#368: Write Better Music Through Storytelling w/ Jeff Leisawitz

#368: Write Better Music Through Storytelling w/ Jeff Leisawitz

Author: Brian Funk May 16, 2024 Duration: 1:14:02

Jeff Leisawitz is a musician, producer, coach, college songwriting professor, and author. His new book The Magical Impact of Storytelling explores how creatives can connect with their audiences and produce more meaningful work with effective storytelling. 

It was great to have Jeff back on the Music Production Podcast to discuss how we can use storytelling to make better music. We talk about how writing about the specific helps illuminate the universal. Jeff shares famous stories that have helped hit songs connect with listeners. We discuss dealing with the inner critic and the concepts of The Golden Repair, The Hero's Journey, and Head, Heart, and Hands. 

Takeaways

  • Storytelling in music has the power to create emotional connections with listeners.
  • Specific details in storytelling can make a story more relatable and memorable.
  • Balancing the specific and the universal in storytelling can create a deeper emotional impact.
  • Limitations and experimentation can lead to unique and creative musical experiences.
  • Being vulnerable and authentic in expressing emotions through music is essential.
  • Accompanying songs with stories of their creation can add depth and interest to the music.
  • Having a unique story and perspective is crucial for musicians to stand out in a saturated market.
  • The Hero's Journey can serve as a template for creating compelling narratives in music.
  • Embracing imperfections and using them to create something beautiful can add depth and character to music.
  • The inner critic can be seen as a collaborator rather than an adversary, providing valuable feedback and pushing for improvement.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, GoogleYouTube

Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

 


Brian Funk hosts the Music Production Podcast, a space where the technical meets the personal in the world of making music. This isn't a lecture series; it's a collection of conversations that feel like dropping into a studio with a knowledgeable friend. As a working musician, songwriter, teacher, and Ableton Certified Trainer, Brian approaches each topic with a practitioner's curiosity. Discussions flow naturally from the specifics of a piece of gear or a production technique into broader reflections on creative philosophy and the artistic process. You'll hear about the tools of the trade, but always through the lens of how they serve an idea or unlock a new way of working. The podcast thrives on informal dialogue, whether Brian is sharing his own experiences or talking with guests, making complex topics accessible and immediately relevant. It’s for anyone who builds songs from the ground up and thinks about the why just as much as the how. Tune in for honest, nuanced talks that go beyond simple tips and tricks, offering a deeper, more human perspective on the craft of music production.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Music Production Podcast
Podcast Episodes
#361: Touring and Performing with Music's Largest Acts - Carlos Sosa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:56:30
Carlos Sosa is a musician, producer, composer, and music director. Sosa formed Grooveline Horns, a 1970s funk and R&B influenced brass group. Carlos tours and records with Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Mraz, Zac Brown…
#360: Pick Yourself with Philip Roder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:23
Philip Röder is a music producer who runs the Copilco professional mixing and mastering studio in Berlin. Philip's YouTube Channel, Pick Yourself, helps music producers hone their craft and tap into their own personal st…
#359: Music Theory, Harmonic Series, Beach Boys with Tim Smolens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:31
Tim Smolens is a musician, composer, and recording engineer. He teaches music theory on his YouTube channel and at High Castle Music Conservatory. Tim has toured and plays in the bands ISS and High Castle Teleorkestra. T…
#358: Sequencers, Humanization, Groove and Feel with Alexkid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:27
Alexkid is a music producer and plug-in designer. He's been releasing house music for decades and designing Max for Live devices for Ableton and Isotonik Studios. Alex now runs 510k Arts, where he releases his powerful s…
#357: Promoting Your Music in 2024 with Alex Akimov [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:23
Alex Akimov is the founder of Simple Social, a music digital marketing agency, and Sound.Me, an AI-powered artist and creator platform. He has worked as an artist manager, promoter, and touring guitarist. Alex explores w…
#356: Troubadeck Songwriting Cards with Charlie McCarron [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:44:14
Charlie McCarron is a film composer, songwriter, and game designer. He is currently running a Kickstarter campaign for his Troubadeck songwriting cards. Charlie ran the Composer Quest Podcast, where he interviewed songwr…
#355: Selling an Album for $100 with Thad Cockrell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:51
Thad Cockrell is a musician, songwriter, and producer in Nashville, TN. His new album, THE KID, comes out January 26th and is available on vinyl for $100. Thad appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon after Fallon…
#353: 4 Ways to be More Creative! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:02
Here are 4 tips I've learned that improve creativity! Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes: Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 5-Minute Music Prod…