And The Writer Is...with Ross Golan

And The Writer Is

Every week, we sit down with an acclaimed and venerable songwriter to intimately discuss what happens behind closed doors in the music industry. There are millions of singers, thousands of artists, and only 40 top songs per genre at a time... this podcast is about the people who make them. Produced by Joe London & Ross Golan in association with Big Deal Music & Mega House Music. And The Writer Is... ™ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Ep. 237: Philip Lawrence | How a $5 Bus Pass Created Bruno Mars

    28 ENE

    Ep. 237: Philip Lawrence | How a $5 Bus Pass Created Bruno Mars

    Today's guest is a Grammy-winning songwriter, producer, and performer, best known as one-third of The Smeezingtons and a foundational creative force behind Bruno Mars’ career. He has co-written and helped shape some of the most influential pop songs of the last two decades, including Just the Way You Are, Billionaire, Locked Out of Heaven, When I Was Your Man, 24K Magic, Nothin’ on You, and many more... And The Writer Is... Bruno Mars! In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Philip Lawrence tells his story in full—for the first time - How a $5 bus pass led to Bruno Mars - The hidden cost of early success - Real stories behind pop’s biggest records - The pivot that made everything 'click' - A breakdown at the peak—and the call that brought him back and much more... A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 4:00 “I Just Might” and Bruno Mars 10:31 Childhood and Not Feeling Good Enough 14:00 Early Career 20:00 Leaving School and Auditioning for Disney 26:00 The Disney Break Room: The Beginning of His Journey 27:00 His First Session 30:00 Meeting Steven Seagal 34:00 Moving to LA 37:09 Losing Everything He Had So Far 39:00 Finding His Manager 43:00 Finding His Way Through the Industry 44:42 His Ego Death 45:50 The Pivot That Really Started His Career 46:50 Be Friends With All the Assistants 47:20 NMPA and Splice 48:45 How to Write for Radio 49:30 Developing His Songwriting Ethos 50:29 Spending His Last $5 to Meet Bruno Mars (Before He Was Bruno Mars) 1:05:09 How Bruno Stayed on His Early Hook Placements 1:07:28 The Story of Nothin’ on You 1:09:20 Billionaire 1:11:50 Just the Way You Are 1:19:15 Talking to the Moon 1:20:49 Ross’s CeeLo Story 1:23:00 “F*** You” Was Not Supposed to Happen 1:28:00 How Locked Out of Heaven Happened 1:33:22 When I Was Your Man / Flowers (Miley Cyrus) 1:36:50 Five Songs He Wishes He Wrote 1:38:34 24K Magic 1:40:36 His Breakdown at the Peak of Success 1:48:45 The Comeback Phone Call With Bruno 1:50:18 APT 1:52:39 Advice for Songwriters + Rapid-Fire Questions Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 h y 59 min
  2. Ep. 236: John Ryan | The Playbook of a World-Class Songwriter

