VERSED: The ASCAP Podcast
VERSED: THE ASCAP PODCAST illuminates the heart and soul of music - the songwriters and composers whose work makes us sing, dance and want to change the world. Regularly featuring the greatest music creators from a diversity of genres who share the stories behind writing their hits and best-loved work - and the gems of wisdom they gained in the process - as well as industry experts who discuss the important issues that affect the lives and livelihoods of all music creators, VERSED offers insight into the hearts and minds of music professionals like never before. If music is your life, and you want to experience what it’s like inside ASCAP’s music creator community, then VERSED is required - yet fascinating - listening.
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Lenny Kravitz Hits the Road
01/10/2024
Lenny Kravitz Hits the Road
Singer-songwriter extraordinaire, actor, designer and superstar Lenny Kravitz has been crafting his unique fusion of rock, funk, reggae and soul for more than three decades, creating such massive hits as “It Ain’t Over ‘til It’s Over,” “Again,” “Let Love Rule,” “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” “Fly Away” and “American Woman.” He’s a Grammy winner and has won numerous awards, including American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, Radio Music Awards, Brit Awards and has old over 40 million albums worldwide - all done with his distinctive flair, passion and drive. As an actor, Lenny has appeared in numerous films, including Precious and the Hunger Games series, among others. Recently he took his work in film to a whole new level by pouring his heart and soul into writing a powerful song, “Road to Freedom,” for the inspiring Netflix film Rustin. Directed by George C. Wolfe, scored by Branford Marsalis, and starring Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Jeffrey Wright and Audra McDonald, Rustin tells the story of Bayard Rustin, the architect of 1963’s March on Washington, who, along with Martin Luther King Jr. inspired a movement and blazed a path forward toward a better world. Lenny recently talked to VERSED to share how he wrote “Road to Freedom,” how Martin Luther King, Jr.’s march continues today and his plans for hitting the road himself this year in support of his new album due for release in March.
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Cirkut: Record Maker, Record Breaker
10/06/2023
Cirkut: Record Maker, Record Breaker
Over his 15-year career, writer-producer Henry “Cirkut” Walter has quietly emerged as one of the most trusted collaborators in music. He’s worked with a veritable Mt. Olympus of today’s biggest artists, from Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna to Maroon 5, Sam Smith and The Weeknd. You can hear Cirkut’s production skills on many of the most iconic pop songs and albums of the past decade, including Katy Perry’s “Roar” and “Dark Horse,” MiIey Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball,” and The Weeknd’s multi-platinum Starboy album, which earned him a Grammy in 2018. While Cirkut’s enjoyed plenty of success throughout his career, the past year has been one of his biggest yet. He co-wrote and produced “Seven,” the irresistible solo single from BTS’s Jungkook that set a record for the most opening-day streams for a male artist in Spotify’s history, and made Jungkook the first K-pop act to reach #1 on Spotify. His Sam Smith/Kim Petras co-write “Unholy” became a culture-shaking, Grammy-winning phenomenon. And when the Ariana Grande remix of The Weeknd’s “Die for You” dropped in 2023, it gave Cirkut a third #1 in less than year – nearly six years after the original version stormed the charts. Here Cirkut narrates his entire creative journey. He takes us from his humble beginnings in an uninsulated studio in Toronto, on to his early days in LA and into the writer room with some of the biggest musical stars in the world. You’ll hear the stories behind some of his biggest hits, and find out what he’s excited about for the future. Listen to the on Apple Music Hear the massive on Spotify
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What Drives Lainey Wilson?
09/08/2023
What Drives Lainey Wilson?
