Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
And The Writer Is… Alex Warren.
Alex joins the podcast to talk openly about resilience, finding his voice, and what it actually takes to turn pain into songs that connect.
In this episode, he breaks down:
And the single most powerful way to get your music heard against all odds..
This ones about humble beginnings, trusting your voice when no one will listen, and learning how to write your way out of survival mode.
A special thank you to our sponsors…
Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishers’ Association.
Your support means the world to us.
And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today’s guest didn’t just enter the music industry — he grew up inside it. He isn’t just a Grammy-winning producer or a respected solo artist. He’s one of the rare creatives who’s built a career rooted in loyalty, advocacy, and taste — while learning in public and evolving in real time.
And The Writer Is… FINNEAS!
In this episode, he breaks down:
Growing up in the industry without losing your footing
The quiet flaw baked into today’s music industry — and the one trait he’s seen in every truly exceptional artist
Loyalty over leverage — and why relationships still matter
Advocating for artists when you already have a seat at the table
Learning as you go without pretending you have it all figured out
This one is grounded and essential for anyone trying to build something that actually lasts.
A special thank you to our sponsors... Our lead sponsor, NMPA aka the National Music Publisher's Association. Your support means the world to us!
And @splice the best sample library on the market, period.
Chapters
0:00:00 Teaser
0:02:37 What FINNEAS Would Change About the Music Industr
0:07:40 “What Do You Do?” Identity & Being Multihyphenate
0:08:54 Why taste beats momentum
0:10:51 FINNEAS & Ashe
0:12:51 From Workaholism to Efficiency
0:14:17 Tools, Shortcuts & Speed in the Studio
0:16:13 Him and Billie and Their Creative Differences
0:20:11 Stage Fright, SNL & Performing Under Pressure
0:24:23 Writing Songs for Film vs Albums
0:27:49 Writing “What Was I Made For?
0:30:46 Writing Honest Lyrics in LA:
0:32:48 Parenting, Legacy & Keeping Ego Out of the House
0:36:42 Creativity and Parenting
0:38:47 Homeschooling, Childhood & Creative Freedom
0:41:46 Make your kids work with adults
0:44:42 When You're Inspired... Collaborate With Your Influences
0:46:30 Artists FINNEAS Would Love to Work With
0:48:46 How Not to Chase Trends: Why reference points should be old, weird, and far away
0:50:02 NMPA Ad
0:50:42 Splice Ad
0:51:30 Favorite Albums to Listen to Deeply
0:53:06 Writing with Billie, Honesty, Family & Creative Trust
0:55:55 Claudia, Love, Partnership & Sustaining Ambition
1:00:37 The 20% Rule
1:02:00 The 'Lowest Point of His Career' and His Personal Victory From It
1:04:57 Separating Your Work From Your Worth
1:06:00 The Barometer of Success For A Solo Artist
1:06:40 Doing The Apple TV Sound
1:08:14 Not Comparing His Success With Billie, New Album, Knowing When to Pivot
1:11:04 Repeating Success... Birds of a Feather, Taste as a Long-Term Advantage
1:15:00 Signing Writers
1:17:55 Why Some Artists Plateau
1:21:11 Publishing Deals, Reversion, and Leverage.. Bad Deals with Good People and Good Deals with Bad People
1:24:33 Avoiding burnout in a high-output career
1:28:01 Writing 'Lonely' for Justin Bieber with Benny Blanco
1:31:14 Aging in the Industry... Collaborating with Ashe
1:39:08 Big Songs On Deluxe Albums
1:42:50 Writing for Prompts and Film
1:45:01 What Still Excites Him About Music
1:43:41 Are You Happy?
1:52:37 Separating The Art From The Artist
1:51:58 Building something that lasts without losing yourself
Hosted by Ross Golan
Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad
Edit by Jad Saad
Post Production by Pratik Karki
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today’s guest has carved out one of the most improbable creative legacies of his generation — commanding animation, comedy, film, and orchestral music with the same relentless discipline and near-obsessive craft. What began as a kid sketching characters in his bedroom grew into a fight to build Family Guy on his own terms… and eventually into Grammy-nominated big-band records that honor the very foundations of American music.
And The Writer Is... Seth MacFarlane!
On this episode, Seth breaks down the discipline, taste, and obsessive craft that shaped his creative life… and the standards he refuses to compromise, no matter the project.
Dive deep into his roots, heroes, influences, and biggest challenges building his creative legacy.
A special thank you to our sponsors...
Our lead sponsor, NMPA, aka the National Music Publisher’s Association.
Your support means the world to us!
And @splice — the best sample library on the market, period.
