write songs? I have been inspired over the years by
pretty much every type of music imaginable. A big influence was the “old-time religion” folk-style gospel music
I grew up watching my grandparents play, as well as
oldies-style rhythm & blues like Brenton Woods and Otis
Redding. You can hear this influence in the simple chord
construction of my songs. Lyrically speaking, influences
range from children’s poet Shel Silverstein to the one, the
only Bob Dylan. I am much more of a poet than a musician; I love using words in unique and precise ways to
ensure each song has a story. Furthermore, I am always
inspired by artists (especially female) who write with their
guts spilling out. I really respect the likes of Ani Difranco,
Fiona Apple, Patty Griffin, Amy Winehouse and Feist.
They are not gimmicky with their confident and thoughtprovoking lyrics. They say what they want to say because
it is their most honest expression.
What other styles of music inspire you? Besides the
major influences described above, here are a few others:
Local music: I am always amazed at the talent in San
Diego. It’s a shame how unrecognized it goes outside of
SongWriters Notes • Page Six
our little community of musicians. I could probably list a
hundred, but off the top of my head, I have been directly
inspired by the music of Veronica May, Gregory Page,
Brenda Xu, Allegra, Jasmine Commerce, Steph Johnson,
Cathryn Beeks, Rhythm Turner, Rob Deez, The Flowerthief, I could really go on and on.
Country: Please don’t misunderstand me on this one. A
lot of country music is cheesy to the point of nausea. But
these folks know how to paint a picture and tell a story,
which I love.
Rap/Hip-Hop: Again, I find a lot of rap music to be ridiculous. But no poet can deny the talent of true wordsmiths
like Jay-Z, Cee-Lo and Andre 3000. They have some of
the most amazing lyrics I have ever heard. I would like to
state for the record that I would gladly have Cee-Lo’s baby.
How many songs
have you recorded
in the studio?
What were your
best results? I am
currently working
on my first true
album “Tracks”
with Alex Zander of
Studio Studios. We
have rough mixes
of about 10 songs
so far. Hopefully
it will be ready for
release this summer. This is the first
time I’ve ever been
able to create the
“vision” I have for my songs with the help of a producer,
which is so exciting. My favorite song with Alex so far is
called My Recipe. It sound like Feist meets The Shins, and
it is the kind of tune that belongs on a movie soundtrack.
Maybe Zach Braff will call me if he ever does Garden
State, the Sequel. =)
Tell us about the musicians that you play with now.
For the last year or so, I was playing with just my percussionist Joel Mendoza. I finally got off my lazy behind last
year and formed a band. My friends from Snooze Button
(James Staton, bass and Steve Nichols, lead guitar) join
us for larger venue gigs. Please check out the website for
show schedules and contact information:
http://www.reverbnation/lindsaywhite
What would you like to accomplish in music? I have no
dreams of playing sold out shows at Madison Square Garden or snorting coke off of some toilet seat at a Grammy
party. I just want to make a living writing music. I am
exploring the route of getting my songs placed in TV and
film. If I could make an honest living out of my passion,
nothing would make me happier. But that said, I plan on
writing songs whether or not they bring me financial success. In darker times, I used to think of my music as a burden that ripped out
my heart one song at a time. Recently I started viewing it as a gift, and I intend to keep using it in a positive way and sharing it with
others.
Do you have any plans to pass your talents on to the next generations of aspiring musicians? Are you planning on teaching
music or songwriting? I don’t think anyone will ever come running to me for guitar lessons. I need guitar lessons! I probably
wouldn’t go the route of teaching the youngin’s per se, but I do love collaborating on songs with my peers. It’s fun to mix different
songwriting approaches and see what happens!
If you had a ‘Young Jedi Knight,” so to speak, what advice would you give them about how to network and become part of
San Diego’s Music Scene? Again, I’m not sure people would look to me for advice on networking. I kind of take the tortoise approach on that one. I find pushy, aggressive and “schmoozy” people pretty hard to stomach. But I guess it depends what your goals
are. If you’re trying to be the next big thing, you have to work really hard at selling yourself. Unfortunately, that becomes just as
if not more important than your actual level of talent. The only solid advice I could give you on becoming a part of the San Diego
music scene is be nice to others, be yourself, and call up Cathryn Beeks.
Tell about some lyrics that you have written. How were they inspired? We want the whole story. I think one of my
best songs from a lyrical standpoint is Fancy Shoes. I wrote this during a very trying time in my personal life. It was just
one sad story after another; it was literally like a tornado had rolled through my life and I was just festering in the aftermath.
I started thinking about the main characters in the Wizard of Oz, and what they were missing in life. Coincidentally, I am
sort of known for wearing some outrageous shoes, so I thought it was funny to tie in the idea of Dorothy’s shoes:
V1 If I only had a brain, I wouldn’t have gone insane
I wouldn’t have said such stupid things
I’m grasping at straws up here, there’s nothing between my ears
I’m scared of the silence it brings
Ch I lost my family, I lost my friends
To falling branches and howling winds
I lost my home to inclement weather
I keep on clicking my heels together
But fancy shoes won’t kick my blues away
V2 If I only had a heart today, I’d pump the bad blood away
Put it in a box made of tin
I’d clean it out, oil it well, place it high upon a shelf
And never let it get hurt again (repeat Chorus)
Br If I only had the nerve to find what I deserve
To seek what I’m after
I’d let out a roar, there’d be sorrow no more
I’d let out the laughter
Where are your next gigs? I’m playing with the full band on March 20th at Winston’s in Ocean Beach. Colin Clyne is opening.
The show goes from 5-8PM. We would LOVE to see you there!
Tell us about your shoes. Yes, I had to ask! I’ve always been thrift-store chic when it comes to my fashion sense. I love finding
unusual items and putting my own twist on them. I am especially in love with unusual, funky footwear because you never have to be
skinny to rock fabulous shoes. I have like 35 pairs. They just keep getting more spiky and sparkly. I have come to terms with the fact
that I will probably break my ankle on stage one of these days.
In November 2009, Lindsay took home the Baby Talyor prize that accompanied her Gold Award winning song at SDSG's 18th
Annual Songwriting Contest. We are proud to have featured Lindsay as one of last year’s Rock Fights Hunger Food Drive acts.
SongWriters Notes • Page Seven
SDSG in the Community
Rock Fights Hunger
Food Drive
February 20 at Winston's
Part of the San Diego Songwriter’s Guild’s community outreach program is an annual event that
we organize in collaboration the Lutheran Social Services and Project Hands, called the Rock
Fights Hunger Food Drive. This is a fun event that generates food to feed the hungry.
Rock Fights Hunger will be
held at Winston’s in Ocean
Beach this February 20th,
which is a Saturday. Every
member and supporter is encouraged to take a few minutes of time to drop by the
club and drop off a bag of
groceries. If you have an hour
or so, stay awhile and enjoy
the talented musical acts performing all day, like Bad Science Fiction (San Diego’s
Crazy Scientist Showband!)
Or, if Top 40 music is your
thing and you like to dance,
check out our featured cover
band, Sister Venus. If you prefer a quiet afternoon, the show
is kicked off with absolutely
stellar acoustic performances
by W.O.W., Chelsea Flor, Eddie Jason Coven, Grace Ellen, and Sean Reilly!
Last year our goal was to generate 100 bags of non perishable food, and donate it to the
Lutheran Food Banks. We exceeded our goal. So, this year,
why not double it??? To make
that happen, we need your help!
Spread the word, come network
with fellow songwriters, and
celebrate our unity.
Sandi Shaner - SDSG President
SongWriters Notes • Page Eight
My Tour in Europe Last Summer:
Seven Lessons For Musicians
Part II by Bridget Brigitte
I was thrilled to be in Holland. Apeldoorn, a city in the deepmove us outdoors to the patio since it is too warm indoors.
ly-forested center of the country, hopes to become entirely
I, and the entire sound crew, clench our fists, bite our lips
Green by 2025. The city residents are doing all they can to
(not to mention our tongues), glare at each other as our eyes
make the entire city eco-friendly and run on sustainable and
scream “Couldn’t they have just maybe possibly conceivably
renewable clean energy. I wish the whole world would copy
thought of this an hour ago??? Hello???” Troopers that we
them! Radio Apeldoorn interviewed me a couple of times
were, I said goodbye to my lovely elevated stage (that would
and I told them how, when I was growing up, my family
have made such a wicked video), and hello to playing in belived with a special Dutch family who came from their retween swinging doors on some gravel. I had to accept that
gion. The first song I ever learned to sing was Dutch: “Sah
this event was not about me, but about the business networktwee biere,” “I Saw Two Bears.” I was excited to learn that
ing that I was supposed to enhance. By the end of the night I
Radio Apeldoorn has a TV program also, and they played
met some interesting artists, musicians, sensitive lost souls,
a few of my music videos. When I performed, I balanced
entrepreneurs, and no love was lost as people say.
