Advertise on podcast: And The Writer Is...with Ross Golan

Today's guest is the Grammy Producer of the Year who built the two biggest pop breakthroughs of the last five years back to back — and whose real story isn't about the hits. It's about the three years he spent making nothing and the rule he wants every producer in the game to understand. From indie rock frontman in As Tall As Lions to pop's most trusted collaborator, Dan built his career against almost every industry instinct. He carries three things at once that most producers never figure out how to hold: the commercial ear of someone who's had back-to-back Grammy runs with Olivia Rodrigo, the patience of a craftsman who sat on "Good Luck, Babe" for 18 months before it ever left his hard drive, and the conviction to say no — to every rushed demo, every session hop, every label note that doesn't serve the artist. This is one of the more honest conversations about what it actually takes to build a superstar. And The Writer Is... Dan Nigro! In this episode of And The Writer Is, we go deep on: • The three years he spent making nothing — and what finally broke it • Why getting Chappell dropped from Atlantic was "the greatest thing that ever happened" • "We're building like an icon here" — the real work behind Chappell Roan's rise • Why Dan refuses to send demos • 20 days with one artist, not 20 sessions with twenty • Meeting Dua Lipa in 2014 — "this girl is a superstar" • Artist development, finding your lane • Writing good songs sucks — and why that's fine And much more... Hit subscribe and turn on notifications. Every week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music. Follow us on socials: @andthewriteris A special thank you to our sponsors for making these conversations possible. Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapter timestamps: 0:00 Intro 3:01 Why Atlantic dropping Chappell was "the greatest thing that ever happened" 4:16 Atlantic's note: cut one of the Pink Pony Club guitar solos 8:20 Self-releasing Karma, Naked in Manhattan, and building a label with Island 11:33 "We're building like an icon here" — Bowie, Madonna, the Chappell blueprint 13:13 What makes somebody "have it" — the gut call you can't fake 17:21 "There are no more superstars" — the article that pissed Dan off 19:34 20 days with one artist, not 20 sessions with twenty 21:27 Good Luck Babe's million rewrites — the "Good Luck Jane" era 22:59 Why Dan refuses to send demos — ever 24:54 18 months on the hard drive 26:01 Justin Tranter asks: how do you have the confidence to dive that deep? 28:04 Three years. Ended up with nothing. 33:12 The Madonna model — outside songs, finding your lane 43:21 Taking five months off after Olivia and Chappell 46:41 Steph Jones asks: rituals, guilty pleasures, happy accidents 51:43 Amy Allen asks: has your feeling ever been wrong? 52:58 "The most egotistical thing I've ever said" — never wrong about an artist 53:20 Meeting Dua Lipa in 2014 — "this girl is a superstar" 55:55 Vampire — and the label that thought it was "three songs in one" 62:39 People need to take more risks 63:37 Writing good songs sucks — and why that's fine 68:21 Five for five — As Tall As Lions, Sour, Guts, Amusement Records 70:31 The second-album mountain 72:58 Playing Olivia and Chappell for his daughter Credits: Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London & Jad Saad Edited by Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every week, And the Writer Is brings you the most important news moving through the music industry — straight, sharp, and no fluff. This week: a jury ruled Live Nation and Ticketmaster violated antitrust laws and operate as illegal monopolies, with a judge now weighing whether to force a breakup or sale. Max Lousada and Julie Greenwald — the A&R legends behind Warner's modern run — launched a new long-term international label with Sony Music investment and distribution. And Udio signed a licensing deal with Kobalt, becoming one of the first AI companies actually paying creatives for training on their work. Plus: D4vd arrested on murder charges and dropped by Interscope, Foster the People ink a new deal, and Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" holds the #1 song. Follow us on socials and don't miss our new episodes every Tuesday — the hottest conversations in music, with the people making it. This week: Jury finds Live Nation and Ticketmaster violated antitrust laws — a judge will now decide whether to break them upMax Lousada and Julie Greenwald launch a new international label with Sony MusicUdio signs a licensing deal with Kobalt — the first real AI-pays-creatives move of the