"We Create Music" Blog

This past year, prolific STIM composer Johan Söderqvist continued his partnership with Danish director Susanne Bier on Love Is All You Need (out May 3rd) and soundtracked the Oscar-nominated adaptation of the high-seas adventure classic Kon-Tiki. Söderqvist phoned in from Sweden to tell us about them both.

The US Trade Representative's Special 301 Report shows that the US government is serious about upholding music creators' rights around the globe. Now it's time to turn the report’s recommendations into concrete benefits for songwriters, composers and publishers.

Cinderella frontman Tom Keifer walked a long, hard road on the way to his debut solo album The Way Life Goes. He endured challenges both professional and personal, including a paralyzed vocal cord. All that living has resulted in an honest record of both heartbreak and joy, and a 14-song set of the blues-centric rock that Keifer does so well. We spoke with Keifer about his creative journey.

Cathy Heller is an LA-based singer-songwriter and graduate of the ASCAP Foundation Lester Sill Songwriters Workshop. Her brand new album Breaking Free pairs Cathy's vulnerable yet optimistic lyrics with a set of sweet pop melodies. Cathy tells us why it's the most "her" album she's released.

Terence Nance directed, produced, acted in and scored the genre-bending film An Oversimplification of Her Beauty, which opened April 26th in New York. We caught up with him about the movie and its score after the film's premiere at Sundance.

LA-based band Black Belt KARATE high-kicked into gear when ASCAP members Ryan Hanifl and Jason Mezilis felt the need to kick out some jams live. Fast forward a few months and they had assembled a band, recorded a handful of punchy hard rock songs and developed a freewheeling stage show. Hanifl tells us the sordid tale in his own words.

Hanan Townshend (APRA) is the New Zealand-born, Austin-based film composer behind the score to the new Terrence Malick film To the Wonder. Townshend reports on the unique creative process he went through to create the film's pensive musical backdrop.

ASCAP singer-songwriter Cameron Ernst brings a message of positivity and empowerment on his new Always Always EP. It's a collection of songs related to the journey Ernst embarked on with his Love on the Road tour, which has taken him to schools across the country to teach kids about the transforming power of love.

Spanish composer Roque Baños (SGAE) had his work "cut out" for him when he got the job scoring Evil Dead, the sequel to the classic horror trilogy. Baños explains how he got the gig, and how he ended up freaking himself out during the scoring process.

The five-man vibe collective Caveman evolves on its self-titled sophomore album, a dreamy and thoroughly modern indie rock record. These alumni of ASCAP's CMJ Showcase give us an overview of the writing and recording process of Caveman.

A manager can be an essential part of your team. But before you hire one, you need to make sure you understand what a manager is for - and assess whether you really need one. Atom Factory's Fabienne Leys has spent years managing songwriters, producers and artists. She's got some sage advice about when and why to hire a manager.