Episode Summary:
Are you focused on making money from your music? Who isn't? In this episode, host Connor Frost takes a step back from the usual "how to make it big" advice to explore the real value of being a musician—experiencing meaningful, life-changing moments that money can’t buy. Connor shares two powerful stories from his own journey as an independent artist and gives you practical steps for embracing your music as a vehicle to connect with the world and others in ways that will last a lifetime.

Key Points Discussed:

• Why Experiences Matter More Than Money:
  Our society often fixates on financial success, but as a musician, the journey is full of experiences that are worth far more than a paycheck.
• Story #1: The Best Show I Ever Played in Taipei, Taiwan
  Connor shares the story of an unforgettable night performing in Taipei—an experience made possible not by a hefty budget, but by taking a chance and putting his music out there.
• Story #2: A 25th Birthday Invitation
  After a quiet show in Pennsylvania, Connor's band gained a loyal fan, Amanda, who later invited him to perform at her birthday party—a unique opportunity that reinforced the value of genuine connections with listeners.
• Two Major Reframes for Artists:
  1. Planning is Overrated: Sometimes, the best moments happen when you let your music guide you instead of trying to control every outcome.
  2. Seek Experiences First, Money Second: Focusing on genuine connections can often lead to unexpected opportunities, including paid ones.

Actionable Steps to Create Your Own Memorable Experiences:

1. Put Yourself Out There
   • Attend an open mic, reach out to other artists, or release a song you’ve been holding back.
2. Nurture Connections
   • Keep in touch with the people you meet—building relationships can lead to lifelong supporters and surprising opportunities.
3. Embrace the Journey
   • Repeat steps one and two and let go of rigid planning. Embrace every unique, unexpected, or even strange opportunity that comes your way.

Follow Along with Connor’s Music Journey:
Connor is documenting his single release process in his newsletter, with his upcoming single dropping on December 13th. Get unfiltered insights by subscribing at connorfrost.com/vaultpodcast.

Listener Invitation:
If this episode resonated with you, Connor would love to hear from you! Leave a review, or shoot him a DM on Instagram at @ConnorLFrost to share your thoughts or your own experiences in music.

Episode Summary: In this episode of Dear Songwriter, we dive into the art of storytelling in songwriting. Host Connor Lin Frost explores how Noah Kahan, a popular folk-influenced pop artist, uses three key songwriting techniques to elevate his music. You'll learn how to incorporate these tools into your own songs to create stronger, more compelling lyrics.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Detailed Two-Part Chorus
   Noah Kahan breaks from the norm by creating choruses that are more intricate and story-driven. This method helps progress the narrative without sacrificing the listener's ability to sing along. Conor analyzes the chorus from Kahan's song Dial Drunk to illustrate this point.
2. Wordplay
   The clever use of language—whether through alliteration or reinterpreting meanings—can add depth and catchiness to your lyrics. Conor uses examples from Kahan's songs Homesick and Dial Drunk to show how wordplay can advance a story in just a few concise lines.
3. The Dialogue Bridge
   Lyrics that mimic real-life conversation help immerse the listener into the song's world. Conor highlights how Kahan employs direct address in Dial Drunk's bridge to create a genuine dialogue between two characters, enhancing the emotional impact of the song.

Actionable Challenge: Try incorporating one of these techniques into your next song. Choose between a detailed two-part chorus, clever wordplay, or a dialogue bridge to elevate your storytelling.

Listener Engagement: We’d love your feedback! Do you enjoy these episodes? Are they too detailed, or not detailed enough? Shoot Connor a DM on Instagram @ConnorLFrost and share your thoughts in 3-5 sentences.

Resources Mentioned:

• Noah Kahan's songs: Dial Drunk, Stick Season, and Homesick
• Machine Gun Kelly’s song: Emo Girl

Thank You for Listening!
Make sure to subscribe to Dear Songwriter for more songwriting tips, and as always, happy writing!

Feeling frustrated with your home vocal recordings? You're not alone! In this episode, I share my personal journey and the biggest lessons I learned while recording vocals at home for the first time. From overcoming perfectionism to fine-tuning your process, these insights will help you produce better-sounding vocals and make your home recording experience more fulfilling. Whether you're struggling with dry, flat vocals or just looking for tips on vocal production, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

1. Record Section by Section:
   • Forget the idea of nailing the vocal in one take. Recording vocals piece by piece, starting with the verses, allows for better control and consistency. Don’t be afraid to copy and paste choruses if needed.
2. Edit as You Go:
   • Save time and avoid perfectionism by editing while recording. This method keeps your digital workspace tidy and encourages quick decision-making.
3. Imperfections Can Be a Strength:
   • Don't obsess over hitting every note perfectly. Slight imperfections in your voice add character to the performance, and pitch correction can be done during editing.
4. You’re Your Harshest Critic:
   • It’s easy to be overly critical of your voice, but remember, listeners might love the unique qualities that you’re so critical of. Trust yourself, make decisions, and know when to call it done.

Free Resource:
Need help turning your voice memo ideas into finished tracks? Book a Just Start Call with me! Let’s discuss your goals and see if we’re a good fit to work together.
🔗 connorfrost.com/startcall

Connect with Me:

• Website: connorfrost.com
• Instagram: @connorlfrost

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe!

Until next week, happy writing! 🎶