cycleD4vd arrested on murder charges; Interscope removes him from their rosterFoster the People sign a new dealElla Langley's "Choosin' Texas" remains #1 song of the weekRoss previews live episodes coming from Stagecoach and the week's Billy Corgan drop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is the architect of alternative rock who sold 30 million albums and defined the sound of an entire generation — but whose real story begins after the hits stopped mattering to him. From the suburbs of Chicago to the apex of 90s mainstream success, Billy Corgan built an empire. Then he spent the last 20 years quietly dismantling the idea that commercial success is the same thing as real value. He carries three things simultaneously that most artists never figure out how to hold at once: the ambition of someone who was never going to settle for the midwest, the technical genius of a classically-trained musician who produces every layer of his own work, and the philosophical rigor of someone willing to completely reimagine what success actually means. This is one of the more unflinching conversations about what staying relevant actually costs — not the version that gets posted on socials, the version that gets lived in the real decisions you make about art, money, independence, and how you want to spend your time. When the gatekeepers are gone and nobody's controlling the narrative anymore, who do you become? And The Writer Is... Billy Corgan! In this episode of And The Writer Is, we go deep on: • The trap of being defined by your greatest hits — and why he refuses it • His father's failed music career, and the moment his dad finally understood • Chicago's inward-facing indie scene and the cost of communities that don't believe in themselves • How the value of artists gets assessed in rooms — and why that's broken • What "influence" actually means vs. commercial success • The gatekeepers are gone — what that really means for independent artists • Owning 100% of your publishing and why that changes everything • Building a new world where direct artist support is how things actually work • Why legacy thinking is changing, and what comes next And much more... Hit subscribe and turn on notifications. Every week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music. Follow us on socials: @andthewriteris A special thank you to our sponsors for making these conversations possible. Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapter timestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:30 Why Billy doesn't prefer to talk about his hits, and how his legacy has adjusted 5:00 Dad's bitterness: you got lucky 6:30 Dad's realization "You're one of the best songwriters in the world" 8:00 Independent music, 'selling out', and Chicago's music scene 10:30 The touring economics of the 90's 13:15 Rigged charts and the beginning of Pop music 16:00 Representation of Rock music in the charts / award shows 19:30 Ross on the future of music in a digital world 20:30 Numbers mean nothing if no one gives a sh*t. 21:00 Pop vs Rock: The future of music 28:30 Women archetypes in music 38:21 Billy's advice: What you need to survive in the music industry 40:00 World building and songwriting advice 43:31 How to define your value as an artist in a commercial world 44:40 Billy's Batman story 49:00 Breaking 'Landmine' because of Courtney Love 51:50 How he meets Courtney Love 54:08 How he learned to play guitar 57:00 His guitar hero inspiration… 1:01:10 Meeting the band 1:03:20 Finding a world class drummer hiding in plain sight 1:07:05 Fighting for his band when no one believed in them 1:15:29 Keeping your mouth shut when it's not your session 1:16:02 Fight for your copyright. The band struggling with his sole writing credit 1:18:00 AI in music… and Billy's take on it Credits: Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London & Jad Saad Edited by Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every week, And the Writer Is brings you the most important news moving through the music industry — straight, sharp, and no fluff. This week: Maryland just passed the RAP Act, making it illegal to use rap lyrics as courtroom evidence, potentially setting the stage for federal law. Suno's licensing negotiations with Sony and Universal have stalled, leaving major AI royalty questions unresolved. And Pershing Square submitted a $64 billion bid for Universal Music Group, revealing just how undervalued the music industry is to outside investors. Plus: Ticketmaster's face value integration, HYBE's new Indian girl group audition, and moves at Warner. Follow us on socials and don't miss our new episodes every Tuesday — the