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The Songwriter Diaries

The Songwriter Diaries

By The Songwriter Diaries

The Songwriter Diaries is a podcast created by Caroline Stump and Megan Ellsworth that explores the songwriting process. Both Songwriting and Music Business majors at the University of Colorado Denver, these young women hope to shed a light on the creative and analytical aspects of the industry. By interviewing fellow songwriters, mentors, and industry professionals, Stump and Ellsworth showcase a wide array of valuable perspectives on pursuing a career in music. Through these discussions as well as many tangential laughs, mental health checks, strange noises, and questionable audio takes, two
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Grace Devine

The Songwriter DiariesNov 24, 2020

00:00
22:16
Season 10 Finale: Creative Burnout
Nov 12, 202327:48
Claire Nichols

Claire Nichols

Claire Nichols serves a sucker punch of pop prowess on a platter of biting lyricism and lush instrumentals. A flight of Nichols’ songs leaves a bold but bittersweet aftertaste; while “Aperol Spritz” is liquid confidence carbonated with spunk and seduction, “Kicking and Screaming” is a fireball shot, coaxing you toward a rage room of indie-pop angst. Her impending single, “Fleamarket Furniture” embodies Nichols’ storytelling capabilities, is cathartic, self-deprecating, and refreshingly candid.

Claire Nichols has paved herself an intersection of pop, somewhere between FLETCHER, Lorde, and Maisie Peters, but determinedly, entirely her own. 


Follow Claire!

Website - http://www.clairenicholsmusic.com/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_clairenichols_/ 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1bBrP9y3xw9SyotbjcLght

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/claire-nichols/1565766246 

SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/clairenicholsmusic

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clairenicholsmusic


Support The Songwriter Diaries!

Support the Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesongwriterdiaries/support⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website - ⁠⁠https://www.thesongwriterdiaries.com/⁠⁠

Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesongwriterdiaries/⁠⁠

Facebook - ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052236679702⁠⁠

Spotify - ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6Eak4PDD8l71fkeLPt73xJ⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-songwriter-diaries/id1542050159

Aug 22, 202329:09
Daniel Kim Ethridge

Daniel Kim Ethridge

A proud product of both Long Beach, CA and Austin, TX, Daniel Kim Ethridge began his music career with dreams of being a touring guitar player at the age of 11. When asked about how he found an affinity for country music, Ethridge says “if you’re going to be a guitar player from Austin, you’re either going to want to be Stevie Ray Vaughan or Willie Nelson. I wanted to be both.”

After years of playing other writers’ songs, Ethridge quickly added “songwriting” to his long list of talents upon arrival at Belmont University in Nashville. The Music City resident draws inspiration from the lyric writing of Paul McCartney to the sounds of Willie Nelson, while continuing to find insight from the works of Chris Stapleton, The SteelDrivers, Jason Isbell, John Paul White and Sean McConnell, to name a few.

After winning the 2018 Texas Songwriter U program, judged by Jack Ingram and Liz Rose, Ethridge spent years post-graduation on the road playing sideman for other artists while still writing for his own projects and others’. When 2020 came around, Ethridge reconnected with old friends and mentors from his college days to co-found touring act Troubadour Blue, a powerhouse trio bound to impress as both vocalists and instrumentalists. With Troubadour Blue, Ethridge has played historic venues like The Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe along with multiple CMA Fest appearances and billing at 2023’s Pilgrimage Fest. The trio has also toured frequently with Grammy-award-winning group, The SteelDrivers. Daniel Kim Ethridge maintains that he was “too short to play first base for the Dodgers and didn’t like school enough to be a doctor,” so music was his obvious direction in life - in everything from songwriting to his avid search for vintage Martin and Gibson guitars.


Follow Daniel!

Website - https://danielkimethridgemusic.com/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/Troubadour-Blue/100054018832393/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danielethridge/ 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3EadWMHUn9FfrzAWxMM7GG

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/troubadour-blue/1637901834


Support The Songwriter Diaries!

Support the Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesongwriterdiaries/support⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website - ⁠⁠https://www.thesongwriterdiaries.com/⁠⁠

Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesongwriterdiaries/⁠⁠

Facebook - ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052236679702⁠⁠

Spotify - ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6Eak4PDD8l71fkeLPt73xJ⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-songwriter-diaries/id1542050159

Aug 15, 202341:08
Annie Kemble
Aug 08, 202350:28
Coulter Lee Brown

Coulter Lee Brown

Coulter Lee Brown is a singer/songwriter, recording artist, performer, and multi-instrumentalist from Houston TX. His music lives in the cracks between genres. A vintage sound that nods to his influences — blues drenched rock & roll, electrified Americana, wailing soul, R&B, funk-inspired pop — while still breaking new ground, pushing Coulter into art that is uniquely his own. Him and his band, the Bad Habits, are the product of what happens when you mix Texas blood with hard hitting lyrics. These lyrics have always been the lifeblood of Coulter's music and the care he has for them can be felt in the way he crafts each unique line. In 2023, Coulter’s 2019 hit single “Love Marks” was placed on iHeartRadio’s aBreak music top 58 playlist attracting thousands of listeners and hundreds of votes. It has remained strong on the playlist since May of 2023 and continues to climb the charts.

