October 2016
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 21, No. 10
Next Meeting Sunday October 2nd 5:00pm
The International Songwriter’s Guild meets at 5 PM on the first Sunday of every month at the
Central Florida Musician’s Union building, 3020 East Robinson St., Orlando, FL 32803 (at the
extreme east end of Robinson, near Orlando Executive Airport)
Songwriters, composers, performers, publishers, and the curious are encouraged to join us. Non-
members are invited to attend a meeting or two to get a feel for our group and what we do. If you
wish to join, there is an annual fee of only $5. For more information, visit our website at
www.tinyurl.com/isgsongs or myspace page at https://myspace.com/21075001
The meetings will be structured as follows: 5:00 to 5:30, business and introductions. 5:30 to 6:00,
presentation by a guest speaker (when scheduled), 5:30 or 6:00 to 8:00, song critiques. Please
bring a CD or I-phone or mp3 player or perform your song live, and bring 10 or more lyric sheets.
If we have at least 5 songs by members who wish to be scored, and 6 members scoring, then we will
have them entered in the Monthly competition. Everyone is encouraged to write constructive comments
on the lyric sheets.
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/
New And Old Faces
By Jeff Mason
Paul McCartney is planning to have hot, LA, producer Greg Kurstin produce some songs on his
next album. He has been quoted as saying “it’s important to stay musically relevant.” Kurstin had a
huge hit with Adele’s song “Hello.” This year he’s hit it big with “Cheap Thrills” by Sia. On both
these songs he has a co-writer credit too.
Greg shares a trait with other producers that I’ve written about this year. Like Tom Dowd
and Sam Phillips, he has a knack for bringing out the best in a performer. He is known in the
industry as an “artist whisperer.”
http://www.apple.com/logic-pro/in-action/gregkurstin-adele/ He is a multi instrumentalist with a
deep understanding of music. Adele credits him with breaking her out of a barren stretch in her
song writing.
Interestingly, “Hello" was produced in Logic Pro, Apple’s sophisticated music software
suite. Kurstin says, “I was working on my MacBook Pro away from my home studio. And playing a
rented guitar with none of my favorite pedals. So I didn’t have all my trippy effects here. But I
was able to pull out everything I needed from my plug-ins , channel strips and effects.”
This should be inspiring to all of you banging away at home with your guitar and recording
software. However, I have a word of warning from pianist Jack Spann and producer Gary Tanin. This
from the September issue of Recording Magazine. “You can’t do it all.” Spann was recently featured
on David Bowie’s last album. It’s a brilliant jazz/rock album with some deep songs. When Jack came
to record his own album he recognized his limitations and hired Gary to master the final product
“Time, Time, Time, Time, Time.” As Gary says, “It’s about recognizing that point when you hit a
wall and it’s time for assistance.”
Kurstin’s production on “Hello” reminds me of Phil Spector’s famous “Wall of Sound.”
Spector was once the hottest producer in the business. Like Kurstin he was sought out by a former
Beatle. Listen to the reverb laden, John Lennon classic “Instant Karma.” Other standout tracks
produced by Spector include “River Deep Mountain High” by Ike and Tina Turner, “You’ve Lost That
Loving Feeling” for the Righteous Brothers. Lennon’s spacey “Imagine” also stands out. Perhaps it’s
that space created by reverb in “Hello” that draws me back to Spector’s work. The tools of the
trade have significantly changed but the techniques involved in reverb and layering remain.The big
difference is while Spector employed a roomful of musicians, Kurstin can produce a giant sound in
his hotel room. For more on Spector’s approach check out the following forum:
As a musical stepping stone I’d suggest taking a listen to German, electronic, band Kraftwerk.
It will serve as a pointer in understanding where today’s production techniques evolved.
Last week I saw an industry listing for Orchestral Music cues. In Spector’s time, a
studio would have been rented. String musicians would have been hired. Now an up-to-date orchestral
sample library and the skill to use them are the prerequisites. Sadly, the remuneration on offer
was a small amount.
Our world has changed. See you next month.
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 announced here? Members in good standing
call SusieCool with your appearance schedule! 407-760-2153
Matthew and Rebecca Campbell (Mellify)
Have a new CD available at BandCamp
Hi, this is SusieCool. I will be playing in a Songwriter's Round competition on Thursday September 22nd from 7 to 9pm.This is sponsored by 103.1 The Wolf Orlando. It is being held at Mikki V's in Oviedo. (not Winter Springs). See website for location http://mikkivs.com/ The results of the competition are based on audience votes, so if you can make it there to support me I would be most grateful!!!
If you are interested in entering the competition, I believe there are a few slots left. Here is the link to fill out an application.
http://1031thewolforlando.com/pages/songwriter-rounds-2016
On September 21st we have a playing circle with the Fingerstyle Guitar Group in the Community room
of the winter Park Library. 460 E. New England Ave.-- Winter Park, FL 32789. 6 to 8:30pm.
Songwriters are welcome, but we do try to play our fingerstyle songs and not use picks. There is
more info on the facebook group page.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/228147620559285/?fref=nf
Current members please send us your website info if you would like your site to be listed in the
ISG members page.
https://sites.google.com/site/isgsusiecool/home/links-and-recommended-reading/member-websites
Also if you have any songs that have placed first in the monthly critiques, please send the mp3's
to isgorlando@gmail.com if you would like to have them featured in the ISG MySpace page.
No Scoring for critiques in September
New members always welcome!
© 2016 ISG