hottest conversations in music, with the people making it. This week: Maryland passes the RAP Act — rap lyrics can no longer be used as courtroom evidencePershing Square submits a $64B bid for Universal Music GroupSuno's licensing talks with Sony and Universal stall over AI royaltiesTicketmaster partners with Cash or Trade on face value resale integrationHYBE auditions for a new Indian girl group as Asian streaming dominance growsMyles Gersh promoted at Warner — the exec who signed Zach BryanTaylor Swift resigns with Warner ChappellLasso signs to Interscope Records Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is the Irish troubadour who sold out arenas across the world and built one of the most durable careers in modern music, entirely on his own terms. From Dublin street corners and busking for strangers to headlining Madison Square Garden, this conversation is about what that actually costs to build the slow, deliberate construction of a career that answers to no one, yet resonates with millions around the world. He carries three things simultaneously that most artists never figure out how to hold at once: the ambition of someone who was never going to settle for Ireland only, the sensitivity of a songwriter who writes for his whole community, and the creative instincts of a kid who grew up on hip hop and folk and refused to let either one fully win. This is one of the more honest conversations about what a creative life actually looks like from the inside — not the version that gets posted, the version that gets lived. And The Writer Is... Dermot Kennedy! In this episode of And The Writer Is... We go deep on: • His whole journey • The moment he realized the audience could feel how hard he was trying — and why that was the problem • How to carry ambition, sensitivity, and creative instinct in the same body without one of them destroying the other • Building an international career without a viral hit — and what that reveals about how the industry actually works • The busking years, and the secrets for how he survived • Why he deliberately toured smaller venues on his last run — and what that decision says about success • Imposter syndrome, insecurity, and the reality of growing a career from 0-100. And much more... Hit subscribe and turn on notifications. Every week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music. Follow us on socials: @andthewriteris A special thank you to our sponsors... Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapter timestamps: 0:00 Intro 3:30 The 3 Sides Every Creative Has to Balance 4:30 You Shouldn't Rinse Your Shows. It's a Sacred Thing. 5:00 What Dermot Beats Himself Up About On Stage 5:30 Anxiety After the Show Starts, Not Before 6:00 The Struggle of Being Lucky Enough to Have a Career 8:00 Childhood 9:00 "I Know I'm Good. But I Feel Very Insecure in Other Ways." 14:00 How Dermot Built a Career With No Algorithm and No Social Pressure 18:00 Why He Doesn't Play Music for People 19:19 How He Started Busking 20:15 Why Most People Couldn't Busk — and the Genius Who Changed Everything 21:00 The Importance of Branding When Selling Anything 22:00 How to Make Real Money Busking 26:00 How Dermot Built His Name and Started Playing Shows 29:00 Into the Music Business — and the Most Successful He's Ever Felt 31:00 Being Sought After and Avoiding Bad Record Deals 32:40 How to Build Out Your Team 36:00 A Note About Touring: Enjoy Where You're At 38:23 His Advice to His 15-Year-Old Self: Find Your Contentment 39:23 How Dermot Kennedy Built a Worldwide Fanbase Credits: Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London & Jad Saad Edited by Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Watercolor Art by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is one of the most quietly enduring artists in modern pop — a songwriter and performer who’s spent over a decade growing up in public, learning how to separate perception from identity. She was discovered online as a teenager and quickly thrust into an industry that had already decided who she was. But behind the headlines, she was doing the real work — writing, refining her sound, and slowly building a career on her own terms. This is a conversation about perception vs reality, creative control, and what it actually takes to become yourself in an industry that benefits from misunderstanding you. And The Writer Is… Madison Beer! What you'll learn: • What it actually feels like to grow up in the public eye • The gap between how artists are perceived vs who they really are • Why longevity in music requires emotional resilience • How Madison developed her sound and creative identity over time • The pressure of early success — and rebuilding from it • Why being misunderstood can either break you or sharpen you This episode is brought to you by the NMPA — supporting songwriters and protecting the value of music. And by Splice — the world’s largest library of sounds and samples, built for creators. