BUSINESS CASUAL: KIRBY SMITH OF WINSONGS

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:

BUSINESS CASUAL: JACEE BADEAUX OF BIG YELLOW DOG PUBLISHING

Q+A with Jacee Badeaux, Creative Director of Big Yellow Dog Publishing. Big Yellow Dog is an independent publishing company in Nashville, of which has developed and signed artists like Maren Morris, Meghan Trainor, Jessie James Decker, Tenille Townes and more.

Q+A

Describe the typical day and / or general duties of a music publisher:

I think what makes this job so exciting is that my day to day is always different. Typically, my day will include listening to new songs, pitching songs, setting up co-writes, and making sure that my writers have everything that they need to succeed. Oh and emails...lots and lots of emails.

What do you look for when signing a new artist or writer?

When looking to sign a writer, I tend to look for someone who is writing music that I can connect with. If I can connect with the song that they have written, whether it makes me happy, sad, mad, or want to dance; then it is likely that others will be able to connect with it as well, and that is really what music is all about.

What are some basic things a writer or artist know when they reach out to a publisher?

I think when you reach out to a publisher, you should make sure they know who you are and who referred you to them, we are not allowed to take unsolicited material, so it is important that we know who the music is coming from. Other than that, writers tend to ask me what I want to hear, and I always tell them that I want to hear what they really love, and what makes them feel.

What should every independent artist or writer be doing no matter what?

I think that every independent artist or writer should be going to shows (when we're not under quarantine). Do your research on other artists and writers and their teams and go support them at their shows. Their team will also probably be at those shows, so you are bound to bump into someone that you could introduce yourself to. The music business, especially in Nashville, is very much a community so just being a part of and around the community and being friendly can open a lot of doors.

Anything you recommend they avoid or don’t do?

When you are out at shows, remember that your reputation is everything and word gets around quickly, so be sure to play it cool and just be friendly.

Any recommendations for artists who do pop, or other music that is not “country” in Nashville. 

I think for any artist/writer in any genre, you should find your crew. Start by writing with your friends and have your friends introduce you to their friends to write and so on. I can not name one artist/writer in town that didn't come up with a crew of people that they continue to stick by to this day.

Describe, in your own words, a ‘hit’ song.

A hit song to me, is something that you feel a strong emotion when you hear it. There are songs that are hits that make me laugh or want to dance, and there are also hits that make me want to cry right there in the driver's seat. They're the ones that when you are feeling a certain way, you immediately know which song to turn to.

Any artist you see crushing it that writers or artists can take notes from?

I am a really big fan of Lewis Capaldi. He is a great example of an artist that is very authentic to himself in all facets of the word. Through his songs, you can hear that he just leaves it all out there for everyone to see and that is inspiring to me and hopefully to other artists/writers to see that you don't have to change yourself to be accepted, by just being unapologetically you, you will gain a lot more fans that resonate with that.