my slim Yamaha keyboard beneath their one foot telescopAnother lesson I can leave with musicians is: Whenever
you plan a trip, try to schedule professional moments,
ing fixed mics and tried really hard to not move in my creaky
chair. Their team was generous, accommodating, and friendwhether that means performing, checking out places you’d
ly and I only wish I was more fluent in Dutch.
like to perform, promoting, checking out your muses, getThe Dutch family that I was raised with as a little girl
ting to know anyone related to the music industry in an area.
used to have a coffee shop
By making sure there is a
in Solana Beach. It was
component
If you have a clear idea of your goals, professional
called “The Sugar Bowl”
to your travels, some of
you are much more likely to achieve them. your trip may end up beand was across from what
is now called Fletcher Cove
ing tax-deductible. Make
beach, formerly called “Pill Box” for reasons you can figure
the most of living and being music - keep it fun (minus
out. The Sugar Bowl had the best donuts in town and those
chemicals and excess though! Brain cells make mean muswivel vinyl chairs lining one long counter top. Their friends
sic!). Finally: if you have a clear idea of your goals, you
were some of the original dairy farmers in Escondido at the
are much more likely to achieve them. By following my
Hollandia Dairy. Today, one can still find a place in Esconheart to be around this family that I am close to in Holland
dido called the Continental Delicatessen at 120 S. Kalmia
in the wake of other performances, I was led to a dynamic
that sells cheese, soups, meats, and cookies from Holland.
dance label called White Villa where we are looking into colI mention all this since there are many Dutch immigrants in
laborating on a tune I wrote that is meant for the dancefloor.
San Diego and I was grateful to my bilingual “sisters” MaThey have a gorgeous studio housed in a thatched-roof house
aike (who lives in Holland and is a graduate of San Dieguito
with suspended swimming pool, an energetic and talented
high school) and Christine for making my shows in Holland
team, and mostly a no nonsense manager who manages to
possible.
make the word business disappear from doing business.
I’ll wind down my story with lesson number four -- a must
The end of my tour had Jean-Pierre and I driving along
for anyone serious about the music business, or any business
seemingly endless coves and beaches along the Pink Granite
for that matter: Be flexible. After months of preparation for a
Coast in Brittany France where entire villages are built from
special performance in front of Holland’s best and brightest
pink granite. This was after seeing the Lacquer Coast and
creative business people, I walked into a beautiful black and
Opal Coast. We ate too much with no regrets and the lesson
white performance hall with high ceilings, elegant Corinthian
that meant the most to me was simply feeling in harmony
columns, commanding mirrors flanked by paintings of lanky
with others. Without a soul in sight, Dutch farmers leave
women from the twenties. The high stage was entirely mine
homegrown products like red berries (rode bessen), eggs,
including a whole team of sound engineers with their boxy
zucchini, or endive on unmanned tables outside of their
amplifiers, piles of licorice cables, confusing mixing boards
homes. Passersby leave money for the items they want, take
and stacks of mic stands. We spend the necessary hour and
them and drive away in an unsupervised exchange of goods
a half running the sound check, setting up the stage, taping
where the lesson is: trusting leads to trust.
down cables and pedals, and positioning the speaker stands.
For more about Bridget and links to her songs,
At the very last minute, with the business crowd buzzing
please visit BridgetMusic.com
over sushi and martinis, the event management decides to
SongWriters Notes • Page Nine
Musical
Conversations
by Sean Reilly
My father is Irish. My mother,
French. Both of these countries are
famous for their love of libation, and
the barstool banter that goes with it.
Gaelic and French are also very lyrical languages – fascinating and beautiful to listen to (especially when perched on a barstool). Over time, these cultures have
helped elevate the pleasures of conversation and wordplay into
an art form.
Yet, artful conversations can manifest themselves in many
different ways, especially in the world of music. Songwriters
in particular are some of the most gifted storytellers – they initiate an exchange between artist and audience. Other examples
could be, the call and response between a church choir and its
congregation, or the sing-along portion of a children’s show
(or rock concert for that matter).
But by far, the most common musical discussions are
those that occur between fellow musicians on the band stand.
And, in my opinion, these can be the most sublime musical
conversations of all.
I don’t know about you, but it took me years during my
musical journey to find the opportunity to play regularly with
other musicians in a live setting. When I was growing up, my
guitar instructor would come to the house, and sit with me in
the living room to teach me the basics. Then I would retreat to
my room, and practice my parts over and over and over again.
Victory would come only when I could sing a song and accompany myself playing at the same time. Then, as a reward,
my parents would say “Come out of your room and play your
song for us!” But I was too shy and uncomfortable to do that
very often…
I wanted to expand beyond the four walls of my bedroom,
but how? I was in my early teens, and feeling pretty awkward.