Chapter list:
0:00:00 – Teaser
0:01:06 – Welcome & Episode Intro
0:03:12 – Seth’s Early Creative Roots: Drawing, Music & Comedy
0:08:40 – Developing Discipline as a Young Artist
0:12:55 – The First Breakthroughs in Animation
0:16:33 – Fighting for Family Guy and Holding the Vision
0:18:15 – The Influence of 80s TV Scores and John Williams
0:21:48 – How Taste Shapes Every Creative Decision
0:25:30 – The Craft Behind Writing Comedy That Lasts
0:30:02 – Why Orchestration Matters So Deeply to Him
0:34:44 – Recording His Sinatra Albums & The Pursuit of Precision
0:38:55 – Balancing Film, TV & Music at a High Level
0:43:22 – Obsession, Work Ethic & Sustaining a Long Creative Career
0:45:45 – Diving into the Rat Pack Era and Vocal Legends
0:47:14 – Collaboration, Standards & Protecting the Work
0:52:33 – What He’s Learned About Longevity in Entertainment
0:56:26 – The Role of Curiosity in Every Chapter of His Career
1:00:08 – The Mindset Behind Creative Risk
1:03:03 – His Advice for Multi-Hyphenate Creators
1:05:23 – Seth’s Final Message to Artists
1:07:19 – Closing Thoughts
1:09:30 – Navigating Fame, Fan Encounters, and Meeting Icons Like John Williams & William Shatner
1:15:45 – Final Appreciation for Preserving Classic Music
Hosted by Ross Golan
Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad
Watercolor by Michael White
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today’s guest is the producer behind some of the biggest songs of the last 15 years — from “Wrecking Ball,” “Timber,” and “Dark Horse” to early records with The Weeknd and Britney Spears.
From teaching himself production on cracked software and vinyl turntables… to going on a run of genre-defining hits.
And the writer is… Cirkut!
In this episode, he opens up about his early grind, the moment Britney cut his beat, his first sessions in LA, working alongside Max Martin and Dr. Luke, and the mindset that helped him go from unknown kid with an MPC to one of the most important producers in modern pop.
A special thank you to our sponsors...
Our lead sponsor, NMPA aka the National Music Publisher's Association.
Your support means the world to us!
And @splice -- the best sample library on the market, period.
00:00 — Intro: Who is Cirkut?
00:04:37 — Early music influences: hip-hop, DJ culture
00:05:49 — Discovering DJ gear & beat manipulation
00:07:55 — First exposure to FruityLoops & early production
00:10:24 — DJ’ing pep rallies with vinyl
00:12:36 — Applying early skills later for Lady Gaga
00:14:14 — Skipping audio classes to make beats
00:16:46 — Early Drake encounter in Toronto
00:18:40 — How the name “Cirkut” was born
00:21:35 — How a CD of his beats got to Britney Spears
00:22:10 — First big cut: Britney’s “Papi”
00:23:01 — Discovering electronic music & the blog era
00:23:49 — Learning from Masterkraft (the MySpace era)
00:33:00 — Working with The Weeknd on “High For This”
00:33:57 — Recognizing Abel’s early greatness
00:35:06 — Moving to LA & hustling through the rat race
00:38:49 — What finally got him out of the rat race
00:39:33 — The call from Dr. Luke
00:41:11 — The Flo Rida / Levels / Good Feeling near-miss
00:42:37 — Losing a big cut overnight
00:43:19 — When the hits start stacking: “Where Have You Been,” “Wrecking Ball,” “Timber”
00:44:48 — The thing he brought that cut through the noise
00:47:18 — What it’s like creating with Max Martin
00:49:36 — Winning Producer of the Year (Junos)
00:50:17 — When Cirkut realized he belonged at the top
00:52:04 — Why his ego is different
00:53:15 — His quiet superpower in the room
00:55:45 — Ad: NMPA + @splice
00:57:00 — The importance of speed
00:59:00 — Secret sauce... Knowing his sounds and blind listening
01:02:00 — Keeping production organic
01:03:57 — The Weeknd
01:12:10 — Ross' funny Pitbull / Cirkut story
01:13:03 — Cirkut's secret to success
01:14:00 — 'Unholy' Sam Smith
01:18:54 — Jung Kook, 'Seven' with Jon Bellion / Theron Thomas
01:21:00 — Charli XCX
01:22:00 — 'APT' and Bruno's 'Stank'
01:30:56 — Lady Gaga + Watt
01:42:30 — Production advice. Figure out what you're great at
Hosted by Ross Golan
Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad
Watercolor by Michael White
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today's guest went from making songs on a floppy-disk keyboard, sampling off a Kellogg’s cereal box DAW, and sending blind MySpace messages… to producing the some of the biggest crossover dance anthems of the last decade. And The Writer Is... Zedd!
What makes this conversation special isn’t just the hits — it’s how brutally honest he is about the craft, the obsession, and the unexpected moments that built his career.
A special thank you to our sponsors...
Our lead sponsor, NMPA aka the National Music Publisher's Association.
Your support means the world to us!
And @splice -- the best sample library on the market, period.
Chapters:
0:00:00 – Teaser
0:01:06 – Welcome & Episode Intro
35:58 – Zedd on Never Thinking He’d Be Successful
25:41 – Growing Up Poor & Studying One Album a Month
18:01 – The Kellogg’s DAW That Started Everything
15:33 – Learning Music on a 16-Track Floppy-Disk Keyboard
30:44 – Why He Thought EDM Was a Joke at First
38:12 – The Skrillex MySpace Story That Changed His Life
31:25 – Finding His Sound Through Curiosity & Obsession
47:14 – The “Lightning Moment” Behind Clarity
59:34 – Being Wrong More Often Than Right
1:03:03 – Why Most Music Feels the Same Today
1:03:37 – Extraordinary vs. Average: What Listeners Actually Feel
1:00:08 – “All I’m Doing Is Chasing a Feeling”
56:26 – The Chaos Behind Making The Middle
1:00:47 – Realizing the Scale of His Own Success
28:23 – What It Takes to Stay Inspired
6:48 – The Creative Principles He Still Lives By
41:22 – The Fastest Way for Artists to Get Noticed
1:05:23 – Zedd’s Final Advice for Musicians
1:07:19 – Closing Thoughts
Hosted by Ross Golan
Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad
Watercolor by Michael White
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today’s guest has rewired modern hip-hop. His fingerprints live all over the last decade
but the real story behind that success is far more human, painful, and transformative than the headlines ever show.