Singer, songwriter, superstar Lainey Wilson left Baskin, Louisiana and moved to Nashville in a camper trailer 12 years ago. She spent her early years building her career, song by song, show by show, before breaking through with her #1 hit “Things a Man Oughta Know” in 2021. Since then, Lainey’s been on a wildly successful ride. Her second #1 song, “Never Say Never” with Cole Swindell in 2022 was followed by the #1 hits “Heart Like a Truck” and her collaboration with HARDY, “Wait in the Truck.” Her critically-acclaimed 2023 album, Bell Bottom Country, overflowing with amped up, guitar-driven, rockstar energy, continues to gain new fans all over the globe and crank out more modern classics like “Watermelon Sunshine,” “Smell Like Smoke” and “Hold My Halo.” She has been headlining and selling out shows all across the map, while also gracing festival stages at Lollapalooza, Stagecoach and at arenas with the likes of Luke Combs and other leading country stars. She just made history by nabbing nine 2023 CMA Award nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. She is the only artist to top the nominations list in her first two appearances on the final ballot. This on the heels of winning big at the 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards, receiving, among others, top honors for Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. She also received Billboard’s Women in Music “Rulebreaker” Award this year and is the most nominated woman at the People’s Choice Country Awards as well. Full of heart, soul, grit and gratitude, Lainey shares what has inspired and challenged her, advice for fellow music creators and how she feels about this hard-won moment in her career. Also, Jordan Smith Reynolds, the winner of our Green Theme Song Contest, powered by Studio Green @ ASCAP, joins to chat and share a special in-studio performance of his winning work. Check out Lainey’s . Watch the video for Lainey’s multiple CMA-nominated song Learn more about
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Steve Aoki Talks Health and Heritage
05/25/2023
Steve Aoki Talks Health and Heritage
Counting nearly 3 billion music streams to his name, Steve Aoki is a true visionary. A two-time Grammy-nominated music producer, artist, fashion designer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, NFT futurist and Dim Mak Records founder, he has been described by Billboard as “one of the most in-demand entertainers in the world.” He holds the Guinness World Record for the “Most Traveled Musician in a Single Calendar Year” and has performed at nearly every top music festival around the world, including Coachella, Ultra Music festival, Lollapalooza, Fuji Rock Festival, Tomorrowland, Electric Daisy Carnival, among others. As a globally successful solo artist, Steve has transcended multiple genres of music and collaborated with an impressive array of artists, from BTS, Maluma, Snoop Dogg and Linkin Park to blink-182, Machine Gun Kelly, 2 Chainz and Daddy Yankee. In addition to his musical achievements, Steve dedicates himself wholeheartedly to every project, including the Grammy-nominated Netflix documentary I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, his memoir Blue: The Color of Noise and his influential record label Dim Mak, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021, and is best known as a launching pad for the careers of prominent acts like Bloc Party, The Chainsmokers, Bloody Beetroots, The Kills, Zedd and Diplo. Steve talks to ASCAP Associate Director Pop/Rock Membership Brian Reyes about how his Japanese heritage has impacted his craft and career. As May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, he shares some of his most effective wellness practices and how he takes care of his mind, body and spirit to be his creative best.
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Music + Mental Health with Dr. Chayim Newman and Zack Borer
05/19/2023
Music + Mental Health with Dr. Chayim Newman and Zack Borer
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And as the weather warms up and music festival season starts, so many artists will hit the road to do what they do best - share their music, live-in-person, with the world, and bring joy to millions of people. But the challenges of being a touring artist can take a terrible toll on creators’ mental and physical health. In a 2022 paper in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, Dr. Chayim Newman and Zack Borer - revealed some sobering statistics from a 239-question survey of more than eleven hundred touring professionals. They discovered that people working in the music industry have rates of depression, anxiety and suicide risk five to 10 times higher than the normal population. That’s an astonishing statistic, but probably not surprising to many of our members who spend much of the year on the road facing many challenges. Newman and Borer recently launched Amber Health, a company that offers a broad suite of mental health services to help treat the root causes of this mental health crisis and to provide solutions for the music industry. To date, with science-based research under their belt, they’ve worked with such organizations as the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals, the Country Music Association, Live Nation as well as top artists in the industry. In an illuminating conversation, Newman and Borer share insights into the unique challenges artists face as working music professionals and some of the ways we can take care of ourselves and each other.