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:42 Madison’s favorite songs of hers 3:00 Lyrics or melody first? 4:30 Ross meeting Madison at 13 6:00 Madison’s childhood, early memories 7:00 Going through parent’s divorce in early childhood 9:45 Why singing the national anthem is hard 10:00 Her family’s early encouragement 11:00 Madison’s first song 13:00 Starting her career at 10 18:40 Getting discovered overnight from a Justin Bieber tweet. 19:11 Contracts in music industry 19:58 Meeting Justin Bieber 21:46 Why getting dropped is a blessing 24:00 Struggling with early music identity 26:00 Why she felt she couldn’t fight back on creative control early on 28:00 finding her power through social media 31:55 Reclaiming creative control 33:50 writing reckless 35:28 Home with you 36:25 the importance of your collaborators  39:12 the original demo to Reckless 41:13 being easier to write dark songs than happy songs 41:40 the challenge of writing her new album 41:54 NMPA 42:36 Splice 43:26 Going back into the label system 45:00 her first tour in lockdown 46:50 Madison’s touring non negotiables 52:00 the story of Home to another one 53:41 Writing darker songs while in a happy relationship 55:55 Setting boundaries for mental health 56:55 “Showed Me” as an interpolation 58:37 Her mental health struggles and path to healing 1:01:54 How her album locket Freed her 1:03:25 the unlikely story of bittersweet 1:05:30 what writing a song with strangers is like 1:09:00 loneliness and missing out on a normal childhood 1:12:00 Dealing with constant criticism and how she manages it 1:12:47 Surviving the lowest point of her life 1:16:30 how she currently manages her mental health Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Edited by Jad Saad Post Production VFX by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s world builder builds worlds worldwide to make her own universe! Dark and whimsical meets bubblegum grunge when this artist broke out on the scene to create her own cult following.  When doors didn’t open, she built her own.  And The Writer Is……Melanie Martinez! In this episode, Melanie opens up about: • Materializing ideas and her entire creative process • Why she never approached music as a game • The reality behind shows like The Voice • How she built her identity before the industry caught up • Her philosophy on songwriting and the importance of your truth • Protecting your creative voice in a commercial system • Why being yourself is still the most important advantage • And much more… Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications. Every week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music. Follow us on socials: @andthewriteris A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:00 The Real Meaning Behind “Disney Princess” 4:30 Introversion vs Performance 6:00 The Magic of Creating and Materializing Ideas 7:45 Her Creative Process — Titles, Concepts, and Staying Inspired 12:00 The Songs That Defined Her Early Career 12:48 Growing Up Writing — Her First Songs and Backstory 16:45 World-Building and Creating a True Artistic Identity 18:30 Rejection, Independence, and Dollhouse 20:00 “Blind Dating” in the Music Industry 24:00 Stage Fright and Early Creative Influences 26:00 What She’d Tell Her Younger Self 26:45 Advice for Artists Trying to Break Through 27:30 Hitchhiking to The Voice — And What It Really Was 30:00 The Reality of Music Competition Shows 31:42 NMPA — Our Lead Sponsor This Season 32:23 Splice 33:00 Ross on Music Competition TV 34:00 Performing Live and Managing Nerves 36:00 Finding Herself Through Dollhouse 37:20 The Story Behind Dollhouse 38:00 Fighting for Her Creative Vision 40:00 Where Her Ideas Come From 42:00 How She Builds Albums and Story Arcs 44:20 Writing Honestly Without Overthinking It 45:00 What Songwriters Get Wrong About Meaning 49:30 Are You Happy? 