February 2022
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 27, No. 02
Live meetings are Canceled due to CoronaVirus.
However, we will be having on-line Zoom meetings.
We will send details under a separate e-mail,
and an announcement on the Facebook group page.
We expect it to be scheduled for
Sunday February 6th 2022 at 5pm. If you want the
zoom meeting details, please e-mail us
at isgorlando@gmail.com
Hopefully we will soon be meeting in person again.
Please stay tuned for more info.
Any Details not in this newsletter are at:
If you wish to join our Facebook group, please check us out at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/831814850193553/
WebChatter
by CyberToad
We are asking members to renew their dues for 2022. It costs only $5 per year,
and it helps us to defray costs for the zoom meetings.
We have 2 methods of payment. Either paypal to our treasurer Asli Goncer's
paypal account. The paypal access is at aslivision@gmail.com
or you can mail a $5 check to
Asli Goncer
2849 Babylon Court
Oviedo, FL 32765
Either way, we appreciate your continued support.
Coming up this month is February Album Writing Month, where we are challenged
to write and record 14 songs in 28 days. This is a lot of fun, and I have done
this 2 or 3 times in the recent past. Here are some links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_Album_Writing_Month
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fawmers/
https://twitter.com/fawm?lang=en
What Am I? (Part 2)
By Jackie Mason
What am I? That’s the question I asked myself when trying to figure out what type of songwriter I am. It’s important to know so that I may pitch my songs to the
right people. I think it’s a question that all aspiring songwriters must ask of themselves. My answer was that I wrote in the singer/songwriter genre. It was an easy answer
for me. I have been mainly a solo performer for most of my career. I have branched out into a couple of bands but I’m a solo artist. I am a solo songwriter too. Last month
I posed the question “ what is the singer/songwriter genre?” Here is an answer from AllMusic https://www.allmusic.com/subgenre/singer-songwriter-ma0000002855 I tend
to agree with them. I like their description. “Most of the original singer/songwriters performed alone with an acoustic guitar or a piano but some had small groups for backing.
Their lyrics were personal,” I could have written about any of the artists on their list, from Bob Dylan to Jackson Browne. I chose Nick Drake and Townes Van Zandt because
they are not that well known and both have something of a cult following.
Today I’m looking at two young songwriters in the singer/songwriter genre. Each is hot in today’s market. I admit that I’d never heard of them before writing this article.
I think that’s a good thing. Let us begin the year with something fresh. It is the only way to succeed. We need to be up to date.
The first person I have been listening to is Kings Elliot. She’s now based in England but came there by way of Switzerland. I love her voice and her songs. Her voice
reminds me a little of Billie Eilish. She sings about personal matters, her mental health and about her struggles living during an epidemic. That’s a common vibe for these artists.
The first song that I heard by her was “Call Me A Dreamer.” I heard about these artists by way of a music business tip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCp8Rub-6C0&list=FLxLx9ffd2vj4NoqKSTIVkaw&index=1
It’s a good song. Well written and well produced. I admire this young woman’s courage and willingness to be vulnerable.
Listen to “I’m Getting Tired Of Me” and see if you don’t agree.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9jBlg-GUYM
I didn’t find out why she’s called Kings. I may find out before I finish writing this piece. Here are some web sites about her and her songwriting craft
I apologize for the length of this link. I like that her inspirations come from Disney, music of the 1940’s and show tunes. There’s more confirmation that she uses
music as a therapeutic tool. https://thehoneypop.com/2021/11/09/call-me-a-dreamer-kings-elliot-cries-softly-in-the-air/
And in this last link we learn a little more about her creative process https://diymag.com/2021/02/04/get-to-know-kings-elliot
My next singer/songwriter is Holly Humberstone. She is from England and she too puts her heart on the line. This song is called “Friendly Fire.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KXUvFlSRzI The words are concise and real.
“We had a shelf life but neither believed it
We just gave up reading the signs
I make conversation to fill every silence
Then put on my headphones and cry”
Watching her perform on the Jimmy Fallon show I sense her uncertainty and awkwardness.Though it takes nothing from her. She’s deep and she’s strong and she
gets through it. This is “Scarlett.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tacswjiiZXg Here are a couple of links about Holly. In the first she talks about her song “Friendly Fire.” https://ourculturemag.com/2021/11/12/holly-humberstone-unveils-video-for-new-song-friendly-fire/
And this link illustrates just how hot an artist she is becoming. https://diymag.com/2021/08/23/holly-humberstone-omeara-london-2021-live-review
Before I say goodbye from the Tower of Song, let me remind you that the February Album Writing Month will begin on February 1st. FAWM.org Stay safe and well.
ISG Bulletin Board
Meeting space graciously provided by Central Florida Musicians Association,
Local 389. You are invited to join the largest union in the world, representing the
interests of the professional musician. Visit their website at afm389.org for more
information. You may reach them by phone at: 407-894-8666.
Why isn't your gig or live stream announced here? Members in good standing call SusieCool
with your appearance schedule! 407-760-2153 or e-mail her the details at isgorlando@gmail.com
If you are interested in open mics in the Central Florida area, SusieCool has compiled a list.
Steve Hodak hosts several newly listed open mics on the East coast.
https://sites.google.com/site/susiecoolsongs/Home/open-mic-directory-central-florida
SusieCool is the admin for a Facebook group called "Orlando Creative Music Network"
where we give out info on songwriter meetings, playing circles, open mics, workshops and concerts.
We have a Facebook page for this group if you want to join.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/274152179716552/
No Critique scores for December, since no live meeting.
New members and guests are always welcome!
© 2022 ISG
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