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Maroon 5's James Valentine Riffs on Sustainability in Music
04/05/2023
Maroon 5's James Valentine Riffs on Sustainability in Music
As part of our Earth Day celebration in partnership with Studio Green @ ASCAP, we talk to James Valentine, founding member, songwriter and lead guitarist for one of the biggest bands on the planet - three-time Grammy Award winners Maroon 5. James’s work with the band has led to more than 135 million albums sold and created a steady stream of hit singles, including “She Will Be Loved,” “This Love,” “Payphone,” “Moves Like Jagger,” “Maps,” “Sugar” and more. James also serves as an advisory board member for REVERB, the non-profit environmental advocacy organization made up of music creators and music lovers who are working to create a better future for people and the planet through actions on the road, at concerts and beyond. James discusses how he and Maroon 5 have worked with REVERB on tour since 2005 and how REVERB artist expeditions to the rainforests of Guatemala and Peru has helped him raise awareness about the harmful effects of deforestation on people and the environment. We also talk to independent music entrepreneur, author and Relix magazine publisher Peter Shapiro and how he has made sustainability a core part of his career, from creating and owning music venues like Brooklyn Bowl to producing over 10,000 shows, including concerts such as 2015’s Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead and 2010’s Earth Day 40th Anniversary climate rally and concert featuring The Roots on the National Mall.
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Amy Allen's A-List Playlist
12/22/2022
Amy Allen's A-List Playlist
2023 Songwriter of the Year Grammy nominee Amy Allen is one of the most in-demand songwriters in pop music. Her credits include songs written for Selena Gomez, Halsey, King Princess, Charli XCX, Harry Styles, Lizzo, Alexander23 and many more. She has landed a coveted spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 List and was featured as one of Variety’s “Hitmakers of the Month.” In 2021, Amy was honored at the Ivor Novello Awards, along with Tyler Johnson, Kid Harpoon and Harry Styles, for their GRAMMY-nominated song “Adore You.” On this episode Amy talks about her roots in Maine, what it means to be among the first five Songwriter of the Year nominees in the inaugural Grammy category, the creative lessons learned writing with some of today’s top artists and her desire to share more of her own music as a solo artist with the world, which she plans to do in the new year. Listen to a playlist of Amy’s songs . Visit Amy . Follow Amy .
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Esperanza Spalding is always evolving
07/28/2022
Esperanza Spalding is always evolving
This episode is about all that jazz. Esperanza Spalding is a five-time Grammy Award-winning bassist, singer, songwriter and composer. Recently, she has expanded her gifts to include work with fellow creators, teachers and practitioners in various fields to explore the therapeutic potential of music. Her last two albums, 2018’s 12 Little Spells and 2021’s Songwrights Apothecary Lab, reflect this new direction in her evolution as an artist. She wrote an opera with Wayne Shorter, which premiered in fall 2021, and is presently working with Harvard University to co-create and learn with students there. We talked to her as she prepared to grace the legendary Newport Jazz Festival Fort Stage. Also, we talk to Michael R. Dudley, a trumpet player, educator and recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award. Michael was selected to perform at this year’s Newport Jazz Festival as part of the Newport Festival Foundation’s enduring partnership with the ASCAP Foundation to promote emerging jazz talent. Visit Esperanza’s Check out Michael R. Dudley’s Learn more about RSVP for the
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Music and the AAPI Experience
05/26/2022
Music and the AAPI Experience
In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, we share highlights of two conversations from recent ASCAP Experience sessions featuring a diverse group of voices from ASCAP’s AAPI community. You'll hear a provocative discussion with playwright, librettist and lyricist David Henry Hwang and composer and conceptual artist Huang Ruo about art, identity and the power of music to help us fight racism and understand each other better. Then international superstar Amber Liu of K-pop royalty f(x), and Justin Park, a rising singer-songwriter recently endorsed by BTS’s Jungkook, talk about how their identities have shaped their lives and music careers, and the joys and challenges of growing up in the AAPI community. Watch "Chinese as Apple Pie" from David Henry Hwang and Huang Ruo’s opera Watch "The Perfect Woman" from David Henry Hwang and Huang Ruo’s opera Watch by Amber Liu (featuring Jackson Wang) Watch by Justin Park Check out the You can also check out past VERSED episodes
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Adam Gardner and Reverb's Music Climate Revolution
04/22/2022
Adam Gardner and Reverb's Music Climate Revolution
In celebration of Earth Day, we talk to Guster frontman and guitarist Adam Gardner, whose nonprofit environmental organization, Reverb, partners with fellow music makers like Billie Eilish, P!nk, Maroon 5, Dead & Company, Bonnie Raitt, Sleater-Kinney, Jack Johnson and more, as well as festivals and venues, to green their concert events while engaging fans to help tackle today’s most pressing environmental issues and create real, measurable change for people and the planet. Adam shares some of the actions music creators and music lovers alike can take to reduce their footprint. He also highlights the positive impact that Reverb’s recent campaign, Music Climate Revolution, has made within the last year, and how more sectors of the music industry are supporting their mission. Learn more about Join the See Guster Check out You can also check out past episodes
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mxmtoon's rising star
03/29/2022
mxmtoon's rising star
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we talk to one of today’s most exciting singer-songwriters, mxmtoon, who is set to release a new 12-song album, rising, that is “a triumph of pop-and-disco confessionalism,” while prepping a major North American tour. She opens up about the meaning behind her uplifting new song (and our podcast’s new theme song), “Mona Lisa,” how moving to New York City has affected her creativity, the storytelling benefits of playing video games, the women who have inspired her and how she needs to create to feel fulfilled. PLUS we catch up with Grammy Award-winning engineer Ann Mincieli, longtime collaborator with Alicia Keys and a co-founder of the pivotal music industry organization, She is the Music. Watch the official video for mxmtoon’s Visit Learn more about Check out Ann Mincieli’s RSVP for Listen, Watch & Subscribe!