And, my guitar teacher certainly wasn’t gonna drop by on
weekends for a jam session. So, there I sat, alone. Trying to
keep at it, and hoping someday the world would change. Maybe, just maybe, I would find some other musically-inclined
kids I could converse with.
Well, the world has changed, and music education has followed. Sure, you can join the Jazz ensemble at your local high
school and learn to play with the other kids. But how many
sixteen year-olds get turned on by Glenn Miller arrangements?
Don’t get me wrong, I love Glenn Miller. But when I was sixteen, I wanted to satisfy the hormone factor (ya know what I
mean?). All I wanted to do was to rock – and rock hard.
I guess I was born too soon, because now there are private
schools dedicated to the very proposition of teaching kids how
to rock. Each student is given private instruction on how to
play an instrument (or multiple instruments in some cases) and
then they’re thrown together in a band setting that forces them
to play together - and listen to the conversation taking place.
SongWriters Notes • Page Ten
Their final assignment is to play as a group in a live music club
performing for family and friends. Now that’s a real education!
My friend Ron Weaver recently opened a school just like
this. It’s called The School of Rock. He has hired a staff of
qualified music instructors, and offers lessons to kids of all
ages. He setup his school in Vista, and draws students from all
over North County. Ron is a drummer by trade, and I recently
had the chance to talk with him and gain some insight on his
background and decision to open the school.
When did you start playing drums? I was 7 and took private
lessons during the summer. They booted me for not practicing! This is a true story. I then went on to take drums lessons
at school (when they did that kind of thing) and took it from
there. I played in the concert band and to be honest I really
didn’t show any intense interest till I was in 8th grade and getting ready to play in the marching band the next year. That’s
when I went to a drum clinic at West Chester State College in
PA and saw Butch Miles from the Count Basie Orchestra just
kill it on the drum set. That’s what I want to do!
Did you receive any formal training? I’ve had many years
of private lessons during and after my High School years and
went on to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
When did you first play with other musicians? I started
in Concert Band in 7th grade. Then Rock & Roll around 9th
grade. I got into playing the drum set and started playing with
the neighborhood kids. There was no School of Rock ("SOR").
That’s just how you did it back then.
Why did you decide to open a SOR branch? Simple Jealousy! Why didn’t they have this when I was a kid? Seriously
I wanted to make a difference and I wanted to do something I
love. SOR was great way to do both.
How do you compare your own musical training against
the methods used at SOR? It’s funny - I consider Drum Line
my Rock School. It was performance based (although marching) and there was a healthy competition for parts. It was a
tough love environment and you didn’t get a gold star for just
showing up to practice. I loved the experience and SOR isn’t
much different. We teach music in the lessons and the students
are required to learn the performance material on their own.
What are the main differences/benefits? We had sheet music in marching band, and the students at SOR use mainly their
ears and their knowledge to figure out the music. We teach eartraining and have the students transcribe parts so they get the
reading/writing part of the lesson. These days with the internet
they have other ways (Tabs and such which are a lot of times
incorrect…), but your ear will always tell you what’s right and
that’s what we teach.
Do you provide any student training in songwriting?
We feel that first you should be proficient on an instrument.
Study music and discover how others have done it. Yes, the school
is performance based and that’s the focus. At least that’s what we
tell our students. The underlying focus is true musicianship. As
the school matures and the students become more proficient we
will delve deeper into songwriting techniques. June is a down
month with nothing to rehearse, so we offer a small recording
project with the students and expose them to songwriting. It’s a
lot of fun and it’s sparking some interest. In addition, this summer we plan to offer a recording / songwriting camp and I look
forward to offering more of these services in the future.
How many students can attend? Once we get the last two sound
booths, over 180 students per week. Right now we can handle
around 120 students a week.
What are your goals for SOR? Create rippin’ musicians! Our
tag line is "Saving Rock and Roll one Kid at a Time." Well, we’re
trying to save an art form. I don’t want to wake up 20 years from
now and really wonder what happened to music.
Where do you want to see these students in the future?
1-3% of my students I see in a music career. The rest I hope will
be better people with a healthy appreciation for the arts. This
work has offered me the best job satisfaction EVER! The longer
I do this, I find it’s less about the music than it is about the kids.
Seeing that student that couldn’t look you in the eyes get up on
stage and just own the crowd is an amazing sight to witness.
SOR is a performance based music program for students ages 718. Complete beginners welcomed. If you or someone you know
is interested in SOR, call Ron Weaver for more information.
