Pitch List American Songwriter

Earlier this year, we had a chance to listen to YOUR songs through our summer song contest on Instagram. Today, we're excited to present a special Pitch List minisode featuring the co-winners of that contest! Check it out to hear from Mike Cali and Daniel Leathersitch on their music journeys so far; plus, we'll take a listen to the winning tunes - "Once Upon a Lime" and "Ball Cap".

In our Season 4 finale, we’re going out with a bang as Chris sits down with 2x Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Natalie Hemby! A self-proclaimed “14-year overnight success”, Natalie gives us an inside look at her music journey - from the early days cutting her teeth as a demo singer and chasing the artist dream, to giving a Grammy acceptance speech for her group “The Highwomen” (while literally riding a roller coaster at Dollywood). Fast forward to getting her first record deal at age 44, and releasing her new sophomore solo album “Pins and Needles”, the 90s rock inspired record she’s been wanting to make since the start of it all. Listen on for an honest, funny, and insightful chat as Natalie reveals some of the worst songs she’s ever written, why you have to go out and live life in order to write the great ones, and in true Pitch List form, we discuss why it’s crucial to always come back to the heart and the love of music. Thanks for an incredible season, y’all!

Welcome to our third and final part for S4’s Music Biz Series! This week, Chris sits down with an old friend and the Executive Director of NSAI (Nashville Songwriters’ Association International). As one of the places Chris recommends to check out first when you’re new in town, NSAI is more than just a place to network and get song feedback. They are songwriter advocates to the core. Listen on to learn how they were formed, what they do for the songwriting community (including their instrumental part in helping pass the MMA), and Bart’s advice for finding collaborators who are “headed north” - and how to find success alongside them.

Welcome to part 2 of our Music Biz Series! This week, Chris chats with Kris Ahrend, the CEO of the new MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective). A result of the Music Modernization Act that passed in 2018, this non-profit is paying out mechanical streaming royalties to songwriters and publishers that have gone unmatched for years, as well as committing to getting writers paid correctly from now on. In this episode, you’ll learn how to sign up for the MLC (hint: it’s super easy and free), why transparency is a key feature of their organization, and most importantly, all the ways you should be getting paid for the music you create! Don’t forget to head to our website for our listening guide and resource list that goes along with this episode, and stay tuned for our final part of this series coming soon!

In a brand new episode, Chris sits down with queer singer/songwriter Leland, who’s written some of pop music’s most influential and catchiest releases of the past few years (“Rare” / Selena Gomez, “Bloom” / Troye Sivan, “Hide Away” / Daya, + more). He’s also making waves in the TV/film industry, music producing for Rupaul’s Drag Race and Hulu series “Love, Victor”, as well as picking up a Golden Globe nomination for writing a song in the “Boy Erased” film. Listen on to hear their chat about full circle moments, the positive ways his sexuality has impacted his music career, and how the hustle continues even AFTER getting a publishing deal. Plus: don’t forget to check out Leland’s single “Mattress” (which has racked up over 25 million streams) and more!

This week, Chris sits down for a chat with singer/songwriter LP! With 5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, giant cuts like “Cheers (Drink to That)” / Rhianna, and her own songs placed in TV/film over 40 times, LP has become something of a global phenomenon over the past several years. She’ll draw you in with her ethereal vocals; you’ll stay for gorgeous storytelling and an endearing personality. Listen on to hear how different flavors from around the world bleed into her music, her advice to young artists in a brutally subjective business (you ultimately can’t give a sh*t), and the story of “Lost on You”; the track that clocked over a billion streams just a year after she lost her third major label deal. Plus: don’t forget to stream LP’s current single “Goodbye”, off her upcoming new album “Churches” - out December 3rd!