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Neel, John, and Phil in a Zoom call

Considered songwriting with They Might Be Giants

by Neel Modi

Grammy-winning They Might Be Giants’ John Flansburgh joined us to talk about songwriting from listening and intuitions. Download the lyrics to Outside Brain to follow along.

We talked about:

  • Modal writing when you don’t know what modal writing is, and our Songwriting Challenge 2023: Write in a Mode
  • Tension between conventions and breaking the rules
  • Songwriting as a very plastic medium where the variations are endless
  • Using terms like “gold dust” and “kicker” to identify elements or sections of songs 
  • How learning the I-vi-IV-V became the key to start writing songs 
  • How John and John typically bring completed songs to each other, but work at editing for a long time until it’s right
  • Starting songwriting by failing at cover songs 
  • John says, rhyming is overrated and bridges are overrated

About They Might be Giants

They Might Be Giants treat the entire history of popular music as a trampoline rather than a rulebook.… Read the rest

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Neel and Phil on a Zoom call

Phil experiments with 7/8 time for the first time

by Neel Modi

Phil shared his answer to our songwriting challenge for 2025, to write a song in an odd time signature. He played around with 7/8 time, for the first time ever!

We talked about:

  • The #1 Country song on Billboard’s Digital Songs Chart is generated by AI
  • How much of a challenge it is to play a riff in 7/4 naturally
  • How Phil glued together a 4/4 beat and a 3/4 beat for his verses, but made a true 7/8 drum part for the chorus
  • How Phil is still playing around with the lyrics, the key (to find the sweet spot in his voice), and maybe adding a bridge
  • Stretching outside your comfort zone (is a good thing)
  • Working on a song until it “lights a fire” for yourself and you consider it better than “good enough”

… Read the rest

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Neel, Heather, and Phil on a Zoom call

Heather Feather: Children’s songs with a message

by Neel Modi

Canadian children’s artist, Heather Feather, is pleased to announce her second studio album, Together, out on June 27, 2025. The 2025 ECMA “Children’s Artist of the Year,” award recipient holds a PhD in Music Theory from McGill, a Bachelor of Music from Memorial University, and is a fearless disability advocate, recently partnering with international advocacy group, RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities). … Read the rest

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Neel, Cam, and Phil on a Zoom call

Country-pop songwriting with Cam Brown

by Neel Modi

Joining us today is rising Canadian country artist Cam Brown, hailing from Barrie, Ontario. Fresh off opening for Dean Brody at this year’s Troubadour Festival in his hometown, Cam is making waves with his original music. His debut single Pretty Lime Margarita recently climbed to #1 on the Canadian Indie Country Countdown and is now spinning on radio stations coast-to-coast.… Read the rest

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Neel, Phil, and Elena

Intentional Songwriting with Elena Erin

by Neel Modi

Recognized for her vibrant, creative flair, Canadian Alternative Pop sensation Elena Erin crafts a striking fusion of Alternative, Electronic, and Dance influences, underscored by her emotionally resonant storytelling. Her breakout single, “Build A Ship,” soared to #2 on the CBC Top 20, propelling her onto the international stage and inviting over four million streams across her repertoire.… Read the rest

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Amanda and Neel

Modern Country Songwriting with Amanda Keeles

by Neel Modi

A captivating musical journey of empowerment, self-determination, and the pursuit of lifelong dreams, Country artist Amanda Keeles unveils her invigorating debut album, “Can’t Stop Me Now!“. Her rich, ribbon-like vocals come straight from her soul, sharing deeply personal narratives drawn from a songbook overflowing with a lifetime of compositions.… Read the rest

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