School of Rock Vista
“Saving Rock and Roll one Kid at a Time.” ™
760 415 6219
www.SchoolofRock.com/Vista
What advice would you give to a prospective student?
Practice, practice, practice. Stay focused, and keep your mind
open to all styles of music. No one makes it to the big stage with
talent alone. It’s the ones that work hard that make it.
What kind of material do you teach the students? At our performances we work with Classic Rock, Blues, Motown and a bit
of Funk and Reggae. In lessons, simply put, we teach music. For
drummers, it’s not just rock and roll beats. And for the melodic instruments, it not just rock cords and progressions. We are theory/
rudimentary based and expose the students to all styles of music.
Do you provide networking tools for students to reach out to
the broader music community in San Diego? This is something that is slowly growing at the school. The current enrollment
is a relatively young group and as they show interest we will accommodate their needs. I think this newsletter is nice way to get
them interested in songwriting and seeking out other musicians
for collaboration. This is something I want to do more of at the
school and in some ways it’s growing organically as we need it.
Joe Troutman is a promoter who teaches about the industry to
budding bands. I want to get my students involved in his classes
although my students are still a little young and not yet interested
in the business end of things. Trust me, they will be soon enough
and when they read this I’m hoping I’ll get some interest.
Who inspires you? I love bands like Rush, Yes, Genesis, King
Crimson, UK etc yet I’m also the fan of a simple hook with a
nasty groove. Max Roach – I saw that guy play with just a High
Hat and a seat. After I got over wanting to burn my drums, I
practiced!!! Alan Dawson and Tony Cerra, two of my teachers at
Berklee were big influences in my growth. Alan taught me about
melody on the drums and Tony made me realize what it meant to
be a musician and not a just chop monster. These are two lessons
I’ll never forget. Another inspiration is David Akers, place kicker
for the Philadelphia Eagles. Has an organization called Kicks for
Kids. David has taken his love for football and done something
worthy for his community.
SongWriters Notes • Page Eleven
“Chemistry Isn’t My Thing. Enter Chuck Schiele”
Custodian of Records
by Eddie Jason Coven
If the world ever depended upon my math skills or
my knowledge of anything scientific, we’d all be
screwed. That’s why there’s a Bachelor’s of Arts or a
Bachelor’s of Science disciplines in the various studies, of which this college dropout has neither. I didn’t
want to read, I didn’t want to do math. I just wanted to rock,
and state my uneducated opinions to the world.
Recently, I found myself at a bar watching the bartender mix a drink for me. A little bit of this, a little bit of thatsee, no science or math involved! And no, I didn’t order a Manhattan, but I have been there, if you are talking
about the dive bar on Broadway in Chula Vista. I ordered a Long Beach. Yes, Long Beach. Never been there,
but it sure tastes good, and gets that good old buzz going right away. Then enter Chuck Schiele and Bad Science
Fiction. With the lights down low, black lights turned on, smoke frothing the stage, and the gentleman of the band
wearing lab coats, I thought maybe, just maybe, I might learn something tonight. Indeed I did.
Not being much for new psychedelics, and being a fan of the old guard, I like my acid trips to be vintage, shaken,
not stirred, and to have the right amount of electric organ, preferably Farfisa, but you know me, I’m a Hammond
Organist. Anything psychedelic I have heard today, outside of Modeski, Martin and Wood, has just sounded
weird to me, and just not something I can latch onto. Somebody help me dig Jim Morison up and bring him back
to life! I’ve got Ray Manzerick’s phone number, I’m sure he’s up for it.
But one thing I can say about Bad Science Fiction is that they are not bad… at all. Unless of coarse you meant
to say BAD ASS. While the stage show is a spectacle, sometimes listening to the record helps to separate the
showmen from the songwriters. So when I popped in “Therefore” into my Home Theater this afternoon to take a
listen, I heard the same great show. Minus the lab coats.
The record is definitely a musical journey, but I must say the first half the disc is my favorite. Produced by Chuck
Shiele and Mike Head, the record of coarse is engineered and mastered perfectly by the StudiOB owner, with
the help of Paul Abbott at Zen Mastering, if anything, this is the soundtrack to living and loving life in the 92107
zip code. “Rise Up” is definitely the anthem to live by. Strong vocals by Chuck, and an equally strong message.