In this conversation, he opens up about the highs and lows of being a producer in hip-hop: the pressure, the politics, the contracts, the moments that nearly broke him, and the breakthroughs that almost didn’t happen.
He also shares the lessons shaped by fatherhood, betrayal, and real perseverance — all while creating some of the most important and culture-defining music of our time. And The Writer Is... Hitboy!
A special thank you to our sponsors...
Our lead sponsor, NMPA aka the National Music Publisher's Association. Your support means the world to us!
And @splice -- the best sample library on the market, period.
Chapter list
0:00 TEASER
1:20 Ross’ Intro
2:02 Fatherhood and Being a Full-Time Dad
5:12 Parenting, Hoops, and What His Son Really Loves
6:29 The Humbling Reality Check: Kids Don’t Care About Your Hits
7:29 Growing Up Between Pasadena & San Bernardino
8:34 Seeing His Uncle’s Success & Wanting to Be on TV
9:35 Falling in Love With Beat Programming
10:12 Learning to Write & Rap at 13
11:23 Selling His First Beat for $20 at 16
12:24 MySpace Era: The Birth of “Hit-Boy”
13:09 First Major Betrayal: Partner Gets Signed Behind His Back
15:01 Advice to His Younger Self: Patience & Self-Belief
15:23 Building Early Industry Relationships Through MySpace
16:13 First Time Inside a Real Studio (The Underdogs)
17:39 The Underworld of LA Sessions & A Young Hit-Boy Watching Greats
18:44 First Major Placement: Jennifer Lopez
19:06 Providing for His Mom With His First Checks
19:27 Growing Up Without a Present Father
20:22 His Dad’s Return & Going on a Run Together
22:04 How Fatherhood Changed His Time, Focus & Creativity
23:27 Recording Nas: The Hidden Role People Don’t See
24:57 Getting His First Publishing Deal (And the 18-Year Lock-In)
28:02 Staying Current: “I Update My Software Every Day”
28:21 First Big Hit: Drop The World Lil Wayne & Eminem
29:47 Why He Used to Clash With Kanye
32:00 The ‘N*****s in Paris’ Moment (Language Question + Setup)
33:35 First Song With Kanye: The Christmas Track
34:12 Making Music With Kanye, Jay-Z & the Good Music Family
35:40 Hearing 'Paris' for the First Time in the Planetarium
36:32 Realizing the Song Was Going to Be a Cultural Earthquake
38:23 Big Sean, Executive Production & Sharpening His Ear
39:09 How Drake Found the ‘Trophies’ Beat
39:52 Stripping Beats Down to Let Artists Shine
40:33 When to Stop Producing: The Minimalism Lesson
41:38 Depression, Contracts & Losing the Relationship With Drake
42:57 The Pain of ‘Trophies’ Not Making Drake’s Album
43:13 What His Publishing Deal Held Him Back From
44:22 Working From a Place of Fear vs. Freedom
45:01 Working With Beyoncé (Excellence at Every Level)
46:22 The Story of ‘THIQUE’: An 8-Year-Old Beat Comes Back to Life
46:39 Why Old Beats Deserve Second Lives
47:57 The Making of Sicko Mode & Travis Scott’s Explosion
48:20 The Greatest Timing Ever: Streaming, Social Media, Travis
49:00 The Long Journey of Sicko Mode (2016 → 2018)
50:13 Are Producers Songwriters? The Eternal Debate
51:30 Nipsey Hussle: Early Sessions & Mutual Respect
53:53 Nipsey Claims the Song: “I Need This for My Project”
Hosted by Ross Golan
Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today's guest is a familiar face... A friend to the podcast and one of the most successful and influential creators in music history.
He isn’t just a hitmaker. He's perhaps one of the few people in the history of music to have hits as a songwriter, artist, and producer... completely aside from one another across genres.
And The Writer Is... Ryan Tedder!
In this episode, he breaks down:
🎯 Why the middle class of music is disappearing
🎯 How splits, streaming, and AI are reshaping the game
🎯 The mindset you need to survive as an artist today
🎯 What real creative value looks like in 2025 and beyond
This one isn’t just inspiring — It’s essential listening for anyone who wants to last in music..
A special thank you to our sponsors... O
ur lead sponsor, NMPA, the National Music Publisher's Association.
Your support means the world to us!
And Splice -- the best sample library on the market.
Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today's guest is an international soul sensation...From writing “The Hardest Part” on Zoom to conquering imposter syndrome, crafting hits like "Dive" and "Man I Need," and creating her acclaimed album The Art of Loving.. She is on a meteoric rise in music.
We discuss raw stories of heartbreak, growth, the magic of songwriting.. and how she learned to protect her voice in a room and write music that actually feels like her.
And The Writer Is...Olivia Dean!
Whether you're a songwriter, fan, or music lover, this episode is packed with inspiration, laughs, and behind-the-scenes gems.
