Songwriting Workshop with Katy Davidson (Dear Nora)

We’re honored to have Katy Davidson (Dear Nora) teaching our next songwriting workshop!

Some of the topics they’ll cover in the course:

• Minimalism in writing: Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. Speak your truth with less! Let’s explore the power of distillation in songwriting, lyric writing, and production, and allow the very essence of things to be the ‘final product.’
• Travel songs: ‘The open road’… Why does this idea resonate so deeply? Let’s explore this classic metaphor and how it invites us to relinquish the past, embrace the present, and carry us into an unknown future.
• Tricking ourselves into play: Why should ‘playing’ just be for children? Let’s reconnect with that feeling in our songwriting! We’ll explore ways of tricking ourselves into creating environments and mindsets where songwriting feels loose, risky, imaginative, funny, and… playful.
• Production before writing: What happens when you let sounds, atmospheres, and ‘vibes’ guide your songwriting? Maybe you can unlock new characters you didn’t realize you had inside you, or find some voice you didn’t know you had. This experience can be accessed when you create environments through production first.

You'll write 4 original songs using the techniques and perspectives Katy presents in lecture.

Sign up now! Deadline is Saturday, October 26 at 11:59pm (PT).

Here's how it works:

• Workshop is taught over Zoom on the following dates:
  • Lectures: October 27th, November 3rd, 10th and 17th
  • Q&As: October 31st, November 7th and 14th
  • Song-Shares: November 2nd, 9th and 16th
  .
• There are 2 options for lecture times: 11a-12p and 6p-7p PT. Q&A is at 6p PT (note: due to a preexisting conflict, the last lecture of the last class on Nov. 17th will happen at 4p PT). Song-share options are 11a and 6p PT.
• If you can't make the live class, you can still participate by watching the recordings of lecture (sent out after class).

Sign up with a friend to receive a 20% discount by clicking here. Note: no refunds on discounted orders.

Here's a few words from Katy about the course:

“I make music and I don’t know exactly why, but my dad was a musician and I think it might be in my blood. I love melodies, I love when people sing in harmony, and I love all kinds of lyrics – funny, edgy, deep, poetic, strange. I love when songwriters and performers really Go For It and are able to lose inhibition, kill their internal editor, and really let their freak flag fly in (truly) whatever way that manifests.

I’m interested in risk, and in failure. I’m interested in beauty and in dissonance. I’m interested in production that feels alive, sentient, breathing – technology that can laugh and cry. I’m usually interested in minimal arrangements and a Less-is-More approach. I love thinking equally about this absurd, troubling, wonderful Present Time we live in, and also about ancient things that put our tiny/short lives in perspective, elemental things like water, fire, air, earth, and also the moon and the sun. I think transitional moments are so compelling, like dawn and dusk, the changing of the seasons, birth and death, connecting with someone special, losing someone special. Inspiration follows change.

I think any person can write a good song if they just tell the truth. I have big opinions about songwriting, lyric writing, performance, and production, and I can talk about these things for hours and hours if anyone will listen, and it seems like I’m about to have that opportunity. What a blessing. But I also love conversation, collaboration, and surprises that unearth when minds come together. I’m very stoked to chop it up with you! LFG"

- Katy Davidson

FAQ:

Q: What musical experience should I have?

A: People across all musical levels will be able to gain something from the course. However, it will be helpful to be comfortable playing a few basic chords on any instrument of your choice.

Q: What if I’ve never written a song before? Can I still participate in this workshop?

A: Yes! As with any new skill, just starting is usually the hardest part. This workshop will provide the structure and accountability we all need to get started and follow through, for beginners and old guard writers alike.

Q: Will Katy give me feedback on my songs?

A: Due to the class size, we cannot guarantee that you’ll get Katy's feedback on your songs. However, our teachers are active on our song sharing platform and may leave comments on students’ submissions.

Q: I can't make the lecture times for some (or all) of the classes. Can I still participate?

A: Yes! We send out the recordings of lecture at the end of each class day, so you can watch the lectures on your own time.

If after the first class you feel the course is not a good fit for any reason, you are welcome to a refund on the rest of the course classes. We are unable to process refunds after the second class.

Questions? Email us at hi@schoolofsong.org.