Star Songwriter - with John Clinebell

Cami Galles (camigalles.com) is a soulful singer, songwriter & performing artist who now entertains 113,000 people from her home instead of the stage.

In this episode, Cami and I discuss her artist transition from in-person performances to massive online shows. She gives us two immensely helpful tips as a songwriter, and tells us all about her workshop Captivating on Camera.

Enjoy this interview, and until next time, let your best writing shine through!

Willow Stephens (willowstephens.com) is an LA-based songwriter, performer and session vocalist. Her first full length album All that Glitters premiered on BuzzBands LA and was dubbed "sultry casino pop." She celebrated its release with a near sold out show at Doug Westin’s Troubadour in January 2020. 

In this episode, Willow and I talk about the meaning of the genre she has created. She drops a couple of massive gems on the songwriting side, and we close out by talking about the exciting things she's doing right now as an artist. Enjoy this interview, and until next time, let your best writing shine through!

Deraj is an Orlando-based indie hip hop artist for TV, film and trailers. His music has been placed on many media projects including Call of Duty, Lionsgate and Amazon. He's also the co-founder of CTRL Camp on the Clubhouse app.

In this episode, Deraj and I talk about his fascinating artist name origin, and his journey as a writer from the very start of his career. I had no idea he is such a jack-of-all trades talent, and his skills in the visual arts have fed directly into both his music career arc AND how he writes/brands himself. Another gem... Deraj shares with us how he doesn't overthink when he writes songs, and trusts his instincts. We also discuss the Clubhouse app, and how CTRL Camp (ctrlcamp.com) has started to take off as an amazing resource for the artist community. Enjoy this interview, and until next time, let your best writing shine through!

Singer/Songwriter Kat McDowell takes unique aspects of her Japanese and New Zealand heritage, and seamlessly blends them together into her artwork and music. Her 16 year music career has spanned everything from being signed to a major label in Japan and touring the world, to now creating a vibrant community on Twitch (@katmcdowell).

In this episode, Kat and I take a light hearted jog through her winding journey in the music industry. She shares with us how she likes to play games when she writes songs, and involve other people in the fun. She also discusses how Twitch and YouTube have truly changed her career, and given her a bigger platform than ever to share both her heritage and music with the world. Enjoy this interview, and until next time, let your best writing shine through!

Producer/songwriter Eric Campbell has created music for some of the world's most popular TV shows. He's the co-founder of CTRL Camp, a Clubhouse app club focused on sync licensing. You can find more information at ctrlcamp.com.

In this episode, Eric and I discuss how major markets like Los Angeles or Atlanta can benefit a songwriter on the rise. He shares with us his thoughts on writer's block and how he keeps it in check through applying process. He also breaks down the new Clubhouse app, and the club he created to help people learn more about sync licensing. Enjoy this interview, and until next time, let your best writing shine through!

Several years ago, Sarah Hollins and I wrote "Let's Be Together All The Time." I don't think either of us would have guessed at the time that it would become the theme song for this very podcast! Sarah has been a fixture in the Los Angeles Hotel Cafe singer/songwriter scene for as long as I can recall. An accomplished writer and artist who recorded her last EP at Capitol Records, and is currently working on her first full length album. You can find her at @sarahhollinsmusic on Instagram.

In this episode, Sarah and I discuss how the pandemic has affected songwriters in major markets like Los Angeles. She shares with us her invaluable perspectives on getting inspired to write. And also talks about becoming empowered as an artist by learning to produce her own music. Enjoy this interview, and until next time, let your best writing shine through!

Attention to all the future sponsors of the show (currently lining up around the block), Mitchell Kilpatrick WAS HERE! This award-winning songwriter's infectious songs are definitely gonna make you scrunch your face. Find him at @mitchell_kilpatrick. In this episode, Mitchell and I discuss the transition he made as an artist and songwriter after dealing with the double whammy aftermath of a tornado AND the pandemic. We also learn about a practice that he calls "Houdini's Straight Jacket" which helps him sharpen his writing skills. Enjoy this interview, and until next time, let your best writing shine through!

What a dope hang with Mr. Phelps! He's a songwriter, rapper and educator based in Seattle. He founded and teaches the course MAKE THAT SH!T MODERN (musicandlifemindset.com). In this episode, Nick and I discuss the first song he ever wrote at age 13, how he gets into a writing rhythm with his toplines, and about making your music sound more modern. Enjoy this interview, and until next time let your best writing shine through!!

What a pleasure to interview songwriter, lyricist, licensing artist, sync mentor and music consultant Amira Gadd. She's set her mind to all of these things, and we discuss how she pulled it off! You can find her on Instagram at @amiragadd. Enjoy this episode, and until next time, let your best writing shine through! 

I'm so damned excited to interview Marina Bennett of The Sea Suns (https://www.theseasuns.com/) for the very first episode of the Star Songwriter Podcast!!! In this episode, Marina and I discuss growing up in a musical family, injecting poetry into your writing and the back story about how The Sea Suns came to be. Enjoy this fun interview, and until next time let your best writing shine through!!