92107 is a great track, again, taking me to the ocean waves, to the bums sitting on the retaining wall, to the smell
of salt and pot in the air. But the best part of the record is the “Candyman Suite” tracks 3-5. It’s pure rock n roll
meshed with experimental cybertronics. I can’t really put it into words. Take a listen you’ll understand. But
honestly though, the CD does not do justice to the live version. Watching Bad Science Fiction is an experience I
suggest you enjoy at least once this year. They will be performing February 20th at Winston’s for SDSG's Annual
Food Drive event.
Eddie Jason Coven is Public Relations for Black Cherry Music Group, "Artists Helping Artists" in San Diego.
You can reach Eddie at [email protected]
SongWriters Notes • Page Twelve
Garden of Song
Continued from Page 4
saxophone. He was more than a great arranger, bandleader
and composer. He has become far more than one of the most
influential musical artists of this or any other time, and yes, I’d
stack him up against any number of music’s great movers and
shakers. I say that with the greatest respect and admiration for
all those great artists, from Stravinsky to Bach, Django to Jaco,
Beethoven to Hendrix.
Most of his contemporaries and countless more disciples
since, have attested to his seemingly unobstructed flow of
extemporaneous creation, as if he and his horn were merely a
synapse between the listener and the universal mind. Even listening to his recorded works all these years later can give one
the sense that he simply tapped into the maple tree of love and
beauty, and let its sap pour over us all like a syrup of inspiration.
How does such a strange creature come to exist? Surely
the rareness of the individual can be attributed to more than
just random chance, though there are certainly precious few
Gershwins, Mozarts and Ellingtons.
I read a biography of the man that may give at least some
insight into this phenomenon. In it, they describe his insatiable
thirst for knowledge of every scale and mode. He obsessively
searched for every imaginable combination of notes and the
technical skill to execute them at will. He played his horn incessantly, in a relentless pursuit of the ability to play whatever he
could imagine and indeed, the ability to imagine more.
His was a spiritual quest. By his own account, he was
God’s servant and his service was to give voice to that divine
existence. This mission is hinted at in some of his album
titles: “Ascension”, “Expression”, “Meditations”, “A Love
Supreme”.
Given the previously described zealousness of his search,
my guess is that in his mind, he never got all the way there.
One man said it best: “The farther you get, the further you see
you have to go.” He also said this: “If you don’t practice for a
day, okay. Don’t practice for two days and you’ll know it. Don’t
practice for three, and your audience knows it.”
An acquaintance of mine refers to it as having a song “under
your hands”. To know it so well as to be able to not think about
it. This ideally frees one to be directly in touch with the inspiration and ultimately, give it true expression.
If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to rehearse now. I’ve got a
hell of a lot of work to do.
Sven-Erik Seaholm is an award-winning independent record
producer, performer and recording artist. His company Kitsch &
Sync Production (kaspro.com) provides Recording, Mastering,
Graphic Design, Consultations and CD Manufacturing Services.
Call him at 619-287-1955 to inquire about Special Winter Rates.
Or go to www.svensongs.com to see where he’s playing.
Songwriters Reaching Out
Dear Guild Members,
As musicians in San Diego, we are well aware
of our surroundings and our own challenges.
Challenge #1: Overcoming the” San Diego Syndrome”- getting people to come to shows. All
laughs aside, I wanted to also bring to attention
that our friends and neighbors have their own
challenges. Part of any organization should be
giving back to the community by its members. I
am extending the offer to each of members, that
if you have a charity event or other community
outreach that you would like your fellow Guild
Members to support with you, please email me at
[email protected] . I would like to
do at least one community outreach event every
month or every other month. So if you would
be interested in playing to some elderly folk at
a rest home, sharing your love of music with
young children at a local school, then please let
me know. Let’s get involved with our friends and
neighbors.
Yours in the Music,
Eddie Jason Coven,
Vice President
pdate...
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Another Great Resource...
NSAI Nashville Songwriters Association
www.nashvillesongwriters.com.
San Diego NSAI conducts regular Fourth Monday Workshops
as well as Quarterly Showcases and Special Events with Pro
Songwriters. For more information, contact:
Liz Axford [email protected] 619.884.1401
or
Bob Duffy [email protected]
SongWriters Notes • Page Thirteen
San Diego Songwriter’s
Meetup Group
SDSG Presents
As many of you know, the San Diego Songwriter’s Guild’s website is www.sdsongwriters.org. Recently, it came to our attention that a group known as the
San Diego Songwriter’s Meetup Group obtained the rights to www.sdsongwriters.com So in an effort to see what the Meetup.com group was about, I joined
and attended a "Meetup."