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Episode 27 - Tim Fain and Music Tech Innovators from the ASCAP Lab
11/04/2021
Episode 27 - Tim Fain and Music Tech Innovators from the ASCAP Lab
We talk to virtuoso violinist, composer, performer and producer Tim Fain about his adventurous and boundary-pushing career that spans film, the concert stage and virtual reality, and his collaborations with everyone from Philip Glass to The National. Then we talk to participants from the ASCAP Lab’s 2021 Immersive Music Studio Challenge, our partnership with the NYC Media Lab, that offers grants to startups and university teams to develop and expand upon prototype technologies that demonstrate new ways artists can create music, connect with fans and reimagine how we interact with music and sound. Watch Tim Fain’s Listen to Watch Watch the - the ultimate music creator community and event series. Check out RSVP for Listen, Watch & Subscribe: i | | |
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Episode 26 - Diane Warren's New Album is a Master Class in Songwriting
10/01/2021
Episode 26 - Diane Warren's New Album is a Master Class in Songwriting
We talk to one of the most celebrated songwriters in music, Diane Warren, about Diane Warren: The Cave Sessions Vol. 1, her fantastic new cross-genre album of original songs recorded with some of the world’s best artists, including Ty Dolla $ign, Maren Morris, John Legend, Luis Fonsi, Jon Batiste, Pentatonix, G-Eazy, Carlos Santana, Rita Ora, Celine Dion, Darius Rucker and many others. She also talks about her Academy Award nominated work writing for film and what it’s like hearing The Beatles sing your song. PLUS: We get some sound advice from master composer-producer of instrumental hip-hop, RJD2, about making beats - without rhymes. Watch video for featuring Diane Warren, Rita Ora, Sofía Reyes and REIK Watch video for featuring Diane Warren, G-Eazy and Santana Here is Diane Warren’s official Check out this course! on SoundFly ASCAP Members get a discount on a Soundfly subscription. Just go to to activate it. RSVP for Listen, Watch & Subscribe: | | |
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Episode 25 - Michael Abels
08/19/2021
Episode 25 - Michael Abels
It’s Primetime Emmy Awards season, and in this episode we talk to two great nominees. Michael Abels joins us for a discussion about composing music for the acclaimed HBO docuseries Allen v. Farrow, for which he has received two nominations. He also shares his experience working with filmmaker Jordan Peele on Get Out, Us and a project in the works, and explains the mission of his advocacy group, the Composers Diversity Collective. PLUS: We take a dive into the exciting world of music directors with Billie Eilish’s MD, Aron Forbes. He’s nominated for two Emmys for his work on the Apple TV+ doc Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry. Learn more about the Watch performance of Michael Abels’ at the 2018 ASCAP Screen Awards RSVP for Listen, Watch & Subscribe: | | |
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Episode 24 - Yasmin Williams and the 2021 Newport Folk Festival
07/22/2021
Episode 24 - Yasmin Williams and the 2021 Newport Folk Festival
The Newport Folk Festival is back with a passion. In this episode we talk to the talented Yasmin Williams, a virtuoso composer and musician who has been praised by the New York Times as “one of the country’s most imaginative young solo guitarists,” and who is set to make her Newport debut this year. She will join fellow ASCAP members performing, including Beck, Grace Potter, Bonny Light Horseman, Kevin Morby, Vagabon and many others. Williams shares her feelings about joining the Newport tradition, her journey to mastering the guitar, pushing herself to learn new instruments and experimental approach to recording her gorgeous, acclaimed new album, Urban Driftwood. We also check in with Jay Sweet, Executive Producer of the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals, about why Newport has endured as two of the oldest and most meaningful music festivals, why supporting music education is more important than ever and the joy he feels in evolving the legacy of an organization whose mission makes an impact far beyond the stage. Watch Newport Festivals Foundation’s “ Watch Yasmin Williams’ video featuring Amadou Kouyate RSVP for Listen, Watch & Subscribe: | | |
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Episode 23 - Rufus Wainwright
06/04/2021
Episode 23 - Rufus Wainwright