Presented by NMPA..
The National Music Publisher's Association. Championing songwriters everywhere.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Co-presented by Splice.
The best music sample library in music.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Welcome to the Soul
01:50 – “I Still Feel So British”
03:00 – First Trip to L.A. (With No GPS or Plan)
04:00 – Learning to Trust Her Own Taste
07:40 – When Artists Had Time to Be Bad
08:30 – Making Meaningful Music in a Chart World
09:20 – “I Don’t Write Every Day”
13:35 – Disney, West Side Story, and Other Early Teachers
15:50 – The First Song: “Mean Boy”
17:05 – Parents Who Said Yes
17:20 – The BRIT School Plan
20:05 – Busking, Best Friends, and the Birth of a Band
22:15 – The First Show: 70 Tickets, 10 People on Stage
23:40 – Signing Her First Deal
25:00 – The Studio Explosion (Her Worst Song Story)
27:00 – Surviving the Rooms
29:15 – How the Best Songs Are Written
30:45 – The Yellow Van Tour (COVID-Era Reinvention)
31:30 – “OK Love You Bye” — The First Song That Felt Free
34:00 – From 70 Fans to 100 Million Streams
36:00 – It Takes a Village (and a Lot of Gratitude)
39:00 – “The Hardest Part” — The Song She Hated (That Changed Everything)
40:00 – The Take That Hurts Is the Take That Wins
43:20 – NMPA Ad Read
44:05 – Splice Ad Read
47:45 – Crying on the Studio Floor
48:00 – “Dive” — When the World Started Singing Back
51:40 – Being a Woman Who Writes (and Plays)
53:10 – The Anatomy of a Song
56:25 – “I Don’t Write Lies”
57:35 – “The Art of Loving” — How the Album Was Born
1:00:15 – What Love Actually Taught Her
1:01:35 – Making Time for Love Anyway
1:02:55 – Ross’s Mirror Moment
1:04:30 – Learning to Sit in Silence
1:05:45 – The Weight of Words
1:06:30 – Being Heard
And The Writer Is...
Hosted by Ross Golan
Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Julia Michaels has quietly rewritten the emotional DNA of pop music.
From Selena Gomez to Justin Bieber to Sabrina Carpenter — her pen reshaped how vulnerability sounds on the radio.
In this episode, Julia sits down with Ross to unpack the craft behind her catalog: the psychology of honest writing, the architecture of a hit, and the years she spent changing pop from behind the glass.
They dive into the writing of hits, the evolution of her artistry, and what it means to sustain creative integrity in a fast-changing industry.
Chapters
0:00 Intro: The Woman Who Reshaped Pop Music
0:59 Welcome Back: Reflecting on 8 Years in the Industry
2:13 Music Industry Evolution: Then vs. Now
3:00 Adapting Songwriting to Social Media and Trends
4:32 Early Career Advice: Mental Health and Boundaries
6:03 Panic Attacks and Performance Anxiety
9:25 From Songwriter to Artist: Reluctance and Breakthrough
11:23 Influence on Songwriting: Changing Pop's Sound
15:06 Hit Runs, Burnout, and Creative Pauses
17:55 Writing for Disney's Wish: Behind the Scenes
19:42 Future Plans: Musicals, Retirement, and Balance
21:05 Artistry and Collaborations
23:00 Inside the Sabrina Carpenter Camp
29:01 Breaking Down Hits: Taste, Bed Chem, and Coincidence
30:50 Joining Tate McRae: From 17 to Global Hits
33:39 Favorite Producers: Ryan Tedder, Stargate, and More
36:04 Working with Ed Sheeran: Panic, Brotherhood, and Hits
39:30 Crafting Lose You To Love Me with Selena Gomez
43:24 Longtime Bond with Selena: Firsts and Milestones
45:50 Celebrating Wins in a Changing Industry
47:19 Songwriter Struggles: Pay, Radio, and Streaming
50:26 Fair Splits and Standing Up for Writers
55:09 Gender Challenges: Overworking Female Writers
1:00:06 Regimented Life: Balance and Boundaries
1:02:40 Running Her Own Label: Freedom and Control
1:04:15 Career Lows and Highs
1:06:10 Perfect Studio Moment: Working with Britney Spears
1:07:34 Reflections: Where She Thought She'd Be
1:08:45 Uncut Demos and Sacred Songs
1:11:27 Wrapping with Selena, Benny, and Unlikely Stars
1:15:55 Ego-Free Sessions and Lifelong Roots
1:18:22 Outro and Credits
NMPA fights for songwriters' rights, ensuring fair pay and protection.
Check them out at NMPA.org and follow them on social media at @NMPAorg
Splice is the industry’s top sample library—royalty-free for all. It empowers creators with its incredible library and ethical AI tools, supporting original artists every step of the way.
Download Splice today and follow them on social media at @splice
And The Writer Is...
Hosted by Ross Golan
Executive produced by Joe London and Jad Saad
Follow us on socials at @andthewriteris
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today’s guests are HAIM — one of the most unique voices in modern music, known for blending rock, pop, and soul into a sound that defined a generation. From garage band beginnings to Grammy nominations, they’ve collaborated with some of the biggest names in music while staying fiercely true to themselves.
And the writer(s) are... HAIM!