While earning his B.S. in Songwriting from the award winning staff at the University of Colorado Denver, Coulter focused on bringing the same vivacity to his live shows as he did in his songwriting. Having performed across Colorado and Texas, Coulter’s live shows have become a vessel, taking audiences across a spectrum of the blues-rock, pop, and Americana genres. Interested in catching the Bad Habits live? Coulter is a regular at the iconic Rustic venues throughout Houston and plans on expanding to more locations soon. In June of this year he played a packed show at The Dosey Doe Big Barn in The Woodlands, TX, and has just announced an intimate EP Release show at The Dosey Doe BBQ on November 10th. He currently resides in Houston and works to lead the next generation of musicians at his music school The Rehearsal Room. Coulter is recording his second EP, which you can get a preview of by streaming his latest single, “Bad News” now.


Follow Coulter!

Website - https://www.coulterleebrown.com/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CoulterLeeBrownMusic 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theonlycoulterbrown/

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3HqA4Sl6QmjJijKxU5V70b 

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/coulter-lee-brown-the-bad-habits/1389474221

Twitter - https://twitter.com/BrownCoulter 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqnlvvLwrdyPBHAysECAMyA

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theonlycoulterbrown 

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/Coulterleebrown 

SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/coulter-lee-brown 


Support The Songwriter Diaries!

Support the Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesongwriterdiaries/support⁠⁠⁠

Website - ⁠https://www.thesongwriterdiaries.com/⁠

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesongwriterdiaries/⁠

Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052236679702⁠

Spotify - ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6Eak4PDD8l71fkeLPt73xJ⁠

Apple Podcasts - ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-songwriter-diaries/id1542050159

Aug 01, 202353:21
Cate Downey

Cate Downey

LA based songwriter from Denver who is known for her combination of addictive melodies and lyrical emotional intensity. Studied songwriting at The Lillehammer Institute of Music Production and Industries in Scandinavia under the direction of Grammy-winning production duo Stargate.

Cate signed with Artist Publishing Group in 2021 and has been growing rapidly in the songwriter community, already landing her first #1 Billboard Dance song ‘Wish It Was You’ which she features on with Audien. Additionally she co-wrote the Lexi Jayde single “Drunk Text Me”, Tomorrow x Together“Trust Fund Baby”, Sara Kays “Watching TV” and her latest single Sam Feldt x Cate Downey “Enough To Drink”


Follow Cate!

Website - https://catedowney.com/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/catedowney/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/catedowneyy/ 

SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/catedowney 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@catedowney9454 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3SHmKHBjw1ks5yXtblJWPn 

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cate-downey/1435862263 

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@catedowneysings 

Twitter - https://twitter.com/catedowneyy 


Support The Songwriter Diaries!

Support the Podcast - ⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesongwriterdiaries/support⁠⁠

Website - https://www.thesongwriterdiaries.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesongwriterdiaries/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052236679702

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6Eak4PDD8l71fkeLPt73xJ

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-songwriter-diaries/id1542050159

Jul 25, 202340:40
The Cody Sisters

The Cody Sisters

The Cody Sisters Band is the very heart of contemporary acoustic music in Colorado, the United States and UK. Their propulsive instrumental solos and warm harmonies combine to grip the listener. Along with their bass player Will Pavilonis, Megan (guitar, mandolin, vocals) and Maddie (guitar, mandolin, banjo, vocals) have forged a new sound that has no equivalent match in the acoustic world today. Their sound is original, exhilarating, and heartwarming all at the same time. With strong ties to traditional American acoustic music, they continue to stun their audiences both in the US and abroad.


Follow The Cody Sisters!

Website - https://thecodysistersmusic.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/codysisters/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/codysisters 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCodySisters 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dbfnU1Grj204sZ1vvbe6q 

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-cody-sisters/1254665988 

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thecodysisters


Support The Songwriter Diaries!

Support the Podcast - ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesongwriterdiaries/support⁠

Website - ⁠https://www.thesongwriterdiaries.com/⁠

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesongwriterdiaries/⁠

Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052236679702⁠

Spotify - ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6Eak4PDD8l71fkeLPt73xJ⁠

Apple Podcasts - ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-songwriter-diaries/id1542050159

Jul 18, 202335:17
Anna Vaus

Anna Vaus

Anna Vaus is a singer/songwriter based in Nashville and raised in San Diego, California. Anna blends her West Coast cool with refreshing hooks and unmistakably relatable lyrics. Her music has been likened to that of Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves and Maggie Rogers (Billboard, Holler Country). She partnered with Luke Laird (Kacey Musgraves) to co-produce her latest EP, “Younger Version of Myself," which was released last fall.

While Anna has toured with artists like Willie Nelson and graced stages like The Grand Ole Opry, she welcomes the greener side of grass roots. During COVID, Anna teamed up with her fans to create The Girl in a Backyard Tour, a sixty date tour that brought her live show directly to her fans’ backyards. Anna is currently signed to Big Machine Music as a songwriter and has had songs recorded by Carly Pearce, Chord Overstreet, and more.