In celebration of Pride Month, we talk to Rufus Wainwright about his livestreamed concert on June 10th, Rufus Does Judy at Capitol Studios, where he re-creates and celebrates Judy Garland’s classic 1961 Carnegie Hall concert, and shares his thoughts on what it was like to be one of the first openly gay artists when he first emerged on the music scene in the ‘90s. He also talks about family, fatherhood and what the world needs now. We also talk to acclaimed Maine-based singer-songwriter-producer Lady Lamb about how discovering her identity early in life allowed her the freedom of expression to forge her own unique musical path. All this and some valuable advice from our recent ASCAP Experience session on how important video is to releasing new music today. Check out on June 10th. Watch Lady Lamb's film RSVP for . Listen, watch and subscribe on .
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Episode 22 - Elevating Asian Voices
04/09/2021
Episode 22 - Elevating Asian Voices
In response to the recent wave of racism and violence against the Asian American & Pacific Islander communities, this special episode of VERSED is devoted to lifting up our many AAPI songwriters and composers. We invited a diverse group of ASCAP members to give voice to their Asian heritage, and how it has impacted them as music creators and people. You’ll hear from Jihye Lee, Kazi, Amritha Vaz, Nick Lee, Alex Ritchie, Brian Warfield, Trace, Wendy Wang and Will Yip. Our own Brian Reyes also joins to discuss his own experience and shares what ASCAP is doing to #StopAsianHate. Listen, Watch & Subscribe: | | |
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Episode 21 - Amythyst Kiah
02/26/2021
Episode 21 - Amythyst Kiah
As part of ASCAP’s Black History Month celebration, we talk to Amythyst Kiah - the provocative and powerful East Tennessee singer-songwriter and member of the acclaimed Americana supergroup, Our Native Daughters. Last week, Kiah released a new solo recording of her Grammy-nominated song “Black Myself” - and Our Native Daughters has a brand new documentary out on the Smithsonian Channel, called Reclaiming Our History. We also talk to Wayne Barrow, film producer, manager, entrepreneur, and co-founder, along with Mark Pitts, of ByStorm Entertainment about his experience working with the late, great Notorious BIG and the new documentary Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell, dropping on Netflix on March 1st. Then we’ll revisit our recent ASCAP Experience panel which brought together gospel stars Jason Nelson, Erica Campbell of Mary Mary, and Tye Tribbett to discuss how the gospel community has responded to the social and spiritual challenges we face today. Check out more in-depth coverage of celebration. Listen to the official lyric video for Amythyst Kiah’s Watch the trailer for Listen to our conversation with Our Native Daughters' Listen, Watch & Subscribe | | |
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Episode 20 - Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty
01/29/2021
Episode 20 - Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty
We talk with Tony Award winners and Oscar and Grammy nominees Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, best known for their Broadway hits, Ragtime and Once On This Island, about their new song “How Can I Tell You?” that was written for the powerful new documentary, NASRIN, and performed by Angelique Kidjo. They also dig deep into their storied career collaborating on projects for the stage and screen and all the magic moments they've shared along the way. Then Allison Russell, founding member of the acclaimed groups Our Native Daughters and Birds of Chicago, shares the origin of her upcoming debut solo album, which tells the harrowing story of her abusive childhood in a deeply moving, unforgettable song cycle that is ultimately life-affirming. Charlie Sextro, senior programmer for the Sundance Film Festival, also joins us to talk about music-focused films premiering at this year’s fest. Watch the music video for Angelique Kidjo’s performance of ” Watch Allison Russell and other performances at the . Listen, Watch & Subscribe | | |
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Episode 19 - Devon Gilfillian
12/07/2020
Episode 19 - Devon Gilfillian