In this episode, we dive into a decade-long journey of grit, growth, and creative conviction — from rejection to recognition. The sisters open up about the early years, the family dynamics, and the lessons that shaped their songwriting and success.
In this episode:
• How HAIM built success on their own terms after years of “no’s”
• The real stories behind their biggest records
• What they’ve learned about songwriting, collaboration, and creative control
0:00 Intro Teaser – HAIM’s Gritty Start Against All Odds
0:30 Nobody Wanted to Sign Us – Early rejections that almost stopped HAIM
1:10 The Sister Dynamic – Therapy, tension, and love between bandmates
2:30 Strict Parents, Rebellion & First Gigs
5:00 Leaving for Tour at 19 – Danielle’s leap of faith
7:30 Almost Famous IRL – Touring with Jenny Lewis & Julian Casablancas
9:15 Skipping College & Faking Dentist Notes
12:30 Oldest Sibling Pressure & UCLA Lessons
15:00 Nobody Wanted Rock Music – Breaking through rejection
16:00 Meeting Ludwig Göransson – The producer who changed everything
18:30 2 AM Sessions & the “Forever” EP
20:00 SXSW Madness – 14 shows in 5 days
22:00 The UK Breakthrough – Why British fans got it first
25:10 How They Learned to Write Songs – Lessons from “Rockin’ Haim”
27:00 Recording Songs from the Radio – Childhood obsession that sparked their craft
31:10 The First HAIM Song Ever – From bad demos to “The Wire”
34:10 The 10,000 Hours – Becoming one of LA’s best live bands
35:45 Days Are Gone – Finding their sound amid chaos
38:30 Working with James Ford & Ariel Rechtshaid
40:50 Balancing Chaos and Craft – The HAIM recording process
42:10 Collaborating with Kid Cudi – Their first big studio moment
43:10 Touring Exhaustion & Finding Their Groove
45:15 Shutting Down Ventura Blvd – The iconic “Want You Back” video
47:39 Women in Music Pt. III – Growth & vulnerability
48:30 GarageBand & Songwriting – Danielle’s creative superstition
49:30 The Making of “I Quit” – A new era of HAIM
50:00 Creative Control & Saying No to Labels
52:00 Lessons from Paul Thomas Anderson – Vision & long-take storytelling
@NMPA | @nmpaorg – Fighting for songwriters’ rights and fair pay.
Learn more at NMPA.org.
@Splice – The industry’s top royalty-free sample library and creator platform, supporting original artists with world-class sounds and ethical AI tools.
Download Splice and start creating today.
And The Writer Is...
Hosted by Ross Golan
Executive Produced by Joe London & Jad Saad
Follow us everywhere → @andthewriteris
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today’s guest is one of the most exciting young artists in the world right now.
A once-in-a-generation artist writing and producing every record himself — and turning that independence into global hits.
His records aren’t just topping charts — many of them are 100%ers.
Self-written, self-produced, and streamed hundreds of millions of times.
He’s building a world entirely his own...
In this episode of And The Writer Is, Ross Golan sits down with Sombr to unpack how he:
- Writes and produces 100% of his music
- Went from viral moments to global success
- Deals with pressure, purpose, and proving himself
Presented by our friends at @NMPA @splice
A huge thank you to our sponsors.
Chapter list
0:00 The Rise of Sombr: Bedroom Producer to Global Prodigy
0:01:02;15 [NMPA] - Fighting for Songwriters (Season Sponsor)
0:01:51 Early Discovery: Why Warner Music Bet on a 16-Year-Old
0:03:38 My First Song Blew Up: Waking Up to 200K Likes & Columbia Records
0:06:00;14 From NYC Roots to Proving Haters Wrong
0:08:16 From Charlie Puth to Operatic Arias: My Secret Classical Music Training
00:11:04 How I Dropped Out of LaGuardia to Get Signed (TikTok Made Me Quit)
00:13:39 Opening for The Strokes at SXSW
00:14:41 The Imposter Syndrome of a Global Superstar
00:15:36 From GarageBand to Global Hits: My FLOPS & Early Projects (Cherry Valley)
00:17:50 Who is Sombr? Shane vs. The Artist & Why New York Makes Anything Possible
00:21:02 The TRUTH About "Caroline": She's Everyone... She's You.
00:22:13 The $0 Photo Shoot That Became My Global Album Cover
00:24:28 Advice to My 16-Year-Old Self
00:26:18 My Secret Writing Method: Saving Choruses & How I Made the Album in 1 Month
00:28:14 [NMPA] - The Power of Music Publishers (Sponsor Segment)
00:28:56 [SPLICE] - Using AI Ethically & Protecting Creators (Sponsor Segment)
00:30:42 "Back to Friends": Writing a Global Hit from a Career Low
00:36:44 Working with Tony Berg: A Mentor and Real Instruments
00:40:54 "Undress": Building Confidence After a Breakthrough
00:43:40 Sacrifices of Fame: Losing My Social Life
00:45:30 Anxiety and Expectations: Navigating Global Success
00:51:23 Critics vs. Appreciation: Why Art Shouldn’t Be Rated
00:058:09 The Final Word: Why the Haters Say I'm Not "Serious" (A Joke)
00:58:50 The Beatles & The Muse: The Real Secret to Timeless Art
00:59:11 Thank You & Outro
NMPA fights for songwriters' rights, ensuring fair pay and protection.
