Songwriting Ltd
Unit 1.1, Paintworks,
Bath Road, Bristol BS4 3EH, UK
http://www.songwritingmagazine.co.ukTEAM SONGWRITING
Publisher: Aaron Slater
[email protected]
Music Editor: Damien Girling
[email protected]
Features Editor: Duncan Haskell
[email protected]
Art Editor: Joe Eden
Staff Writer: Dave Chrzanowski
[email protected]
Social Media Coordinator:
Fern Dunn
[email protected]CONTRIBUTORS
Mark Cawley, Paul Gray, David
Harrison, James LindermanADVERTISING
Please address all advertising
enquiries to Aaron Slater at
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Simon & Brian @ Sodajerker, Kim @
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Simon @ A.Gent Publicity, Jeremy @
Sonnet Music, Liv @ One Beat Pr, Kim
@ A&R Marketing, Claire @ Atlantic
Records, Ben @ Warner Music, Rachel
@ Wired PR, Lou @ Partisan PR,
Michael Sweeney @ The MUAll contents
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SongwritingMagCONTENTS
TIBO
SPHERE 4
This multi-room/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth speaker marries its modern app-based
controls with a classic sound, making it a true all-rounder. Here, Duncan Haskell
puts it through its paces...
SERS OF THE VOGUE 3 WILL know that Tibo are a company
comes to wireless speakers. Their new that can be trusted when it
Sphere 4 is a portable multi-play speaker which continues the company’s solid run.
Designed and engineered in the UK, it is a stylish and user-friendly unit which can be
connected via LAN, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. At 50 Watts, this is the middle range of
the current Sphere family, with the Sphere 2 offering 30W and the Sphere 6 packing
80W.What helps the Sphere 4 truly stand
out is its exceptional functionality. The initial setup and majority of the settings areUGEAR: REVIEWScontrolled via the Tibo app. Thankfully, it’s easy enough to get to grips with and it
won’t be long before you’re accessing all the available methods of playback. Using
the app, it’s quick to pair with the music stored on your device, Spotify and other
streaming services such as Napster/TIDAL.One of the most enjoyable features is
the option to listen directly to internet radio. The app comes with a pleasingly
efficient search device which proved adept at detecting mainstream, independent and
local stations alike. There are five pre-sets for storing your favourites (if we’re being
picky then we would like a few more, as it’s hard to settle on just a quintet of choices).
LITTLE TREATSThere are plenty of other little treats here
too. From the slightly angled based to the leather handle, it’s been constructed with
both design and listenability in mind. When fully charged, the built-in lithium
battery allows a minimum of eight hours playback, making the Sphere 4 a genuine
option as a portable device. For those that prefer to listen in the comfort of their own
home but would like a beefier system, the speakers can also be linked with up to 15other devices using the app’s multi-room capabilities.
a multitude of different speakers as the Luckily though, it’s not necessary to own
Sphere 4 packs a solid enough punch all on its own. Even when playing notoriously
iffy internet radio stations, it’s capable of a sound quality that you’d expect from a
far pricier device, such as the Naim Muso Qb. There’s not too much more you could
want.
>>>>> Simple efficiency married with
quality playback
Specifications
Dimensions:Speaker: 50W RMS, 19mm Tweeter, HxWxD – 150x275x180mm
114mm WooferFrequency sensitivity: 50-20000Hz,
4 ohms, -12 dBOutput: USB output for charging
IPrice:nput: LAN, 3.5mm Line in €249.
Web: tibo-electronics.comand piano James Lindermanteaches guitar^
and coaches songwriting over Skype
to students all over the world. He
teaches songwriting for film and film composition at the Canada Film Centre and is an Academic
Ambassador to Berklee College of Music. James has recently released a new book, Song Forms for
Songwritersjameslinderman.com available at his site atDIMINISHED RESPONSIBILITY
Hopefully, these two examples will free you up to start to use some diminished and augmented harmony in your next songs.
of diminished and augmented options in various keys, require a more detailed If you would like me to send you a chart
explanation and want to book a Skype session, or if you want to send me an mp3 of your new song with a diminished or
augmented chord in it, feel free to email me at [email protected]
JAMES LINDERMANthem slower and faster and see how easily they can be extracted from this source song and made adaptable to another songwriting
opportunity. Of course Danny O’Keefe did not invent this chord change and so, just like you, he has come across it and found a new
use for it back when he wrote bars of a dropping bass movement that walks He follows this six bars of vamp with two The Road.