Devon Gilfillian grew up in Philadelphia on a steady diet of hip-hop, rock, blues and soul music. While soaking up the sounds of his musician father’s favorite music, Gilfillian also developed an appreciation for the beats and vibe of modern rap. He combined it all into his own music and after releasing an electrifying EP in 2016, he got signed to Capitol Records and hit the road performing with the likes of Anderson East, Keith Urban, Gladys Knight, Mavis Staples, Brothers Osborne and more. Now he’s on a roll. Earlier this year he released his debut album, the Grammy-nominated Black Hole Rainbow; he followed it up with a track-by-track cover of Marvin Gaye’s 1971 classic What’s Going On, which helped raise funds for the voting advocacy organization . ASCAP's Beth Brinker talked with Gilfillian just before he received The ASCAP Foundation Leon Brettler Award about getting creative in quarantine, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, finding new purpose in his music and more. PLUS: The ASCAP Foundation's Executive Director Colleen McDonough reveals why the charity's mission is more crucial than ever right now. Then, we get some Sound Advice from Whitney Phillips and Gian Stone, co-writers of the Ariana Grande/Justin Bieber smash "Stuck with U." + event, December 8 at 6pm EST from The ASCAP Experience: Home Edition Listen, Watch & Subscribe | | | |
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Episode 18 - Herb Alpert
11/14/2020
Episode 18 - Herb Alpert
One of the most accomplished artists in the music industry, Herb Alpert has sold over 72 million records and co-founded A&M Records, one of the most successful independent music labels in history and home to such artists as The Carpenters, Quincy Jones, Cat Stevens and Peter Frampton. A brand new documentary, Herb Alpert Is…, directed by John Scheinfeld, provides a passionate and inspiring look at the life and work of Alpert and the incredible impact he’s had on American culture. Trumpet in hand, Herb Alpert first rose to fame in the 1960s with his Latin-flavored group the Tijuana Brass Band and has gone on to earn 15 gold and 14 platinum records. He has won nine Grammys and received the National Medal of Arts from President Obama in 2012. Less known is his striking work as an abstract painter and sculptor. And he was just named “Philanthropist of the Year” by the Los Angeles Business Journal for his significant support of educational programs in the arts nationwide, from the Harlem School of the Arts and UCLA to the annual ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards. Alpert talks to us about his decades-long career, the documentary and what lessons he’s learned - and still learning - on his incredible, artistic journey. Also, award-winning jazz composer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Camille Thurman co-hosts and shares some valuable tips on staying inspired, creative and focused on your craft during the pandemic. Then music biz vet Benjamin Groff explains how to find and develop your identity as an artist. If you want to check out the fantastic new film, Herb Alpert Is… ASCAP and the ASCAP Foundation are thrilled to bring you an exciting opportunity to support the Foundation and entertain yourself in the process. Just use our special to rent and stream the film PLUS watch some exclusive bonus material. 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the ASCAP Foundation to help nurture the music talent of tomorrow. Are you a jazz composer under the age of 30? a new, original work for The ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards, an honor granted annually to encourage talented jazz composers during the earliest stages of their careers. Winning composers will receive a monetary prize. The deadline is December 15, 2020. Check out Benjamin Groff’s first book, - it’s currently available for free. He also has some terrific Teachable courses on songwriting and marketing, which you can find on his website too - he’s offering VERSED listeners 20% off, using code BENJAMIN20. Listen, Watch & Subscribe | | | |
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Episode 17 - Benjamin Lerner
09/24/2020
Episode 17 - Benjamin Lerner
Songwriter, pianist and rapper Benjamin Lerner is the great grandson of Irving Berlin - the songwriter of “God Bless America” and “White Christmas.” Lerner has continued his family’s musical legacy, first as an award-winning classical pianist, then as a promising rapper who collaborated with Raekwon and Mac Miller. But his hip-hop career was halted when Lerner started using hard drugs, eventually becoming a full-blown heroin addict. Now four years sober, Lerner devotes much of his time to helping others through the recovery process. He talks to VERSED about his new album Clean, a fearless narration of his journey from piano prodigy to IV drug addict to recovery advocate - all set to a unique combination of solo piano and rapped vocals. PLUS: We talk to Mollie Farrell from HeadCount, a non-partisan organization that uses the power of music to register voters and promote participation in democracy. At the end of the episode, we’re joined by Loras Schissel of the Library of Congress, who explains why it’s never too early to create an archive of your life as a music creator. + + +
