SongHubs 2017

SONGHUBS2017 WAS EVERYTHING I COULD HAVE HOPED FOR ✔️

To be completely honest with you, I didn’t know what to expect, this being my first year attending SongHubs. After four days (I attended three), listening to songwriters speak about their personal experiences and how their careers came to be, I left feeling truly inspired.

Tuesday 28th February 2017
SONGWRITER: MIKE ELIZONDO
(pictured far left)

Microphone in hand and ready to start speaking to a full room of eager listeners, Mike Elizondo struck me as a happy man.

Mike spoke on the importance of collaboration, of trusting your gut when making decisions, and the lessons he had learned over time, working alongside Dr. Dre.

Among many other things, Mike discussed the inner workings of what a songwriting session looks like in his circle, shedding light on how he works his writing splits in a collaborative writing situation.

Side note: Least stressed looking man I have ever seen.

Wednesday 1st March 2017
SONGWRITER: Emily Warren
(pictured 2nd from left)

The words ‘talented’ ‘funny’ and ’empowered’ come to mind when listening to Emily Warren speak at SongHubs. Only 24, she has achieved so much already. The perfect example being the Grammy she took home for her work with Chainsmokers on their catchy tune ‘Don’t Let Me Down’.

Emily spoke about staying true to oneself musically and about her experience as a woman in a largely male dominated industry. Emily also spoke on her early days as a songwriter and how she came to work with well known producer Dr. Luke.

Side note: Awesome listening to Emily share some of her many experiences, a truly lovely human being.

Thursday 2nd March 2017
SONGWRITER: James Newman
(pictured thrid from left)

Quality sense of humour, loud shirt and an English accent – it was a pleasure meeting James Newman at SongHubs 2017.

Not only because I think the song he wrote with Rudimental titled ‘Waiting All Night ft. Ella Eyre’ is 100% epic or because he has worked with two of my favourite artists alive (Ed Sheeran and John Newman – who happens to be his brother), but because of how genuine James was when I was speaking to him after his presentation.

During his session James spoke about how he came to work with Rudimental, his earlier, less positive experiences with the business side of the music industry compared to the mostly positive today, and why he likes to collaborate with other artists. He also gave us an insight into what colloaboration looks like for him.

James also spoke about how he’d had a dream to work in the music industry and how, despite working for years in a restauraunt, he never gave up.

Side note: Good dude.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Great to have taken part and grateful to those that made it possible. Inspired by some of the information that was covered during SongHubs 2017, my personal goals seem that much more achievable. I’m looking at collaboration with fresh eyes (which is exciting) and wanting to connect with more musicians and creatives in the music industry. They are great company!

Facilitator of the event, Victoria Kelly of APRA AMCOS New Zealand – Thank you for asking the questions that I wish I had thought to ask. We loved hearing the responses. You made made the guests feel at ease and by the end of the last session you had a fresh, and fabulously original, tattoo with a great back story!

Thank you for all of your hard work.

And thank you to everyone involved in making this event possible, you guys rock.

“SongHubs is an APRA AMCOS initiative, supported by the Federal Government of Australia. In addition to APRA AMCOS, SongHubs Auckland has been made possible with the support of NZ On Air, Auckland Council, Recorded Music NZ and the New Zealand Music Commission.”

Much Love
Abz x

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