A report on Thursday is stating that a new network of songwriters in Nashville is seeing people "coming out in droves to lift each other up."
“We’re nearly 400 strong,” says Livin’The Write Life founder – and songwriter – Michael “Cef” Cefaratti. “We call our network of songwriters our “tribe.”
“We believe your net worth is your network,” says songwriter Cody Kelley. “We show up for each other, to prove there’s strength in numbers.”
“Right now a small handful of publishing houses control the whole industry, and the same handful of writers are cranking out most of the songs getting recorded and released,” Cefaratti says. “Gone are the small, independent publishing companies. It’s near impossible for an unsigned writer to get a listen – much less a cut, today, meaning the industry, not the artist, decides what music you hear.”
“Livin’ The Write Life is built around the working songwriter – we’re not raking in money off our songs, yet,” Cefaratti says. “We work regular jobs and build our songwriting schedules around that, so everybody has a chance to be heard and to write with other songwriters in our tribe.”
According to the report, "They celebrate each other’s milestones, cheer each other own in lean times, and – in many cases, turn those good – and challenging – experiences into new, relatable songs."
“The songs on the radio right now were written at least 2 years ago,” Kelley says. “That songwriting style may not be popular 2 years from now. We want to be tomorrow’s writers, supplying hit songs to tomorrow’s artists. Our songwriters throw out formulas and rules, and let the song become what feels natural.”
"Aspiring artist and songwriter Adysen Malek is new to Music City, but quickly connected with Livin’ The Write Life," they say.
“I was super-new to co-writing and collaborating, but Livin’ The Write Life tribe has helped me improve my craft, without it feeling like a competition,” Malek says. None of us improves or succeeds, we all benefit and celebrate.”
“We keep hearing the term ‘genre-less” these days. Tomorrow’s songwriters are already crafting songs that blow past the barriers of what is country? What is pop? What is rock?,” Cefaratti says. “It’s important for us to be ready for a shift in the music industry. Believe me, it’s coming.”
To learn when you can catch a Livin’ The Write Life writer showcase, and to connect with its writers, visit instagram.com/livinthewritelife.
Artists and producers can also schedule a private listening appointment through Livin’ The Write Life’s Instagram page.