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Episode 16 - Scarypoolparty
09/04/2020
Episode 16 - Scarypoolparty
In 2019, the blazingly talented Alejandro Aranda (aka Scarypoolparty) made the finale of American Idol, and made history by performing more original songs than any previous contestant. It was an amazing achievement for a singer-songwriter-musician who was busking the streets of LA just a year before. Aranda followed it up with a daring debut album, Exit Form, which captured the many facets of his uncompromising muse. The same week he releases the fearlessly creative new EP Doom Hologram, Aranda explains to VERSED what it's like to go your own way after gaining so much public attention. PLUS: we check in with American Idol's music supervisor Robin Kaye, and hear an excerpt from our recent ASCAP Experience session with hit songwriters Dan Wilson and Brandy Clark, doing a deep dive into the art of - what else - songwriting. The , our summer series of virtual programming designed to inspire, educate and connect music creators at all stages of their careers, is available on-demand now. Listen, Watch & Subscribe | | | |
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Episode 15 - Rep. Adam Schiff and Paul Williams
08/07/2020
Episode 15 - Rep. Adam Schiff and Paul Williams
ASCAP President Paul Williams talks to the honorable Congressman Adam Schiff of California, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a great champion of music creator rights, about what Congress is doing to include music professionals in coronavirus relief efforts, the need for federal guidelines on restarting live performances at venues, what’s at stake in the US Department of Justice’s upcoming review of the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees, and how you can join ASCAP in creating positive change for the American music community. This conversation, which took place in July, was part of the , our summer series of virtual programming designed to inspire, educate and connect music creators at all stages of their careers. If you missed any of this great series, you can watch all of the programming on-demand now. Listen, Watch & Subscribe | | | |
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Episode 14 - Du Yun
07/10/2020
Episode 14 - Du Yun
This past February, Pulitzer Prize winner Du Yun premiered her new opera Sweet Land, an ambitious site-specific work that reflects on the way cultures swallow up, resist and intertwine with one other. Two weeks into Sweet Land's initial run, the coronavirus epidemic shut down the production - but not before it was captured on video. Listen to Du Yun talk about this fearlessly creative work, how her Chinese upbringing has impacted her career, and the unexpected gifts of the pandemic. PLUS: ASCAP's Luis Castro tells us about the big news coming out of the ASCAP Latin world this week. is now available for on-demand streaming. Proceeds will help support the cast and crew. Watch past programming and register for free to participate in the Listen, Watch & Subscribe | | | |
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Episode 13 - Honey Davenport
06/19/2020
Episode 13 - Honey Davenport
In celebration of both Black Music Month and Pride Month, we called up the eternally fabulous Honey Davenport - a drag superstar, singer-songwriter and activist who has left an indelible mark on New York’s nightlife and beyond. In their decade-plus entertainment career, they’ve earned 18 pageant crowns, starred in off-Broadway musicals and earned a worldwide audience on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 11. As a black, non-binary performer, Davenport has also been faced with discrimination throughout their career, both within and outside of the drag community. We spoke to Davenport about the role of music in drag culture, their activism in support of the Black and queer communities, and what’s they're doing to stay creative and liberated during quarantine. PLUS: rapper and songwriter Gizzle tells us how she's reacting personally and professionally to the protests and the pandemic.