A Legal Seminar
by Eddie Jason Coven
Cliff Keller, a recently retired CEO, started the San Diego Songwriter’s Meetup
Group two years ago this month. He was already a Meetup.com member and
thought he would try organizing his own Meetup group. An aspiring songwriter, Cliff was having trouble finding musicians that wanted to write and perform
original music, when most musicians he came across wanted to play covers.
The first meeting of the San Diego Songwriter's Meetup Group had a total
of five in attendance, but has grown since then to an average of 25 to 30 participants. Through the founding of this Meetup.com group, Cliff met Tony, a
fellow songwriter who joined him in the forming of Driver Ed, their all original band, which is set to release their debut record within the coming months.
(DriverEdBand.com) Interestingly, through the meetup group, Cliff also met
Karen, whose passion for songwriting led them to marriage vows a few months
back. Now that's what I call a Meetup!
The San Diego Songwriter’s Meetup Group currently has over 360 members,
and assembles every other Wednesday, usually at Swedenborg Hall in University Heights and occasionally at Old Time Music in North Park. The mission of
this group is to cater to those songwriter’s who are not necessarily a part of the
music scene. Those who are just starting out or interesting in becoming a songwriter are the basis of this
group. The group also
serves to foster networking and collaborating for
songwriters, musicians,
lyricists and singers, and
provide a venue for their
material to be performed
and to be heard. The
Meetup Group is also big
on learning, having local
music industry professionals speak and present
at some of the Meetups,
and also encourages its
members to do constructive critiques on members
songs, and has a song
contest every month.
To find out more about the
San Diego Songwriter’s
Meetup Group, you can
log onto www.sdsongwriters.com or www.meetup.
com/sdsongwriters
SongWriters Notes • Page Fourteen
Entertainment Law
and the Songwriter
with attorneys
Paul Mirowski
Valerie Ann Nemeth
Michael Hoisington
Jeff Mach
Wednesday, May 12, 7 PM
Swedenborg Hall
1531 Tyler Avenue
San Diego, CA 9210
Free to SDSG Members
Public Welcome -Admission $15.00
SDSG Memberships available at
SDSongwriters.org or at the Door.
SDSG
PERFORMING SONGWRITERS ShOWCASE
• Song entered must be the contestant(s)’ original work.
• Bands will be judged by a committee consisting of industry professionals and songwriters.
• Judges will use five criteria: melody, form, originality, lyrics
(when applicable), and presentation.
• Winners are responsible for division of prizes.
• CD’s and Lyric Sheets will not be returned.
• Winner of Final Live Event will receive Radio Play from The
KPRi Homegrown Hour and ListenLocalSD.com, StudioOB92107 Six-Hour Recording Session & $250 from SDSG
• SDSG is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected,
postage due, stolen, or misappropriated entries.
• To qualify for the pre-registration discount fee, entries must be
received by March 1, 2010. Later entries will be accepted subject to availability.
• Finalists to be determined at the March 9 Listening Session.
• Maximum number of song submissions is ONE per writer or
team of writers. SDSG reserves the right to limit entries. If
more than 50 advance entries are received, preliminary review
RULES
will be utilized to select top entries for the Listening Session.
• Entrants must include information on the number of performers
and instrumentation of the artist/group if selected as a Finalist
for the April 3, 2010 Live Finals at Humphrey’s Backstage
• Should a Songwriter/Band selected as a Finalist choose not to
perform at the Finals, their position will be filled by a Songwriter/Band chosen as an Alternate.
• Finalists will not receive payment for performing at the Showcase Finalists and will perform utilizing the sound system, drum
kit, keyboard, amps and microphones supplied.
• Entries that violate these rules may be disqualified, and submitted fees will not be returned. All judges’ decisions are final.
Sponsored by
LocalSD.com
102.1 KPRi FM Listen
EACH ENTRY MUST CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING:
m
StudiOB92107.co
SDSG $250 in CASH
• Entry Form: Completed and signed Entry Form, see below, photocopy is OK.
• CD: Entrant must indicate the track number of song submitted on CD.
• Lyric Sheets: 5 copies of lyric sheets (please include English translation if applicable). Performer’s/songwriter’s
names must not appear on lyric sheets. Entries will be number coded to assure impartiality in judging.
• Fees: Check or money order (U.S. currency only) payable to San Diego Songwriters Guild:
Pre-registration Discount Fees (To qualify, entry must be received no later than March 1, 2010)
$10 (Current SDSG Member) or $20 (Non-SDSG Member)
Fees for entries received after March 1, 2010 (subject to availability)
$20 (Current SDSG Member) or $30 (Non-SDSG Member)
Join SDSG or renew your expired membership when you enter and you may enter at member rates.