    21 ENE

    Ep. 236: John Ryan | The Playbook of a World-Class Songwriter

    Today's guest has quietly shaped the sound of a generation. He has written and produced some of the biggest songs of the last 15 years—from One Direction's "Story of My Life" to Niall Horan's "Slow Hands," Sabrina Carpenter's "Taste", Teddy Swims' "Lose Control," and Olivia Dean's "So Easy to Fall in Love." A true songwriter's songwriter, John Ryan doesn't just chase hits—he shapes careers, defines sounds, and knows exactly when inspiration is knocking. In this episode, John breaks down what it really takes to stay relevant across multiple eras, why authenticity always wins, and how he went from a Berklee kid living in his manager's parents' house to becoming one of the most trusted voices in pop music. We talk about: - The hardest years of his career - The real batting rate of the best songwriters - Meeting Sabrina Carpenter and Teddy Swims - Working with One Direction and losing Liam - Gems upon GEMS for up and coming musicians, songwriters, and producers and a special live performance of some of his biggest hits. A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 00:00 Intro: John Ryan 02:30 How John Got Into the Music Industry 06:30 Songs from Eighth Grade & Writing Early 10:30 Writing Like a Kid Again (The Picasso Effect) 13:00 Berklee, Pro Tools & Learning the Craft 17:00 How Many Songs Actually Make It Out? 19:30 Maroon 5’s “Cold” 21:30 Niall Horan: From One Direction to Solo Artist 24:15 The Lowest Point of His Career 26:00 The Realization That Saved Him 28:00 Meeting Teddy Swims & Sabrina Carpenter 31:00 Social Media, Virality & “I Don’t Have That on My Phone” 33:30 Writing “Heaven” with Niall Horan 34:00 Sabrina Carpenter’s “Feather” 36:00 Stop Chasing Numbers. Start Betting on People 38:00 Co-Writing with Amy Allen 41:56 How John Ryan Produces Songs 44:50 Country Music & Expanding Taste 47:20 Liam Payne 51:03 Olivia Dean – “So Easy to Fall in Love” 56:45 John Ryan’s Take on Collaboration 58:50 Writing “Tears” with Sabrina Carpenter 59:40 Managing Life, Energy & Relationships 1:02:01 “Steal My Girl” & “Night Changes” Should’ve Been Bigger 1:04:52 Choosing Great People Over “Sure Things” 1:07:00 John Plays & Sings His Hits 1:20:00 Why 10,000 Hours Isn’t Enough 1:21:06 GEM: Ruthlessly A/B Your Music to Get Better Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Edited by Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 h y 31 min
  3. Ep.235: David Foster | What It Takes to Last in the Music Business

    14 ENE

    Ep.235: David Foster | What It Takes to Last in the Music Business

    Today’s guest isn’t just a living legend. He’s one of the architects of modern music. As a songwriter and producer, he’s discovered artists, shaped careers, and defined entire eras. This one is required listening. A once-in-a-generation legendary hybrid of songwriting and production, And The Writer Is... David Foster! In this episode, David breaks down what actually makes music last, the cost of greatness, and what it really takes to survive and stay relevant in the music business over decades, not moments. Not to mention his best advice for people in the business right now... We talk songwriting vs. production, discovering artists like Céline Dion and Michael Bublé, working with legends like Whitney Houston and Paul McCartney, the mistakes artists make chasing hits, and why longevity matters more than hype. Oh, and the only artist who could pull him out of retirement... A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 00:00 Mount Rushmore of Producers 02:00 Canadians 03:42 David Foster’s Parents 05:23 Discovering Perfect Pitch 07:03 Musical Roots and Learning Jazz 07:40 Jazz Voicings Explained 10:24 “Leave Songwriters Alone” – Publishing Talk 11:20 Writing His First Songs 12:21 Advice He’d Give His Younger Self 17:00 David Foster’s Trick for Reading People 17:58 Surviving a Plane Crash 20:22 The Start of His Early Career 22:00 Is “Africa” by Toto a Perfect Song? 27:20 The Greatest Songwriters Ever 30:25 Kanye West’s “Through the Wire” Sample Story 32:27 Songwriting vs Sampling (Blurred Lines Case) 34:21 His Documentary, Workflow, and Band Relationships 38:53 How David Foster Writes Songs 42:42 How Seven People Write One Song 43:39 Presented by NMPA & Splice 48:19 The Critical Mistake in “Uptown Funk” 49:49 “Unforgettable” with Nat King Cole 51:08 Paul McCartney 55:17 Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” 57:10 Top Five Singers He’s Worked With 59:06 Discovering Céline Dion 59:56 How David Foster Sees His Life 1:05:13 What Makes a Song Great? 1:09:40 The “Nashville No” 1:11:51 The Arc: A Holistic Approach to Songwriting 1:12:42 Discovering Michael Bublé 1:15:29 Star vs Superstar 1:16:39 Andrea Bocelli & Josh Groban 1:19:04 The Cost of Greatness 1:19:46 How to Make It in the Music Business 1:24:11 Family Life (Katharine McPhee & Kids) 1:25:50 “I Told Céline the Titanic Song Would Ruin Her Career” 1:31:01 Songs He Wishes He Wrote 1:31:39 Artists He Passed On Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Post production by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 h y 45 min
  4. Ep. 234: Diplo | Branding Decides Who Wins

