As the calendar flips to a brand-new year, musicians everywhere feel the buzz. New resolutions. Fresh goals. Big plans.

But if you’ve been through this before, you know the truth: the spark of January doesn’t always last. Life creeps in, distractions pile up, and before you know it, the excitement ...

A few weeks ago, I wrote about mastery—the art of sticking with your craft long enough for good things to happen. But there’s one crucial aspect I don’t want to gloss over: the power of review, reflection, and reframing.

The secret isn’t just in the grind—it’s in how you reflect on your journey.

F...

When it comes to your dream of being in sync licensing, don’t wait around for an inside scoop or a golden connection. It’s time to start creating.

Some artists think the only way to write for sync is to first connect with companies and receive briefs—the insider documents that outline what kind of ...

If you’re thinking, “Active listening doesn’t really matter” or “I’d rather figure songs out on my own,” let me stop you right here.

As a coach—and as someone who didn’t “get it” for a long time—I’m shouting from the rooftops: IT MATTERS.

If you don’t learn this, you’ll find yourself reinventing t...

This Christmas, my wife (and our pup) and I went back home to Pittsburgh.

As we pulled into the city, I found my mind drifting, thinking about how my perspective on dreaming and ambition has evolved over the years.

This might feel a little different from my last post about consistency—so if you’re...

Ah, the classic line I’ve heard a million times:
“I’m not trying to write like those songs. I’m sticking with Dylan, Mike. ‘Three chords and the truth.’”

I’ve met more than a few songwriters who drop that line like it’s a badge of honor. And don’t get me wrong, I love me some Dylan. But when I he...

I keep seeing the same issue pop up in listening sessions, feedback groups, and even among seasoned writers.

You’ve probably been there yourself:

• The lyrics feel right, but the song doesn’t land the way you want.

• The melody feels perfect, but the guitar playing doesn’t match the emotion y

  ...

DYNAMICS!!!!!

dynamics

Dynamics

Did you read all of those differently? Were they whispered, shouted, confident, shy.... ?

Even in writing we can demonstrate one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in songwriting. It’s a subtle element that can shape how listeners engage with your music.

W...

People love to pick my brain about production.

I’ve gotten emails and DMs asking...

“What’s the secret?”
“What plug-ins do you use?”
“What’s your go-to vocal chain?”

But here’s the truth I always come back to. Great production doesn’t come from gear or random bits of information. It comes from a gr...

The Songwriter’s Study Trap (And How to Escape It)

The other night, my wife and I were watching an old Doctor Who story, Full Circle (Tom Baker era—my favorite).

Halfway in, I started laughing. Not because of the vintage effects or clunky dialogue, but because I realized this story is a perfect me...

How to Get Out of a Songwriting Rut (Without Losing Momentum)

You sit down with your guitar, hoping for magic. Instead, what comes out feels uninspired at best. Before you know it, you realize you’re in a rut.

And if left unchecked, that tiny rut can snowball into months of inaction. But here’s ...

Let’s be real for a second: most songwriters are sitting around waiting for the Inspiration Fairy to show up and sprinkle creative dust on their notebooks.

But here’s the truth: they got hit by a truck years ago.
And no one told you.

Why Waiting for Inspiration Will Kill Your Momentum

The ...

When songwriters talk about what’s holding them back, the answers usually look outward:

• “The industry’s too saturated.”

• “No one wants new music.”

• “I just need the right person to hear this song.”

But after years of coaching artists, writers, and producers, I’ve seen something dif...

Most songwriters follow the same pattern when a song doesn’t quite land.

• They tweak the lyrics.

• They rewrite the melody.

• Maybe even change the chords.

But after all that effort… the song still feels flat.

Here’s the hard truth:
It’s not always the melody or lyrics that need fi...