Michael Averill

Write Songs You Love

Music EN ↓ 261 episodes

Have you ever felt like you’ve lost touch with your inner creative compass? Is songwriting a practice you want to maintain for the rest of your life? Have you ever thought about “why,” you write songs? Each week, host Michael Averill shares heart warming stories from his own experience as a touring singer/songwriter, as well as with guests, about songs that have been impactful, and why. There's always a way to put your unique fingerprint in your songwriting, and Michael is here to help you do it. Walk along with Michael @writesongsyoulove on Instagram for inspiration, tips, and challenges.

Author

Michael Averill

Episodes

What Makes a Song You Love? Part 2 24.08.2023 40:18

Michael follows up with audiences responses to the question "What makes a song you love?" . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write Songs You Love Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ group. . For songwriting prompts, challenges, and good thoughtful fun, check out the Write Songs You Love Newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What Makes a Song You Love? 17.08.2023 34:20

What’s the difference between a song you love, and a song you don’t? . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write Songs You Love Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ group. . For songwriting prompts, challenges, and good thoughtful fun, check out the Write Songs You Love Newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Iced Teacup Challenge Progress 10.08.2023 13:24

We're halfway through the 2023 Iced Teacup Challenge, and it's not too late to join and write some tunes in community over a hot or cold bevy! . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write Songs You Love Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ group. . For songwriting prompts, challenges, and good thoughtful fun, check out the Write Songs You Love Newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://writ...

Iced Teacup Challenge Starts Next Week! 03.08.2023 29:09

Michael shares a few stories and songs from previous Teacup Challenges, and announces the dates for the upcoming Summer version starting next week - The Iced Teacup Challenge!! . Are there any prompts you’d love to see in the Iced Teacup Challenge? Let me know . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write Songs You Love Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ group. . For songwriting prompts,...

Katie Dwyer on Recording and Releasing Old Songs 27.07.2023 1:02:24

Singer/Songwriter/Producer Katie Dwyer came on today to speak about the challenges that come with releasing older songs, and how it can be tricky sharing when you don't feel like you connect to the previous experiences that they came from anymore. . Get to know Katie more, and hear her music at https://katiedwyer.com/ . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write Songs You Love F...

Better When Shared 20.07.2023 22:43

Michael shares a story about a walk with an arrow, and some fun Write Songs You Love updates. . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write Songs You Love Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ group. . For songwriting prompts, challenges, and good thoughtful fun, check out the Write Songs You Love Newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Diane Barbarash on the Role of Art, Risking Being Seen, and Her New Hometown EP 13.07.2023 58:36

Write Songs You Love alumni all-star Diane Barbarash came on to celebrate the release of her new album titled "Hometown," and shared inspiring stories of the process. . Listen and support Diane's full EP on Bandcamp . To attend the special WSYL Live Online Showcase on July 16th, send a message on Facebook, or through the Contact Page . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Rumi Tsuchihashi on Wonder Scanning, Course Correcting, and Making Up Words 06.07.2023 1:06:09

Writer, Coach, and Storyteller Rumi Tsuchihashi came on today to share touching family stories, the role music has played in her life, and how we can keep our scanners open for a bit more wonder in our lives. . Get in touch with Rumi at https://www.rumitsuchihashi.com/ . For John Coltrane's 13 minute and 44 seconds of "My Favourite Things" mentioned in the episode, go here . To find...

Music and Walking 29.06.2023 35:06

Michael shares stories and songs from the beginning of his cross Canada walking music tour in lieu of the 10 year anniversary of that journey beginning. . If you want to join the music walk on July 1st, in person or remotely, message Michael through the contact page or Facebook Group. . Michael’s new album, “Famous People’s Songs,” will be available on Bandcamp, Spotify, and the streaming services...

Inspiring Situations 22.06.2023 14:44

If you need inspiration, put yourself in inspiring situations. . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write Songs You Love Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ group. . For songwriting prompts, challenges, and good thoughtful fun, check out the Write Songs You Love Newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Signals 15.06.2023 5:33

Everything we do is a signal. What signals are you sending with your songwriting, and the sharing of your songs? . Visit Seth Godin's site, and check out his blog at - https://www.sethgodin.com/ . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write Songs You Love Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ group. . For songwriting prompts, challenges, and good thoughtful fun, check out the Write Songs You Lo...

Not Every Song Needs to Hit the Stage 08.06.2023 14:18

How would your writing change if you wrote like it was never going to hit the stage? . There’s a new session of Put Pants on Your Songs starting on June 13th with one spot left. Register here . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write Songs You Love Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ group. . For songwriting prompts, challenges, and good thoughtful fun, check out the Write Songs You Love News...

Dominique Fricot on Boiling Points, Flora Falls, and Wisdom of the Audience 01.06.2023 1:00:14

Berlin based Singer/Songwriter Dominique Fricot made a post a couple of weeks ago about inviting audiences to shows, and the challenge that can come with that. It spawned episode 97 "Being a Reason," which stirred a conversation that needed deeper diving. Dom came on to share about what can be learned from audiences when you're open to it, his musical path, and forging forward with t...