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Episode 12 - Sundance Songwriters
05/15/2020
Episode 12 - Sundance Songwriters
Just a few short months ago, ASCAP presented its 22nd Annual Sundance ASCAP Music Café at the heart of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The Café featured eight days of performances from visionary recording artists and songwriters from across the musical spectrum. At the time, we spoke with all of our performers in the green room about their craft, career, inspirations and more. We thought we’d share just a few of these conversations as a reminder that creativity was in full force before the coronavirus pandemic began, that it continues to flourish, and as has always been the case in tough times, music is the thing that will help us all get through this together. You'll hear from Cyn, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Matt Berninger of The National, Rain Phoenix, the Ruen Brothers, Ron Artis II, Barry Zito and ZZ Ward. Also, Erik Philbrook talks to ASCAP EVP of Membership John Titta about ASCAP's support for songwriters, composers and music publishers.
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Episode 11 - Techy Fatule
04/17/2020
Episode 11 - Techy Fatule
Singer-songwriter, artist and actress Techy Fatule has lived almost her whole life in the entertainment industry. The daughter of Dominican showman Carlos Alfredo Fatule and writer and motivational speaker Tania Baez, Techy grew up in Santo Domingo in a home filled with music and love for the arts. She studied piano, guitar and honed her skills as a vocalist with the best teachers in the Dominican Republic. She started her career as a child-star in the famous Latin American TV show Don Francisco and graduated from the prestigious Berklee School of Music. Her roles in music theatre include "Belle" in Beauty and The Beast; "Deena Jones" in Dreamgirls and "Maureen Johnson" in Rent to name a few. In addition, she has been cast as the leading actress in three movies. A creative force to be reckoned with, Techy’s debut album A Su Tiempo positioned her as the next up and coming Latin American star. After releasing her second album Capitulo 1 she is getting ready to release Capitulo 2 in October of this year. A dynamic presence on the stage, she has performed and opened concerts for such artists as Juan Luis Guerra, Juanes, Ednita Nazario, Kany Garcia to name just a few. She recently sat down to talk with ASCAP’s Sarah Finegold about the evolution of women in music, balancing being a musician with being a mom, her songwriting approach, her new music and what it means to be Dominican. Also, ASCAP’s Jason Reddick talks about how the music community in Atlanta is faring during the pandemic and the ASCAP Urban team’s new #ASCAPRealSounds Instagram Live series. And from the archives, Latin Grammy-winning producer Linda Briceño talks about the value of working with collaborators who can educate you while you create.
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Episode 10 - Jaren Johnston of The Cadillac Three
03/26/2020
Episode 10 - Jaren Johnston of The Cadillac Three
Jaren Johnston is a Grammy-nominated country songwriter with hit songs for Keith Urban, Tim McGraw and more. He’s also the leader of The Cadillac Three, a great American rock band from Nashville with a new album called Country Fuzz full of kick-ass songs that celebrate southern living. ASCAP’s very own Evyn Mustoe (who knows Jaren better than most – she’s married to the guy) sat down with him a few weeks back to discuss his dual career. Since their interview, Nashville was hit hard by a tornado and the world was hit hard by the coronavirus. We followed up with Jaren to find out how he, his fellow songwriters and Music City are holding up under the circumstances. Erik Philbrook and Etan Rosenbloom also discuss ASCAP’s new website, , a COVID-19 resource center to help music creators through this difficult time. We’ve assembled info on how to preserve your royalty streams and protect your health and well-being, plus resources for financial assistance. We’ll keep updating it over the coming weeks, so check back often. Listen + Subscribe
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Episode 9 - Cassadee Pope
03/06/2020
Episode 9 - Cassadee Pope
Grammy-nominated, Platinum-certified singer-songwriter Cassadee Pope first gained acclaim as lead singer for the pop-punk group Hey Monday, then rose to fame as the winner of Season 3 of The Voice, before transforming into a #1-selling country artist. Throughout her long and winding career, Pope has never stopped pushing herself creatively. For this special International Women's Day episode of VERSED, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker sat down with Pope in Nashville to talk about a whole range of things: from punk to country music, what she does to stay focused and balanced with her busy career and (what else?) the art, craft and joy of songwriting. PLUS: from the ASCAP archives, hit songwriter Priscilla Renea explains why staying true to your authentic creative self can be great for your career.
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