    6 ENE

    Ep. 234: Diplo | Branding Decides Who Wins

    And The Writer Is... Diplo! This episode isn’t about hits. It’s about how culture actually gets made. Taste, burnout, and building culture without permission. From growing up in Florida crate-digging scenes no one cared about, to turning underground instincts into global movements, Diplo breaks down the uncomfortable truth behind longevity in music: following your taste when everyone else wants safety. We get into: The real physical and mental toll of nonstop touring in a world that never shuts off The power of branding and how he did it (and why you have to, to) Breaking scenes before they’re acceptable Burning out, disappearing, and rebuilding without chasing relevance Why instinct beats public approval every single time And the reality of turning risk into influence and underground energy into global impact This episode is for anyone building anything. Thank you for listening A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters 00:00 – Diplo Is Here 01:02 – Episode Intro 01:45 – AI, Sora, and the Future 03:18 – How Diplo Uses AI in Music 06:15 – Using Prompts to Produce 07:44 – How Diplo Got Into Music 10:32 – How Ross and Diplo Met 14:05 – Life as a World-Touring DJ 16:04 – Dr. Luke Signed Me to Steal My Drums 16:36 – Diplo’s Origin Story 17:13 – Riff Raff, Culture, and Being Hated 18:43 – Making “Where Are Ü Now” 20:04 – Creating Jack Ü with Skrillex 21:37 – Orlando DJ Gigs to Philadelphia 24:33 – First Session with Vybz Kartel 27:23 – Branding, the Internet, and Selling Mixtapes 35:01 – The Story of “Paper Planes” (M.I.A.) 36:44 – How to Find Success in Music 37:57 – NMPA + Splice (Sponsors) 39:25 – “Climax” and Finding His Strengths 43:54 – Why He Started Mad Decent 46:41 – Learning Music and the Birth of Major Lazer 49:30 – The Story of “Lean On” 53:04 – Diplo’s Cheat Code for Creating Fearlessly 54:06 – Country Music 55:28 – “Heartless” and Morgan Wallen 56:19 – Collaborator Rapid Fire 1:00:28 – Diplo’s Branding Advice 1:03:32 – Charli XCX 1:05:00 – How He Doesn’t Lose Himself on Tour 1:06:59 – Nothing Is Perfect. Everything Gets Better. 1:07:19 – Diplo’s Run Club 1:08:00 – Diplo’s Final Advice Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Post Production by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 h y 14 min
  5. Ep. 233: Alex Warren | Surviving on Delusional Self-Belief

    23/12/2025

    Ep. 233: Alex Warren | Surviving on Delusional Self-Belief

    And The Writer Is… Alex Warren. Alex joins the podcast to talk openly about resilience, finding his voice, and what it actually takes to turn pain into songs that connect. In this episode, he breaks down: Overcoming homelessness and instability while chasing musicEarning credibility in an industry that didn’t immediately take him seriouslyHow vulnerability became his songwriting superpowerWhat his writing process looks like when the emotions are real — not manufacturedThe difference between being seen and being heard And the single most powerful way to get your music heard against all odds.. This ones about humble beginnings, trusting your voice when no one will listen, and learning how to write your way out of survival mode. A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishers’ Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 h y 34 min
  6. Ep. 232: FINNEAS | The Long Game of a Music Career