Andre Deacon on Letting it Happen with Cosmic Mansions 25.05.2023 56:40

Singer/Songwriter/Producer Andre Deacon came on today to talk about what it's like to write without an agenda, to be present with the music you're creating, and the serene release of the new Cosmic Mansions album. . Listen to the new collection, Flight of the Starbird . Follow Andre at https://www.instagram.com/deacondrive/ . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write Songs You...

Being a Reason 18.05.2023 13:00

Invitations - Annoying, or a reason for something bigger? . See Dom Fricot's post referenced in the episode here . Check out his personal music @domfricot on Instagram, or @florafallsmusic . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write Songs You Love Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ group. . For songwriting prompts, challenges, and good thoughtful fun, check out the Write Songs You Love Newslet...

Laurie Geltman on Conviction, The Outlet of Dreaming, and Her New Song/Video “Radio” 11.05.2023 53:20

Award winning rock singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Laurie Geltman came on today to share about the evolution of her new song and video “Radio,” multi-media collaboration, and the power of dreaming. . Learn more and listen/watch “Radio,” on Laurie’s website . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write Songs You Love Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ group. . For songwriting prompts, cha...

Cheers to Gordon Lightfoot 04.05.2023 12:42

We lost a great Canadian and internationally loved songwriter this week. Michael shares a few Gordon Lightfoot related stories, and a song in spirit of the episode. . Listen to The Wreck of The Edmond Fitzgerald here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vST6hVRj2A . Listen to Canadian Railroad Trilogy here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzo6Otpgj-E . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wri...

Moving On 27.04.2023 18:24

Michael posed a question to the Write Songs You Love Community - "What does the idea or act of moving on look like or mean to you?" . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Write Songs You Love Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠ group. . For songwriting prompts, challenges, and good thoughtful fun, check out the Write Songs You Love Newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jennifer Dixon on Being Proud of Your Work, Going Back to Your Roots, and Waiting on Butterflies 20.04.2023 59:59

Singer Songwriter Jennifer Dixon came on to share about the release of her beautiful new song "Waiting on Butterflies," co-written with Lisa Dunn, and what it's like to go back to writing from your roots. . Listen to Waiting on Butterflies here . To learn more about Jennifer, check out https://www.jenniferdixonmusic.com/ . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠Write Songs You...

Carla Hassett on Songwriting for the Sake of Growth and Excellent Art 13.04.2023 1:05:24

LA based Brazilian-American Singer/Songwriter/Producer/Teacher Carla Hassett came on today to speak about why she creates music, her favourite songwriting tools, winning the John Lennon Songwriting contest, and crashing one of Madonna's auditions. It was an epic talk, and you will be inspired! . For all things Carla, visit https://www.carlamusic.com/ . Share you thoughts on this episode in the...

MarKaren on Asking About Other's Stories, and Deciding When It's Time to Fly 06.04.2023 1:06:59

Singin’ Songwritin’ duo and music community gardeners MarKaren came on today to talk about what happens when you take the leap to pursue music, and the impact that can have on those you share your music with. . Find out more about MarKaren, and watch their performance of Time to Fly . Follow them at @markarenmusic on Instagram and Facebook . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠Write Songs...

Rachel Beau on Raising Vibrations, Fostering Imagination, and Stepping Back to See a Body of Work 30.03.2023 59:06

Child confidence booster, event host, and dance party DJ Rachel Beau came on today with full force enthusiasm to speak about creating multiple forms of engaging media through songwriting, and expanding our imaginations. . Find out more about Rachel at https://rocknbeau.com . Follow Rachel @rocknbeauparty and at the newly created @rocknbeaustudio . Share you thoughts on this episode in the ⁠Write S...

Bernadette Jiwa on Showing Your Heart, the Stories We Tell Ourselves, and the Choices We Have With Our Creativity 22.03.2023 1:06:35

Story shepherd, story coach, and best selling author, Bernadette Jiwa came on the show for a thought provoking conversation about story meeting song. . To learn more about Bernadette, and to find more information about the next Story Skills Workshop starting April 3rd, 2023, https://storyrepublic.com/ . Share you thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group. . For...

Colby Ramsay on Writing an Irish Inspired Song, and Collaborating with Death 16.03.2023 48:34

Singer/Songwriter Colby Ramsay shared stories of his early days of songwriting, being a part of the early One Song Challenge days, and how an Irish inspired songwriting challenge led to a musical collaboration with Death.   . To find more about Colby Ramsay, just starting singing about chocolate bars! . To listen to his music from his My Boy Rascal days, visit https://myboyrascal.bandcamp.com...

Kimera Morrell on Committing to Your Performance, Artist Identities, and Utilizing Your Voice 09.03.2023 1:11:10

Vocal/Songwriting powerhouse Kimera Morrell came on today to share about her growth as a songwriter, and demonstrates how much one can do with their voice.    . To listen to Kimera's music, you can find her on Spotify, Apple Music, and iTunes . To learn from Kimera about singing professionally, visit https://www.kimeramorrell.com/ . Share you thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs Y...