Follow Anna!

Website - http://www.annavaus.com/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/annavaus/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/annavaus

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/annavaus 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ftsk3ROAgHws85G83ppw1

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/anna-vaus/1434236422 

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@annavausmusic 

Twitter - https://twitter.com/annavaus


Support The Songwriter Diaries!

Support the Podcast - ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesongwriterdiaries/support⁠

Website - ⁠https://www.thesongwriterdiaries.com/⁠

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesongwriterdiaries/⁠

Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052236679702⁠

Spotify - ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6Eak4PDD8l71fkeLPt73xJ⁠

Apple Podcasts - ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-songwriter-diaries/id1542050159

Jul 11, 202329:09
Derek Dames Ohl

Derek Dames Ohl

Derek Dames Ohl is like warm butter on hot bread with blustering conduct. As a modern day herald Derek keeps his roots close with a six string on his back, ping-ponging across the United States sharing songs at every bar or dive that dares. Sounds that eclipse and perfect everything from country, blues and honky-tonk. His pride in keeping the American roots tradition alive, with punchy guitar playing will surely have every listener on their feet and stomping the floorboards. Derek has been related to artists like John Prine and Guy Clark with his quirky one second, and woeful the next songwriting style.

Derek got his start in the industry playing bass with Boulder, Colorado’s own Flash Mountain Flood. For the first five years of bandhood, the boys played an average of 200+ shows a year which earned them a spot on the Denver Westword’s “Best New Bands In 2017.” After countless tours and at least a dozen headlining shows at the local Fox Theatre, Flash released their debut album ‘Speak to Heaven’ to critical acclaim. Flash Mountain Floor plays more selectively these days, but you can find them at festivals like Frozen Dead Guy Days, Boulder Creek Fest, Beanstock, and many more! 


Follow Derek!

Website - https://derekdamesohlmuzak.com/home 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/derekdamesohlmuzak/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/derekdamesohlmuzak/ 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7570TvOJqcg192xJQBthtU


Support The Songwriter Diaries!

Support the Podcast - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesongwriterdiaries/support

Website - https://www.thesongwriterdiaries.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesongwriterdiaries/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052236679702

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6Eak4PDD8l71fkeLPt73xJ

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-songwriter-diaries/id1542050159

Jun 27, 202332:18
Kate Cosentino

Kate Cosentino

Well-versed in the art of puns and guitar-shredding, Kate Cosentino’s music is something of jazzy sleekness atop the lyrical precision of witty slam poetry. Whether you saw her rock the stage as a part of Niall Horan's team for Season 23 of The Voice or saw one of her many goofy social media posts, Cosentino's fun-loving personality, unique sense of style, and witty songwriting shine through in everything she does.

The Nashville-based singer’s discography is aflush with lyrical quippings that indulge in clever wordplay and poignance in the same breath. Songs like "Prettiest Girl in the Room", "Did I?" and “Imposter Syndrome” deal with struggles in a dark world, but Cosentino doesn’t shy away. If anything, her music lets the light in. Donning her personal sound with the fitting description of “Regina Spektor and Norah Jones meeting a Charlie Puth bassline,” Cosentino’s genre-bending style coupled with her authentic storytelling talent make for consistently compelling works of art. Her EP Note to Self was released in May of 2022 and received praise from several outlets including Rolling Stone India. It’s an upbeat homage to her college days covering romantic escapades, identity crises, and struggles with body image. Her newest release is her swan song from Season 23 of The Voice - a jazzy cover of Blondie’s Call Me.


Follow Kate!

Website - https://www.katecosentino.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katemcosentino/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kate.coz13 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/K8thegreat13 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3J9oPSOtWiwtitCxyKWD1v

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kate-cosentino/526537070 

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@katemcosentino 


Support The Songwriter Diaries!

Support the Podcast - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesongwriterdiaries/support

Website - https://www.thesongwriterdiaries.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesongwriterdiaries/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052236679702

Spotify - ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6Eak4PDD8l71fkeLPt73xJ⁠

Apple Podcasts - ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-songwriter-diaries/id1542050159⁠

Jun 20, 202346:02
Sarah Gargano
Apr 18, 202342:13
Mary Heather Hickman

Mary Heather Hickman

Bold and unflinching, Mary Heather Hickman's songs tell stories that pack a punch. From no-holds-barred confessionals about her questionable taste in men ("Treasure") to tongue-in-cheek accounts of illicit teenage love ("Baptist Parking Lot") to modern-day murder ballads ("Ouachita River"), her songwriting is both personable and edgy, delivered with a sly dose of tongue-in-cheek humor. While her music has radio-friendly polish, Mary Heather never loses her down-home drawl; the characters in her songs feel like the type of old friends you'd finish a bottle of tequila with. This is evidenced by her growing fan base; with over half a million TikTok followers and counting,  Mary Heather Hickman proves there is an audience for the gritty, unapologetic style of songwriting she specializes in.