Check them out at NMPA.org and follow them on social media at @NMPAorg
Splice is the industry’s top sample library—royalty-free for all. It empowers creators with its incredible library and ethical AI tools, supporting original artists every step of the way.
Download Splice today and follow them on social media at @splice
And The Writer Is...
Hosted by Ross Golan
Executive produced by Joe London and Jad Saad
Follow us on socials at @andthewriteris
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today's guest is quite literally one of the greatest songwriters of all time.
He also happens to be one of the biggest artists of all time. Imagine that.
This legend needs no introduction...
And the writer is... Ed Sheeran!
Presented by our friends at NMPA.
A huge thank you to our sponsors.
NMPA fights for songwriters' rights, ensuring fair pay and protection.
Check them out at NMPA.org and follow them on social media at @NMPAorg
Splice is the industry’s top sample library—royalty-free for all. It empowers creators with its incredible library and ethical AI tools, supporting original artists every step of the way.
Download Splice today and follow them on social media at @splice
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:05 - Ed and Ross Reconnect
00:04:41 - From Rap Battles to Shaping His Songwriting
00:07:07 - Painting as Creative Outlet
00:09:13 - Emotional Ties to Songs, Writing Honest Songs for Himself and Others
00:12:05 - Childhood Music: Beatles, Dylan, and Irish Trad Influences
00:15:07 - Fatherhood’s Impact: Balancing Music and Family
00:16:26 - Ed Sings His First Song!
00:18:30 - Ed Sings, Ross Tests His Song Memory
00:20:27 - The Key to Confidence Starts With....
00:22:10 - Advice: Navigating the Music Industry’s Challenges
00:24:20 - Where Ed Gets His 'Buzz' From Music
00:25:50 - The Thing That Made His Songwriting 'Stick'
00:28:35 - No Plan B: Why He Never Gave Up
00:30:04 - Discovery by Jamie Foxx: Breaking into the Scene
00:36:14 - Mid-Roll Ad: NMPA Fighting for Songwriters
00:36:52 - Mid-Roll Ad: Splice Supporting Creators with AI
00:44:11 - First Cuts: Writing for Olly Murs and One Direction
00:46:58 - Creative Process
00:52:12 - The Lawsuit That Changed Everything
00:55:49 - Protecting Songwriters: Why No Union Exists
01:05:57 - Making "Perfect" to Prove Himself After the Lawsuit
01:12:49 - Advice to Young Songwriters...
01:14:03 - Legacy Songs: What Ed Wants His Grandkids to Hear
01:15:23 - Family Over Fame: Being a Present Dad
01:20:38 - Songs Ed’s Jealous Of
01:23:46 - Closing: Ed’s Gratitude and Future Plans
And The Writer Is...
Hosted by Ross Golan
Executive produced by Joe London and Jad Saad
Follow us on socials at @andthewriteris
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today's guest is one of the most sought-after hitmakers of the last decade. A Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, and guitarist whose genre-bending work has shaped the sound of modern music. From rock legends to pop superstars, he’s collaborated with Justin Bieber, Post Malone, Ozzy Osbourne, The Rolling Stones, Dua Lipa, Miley Cyrus, and more — earning The Recording Academy’s Producer of the Year award and cementing his status as one of the most in-demand hitmakers on the planet.
And the writer is... Andrew Watt!
In this episode, Watt opens up to Ross about the relentless drive, bold creative leaps, and collaborative ethos that fueled his journey from bar gigs and $100-a-week tours to producing global anthems.
Listeners will learn:
Chapters
0:00 - Andrew Watt: The Hitmaking Legend
1:12 - From Bieber to Ozzy: Watt’s Epic Journey
2:20 - Studio Sparks: Watt’s Energy vs. Cirkut’s Chill
4:47 - Rock Gods: Producing Pearl Jam & Stones
8:02 - Post Malone Meets Ozzy: A Game-Changer
9:31 - Rainbow Bar Magic: Ozzy & Post’s Collab
14:54 - Greece Hustle: $100/Week Tour Life
19:14 - Why Watt Never Quit Music
24:44 - Guitar to Glory: Cody Simpson to Bieber
27:01 - Music Truth: Results Are Everything
28:52 - “Let Me Love You”: Bieber’s Wild Ride
39:52 - Pop Hits: “Havana” & “Wolves” Secrets
42:02 - Dream Team: Ali, Brian & Pop Gold
46:21 - “Havana” Moment: Camila’s Mic Drop
48:27 - Post Malone: Instant Bond & Real Talk
50:06 - Imposter Syndrome: Honesty in the Studio
51:17 - “Stay”: Post’s Non-Pop Masterpiece
56:22 - “Peaches”: Justin’s Jam with Shawn & Hailey
58:38 - Demos That Hit Hard: Watt’s Emotions
1:00:36 - Lady Gaga: Crafting a Visual Epic
1:02:15 - Bruno & D’Mile: “Die with a Smile” Magic
1:06:34 - Prank Call Chaos
1:12:11 - Prank Aftermath
1:19:17 - Heartfelt Loss: Watt’s Tribute to a Friend
1:20:16 - Ozzy’s Advice: Be Kind on the Way Up
This season of And The Writer Is… is presented by the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) — the voice of American songwriters, composers, and music publishers.
And The Writer Is...
