Q+A with Kirby Smith, Creative Director for Winsongs; a premiere independent music publishing company in Nashville, founded by multi #1 songwriter, Chris Destefano.
Q+A
As a Creative Director of an independent publishing company, describe your typical day:
The day beings as I am sure everyone else's does by checking my e mail. All of our writes usually start at 11am, so I make sure I am available from 10am-11am in case there are any problems with the write. (people not being able to find the location, zoom link not working, writers running late, etc). General tasks include scheduling and confirming all writes, listening through catalog, and cataloging new songs. My afternoons usually consist of pitch meetings where I either zoom or go to the offices of Managers, A&Rs, Producers, and etc. Here I play them songs for the artists they are looking for. In these meetings you usually get one of three responses - a pass (which means they do not think the song fits the artist), a copy (they would like to take a copy to be able to listen again), or a hold (this means that they would like to keep this song on a short list of potential songs the artist will record). The end of the day is spent sending out songs from my meetings earlier, and confirming address, location, and time for the writes the next day.
What do you look for when signing a new artist or writer?
When signing a new artist or writer I look for someone that can really bring something to the table. I am interested in sounds and lyrics that stand out from the crowd – people who aren’t afraid to try something different and are sure of who they are as an artist or writer. If you are always chasing a sound you are never going to get there.
When someone reaches out to a publisher - what are the things they should include in their email or avoid?
It is always best if you have a middle man sending me your info rather than just directly. Publishers are more likely to listen when they have a connection. For example someone at your PRO is the perfect person to send me songs. If you do not have one, avoid sending too many e mails, and do not be offended if we do not respond. If we think the song is good enough it will warrant a response!
What should every independent artist or writer be doing no matter what?
Every independent artist/writer needs to be creating a crew or getting into a crew. Writers talk and other writers can do just as much for you as a publisher can. This takes experimenting with different writers and not being afraid to get out of your comfort zone. When an artist/writer already has a crew around them – us publishers know we can trust them and they want this career just as much as we want it for them.
Anything you recommend they don’t do?
Don’t over saturate yourself. You never want to be that person that is playing live ALL the time. That makes us publishers think that there must be a reason “they aren’t signed yet.”
Any recommendations for artists who do pop, or other music that is not “country” in Nashville.
The pop scene in Nashville is exploding! Similar to what I said earlier I really encourage you to get a crew around you of people you work well with. There are SO many independent pop artists in Nashville right now, reaching out and writing with them is a great start.
Describe a hit song:
A hit song is one that can stand the test of time. There are lots of songs that do well, but in a few years we won’t remember them. A true hit song will be relatable 20 years from now.
Any artist you see ‘crushing it’ that they can take notes from?
No surprise here but Luke Combs is the perfect example of an artist/writer who absolutely crushes it. He still writes with this crew to this day. He didn’t waver or change his sound to fit the mold, and people love him for it.
Anything you want to hype up with your current company or writers?
Check out Eric Van Houten’s single “Sundays Never End” and Chase Fouraker’s song “Deserve”
SONGS WRITTEN BY CHRIS DESTEFANO:
