Live from SXSW: Grammy nominee songwriter Emily King didn’t set out to write a perfect pop song with “Remind Me.” Instead, she bent the rules of song structure to fit her message: the magical feeling when you find something you’ve been long missing. Mirroring this theme, the chorus doesn’t come when you expect it. The climax arrives late, after an “aha” mome ... Show More
Jun 27
How Americana helped mainstream country find its soul
As we've been examining over the course of Country Week, country music has found a larger audience, in part by widening its sonic palette. For the final episode of this series, we take a look at a genre on the outskirts of country – Americana music – and how it's being used to co ... Show More
35m 22s
Apr 2019
How To Write a Hit Song: The Love Junkies
Lori McKenna, Liz Rose and Hillary Lidnsey—known as the Love Junkies—write some of the best songs in Nashville today. Between the three of them, they've helped launch Taylor Swift, pushed Lady Gaga into country music—with her album "Joanne"—and gave country music one of its more ... Show More
41m 30s
Aug 2020
Lianne La Havas's Bittersweet Memories
British singer/songwriter Lianne La Havas recently released her third album, a self-titled collection of songs about love, heartbreak, and independence. Pitchfork editor Puja Patel recently spoke with Lianne at home in London over video chat for Pitchfork’s Listening Club. They t ... Show More
21 m
Apr 2020
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: Singer and Songwriter Jessi Alexander
She sings in the shower and in the car, and loves to watch, “The Bachelor.” She also wrote Miley Cyrus’ hit song, “The Climb.” This isn’t your best friend’s Tindr profile. We’re talking about Jessi Alexander, the prolific singer and songwriter who just released her latest album, ... Show More
31m 27s
Oct 2015
Sam Smith's Bond Song, Disclosure & Lorde, Sia, Little Mix & More: Must-Hear Music Podcast
Billboard staffers discuss Sam Smiths' James Bond song "Writing's on the Wall," Sia's "Alive," Disclosure's Lorde collbo "Magnets," Ryan Adams' cover of Taylor Swift's "Wildest Dreams," Fetty Wap ft. Monty's "Jugg" and Little Mix's "Love Me Like You." See acast.com/privacy for pr ... Show More
41m 27s
Apr 2024
Adrianne Lenker's songs that get under the skin
Adrianne Lenker feels things deeply. You hear it in every one of her songs, whether solo, or with her band Big Thief. Lucky for us, she shares it all, and over the past few years has become one of the most promising and prolific songwriters around; making 6 albums on her own and ... Show More
36m 37s