51:30 The Priorities That Changed Everything 54:00 Final Advice 55:00 Portals 57:47 Hades — A Dystopian World 1:00:20 The Utopian Album to Come 1:00:51 Her Favorite Songs on the Album 1:01:50 The Story of “Weight Watchers” 1:06:00 An Emotional Reflection — Her Message to Others 1:07:30 Her Inspirations 1:09:00 Social Media, AI, and Staying Human Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London & Jad Saad Edited by Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Watercolor Art by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is one of the defining voices in modern pop — a songwriter, producer, and artist behind some of the biggest records of the last decade. His songs have been streamed billions of times worldwide. He came to Los Angeles to write for others. Instead, he became a globally identifiable artist — before fully becoming himself. Now, he’s building something that’s truly his. And The Writer Is… Charlie Puth! In this episode, Charlie opens up about: • His early journey • The moment “See You Again” came together, and why it still feels unexplainable • How early success shaped his career before his identity caught up • Why the best songs often come from discomfort, not control • The role of collaboration in pushing him beyond his instincts • Sessions with legendary artists — and what those moments actually feel like • The importance of staying human in an increasingly synthetic world • And much more… Hit the subscribe button and follow us on socials @andthewriteris Every week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music. A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:46 Charlie Demos the Theme Song 5:00 The “Mouth Phone” Trick 7:00 His Secret Involvement in Dangerous Woman 9:00 “Stay” — The Power of Collaboration (Justin Bieber, Kid Laroi) 13:00 “Are You Where You Want to Be?” 16:00 Where His Best Work Comes From 16:53 The Story of See You Again 20:43 Wiz Khalifa’s Defining 'See You Again' Moment 23:02 When the Industry Didn’t Know What to Do With Him 27:22 The Song No One Believed In (We Don’t Talk Anymore) 29:52 Ross’s Philosophy on Sending Music 31:04 The Song That Changed Everything 34:09 Authenticity, Vulnerability, and Letting People In 39:00 Why It’s More Important to Be Human Than Ever 45:05 NMPA — Our Lead Sponsor This Season 45:56 Splice 46:38 Conflict, Collaboration, and Making the New Album 51:11 Coffee With Kenny G and Michael McDonald 55:39 Chris Stapleton's Songwriting Advice 1:02:05 The Artists and Producers He Studies 1:08:00 His Lowest Point 1:31:51 Charlie Shares Drum Samples Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London & Jad Saad Edited by Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Watercolor Art by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is one of the fastest-rising voices in modern country — a songwriter whose honesty, wit, and emotional precision have turned deeply personal stories into songs heard everywhere. She just became the 10th woman of the century to top the Billboard 200. Before the sold-out shows and chart-topping records, she was a college student playing small gigs with her dad and brother, trying to figure out where music might fit into her life. One honest song at a time, she began building a catalog that feels both timeless and unmistakably her own. Now, with a growing fanbase and a string of hits helping shape the sound of modern country, she’s writing the next chapter of her career in real time. And The Writer Is… Megan Moroney! In this episode of And The Writer Is… Megan opens up about: • The unexpected moment that pushed her toward learning guitar • Growing up around music and playing early shows with her family • The traumatic accident that jumpstarted her music career • Finding her voice in the Nashville songwriting community • Why honesty and humor are essential to her writing • How she stood out in early co-writes • And much more… Hit subscribe and turn on notifications.Every week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music. Follow us on socials: @andthewriteris A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us.And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters 0:00 Intro 5:00 Moving to Nashville: The First Steps 6:00 Working in the Music Industry Before Releasing Music 7:00 The Advice That Started Her Career 10:00 Growing Up Around Music in Georgia 13:50 “I Went to School to Be an Accountant” 16:30 Musical Theatre and Feeling Out of Place 18:56 The Accident That Started Everything 24:01 The Sorority Event That Led to Georgia Theatre 32:25 Learning the Business of Music in School 33:00 The Internship That Changed Everything 35:00 Creating the Tennessee Orange Cover Art on Her Phone 38:45 Writing Every Day and Building a Network in Nashville 40:20 NMPA — Our Lead Sponsor This Season 41:00 Splice 41:45 The Story of Tennessee Orange 45:50 How Influencing Helped Pay the Bills 47:10 Megan’s Writing Process 52:15 Exploring the Studio 54:10 Working With Ed Sheeran 58:42 A Full-Circle Moment With Kacey Musgraves 1:09:00 The Story of “Beautiful Things” 1:15:55 Rapid Fire 1:21:26 Megan Gives the Podcast