Born in El Dorado, Arkansas, and raised just outside Dallas, Texas, Mary Heather has traditional country roots. She has spent the past five years penning songs on Nashville's Music Row, bringing the best of red-dirt music and Nashville commercial appeal into an undeniably entertaining package. She has honed her live show over the years, opening for artists such as Justin Moore, Hank Williams Jr., Toby Keith, Eli Young Band and Whiskey Myers, and playing high-profile venues such as the AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys) and the Oklahoma Music Festival. She was also a contestant on Season 6 of NBC's hit show, The Voice.

In 2021, her original song "Treasure" went viral on TikTok, debuting on country radio and amassing millions of streams across digital platforms. It was featured on The Bobby Bones Show, Women of iHeart Country, and hit the Top 30 on the MusicRow Country Breakout Chart and Billboard Indicator chart.

Since then, she has continued to work with producer Tyler Bell on more music.  She has also been touring and working as a songwriter, garnering cuts from various up-and-coming artists.  You can listen to her latest single, "Britches," on all streaming platforms. Her new single, “Small Town Saturday Night” is set to release April 14, 2023.


Follow Mary Heather!

Presave “Small Town Saturday Night” - https://ffm.to/stsn

Website - https://maryheatherhickman.com/home

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/maryheatherhickmanmusic

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/maryheatherhickman/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@maryheatherhickman

Twitter - https://twitter.com/maryheatherh

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/maryheatherhickman

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7HCxS7azUAuU5SyWIY5fDl

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mary-heather-hickman/1115390483


Support The Songwriter Diaries!

Support the Podcast - ⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesongwriterdiaries/support⁠⁠

Website - ⁠⁠https://www.thesongwriterdiaries.com/⁠⁠

Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesongwriterdiaries/⁠⁠

Facebook - ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052236679702⁠⁠

Spotify - ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6Eak4PDD8l71fkeLPt73xJ⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-songwriter-diaries/id1542050159

Apr 11, 202339:24
The Best Advice We've Received
Apr 04, 202323:20
Chris Koza

Chris Koza

Chris Koza is a composer and performer based in Denver, Colorado and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Both solo and with his band Rogue Valley, he has supported and shared the stage with artists such as Brandi Carlile, Gordon Lightfoot, Ingrid Michaelson, The Jayhawks, Neko Case, Kathleen Edwards, Dan Wilson, and Stephen Kellogg,  among others. His music appears regularly on ABC’s General Hospital, 60 Minutes, and Good Morning America, and his song Be Wild  was featured in a State of Minnesota tourism campaign. In 2021, Chris recorded a version of Willie Nelson's classic On The Road Again, for a Winnebago campaign benefitting National Parks. His song (Rogue Valley) The Wolves and the Ravens was featured in Ben Stiller’s film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Chris often performs solo with an acoustic guitar but also performs as a duo, trio, and 4-or-5 piece band. 

In his writing, Chris both honors and builds on the vast genre of Americana music. For every song that sounds like it could be strummed from a boxcar clacking slowly across a grassy midwestern plain, there's a tune sailing from a city rooftop, echoing across a valley of streets and traffic, or a melody twisting and shimmering like a dim frequency deep into the starry night. 

Solo, with Rogue Valley, and his moniker Nobody Kid, Chris has self-produced, written, and released sixteen albums and EP's. In 2023, Rogue Valley will release their 6th album Shell Game and Chris is working on a compilation of B-sides and rediscovered sessions called Graveyard Shift, of songs and sparks spanning the last twenty years.


Follow Chris!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chriskoza/

Website - https://chriskoza.com/ 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6qEEJACVqXMjTg2tIDDqtI


Support The Songwriter Diaries!

Support the Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesongwriterdiaries/support⁠⁠⁠

Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.thesongwriterdiaries.com/⁠⁠⁠

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesongwriterdiaries/⁠⁠⁠

Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052236679702⁠⁠⁠

Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6Eak4PDD8l71fkeLPt73xJ⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-songwriter-diaries/id1542050159

Mar 28, 202339:03
Amava
Mar 21, 202339:06
Children of Divorce
Mar 07, 202352:15
Finnish Postcard

Finnish Postcard

You leave a part of yourself everywhere that you go.

Leo Dolan’s cross-pollination of songwriter aesthetics and art-pop instrumentation shines on “Breathlessness”. The song treads lightly on the idea that you can learn from the past, but you can never change it. The two modes of time are intertwined; the past bleeds into the present. The insecurity and doubt that are brought to the surface when practicing emotional nakedness in relationships have their roots in who we were, not who we are now.

After a history of addiction and eventual embrace of sobriety, Leo's music was imbued with the emotional loss and catharsis that only comes with surrender. Breathlessness reaches for an even deeper emotional core, with french horn, flute, and classical guitar accompanying Leo's musings on fear and abandonment.

He has been seen at the Hyperion Tavern, Mississippi Studios, Sam Bond’s Garage, The Domino Room, and more across the West Coast, and featured in a multitude of publications including Shoutout LA, Vortex Mag, and The Bend Bulletin. Deemed “a force to be reckoned with in the growing LA music world” by Early Rising. Leo exists within the long-standing tradition of smart, idiosyncratic songwriters out of the Southern California scene.