    16/12/2025

    Ep. 232: FINNEAS | The Long Game of a Music Career

    Today’s guest didn’t just enter the music industry — he grew up inside it. He isn’t just a Grammy-winning producer or a respected solo artist. He’s one of the rare creatives who’s built a career rooted in loyalty, advocacy, and taste — while learning in public and evolving in real time. And The Writer Is… FINNEAS! In this episode, he breaks down: Growing up in the industry without losing your footing The quiet flaw baked into today’s music industry — and the one trait he’s seen in every truly exceptional artist Loyalty over leverage — and why relationships still matter Advocating for artists when you already have a seat at the table Learning as you go without pretending you have it all figured out This one is grounded and essential for anyone trying to build something that actually lasts. A special thank you to our sponsors... Our lead sponsor, NMPA aka the National Music Publisher's Association. Your support means the world to us! And  @splice  the  best sample library on the market, period. Chapters 0:00:00 Teaser 0:02:37 What FINNEAS Would Change About the Music Industr 0:07:40 “What Do You Do?” Identity & Being Multihyphenate 0:08:54 Why taste beats momentum 0:10:51 FINNEAS & Ashe 0:12:51 From Workaholism to Efficiency 0:14:17 Tools, Shortcuts & Speed in the Studio 0:16:13 Him and Billie and Their Creative Differences 0:20:11 Stage Fright, SNL & Performing Under Pressure 0:24:23 Writing Songs for Film vs Albums 0:27:49 Writing “What Was I Made For? 0:30:46 Writing Honest Lyrics in LA: 0:32:48 Parenting, Legacy & Keeping Ego Out of the House 0:36:42 Creativity and Parenting 0:38:47 Homeschooling, Childhood & Creative Freedom 0:41:46 Make your kids work with adults 0:44:42 When You're Inspired... Collaborate With Your Influences 0:46:30 Artists FINNEAS Would Love to Work With 0:48:46 How Not to Chase Trends: Why reference points should be old, weird, and far away 0:50:02 NMPA Ad 0:50:42 Splice Ad 0:51:30 Favorite Albums to Listen to Deeply 0:53:06 Writing with Billie, Honesty, Family & Creative Trust 0:55:55 Claudia, Love, Partnership & Sustaining Ambition 1:00:37 The 20% Rule 1:02:00 The 'Lowest Point of His Career' and His Personal Victory From It 1:04:57 Separating Your Work From Your Worth 1:06:00 The Barometer of Success For A Solo Artist 1:06:40 Doing The Apple TV Sound 1:08:14 Not Comparing His Success With Billie, New Album, Knowing When to Pivot 1:11:04 Repeating Success... Birds of a Feather, Taste as a Long-Term Advantage 1:15:00 Signing Writers 1:17:55 Why Some Artists Plateau 1:21:11 Publishing Deals, Reversion, and Leverage.. Bad Deals with Good People and Good Deals with Bad People 1:24:33 Avoiding burnout in a high-output career 1:28:01 Writing 'Lonely' for Justin Bieber with Benny Blanco 1:31:14 Aging in the Industry... Collaborating with Ashe 1:39:08 Big Songs On Deluxe Albums 1:42:50 Writing for Prompts and Film 1:45:01 What Still Excites Him About Music 1:43:41 Are You Happy? 1:52:37 Separating The Art From The Artist 1:51:58 Building something that lasts without losing yourself Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Edit by Jad Saad Post Production by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 h y 54 min
  7. Ep. 231: Seth MacFarlane | The Discipline and Craft Behind a Creative Legacy

    10/12/2025

    Ep. 231: Seth MacFarlane | The Discipline and Craft Behind a Creative Legacy

    Today’s guest has carved out one of the most improbable creative legacies of his generation — commanding animation, comedy, film, and orchestral music with the same relentless discipline and near-obsessive craft. What began as a kid sketching characters in his bedroom grew into a fight to build Family Guy on his own terms… and eventually into Grammy-nominated big-band records that honor the very foundations of American music. And The Writer Is... Seth MacFarlane! On this episode, Seth breaks down the discipline, taste, and obsessive craft that shaped his creative life… and the standards he refuses to compromise, no matter the project. Dive deep into his roots, heroes, influences, and biggest challenges building his creative legacy. A special thank you to our sponsors... Our lead sponsor, NMPA, aka the National Music Publisher’s Association. Your support means the world to us! And @splice — the best sample library on the market, period. Chapter list: 0:00:00 – Teaser 0:01:06 – Welcome & Episode Intro 0:03:12 – Seth’s Early Creative Roots: Drawing, Music & Comedy 0:08:40 – Developing Discipline as a Young Artist 0:12:55 – The First Breakthroughs in Animation 0:16:33 – Fighting for Family Guy and Holding the Vision 0:18:15 – The Influence of 80s TV Scores and John Williams 0:21:48 – How Taste Shapes Every Creative Decision 0:25:30 – The Craft Behind Writing Comedy That Lasts 0:30:02 – Why Orchestration Matters So Deeply to Him 0:34:44 – Recording His Sinatra Albums & The Pursuit of Precision 0:38:55 – Balancing Film, TV & Music at a High Level 0:43:22 – Obsession, Work Ethic & Sustaining a Long Creative Career 0:45:45 – Diving into the Rat Pack Era and Vocal Legends 0:47:14 – Collaboration, Standards & Protecting the Work 0:52:33 – What He’s Learned About Longevity in Entertainment 0:56:26 – The Role of Curiosity in Every Chapter of His Career 1:00:08 – The Mindset Behind Creative Risk 1:03:03 – His Advice for Multi-Hyphenate Creators 1:05:23 – Seth’s Final Message to Artists 1:07:19 – Closing Thoughts 1:09:30 – Navigating Fame, Fan Encounters, and Meeting Icons Like John Williams & William Shatner 1:15:45 – Final Appreciation for Preserving Classic Music Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Watercolor by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 h y 18 min
  8. Ep. 230: Cirkut | The Secrets of a Pop Super Producer