Flowers Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London & Jad Saad Edited by Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Watercolor Art by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is the frontman of one of the most defining bands of the 2010s — a songwriter whose voice helped shape an era of alternative pop that still echoes today. Before arenas. Before permanence. Before “Sweater Weather” became cultural shorthand. Now, after over a decade of hits, reinvention, and evolution, he looks back on the long arc of The Neighbourhood with clarity — and with honesty about what success did and didn’t solve. And The Writer Is… Jesse Rutherford of The Neighbourhood! In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Jesse opens up about: • Growing up in the industry before he understood it • The unlikely formation and endurance of The Neighbourhood • His journey through childhood acting, getting discovered, + losing his dad on the brink of success • The advice he’d give himself before it worked • And much more… Hit subscribe and turn on notifications. Every week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music. Follow us on socials: @andthewriteris A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:09 I Never Wanted To Be Alternative
 4:02 Why Thousand Oaks Produces Massive Bands 7:39 Becoming a Child Actor at 6 
8:35 “My Self-Worth Is Tied to Entertaining” 
9:55 Discovered in a Movie Theater at 5
 14:16 Reconnecting With His Dad Before He Passed
 17:28 Success Without the Fame He Expected 27:10 High School Metalcore Bands 33:17 How The Neighbourhood Formed
 36:06 The First Riff of “Sweater Weather”
 40:00 Getting Discovered Online by Their Manager
 44:23 His Manager’s Warning… 47:20 Writing the Lyrics to “Sweater Weather”
 48:42 Pop Writing Rules
 55:23 Learning to Let Go of Instant Validation
 59:32 Daddy Issues
 1:02:30Watching Your Own Lyrics Affect Relationships
 1:10:01 Why He Needs Alone Time 1:10:23 Feeling Invisible, the “Chip Chrome” Era
 1:11:17 Touring the Same Venues & The Plateau Feeling
 1:12:31 Why Chip Chrome Became His Favorite Creative Risk
 1:13:48 “You’ve Got to Get People to Look to Listen” 1:16:00 Creative Direction as Identity Control
 1:19:30 Self-Sabotage vs Reinvention
 1:32:00 Band Brotherhood & Growing Up Together
 1:36:00 Legacy, Impact & What Really Matters 1:41:00 Advice to His Younger Self Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London & Jad Saad Edited by Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Watercolor Art by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is a Grammy-winning songwriter, global pop architect, and one of the most quietly influential voices shaping modern music across borders. Before the world heard her voice, she spent years training inside the K-pop system — learning discipline, structure, and endurance long before recognition ever arrived. When the system didn’t know what to do with her, she pivoted. Slowly. Intentionally. And built a career that would eventually be heard everywhere. Now, as a songwriter whose work spans K-pop, pop, animation, and beyond — and as an artist stepping into her own voice — she represents a different kind of success: one built patiently, shaped by pressure, and defined by longevity rather than speed. And The Writer Is… Ejae! In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Ejae opens up about: The reality of the K-pop training system and what it actually teaches you about discipline and survivalRejection and why her voice didn’t fit the moment — and how that shaped her writingLearning to work alone after years inside a rigid systemHow songwriting became a safer, more powerful entry point than performingThe pivot that reframed her career and led to global success And much more… Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications. Every week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music. Follow us on socials: @andthewriteris A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:30 Early life & finding music 6:10 Inside K-Pop training 9:00 Ejae's writing process... 