In addition to his solo work, Leo is also a member of outsider-pop absurdists Drive Safe I Love You and impressionistic lo-fi rock outfit Finnish Postcard.


Follow Finnish Postcard!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leo_dolan_/

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1cBuQFTxLTtVLHvelaXSTk

Website - https://www.leodolanmusic.com/


Support The Songwriter Diaries!

Support the Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesongwriterdiaries/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thesongwriterdiaries.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesongwriterdiaries/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052236679702⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6Eak4PDD8l71fkeLPt73xJ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-songwriter-diaries/id1542050159⁠⁠⁠

Feb 28, 202349:15
Robot Tennis Club

Robot Tennis Club

Fresh out of Sophomore year, Nina Dorighi and Laura Steadman were pulled into a band by a music educator in Denver. They hardly knew each other until one night when their other bandmates didn’t show up for rehearsal. Here, Laura was encouraged to share a song she’d been writing and the two instantly bonded thanks to the poignant vulnerability in the lyrics.

Laura had been writing songs since middle school, aspiring to the idea that someday they could help her connect with people. Having never written songs before, Nina stepped right up to the plate with lyrics, melodies and guitar parts that she would sing so that Laura could play.

Later joined by Eli Schulz on bass, the power trio was built and ready to captivate audiences with their gritty, personal indie rock sound. Ranging from piercing, raucous noise to brighter, more sparse grooves - the band was influenced by Paramore, Hop Along and Yellow Ostrich.

Their debut LP “If These Walls Could Talk You Wouldn’t Listen” is out now!


Follow Robot Tennis Club!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/robottennisclub/

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6nj7FN4cpZcatuhaodma6B

Website - https://www.robottennisclub.com/


Support The Songwriter Diaries!

Support the Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesongwriterdiaries/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Feb 21, 202343:04
Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller

At twenty four years old, Nicole Miller has the vocal conviction of a veteran performer. She learned to love live music from listening to her musician parents as they made music in the family basement. She wrote her first song when she was twelve, already knowing in her heart and soul that music would be her life’s passion.

She perfected her vocal style while performing in the community theater in West Des Moines, Iowa and continues in her vocal pursuits in Nashville, TN. Through songs and vocal delivery, Nicole Miller carries listeners on an emotional journey with musical laser precision. Her genre bending, rich soulful voice has a very real and sweet vulnerability wrapped with a touch of hopefulness. Nicole has teamed up with producer Christian Hale to deliver pop-country hits on her highly anticipated debut EP “Lonely on the Weekend” available everywhere now.


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Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nmillermusic/ 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/32HvVypa8q2bJIQOcYzIWS 

Website - http://www.nmillermusic.com/


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Feb 14, 202358:38
Thunderstorm Artis

Thunderstorm Artis

Thunderstorm Artis is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Soaring vocals meet dextrous, layered guitar and intimate storytelling that can evoke the poetic lyricism of Passenger in one song before sliding into the wrenching neo-soul of Leon Bridges in another.

Artis was born and raised in a large musical family on the North Shore of Oahu, and it’s easy to find the laid-back vibe of island life effortlessly blended with the real life experiences that inspire his music. As a Season 18 finalist on The Voice, Artis wowed audiences with both his original compositions, including quiet acoustic track “Sedona,” and loving reinterpretations of songs by artists like The Beatles and Louis Armstrong, with John Legend describing his tone as “magical” and Billboard praising his “earnest, uplifting presence.” Artis has played alongside modern icons Jack Johnson and Booker T., as well as toured extensively with his brother, Ron Artis II. He’s also a longtime featured artist at Wanderlust Festivals throughout North America.


Follow Thunderstorm!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thunderstormartis/ 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/46G3SVc0bvgrmNOOTM5KV5 

Website - https://www.thunderstormartis.com/


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Feb 07, 202347:47
Season 8 Finale Q+A!
Nov 08, 202230:31
Sound of Honey

Sound of Honey

Where there’s honey, there’s a buzz. This rings true for the Colorado based band, Sound of Honey. Emma Rose (Big Richard) has been steeped in the music scene since she entered this world. Raised by two talented musicians and with a natural knack for songwriting, Rose has spent the last few years fine tuning her quiver of indie-soul-folk songs with only the finest pollen that the spring flowers have to offer. Rich, crystalline vocal melodies weave themselves through a sweet sonic landscape created with the help of Tobias Bank (Whippoorwill) on drums, percussion, and backup vocals, Will Kuepper (Sturtz) on bass and backup vocals, and Sam Armstrong-Zickefoose (Railroad Earth) on electric guitar. Together their warm hues, sultry harmonies and gentle tones create an experience of overall mellow- sparking curiosity of oneself and the emotions that come with diving into the human experience.