through chords from the key (key of C) and it is interesting to note that O’Keefe alters his chord system substantially for the refrain bars
at the end of the verse. So, just as he moves towards the title of the song he adds this new chord system and larger chord movement to
get the listeners attention pulling the listener out of the kind of hypnotic tunnel vision effect that a two chord vamp has created.11TECHNIQUEI was invited backstage and had a
lovely chat with Bob over a coffee63DIARY OF A SONGWRITERinsightful panels providing a practical guide to revenue, music rights,
promoting gigs, building a fan base and connecting with the industry.
Conversation with Dave Rowntree. The day ended with an In
As a long time Blur fan, it was fascinating hearing him talk about
his career journey, how things have changed radically from his early
days in the band when they would physically post demos. Although
the channels have changed, he acknowledged that it is still just as
difficult to break through. He feels a lot is down to luck and good songs.
how lucrative it can be, and how to He also talked about songwriting,
write a hit. His answer was to write 1000 songs and really practice your
craft. He told the audience that DamonAlbarn writes constantly so you have to absolutely love writing. When
asked if he knew a hit when he heard it, he said that, although feeling an
emotional connection is good, you also need an outside objective, so the
rest of band always listens to Damon’s work and give their honest thoughts.
20 OCTOBERI always really enjoy doing radio
sessions and interviews, and I’m here at BBC Suffolk in Ipswich to record
a session on Stephen Foster’s Drive time show to promote my gig next
week supporting Tom McRae at the John Peel Centre for Creative Arts
in Stowmarket. As session guest of the week, I play 5 acoustic tracks live
which will be played each night next week. I included in the session a TomMcRae cover, the gorgeous “2nd Law.” It’s always nice to see Foz who
has supported me and my music for awhile.
27 OCTOBERAfter another radio session and an
Oxjam gig, I’m back in Suffolk this evening for my support to Tom
McRae. It’s a really busy night at the John Peel Centre and it was so nice to
receive some lovely comments after the show. Tom is brilliant as always,
had the crowd spellbound. I’ve been a huge fan for a long time, and it was so
lovely to be asked to support him on the final date of this current tour. All
the venue staff are so friendly and they invited me to stick around for drinks
afterwards. Very tempting, but have to be good and head home as I have
another show tomorrow.
LISA REDFORDComing up on Lisa’s busy schedule are more BBC radio interviews and
sessions, promoting the re-release of her EP Reminders, promoting an acoustic
Christmas EP, playing a Christmas show, and looking ahead to 2018! Keep up to
speed with Lisa at lisaredford.com2142552210 1604 082845583646624149VAGABON
NEW INDIE
ICON EMERGESINTRODUCING
RISING STAR -
HALO MAUDbest of 2017
year-end
highlightsSONGWRITING
SURVIVAL KIT
FRANK TURNERGEAR NEWs
akai, epiphone
& MoreGEAR reviews
new hardware
on testhow i wrote
mmmbop by
hansonDIARY OF A
SONGWRITER
LISA REDFORDreviews
new singles
& albumsintroducing
talent show
winner - linaintroducing
CONOR
MaleyMikael
akerfeldt
opeth frontmanNEWS
what’s
goin’ onhow i wrote...
BOOGIE
WONDERLANDTECHNIQUE
songwriting
tips & tricks22COREY TAYLOR
“that’s what I would like my
legacy to be. To be someone
who wasn’t afraid to risk”03
AT THE HEART OF GREAT MUSICOPETH • FRANK TURNER • HANSON • ALLEE WILLISVAGABON • LINA • HALO MAUD • CONOR MALEYTHE SLIPKNOT AND STONE SOUR HEAD HONCHO SPEAKS OUT
BEST OF 2017 HAILING THE YEAR’S MUSICAL MASTERS
AND MASTERPIECESCOREY
TAYLOR
TIPS & TECHNIQUES EXPERT ADVICE ON CHORDS, CREDITS
AND CREATIVITYISSUE 13 • WINTER 2017