Membership Applications are available at SDSongwriters.org.
Mail Entries To: San Diego Songwriters Guild Contest
3368 Governor Drive, Suite F-326 • San Diego, CA 92122
Questions or comments? Contact us at [email protected] Website: www.sdsongwriters.org
2010 SDSG
Performing Songwriters ShowCase
Payment Enclosed (circle one):
Song Title:
Current SDSG Member: $10 / $20
Entry Form
Non-Member: $20 / $30
CD Track Number:
Band/Songwriter Name(s)
Contact Name/Relationship to Writer(s):
Contact Address:
Day Phone:
Eve Phone:
Number of Performers and Instrumentation:
I have read and accept the contest rules, terms and conditions. Signed:
Email:
Songwriter’s Signature and Date
The Gig Page
SDSG Members Performing in and around San Diego
Paul Moeller
Saturday, March 13, 8PM
Saturday, March 27, 7PM
Technomania Circus
The Center For Amusing Arts
2438 Commercial St. San Diego, CA 92113
619-231-1950 www.technomaniacircus.com
Steven Ybarra
Friday, March 26, 7PM
Del Mar Plaza,
1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA, 92014
Grab some dinner at one of the restaurants in the plaza and join
us on the deck for live music. Tell your friends... let’s make it a
memorable evening.
JT Moring
Thursday, February 25, 5-9PM
with Neck & Neck
Roosevelt St, Carlsbad 92008
Saturday, April 24,
2:30-3:45PM,
Little Italy Artwalk
India & Cedar stage area
(Acoustic)
Saturday, March 6, 4PM
with Neck & Neck
Winston's SDSG Beach Party
1921 Bacon St., Ocean Beach 92107
Sunday, April 25,
5-6PM
Little Italy Artwalk
India & Date stage, (Band)
Annie Rettic
www.annierettic.com
Saturday, March 13, Noon - 9PM
Tuesday March 16, 6PM - 9PM
Wednesday, March 17, Noon - 9PM
Gallagher’s Pub, St. Patrick’s Day Festival
5046 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach 92107
Saturday, March 27, 7-10PM
Wild Older Women - Sweet Joyce Ann and Annie Rettic with
guests Veronica May & Eric Burton
Kashtan Bistro
12125 Alta Carmel Ct., San Diego 92128
Lindsay White www.lindsayannwhite.com
Saturday, March 20, 5-8PM
Full Band. Colin Clyne opens.
Winston's Ocean Beach 5-8pm
Friday, April 2 - time TBD
with Chad Cavanaugh, Jon Lall, & Jeffrey Joe Morin
Java Jones
631 9th Avenue, San Diego CA 92101
Saturday, April 24 - time/stage TBD
Mission Federal Artwalk
SongWriters Notes • Page Sixteen
and don't forget...
SDSG Rock Fights Hunger
February 20
SDSG Beach Party
March 6
SDSG Performing Songwriters
Contest March / April 3
SDSG Legal Seminar
May 12
If you are an SDSG Member and
would like a listing, please email
gig notices to us at
SDSongwriters@hotmail.
SDSG Sponsors
Beach City Graphics
[email protected] 760 415 8900
Black Cherry Music Group
501 west Broadway, Plaza A, #242, San Diego, 92101
blackcherrygroup.com
CD Rollout
CDRollout.com
800 811 7478
Country Inn and Suites
5975 Lusk Boulevard, San Diego 92121 858 558 1818
Mark Charles Hattersley
RagingBohemian.com
[email protected]
The KPRi Homegron Hour & www.ListenLocalSD.com
Every Saturday Night at 9PM on 102.1 FM
Music Mart
122 S. Solana Hills Drive, Solana Beach
MusicMartUSA.com
858 259 3940
Steve Covault Professional Music Photography
stevecovault.com [email protected]
StudiOB92107.com 858 663 9612
Chuck Schiele / Producer
Sven-Eric Seaholm 619-287-1955
www.svensongs.com
Taylor Guitars
taylorguitars.com
SongWriters Notes • Page Seventeen
San Diego
Songwriters Guild
Rock Fights Hunger
February 20
Beach Party
March 6
Performing Songwriters
Contest March 9 / April 3
Legal Seminar
May 12
See Inside for Details
2009 Contest Winners
Writer Interviews
[email protected]
and Much More!
SDSongwriters.org
SongWritersNotes
The San Diego Songwriters Guild
3368 Governor Drive, Suite F-326
San Diego, CA 92122
Address Correction Requested
PerformingSongwriters
Showcase... See Page One