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Nov 01, 202253:16
Tomato Soup
Oct 25, 202231:44
A Crossover Episode with Tricky Existence
Oct 18, 202247:20
Andrew Hoyt

Andrew Hoyt

Andrew Hoyt is a singer/songwriter born and raised in Des Moines IA, one of the most creative and culturally aware cities in the Midwest. His passion and drive demand that he is creative every single day, this gift he doesn’t keep to himself, but as a K-5 vocal music teacher he is guiding and inspiring future generations. Andrew believes that arts education of every kind is vital to a well rounded education. His favored instrument is the ukulele, specifically the Hawai'ian KoAloha brand, the premiere ukulele manufacturer in the world who sponsor him by providing him with their first class instruments. With other musicians and in classic studio settings Andrew records tracks that reflect his easy style and approachable personality. He is only too happy to give thanks and accolades to his musical inspirations including John Mayer, Jason Mraz, and James Taylor among others. Recently signed to Indie label Golden Bear Records, home of The Well Pennies, he is tireless in his pursuit of creating a long lasting and sustainable music career both domestically and internationally. Keep your eyes on this emerging artist, there are many great things to come.


Follow Andrew!

Website - https://andrewhoytmusic.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andrewhoytmusic/

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4OF50SbWyihcgyY7kS0v6h


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Oct 11, 202245:33
Ronan Andrews
Oct 04, 202229:31
Jaye Madison

Jaye Madison

Where Southern Grit meets Feminine Flair…

Born one minute apart, Jordan and Madison Skinner don't know life without each other. It seems as if the twins were always meant to be halves of a whole.

Having grown up surrounded by the diverse music of Southeast Texas, the sisters drew upon their southern influences to create their own unique brand through the duo Jaye Madison. Blues, rock, country, and folk all contribute to their contemporary soulful Americana sound. They are built in best friends and co-writers!

Their release "Down" has gained international airplay and has surpassed 100k streams on Spotify. Their live performance video of their original "Pedestal" aired on "Today in Nashville", they will be back on the show for a live in studio performance November of this year.

This dynamic duo recently recorded their debut album at Revolver Recordings in Los Angeles to work in conjunction with Grammy Award Winning Producer Mikal Blue (OneRepublic, Colbie Caillat, Jason Mraz) and Dean Dinning of Chart-topping band Toad the Wet Sprocket. Their most recent release, BFF Summer Anthem, "Ride or Die" is out everywhere now!


Follow Jaye Madison!

Website - https://jayemadison.com/

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Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1G3XLYaIzkUoChhwGv60QI


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Sep 27, 202240:46
Megan Burtt
Sep 20, 202201:00:27
Christopher Morse
Sep 13, 202233:38
Bison Bone

Bison Bone

Bison Bone is an Americana Rock and Roll band from Denver, CO.

Bison Bone is a little bit country, a little bit rock & roll, and fully led by the boisterous singer/songwriter Courtney Whitehead. The veneer of their “Americana Rock & Roll band” description doesn’t seem to phase the group, as is apparent in their newest album, Find Your Way Out. Whitehead has unabashedly embraced the spirit of the aforementioned term, almost to the point of mockery. The Denver-based band seems fully aware of the connotations surrounding surface level labels and uses it to their advantage by tricking listeners into thinking they are listening to something they are not. It would be easy to think Bison Bone is just another simplistic Americana band, but this is not the case. - Bandwagon Mag 2020


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Website - http://www.bisonbone.com/

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Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2O2trqxr9bLtafvavNk3iw


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Sep 06, 202234:28
Season 7 Finale!
Apr 27, 202241:41
Colm Gavin

Colm Gavin

Colm Gavin is a Dublin-based Irish singer/songwriter currently signed to BEO Records, home to The First Lady of Celtic Music Moya Brennan. Colm's first two solo releases (Your Endless Slumber/A Voice For The Urban Darlings) both reached #1 in the Irish Charts at the time of their release. Singles from his debut album have reached the top ten in notable Indie charts in Norway, Australia, USA, Canada & Japan and he has made notable inroads in the American market with his music currently being playlisted on over 50 stations across the US & Canada. Gavin’s most recent release “The 1992 Tapes” EP reached #1 in the Irish Singer/Songwriter Charts, #4 in the Pop Charts, #56 in the Billboard 100 in the United States & #81 in the Italian Pop Charts.

He is presently co-writing with one of Ireland’s most notable & beloved songwriters Charlie McGettigan {Eurovision winner 1994 with Paul Harrington: Rock n Roll kids}.



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Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/colmgavin/

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Apr 12, 202245:34
Cayden Wemple

Cayden Wemple

Cayden Wemple is a singer/songwriter from San Luis Obispo, California. He’s been playing music since he could physically hold a guitar and started writing his own original music in his early teens. Cayden now attends the university of Colorado Denver where he studies music business and songwriting. In addition to this, he also fronts the indie/rock, indie/emo band, Keep Off the Grass, whose debut album, here but not there, comes out on April 8th.