Hosted by Ross Golan
Executive Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today’s guest is more than a hitmaker — she’s a creative force who has shaped the sound of a generation. From penning chart-toppers like “Thank U, Next” (Ariana Grande), “High Hopes” (Panic! at the Disco), and “Love Lies” (Khalid & Normani) to building her own label, publishing company, and artist career, her story is a masterclass in reinvention, resilience, and longevity.
And the writer is… Tayla Parx!
In this episode, Tayla sits down with Ross to unpack how she’s navigated more than a decade at the top of the music industry — from her start in Hairspray to writing with Babyface, to becoming one of the few Black women with a #1 country song. She opens up about:
For every songwriter, artist, or creative grinding to build a career that lasts — this is the blueprint.
🎧 Listen now and learn how Tayla Parx keeps writing hits… again and again.
Chapters
0:00 Teaser – Why Longevity Matters in Music
1:37 Intro: And The Writer Is… Tayla Parx!
8:33 From Dallas Kid to Hairspray & Nickelodeon Star
12:49 Finding Songwriting & Learning From Babyface
14:07 Leaving Acting Behind to Chase Music Full-Time
24:53 The Warner Chappell Era: Building a Writer Community
27:15 Breakthrough Hits: “Thank U, Next” & “High Hopes”
31:38 NMPA Ad – Fighting for Songwriter Rights
32:45 Inside the Story of “Thank U, Next”
39:37 How to Build a Catalog That Pays for Decades
40:55 “Love Lies” & Crossing Genres as a Hitmaker
50:34 Advocating for Women, Black Creatives & LGBTQ+ Voices
52:00 Why Tayla Still Releases Her Own Music
53:20 From Bieber to John Legend to Country #1
55:32 Exploring Jazz, R&B, and Children’s Music
59:34 Song Splits, Collaboration & Session Dynamics
1:03:41 Why Collaboration Matters (and When to Write Alone)
1:11:38 The Secret to Longevity & Reinvention
1:16:25 Closing Reflections & Legacy
And The Writer Is… is presented by The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) — advocating for songwriters, music publishers, and their essential rights.
Learn more at NMPA.org
Hosted by Ross Golan
Executive Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad
Watercolor by Michael White
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today’s guest is nothing short of a phenomenon.
With roots in Iceland and China, raised in a family of classical musicians, she grew up between symphony halls and jazz records — and has now become the defining voice of her generation.
Her music is a breathtaking blend of timeless jazz, classical elegance, and modern storytelling that has captivated millions around the world. From posting standards online during college to headlining the Hollywood Bowl, she’s built a movement — proving that jazz not only lives, but thrives in the hands of a new generation.
Her Grammy-winning sophomore album, Bewitched, cemented her as an international force. And now with her brand-new release, A Matter of Time, she dives deeper into emotional vulnerability and sonic ambition — pushing jazz, classical, and folk influences into a sound that feels both cinematic and intimate.
Named one of Time’s Women of the Year, celebrated by critics and adored by fans, she is redefining what it means to be an artist in the modern age.
And The Writer Is… Laufey!
And The Writer Is… is hosted by Ross Golan and executive produced by Joe London and Jad Saad.
As always, we’d like to thank our friends at the National Music Publishers’ Association. The NMPA is dedicated to protecting the rights of songwriters and music publishers, ensuring that the creators behind the songs we love are fairly represented and compensated. We’re grateful for their continued support of this show and our community of writers.
Learn more at NMPA.org
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today’s guest began on YouTube — a teenager posting bedroom covers to a handful of viewers.
Now, his songs have been streamed billions of times across the globe.
He’s headlined sold-out arenas on multiple continents, become a global fashion force, and built one of the most devoted fanbases of his generation.
He’s collaborated with legends like Max Martin, while never losing the raw honesty that made his music essential in the first place.
He’s not just a rising star — he’s already one of pop’s defining voices.
And with his new album, he proves that even at the biggest scale, vulnerability is still his superpower.
And the writer is… Conan Gray!
Follow us on socials! @andthewriteris
Thank you to NMPA for sponsoring this season, and fighting for songwriters as well as this podcast.
00:00 – This Is Conan Gray (teaser)
01:00 – Singing Disney With Ross 🎶
02:00 – From Bedroom Dreams to Billions
02:59 – Growing Up Lonely, Writing to Survive
04:45 – The Music Video That Rewired His Brain
06:30 – When Adele Proved Bedroom Songs Were Possible
07:30 – Uploading at Age 9 (Before He Knew the Internet)
14:15 – “Nothing Sounded Like Me”
15:45 – Panic Attacks → Falling in Love With Touring
21:15 – Dropping Out & Betting Everything on Music
23:20 – The Moment His Sister Realized He Was Famous
24:30 – Turning Heartbreak Into Healing on Stage
26:00 – The Nightmare of Empty Venues
28:30 – Dan Nigro: The Producer Who Changed Everything
30:15 – Why Conan Refuses to Believe He’s ‘Made It’
33:22 – Ad Break – Support Songwriters (NMPA)
34:00 – ‘Maniac’: The Shower Song That Hit a Billion 🚿
35:45 – Heather: The Song Everyone Slept On… Until They Didn’t
40:32 – Found Heaven: His Public Bootcamp
43:23 – Max Martin’s Biggest Lesson (That Changed His Writing)
47:00 – Rediscovering Himself on Wishbone
50:05 – The Falsetto High Note That Almost Broke Him
52:07 – Cornell: The Song Too Honest to Ignore
53:00 – Why Radical Honesty Is His Only Rule
55:00 – Why His Art Isn’t Just Music
56:00 – The Three Songs That Define His New Era
01:03:15 – What He’d Tell 12-Year-Old Conan
01:07:00 – Ross: “You Wrote a Song I Wish Was Mine”
Hosted by Ross Golan
Executive Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
He believed before anyone else did.