28:00 Rejection from auditioning to be a K-Pop Idol... and $5 Karaoke training to pass. 41:00 Ejae sings her first song 41:37 Sponsor Spotlight: NMPA 42:18 Sponsor Spotlight: Splice 14:45 Discipline, pressure, and identity 23:20 Being let go by the system 26:19 The truth about the K-Pop system 30:40 Rebuilding in isolation 39:15 Discovering songwriting as power 50:00 K-Pop's ultimate evaluation: Auditioning to debut 50:37 Ejae's rejection and rock bottom... and the pivot that would change everything 56:10 Global songs & delayed recognition 1:00:00 How she wrote her first songs 1:04:00 Writing her first song for film 1:07:00 Writing 'Psycho' for Red Velvet at her first session 1:13:00 K-Pop vs Pop music... And the reference to 'Psycho' 1:14:00 K-Pop Demon Hunters 1:20:00 The story behind 'Golden' 1:26:00 The original 'Golden' voice memo... 1:30:00 The process of co-writing the songs for K-Pop Demon Hunters Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London & Jad Saad Creative Directed by Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Watercolor Art by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is a festival headliner, Grammy-winning songwriter, and the architect of a sound that accidentally changed the course of folk, country, and alternative music forever. From singing as a family around a kitchen table to headlining arenas with banjos and mandolins, Marcus Mumford built something no one saw coming — and has spent years learning not to get in his own way once the stakes got real. Now, as a solo artist and band leader, he's as honest about the creative process as he is about the pitfalls of ego, overthinking, and the quiet ways success can sabotage itself. And The Writer Is... Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons! In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Marcus opens up about: His theory of "catching" songs rather than forcing themHow Mumford & Sons structured equal ownership to stay togetherWhat Bob Dylan said to him that he wants tattooed on his bodyThe Pharrell moment that reframed his entire relationship to successWhy showing up — again and again — is the only way judgment is earnedAnd much more... Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications... Every week we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music. Follow us on socials at @andthewriteris A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:00 Desert Island Mix: Radiohead 3:00 The Greatest Band of All Time? 7:00 A Hilarious Story About Bob Dylan — His Songwriting Grandfather 11:00 How Mumford & Sons Structured Equal Ownership 13:35 How Mumford & Sons Writes Music 17:00 Where Great Music Comes From 18:35 His Songwriting Ethos: "Catching Fairies" 22:00 Favorite Poetry and Getting Lost in Words Before Writing 23:46 Childhood 25:00 Growing Up in Church 33:50 Why Drummers Make the Best Producers 50:00 Testing Demos on the Road 52:00 Working on His Solo Record 58:00 The Empowering Pharrell Story 1:03:00 The Chris Martin Story 1:05:00 Rapid Fire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is a multi-platinum DJ, producer, and songwriter who turned personal devastation into one of electronic music's most emotionally resonant careers. From opioid addiction in high school to wilderness therapy at rock bottom, he rebuilt his entire life in Denver—sober, alone, and teaching himself music theory from scratch. Now 13 years clean, he's become a voice for mental health in a scene built on excess, collaborating with Jon Bellion, Halsey, Teddy Swims, and countless others to create music that connects survivors. His latest album, Odyssey, is a cinematic journey through heartbreak, recovery, and the sessions that saved his life. And The Writer Is... Illenium! In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Nick Miller (Illenium) opens up about: * Moving every two years as a kid and never having roots * Falling into opiates at 15 and hitting bottom by 2011 * Moving to Denver alone and getting sober at 21 * The Good Things Fall Apart session (and demo) * How music saved his life entirely and much more... Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications... Every week we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music. Follow us on socials at @andthewriteris A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:00 Childhood and Moving Every Two Years 5:00 Getting Into Music Through Tiesto's Album 6:30 The Electronic Artist That Inspires Industry Musicians 9:00 Getting Sober—His Rough Patch in 2011 10:00 Escapism and Addiction 12:30 The Wilderness Program That Saved His Life 16:30 Getting Lost in Music and How He Learned to Create 17:30 Illenium's Roots 18:00 Learning From Other Producers and YouTube 20:00 Thinking of Sound as a Picture 21:00 World Building and Finding His Brand… and His Purpose 23:00 Ross Opens Up on How Music Saved Him 24:00 The Personality Trait All Successful Creatives Have 26:00 How He Popped Off 31:00 Working With Unknown Artists and How He Picks Them 33:00 How to Find Your Sound 34:30 NMPA and Splice Midroll 41:00 Touring—The Downs After a Show 44:00 Good Things Fall Apart 47:00 Collaboration in DJ Culture 49:00 Why He Doesn't Chase Big Songs 54:24 COVID 1:13:00 Gaming on Tour 1:17:00 