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Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/caydenwemple

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@caydenwemple

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Apr 05, 202227:56
Britt Devens

Britt Devens

Britt Devens is a sober, LGBTQ-friendly musician who writes songs about hope, heartbreak, and recovery. A native of Fort Collins, CO, Devens uses her music to explore the vulnerabilities of her own experiences in life and to remind her audience of the importance of self care. Championing a message of taking care of yourself - both mentally and physically - Devens’ music is for people who can relate to a struggle but still continue to have hope for a brighter day. Open about her own experiences, Devens is able to perform without using any substances… something that allows her to speak her absolute truth and share her vulnerability through the intimate lyrics and songs that she creates. Strong, emotive vocals complement her unique guitar style, making her a real standout in a sea of singer-songwriters. “If just one person can resonate with my music, then I will have given back hope like music has given me hope through some of my hardest times.” Britt has released a number of singles and EPs; her most recent effort, Back to Me, was released in October 2021. She is currently in the studio with her full band with intentions of releasing a 10 track album by Fall of 2022.



Follow Britt!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brittdevensmusic/


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Mar 29, 202248:22
How Is Your Songwriting?
Mar 15, 202233:18
Alana Mars

Alana Mars

Alana Mars is the recently launched solo project of Denver based singer/songwriter Alana Margolis. Originally from Allentown, PA, Alana grew up listening to the iconic music of the 60s and 70s - an influence easily heard in her sweet yet haunting tone and weaving, rhythmic melodies.

In 2016, Alana moved to Denver to attend the University of Colorado Denver’s College of Arts and Media, where she graduated with a double major in Songwriting and Music Business. At the University, Alana met collaborators Megan Ellsworth and Katie Smith and the three formed the band Sister Neapolitan, cheekily named after their corresponding hair colors of blonde, red, and brown. With Sister Neapolitan, Alana has performed at SXSW, The NAMM Showcase, and multiple Sofar Sounds showcases across the country.

The music of Alana Mars is the perfect indie combination of new-age contemporary meets Stevie Nicks. With the fresh sounds of Alana Mars currently brewing in the studio, the anticipation is rising among those who know Mars’ tuneful voice and spunky spirit. Alana Mars is recording her debut EP with producer Ben Pisano of Corsicana, a partnership sure to bring crisp yet delightfully dark music into the world.



Follow Alana!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alanamarsmusic/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AlanaMarsMusic

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/alana-mars/1604451983

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0oWno5ti75e8oonbvHaDu8

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@alanamarsmusic

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@alanamarsmusic


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Mar 08, 202233:39
Daniel Jacklin
Mar 01, 202240:27
Cole Scheifele

Cole Scheifele

Cole Scheifele is an up-and-coming folk singer/songwriter based out of Denver, Colorado. He combines beautiful melodies with deep and thought-provoking lyrics that he says stem from his never ending hunger to discover more about the human experience. “I don’t think we ever stop learning and digesting thoughts and feelings from the world around us” he said, “I try to go into some of the deeper parts of the mind that can be inherently scary, but also endlessly beautiful.” His debut EP “Everything Matters, Nothing Matters At All” was released in 2019 and is a perfect example of this, as it delves into deep human connection, loss, and existential thoughts.

Backed by a stellar local cast, Scheifele has landed gigs opening for international touring acts such as Jade Bird and got chosen as a Top 10 Finalist out of over 400 entries for The Planet Bluegrass Rocky Mountain Folk Festival Songwriting Competition. He recently caught the attention of The Fray’s Ben Wysocki, a fellow Denver musician and producer. The two recently recorded Scheifele’s first full-length record which was released on July 22nd, 2021.



Follow Cole!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/colescheifele/

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1uniPagcRIJmHSFLs5uhj7

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsoZEV-CIGQxv-rUWkrvdOQ


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Feb 22, 202229:43
Bonnie Stewart

Bonnie Stewart

Magnolia, the debut EP from Bonnie Stewart, introduces a lyric-driven singer/songwriter whose music bridges the gap between Americana's past and present. It's an ethereal sound rooted in the influence of her parents' timeless record collection — including Emmylou Harris, Guy Clark, and other classic craftsmen — with arrangements whose lush, atmospheric sweep nods to the modern day. Gluing that mix together are Stewart's aching vocals and sharply-written insights of life, love, and lingering memories we all carry with us.

In a town built upon tradition, Bonnie Stewart has created a sound that blends the classic with the contemporary. This is atmospheric Americana at its best, laced with unexpected flourishes that pair beautifully with the songs' melodic foundation.

"When I listen to music, I always listen to the lyrics first," she explains. "At the end of the day, if I strip back all of the production of my songs, can I sit and play the song alone, and it still means something? That's always been my goal. We accomplished a visual world and an aesthetic with this EP, but at the end of the day, the songs stand alone."

With Magnolia, Stewart's sound is in full bloom.



Follow Bonnie!

Website - https://www.bonniestewartmusic.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bonniekstewart/

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6TSBE8yAeu3DmFrFiNsTzf

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bonnie-stewart/1477575005


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Feb 15, 202251:08
Jacob Larson Band 2.0

Jacob Larson Band 2.0

The Jacob Larson Band is a funk and soul ensemble combining powerhouse vocals, classic instrumentation and an old-school approach to music that just about everyone loves. Digging inspiration from the roots of soul religion, the band shares their own take on such notable influences as Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke and Earth, Wind, and Fire.

Jacob, a prodigious entertainer with a strong and soulful voice, leads the band with true dynamic flair and presence, delivering the goods with a performance that moves and excites concert-goers of all ages.