    02/12/2025

    Ep. 230: Cirkut | The Secrets of a Pop Super Producer

    Today’s guest is the producer behind some of the biggest songs of the last 15 years — from “Wrecking Ball,” “Timber,” and “Dark Horse” to early records with The Weeknd and Britney Spears. From teaching himself production on cracked software and vinyl turntables… to going on a run of genre-defining hits. And the writer is… Cirkut! In this episode, he opens up about his early grind, the moment Britney cut his beat, his first sessions in LA, working alongside Max Martin and Dr. Luke, and the mindset that helped him go from unknown kid with an MPC to one of the most important producers in modern pop. A special thank you to our sponsors... Our lead sponsor, NMPA aka the National Music Publisher's Association. Your support means the world to us! And @splice -- the best sample library on the market, period. 00:00 — Intro: Who is Cirkut? 00:04:37 — Early music influences: hip-hop, DJ culture 00:05:49 — Discovering DJ gear & beat manipulation 00:07:55 — First exposure to FruityLoops & early production 00:10:24 — DJ’ing pep rallies with vinyl 00:12:36 — Applying early skills later for Lady Gaga 00:14:14 — Skipping audio classes to make beats 00:16:46 — Early Drake encounter in Toronto 00:18:40 — How the name “Cirkut” was born 00:21:35 — How a CD of his beats got to Britney Spears 00:22:10 — First big cut: Britney’s “Papi” 00:23:01 — Discovering electronic music & the blog era 00:23:49 — Learning from Masterkraft (the MySpace era) 00:33:00 — Working with The Weeknd on “High For This” 00:33:57 — Recognizing Abel’s early greatness 00:35:06 — Moving to LA & hustling through the rat race 00:38:49 — What finally got him out of the rat race 00:39:33 — The call from Dr. Luke 00:41:11 — The Flo Rida / Levels / Good Feeling near-miss 00:42:37 — Losing a big cut overnight 00:43:19 — When the hits start stacking: “Where Have You Been,” “Wrecking Ball,” “Timber” 00:44:48 — The thing he brought that cut through the noise 00:47:18 — What it’s like creating with Max Martin 00:49:36 — Winning Producer of the Year (Junos) 00:50:17 — When Cirkut realized he belonged at the top 00:52:04 — Why his ego is different 00:53:15 — His quiet superpower in the room 00:55:45 — Ad: NMPA + ⁨@splice⁩  00:57:00 — The importance of speed 00:59:00 — Secret sauce... Knowing his sounds and blind listening 01:02:00 — Keeping production organic 01:03:57 — The Weeknd 01:12:10 — Ross' funny Pitbull / Cirkut story 01:13:03 — Cirkut's secret to success 01:14:00 — 'Unholy' Sam Smith 01:18:54 — Jung Kook, 'Seven' with Jon Bellion / Theron Thomas 01:21:00 — Charli XCX 01:22:00 — 'APT' and Bruno's 'Stank' 01:30:56 — Lady Gaga + Watt 01:42:30 — Production advice. Figure out what you're great at Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Watercolor by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 h y 49 min
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Every week, we sit down with an acclaimed and venerable songwriter to intimately discuss what happens behind closed doors in the music industry. There are millions of singers, thousands of artists, and only 40 top songs per genre at a time... this podcast is about the people who make them. Produced by Joe London & Ross Golan in association with Big Deal Music & Mega House Music. And The Writer Is... ™ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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