Good Things Fall Apart Demo Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Creative Direction by Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Guest Watercolor Art by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is a Grammy-winning songwriter, producer, and performer, best known as one-third of The Smeezingtons and a foundational creative force behind Bruno Mars’ career. He has co-written and helped shape some of the most influential pop songs of the last two decades, including Just the Way You Are, Billionaire, Locked Out of Heaven, When I Was Your Man, 24K Magic, Nothin’ on You, and many more... And The Writer Is... Bruno Mars! In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Philip Lawrence tells his story in full—for the first time - How a $5 bus pass led to Bruno Mars - The hidden cost of early success - Real stories behind pop’s biggest records - The pivot that made everything 'click' - A breakdown at the peak—and the call that brought him back and much more... A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 4:00 “I Just Might” and Bruno Mars 10:31 Childhood and Not Feeling Good Enough 14:00 Early Career 20:00 Leaving School and Auditioning for Disney 26:00 The Disney Break Room: The Beginning of His Journey 27:00 His First Session 30:00 Meeting Steven Seagal 34:00 Moving to LA 37:09 Losing Everything He Had So Far 39:00 Finding His Manager 43:00 Finding His Way Through the Industry 44:42 His Ego Death 45:50 The Pivot That Really Started His Career 46:50 Be Friends With All the Assistants 47:20 NMPA and Splice 48:45 How to Write for Radio 49:30 Developing His Songwriting Ethos 50:29 Spending His Last $5 to Meet Bruno Mars (Before He Was Bruno Mars) 1:05:09 How Bruno Stayed on His Early Hook Placements 1:07:28 The Story of Nothin’ on You 1:09:20 Billionaire 1:11:50 Just the Way You Are 1:19:15 Talking to the Moon 1:20:49 Ross’s CeeLo Story 1:23:00 “F*** You” Was Not Supposed to Happen 1:28:00 How Locked Out of Heaven Happened 1:33:22 When I Was Your Man / Flowers (Miley Cyrus) 1:36:50 Five Songs He Wishes He Wrote 1:38:34 24K Magic 1:40:36 His Breakdown at the Peak of Success 1:48:45 The Comeback Phone Call With Bruno 1:50:18 APT 1:52:39 Advice for Songwriters + Rapid-Fire Questions Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest has quietly shaped the sound of a generation. He has written and produced some of the biggest songs of the last 15 years—from One Direction's "Story of My Life" to Niall Horan's "Slow Hands," Sabrina Carpenter's "Taste", Teddy Swims' "Lose Control," and Olivia Dean's "So Easy to Fall in Love." A true songwriter's songwriter, John Ryan doesn't just chase hits—he shapes careers, defines sounds, and knows exactly when inspiration is knocking. In this episode, John breaks down what it really takes to stay relevant across multiple eras, why authenticity always wins, and how he went from a Berklee kid living in his manager's parents' house to becoming one of the most trusted voices in pop music. We talk about: - The hardest years of his career - The real batting rate of the best songwriters - Meeting Sabrina Carpenter and Teddy Swims - Working with One Direction and losing Liam - Gems upon GEMS for up and coming musicians, songwriters, and producers and a special live performance of some of his biggest hits. A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 00:00 Intro: John Ryan 02:30 How John Got Into the Music Industry 06:30 Songs from Eighth Grade & Writing Early 10:30 Writing Like a Kid Again (The Picasso Effect) 13:00 Berklee, Pro Tools & Learning the Craft 17:00 How Many Songs Actually Make It Out? 19:30 Maroon 5’s “Cold” 21:30 Niall Horan: From One Direction to Solo Artist 24:15 The Lowest Point of His Career 26:00 The Realization That Saved Him 28:00 Meeting Teddy Swims & Sabrina Carpenter 31:00 Social Media, Virality & “I Don’t Have That on My Phone” 33:30 Writing “Heaven” with Niall Horan 34:00 Sabrina Carpenter’s “Feather” 36:00 Stop Chasing Numbers. Start Betting on People 38:00 Co-Writing with Amy Allen 41:56 How John Ryan Produces Songs 44:50 Country Music & Expanding Taste 47:20 Liam Payne 51:03 Olivia Dean – “So Easy to Fall in Love” 56:45 John Ryan’s Take on Collaboration 58:50 Writing “Tears” with Sabrina Carpenter 59:40 Managing Life, Energy & Relationships 1:02:01 “Steal My Girl” & “Night Changes” Should’ve Been Bigger 1:04:52 Choosing Great People Over “Sure Things” 1:07:00 John Plays & Sings His Hits 1:20:00 Why 10,000 Hours Isn’t Enough 1:21:06 GEM: Ruthlessly A/B Your Music to Get Better Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Edited by Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.