Combining some of the best musical talent around, the band is available for booking as a 10 piece unit including horns and accompanying vocalists.



Follow Jacob!

Website - https://jacoblarsonlive.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jacoblarsonband/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JacobLarsonLive/

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/49217xXdnI9nNx88Mrfgf3

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jacob-larson-band/1601021572

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JacobLarsonBand


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Feb 08, 202249:01
Q+A with Caroline and Megan!
Jul 21, 202139:45
Beth Wood
Jun 23, 202139:54
Sam Pease
Jun 16, 202135:52
Jules Paymer
Jun 09, 202153:47
Take Care of Yourself, Then Take Care of Your Dreams
Jun 02, 202128:08
Lily DeTaeye
May 19, 202129:41
Caroline Stump

Caroline Stump

Soulful indie pop lyricist Caroline Stump connects common topics of love and heartbreak with themes of mental health and trauma, providing a voice for those unable to speak out. Her sound has been compared to Jewel, and her songwriting influences include Norah Jones and Fiona Apple.

She was born and raised in Iowa and moved in pursuit of a songwriting and music business degree at The University of Colorado. She now lives in Nashville and works at Warner Music Group while still writing and releasing music. Her first full-length album ‘navy’ is out on all streaming platforms.

She has played at numerous venues around Denver including Mercury Café and The Roxy as well as the Underground Music Showcase in 2019, SoFar Sounds shows, and beyond.



Follow Caroline!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolinestump/

Website - https://www.carolinestump.com/

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1RsYC0NJmI0tGhJ4CSE89h

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/caroline-stump/1466887540


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May 12, 202134:46
ELLSWORTH

ELLSWORTH

Denver-based folk singer-songwriter, ELLSWORTH, has released her debut album, ELLSWORTH, available now on all streaming platforms. The folk singer-songwriter’s impressive album consists of dreamlike vocals, bright melodies and ruminative lyrics masterfully captured through skilled mixing and musical composition. ELLSWORTH has been compared to top tier artists such as Regina Spektor and Angus & Julia Stone with her melancholic flair on the folk genre. Her award winning song, "Close the Door" serves as an anthem for listeners who search for meaning in music. ELLSWORTH is a story of self-love and encapsulates what happens when true talent finds their voice (Evangeline W., Freelance Music Reviewer).

ELLSWORTH’s deeply personal lyrics amplify the voices of her generation and offer comfort through the connection listeners make with her honest storytelling. Dubbed ‘the mental health generation’, the ‘social media generation’, ‘the lost generation’, and many more, these budding adults have endured mass public shootings, an increasingly unstable planet, and a seemingly never ending culture of xenophobia, racism, and hatred. Songs like “Growing Pains” and “Fight or Flight” feel like a breath of fresh air amidst the chaos, and release feelings of fear, pain, or unease that often accompany us through life’s unpredictable trek.

ELLSWORTH provides solace while simultaneously challenging the human inclination to escape from negative emotions. Her music offers an alternative solution to our suffering through celebrating our imperfect humanity. ELLSWORTH believes that the experiences we have with darkness connect us and can lead us towards internal peace.

“When we push away our feelings of sadness or anxiety, we are in fact pushing away a part of ourselves. We can choose to accept how we feel, which is who we are.” said ELLSWORTH, “We can choose to grow from our pain.”

ELLSWORTH was recorded by ELLSWORTH and Matt Hoffman at Hoffman Melody Shop in Denver, CO. Mixed and Mastered by Ben Pisano. All of the songs were written by ELLSWORTH and arranged by Matt Hoffman and ELLSWORTH. Press release written by Colin Sheehan.



Follow Megan!

Website - https://www.ellsworththefolksinger.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ellsworththefolksinger/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Ellsworththefolksinger

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7ggkvGX3CTkZ0MYORmZZ8d

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ellsworth/1543415089


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Jan 30, 202135:18
David Burchfield

David Burchfield

David Burchfield writes powerful Americana that gathers influences from folk, bluegrass, rock, and country. Taking cues from Josh Ritter, Burchfield’s literate lyrics meet emotive grace in nods to Gillian Welch, Glen Hansard, and David Ramirez. There is a potent candor in Burchfield’s writing – raw, emotive, and rich with details that bring the listener right into the scene of his passion. Solo, Burchfield performs with a surprising ferocity and emotional delivery that has silenced even the rowdiest of rooms. Critics have called his 5-piece band, David Burchfield & the Fire Guild, akin to “the Band meets the Stray Birds” – equal parts all out rock n roll party and sensitively arranged balladry. Burchfield has shared bills with Nicki Bluhm, Anders Osborne, Guster, Joe Pug, David Ramirez, Noah Gundersen, Futurebirds, Denison Witmer, and the Way Down Wanderers. Based out of Salt Lake City and Denver, Burchfield tours the country in his Subaru playing hundreds of shows a year.



Follow David!

Website - https://davidburchfieldmusic.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/musicdavidburchfield/

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Jan 26, 202125:31
Anna Tivel and Jeffrey Martin
Jan 15, 202151:52