Neel, Phil, Matt, and Anna
Neel, Phil, Matt, and Anna

Writing a soft-hitting protest song with Anna Larson

“Beauty is what I’m chasing” Anna Larson is an emerging singer-songwriter, fusing diverse musical roots with piano-driven originality.

Larson has several single releases slated for 2021, kicking off with “Won’t Let you Down”, due out June 25. Wrapped in vocal harmonies and warm guitar tones, it is new music for dreamers. 2021 has also seen the release of “Cocoon”: 7 song visual album & sonic time capsule, made completely in isolation during 2020. Her song “Acting Alone” has appeared on NPR Music’s “All Songs Considered”, as well as placing in the 2019 Woody Guthrie Songwriting Competition.

We talked about:

  • parallel chord changes and mode shifts in your song
  • songwriting challenges
  • how writing on a different instruments allows you to get “out of your way”
  • how to write an effective protest song by making your point with a softer blow
  • how to introduce uncomfortable silence at the end of your song

Download the lyrics to Acting Alone to follow along.

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