Before the Grammys.
Before the 39 billion streams.
Before Say My Name changed the sound of radio forever.
He was just a kid on a New Jersey bus, chasing a dream no one else could see.
In this episode, legendary producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins shares how faith, fire, and pure conviction took him from a basement studio to shaping the sound of a generation. From Michael Jackson to Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Sam Smith, Rodney opens up about the mindset behind the music — and why belief is still the most powerful tool a creator has.
You’ll hear about the reset that saved his career, the changing landscape of songwriting in the AI era, and the stories behind some of the most iconic records of the last 25 years.
And The Writer Is... Rodney Jerkins.
Topics:
Sponsored by:
SONA, DIMA, Amazon Music, and YouTube Songwriters.
Thank you for supporting us and protecting the future of songwriting!
Produced by Ross Golan, Joe London, and Jad Saad
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does it really take to become irreplaceable in music?
This is more than a lesson in music. It’s a masterclass in how to make yourself essential in any room you enter.
In this episode, Ryan Tedder shares a raw, unfiltered blueprint for building a career that stands the test of time.
From mastering guitar, piano, and production to writing two songs a day, Ryan unpacks why versatility, humility, and relentless work ethic are the hidden currencies of longevity. He breaks down the mindset shifts that separate fleeting success from lasting impact, and why assuming everyone is more talented than you might just be your greatest advantage.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today’s guest is the mastermind behind some of the biggest songs on earth – a creative force whose melodies have shaped generations. From crafting timeless anthems with Beyoncé, Adele, and Taylor Swift to leading OneRepublic to global dominance, he’s not just a hitmaker – he’s an architect of modern music.
In this conversation, Ryan Tedder rips the veil off fame and fortune, revealing the hidden costs of success, the brutal truths no one talks about, and his unfiltered blueprint for building wealth, longevity, and creative mastery in a world obsessed with trends. He dives deep into why most artists fail, how boredom became his superpower, and what it actually takes to build a legacy that lasts.
This isn’t an interview. It’s a wake-up call for every creator chasing relevance in 2025 and beyond.
And The Writer Is… Ryan Tedder! (Part 3)
Produced by Joe London, Ross Golan, & Jad Saad
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:52 His Morning Routine That Changed Everything
02:06 How Boredom Made Him Creative
03:40 The Hidden Dark Side of Fame
05:50 Justin Timberlake’s Brutal Warning
10:15 Fame is a Prison: Stories from the Top
14:14 Why He Hid His Singing Talent as a Kid
17:25 Lady Gaga’s Secret Ambition Revealed
20:55 Money Makes You a Target
23:02 His Dream: Rich But Unknown
25:26 Investing Millions Outside Music
27:05 Why Famous Artists Go Broke
31:02 Getting Dropped Saved His Career
36:13 What $50 Million a Year Really Means
39:22 NMPA Sponsor Break
41:01 Labels Want You Wild & Broke
44:40 Can You Win Without Flexing?
47:12 Managers Who Destroy Artists’ Careers
50:52 Why Tate McRae Is Built Different
53:37 OneRepublic’s Secret to Longevity
57:12 Sync Deals vs Streaming: Where Money Really Is
01:00:52 His Songwriting Secrets & ‘God Moments’
01:05:00 How He Stays Creative After 20+ Years
01:09:00 The Role of Trust in Hit-Making
01:13:00 Stories of Working With DJs & Pop Stars
01:17:00 The Future of Music & AI’s Impact
01:21:00 His Philosophy on Work Ethic & Success
01:25:00 Final Words: Advice to Creators
01:29:00 Outro
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this powerful 10-minute blueprint, Russ breaks down what every artist needs to know to build a real career in today’s music industry. From his mindset of delusional self-belief to strategic release plans and business truths, this clip will change the way you approach your music journey forever.
Subscribe for more industry insight and give us a rating if you enjoyed this! It helps us keep this show free forever, which is our commitment to the industry and our audience.
Presented by NMPA
Chapters:
0:00 Why Songs Don’t Blow Up
0:15 Is Inspiration Overrated?
0:33 Writing Big Songs While Uninspired
1:05 How Russ Would Start From Zero Today
1:24 Stockpiling Songs & Posting Strategy
1:57 Do You Want Success Bad Enough?
2:01 Russ’ Duality: Confidence vs. Doubt
2:21 The Power of Delusional Self-Belief
3:02 Why Songwriters Should Stop Giving Songs Away
3:51 Why Most Artists Stay Broke
5:06 Taking Control of Your Music Business
6:38 The Purity of Creating Without an Audience
7:04 The Audience Picks The Hits
8:07 Russ’ Song-a-Week Strategy Explained
8:39 When a Song Flops: Russ on Bankrupt
9:13 Why It’s Okay If It’s Not The One
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.