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Just finished up Wil’s new recording and just in time for Thanksgiving! Come see him at Live at Jacks Friday, Nov 22 5:30. Truly my privilege to work with such a talent!

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Interview with Wil Alston – Dancing Dog Studios Interview with Wil Alston Posted on April 1, 2019April 1, 2019 by Chris Sheffer | No Comments Wil Alston describes his music as the “intersection of jazz, gospel, and soul music.” Born in North Carolina, Alston grew up mostly in Washington, D.C. before moving to Denver, where he formed his band,...

Okay, its been a long, long time – way too long. So, I’ve called in the professionals. My recently hired Blog writer, Anna Sheffer is going to keep me in line. And yes, she does have a familial way of doing that! These posts will regularly appear on the Dancing Dog Studio website at www.dancingdogrecording.com Please visit the website, and / or comment here if you wish.
So to kick things off, here is something we all can relate to as song writers. Cheers!

The top three things songwriters wish we had

Onscreen and in the media, writing music seems almost mystifyingly easy. In movies like A Star Is Born, musicians seem to dream up perfect melodies on the spot, and this can make sitting down to write your own music seem impossible without inherent talent. But in reality, songwriting is a lot of hard work, and it requires dedication, perseverance, and the right set of tools to make something truly great. Whether you’re working on your first song or your hundredth, you probably have some ideas about what could make the process easier.

1. Time
Most songwriters don’t just write music. Day jobs, chores, family commitments, practice, and other hobbies can make it hard to schedule a session at your writing desk. No matter how passionate you are, the dirty dishes in the sink must be washed before you can draft the chorus on your next piece. With all of life’s other responsibilities, taking the time to work on your music can seem daunting—or even impossible. That’s why there’s no better gift for the songwriter in your life than an hour or two just for composing.

2. The right gear
When you’re struggling to think of a catchy hook or a creative chorus, being able to hear your own ideas can make all the difference. There’s also nothing more terrifying than the thought of losing all the progress you’ve made, which is why it’s helpful to have access to equipment like a high-quality recorder and microphone. Other songwriters might prefer even fancier gadgets, like songwriting software with built-in metronomes and playback features. These materials can help streamline the songwriting process and make it easier to take your vision from paper to the recording studio.

3. A good space
It’s not enough to have the ability and equipment to write a song. You also need a room to do it—ideally a quiet one with good acoustics. While not everyone can afford a fully sound-proofed studio, it’s still hard to concentrate if you’re dealing with the distractions and background noises of everyday life. And if you’re not feeling ready to show off your latest chorus, having a space exclusively dedicated to creating music can help put you more at ease. It doesn’t have to be big or fancy—a computer in a spare bedroom or unused home office will do just fine.

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