And The Writer Is...with Ross Golan

Today’s guest is the frontman of one of the most defining bands of the 2010s — a songwriter whose voice helped shape an era of alternative pop that still echoes today. Before arenas. Before permanence. Before “Sweater Weather” became cultural shorthand. Now, after over a decade of hits, reinvention, and evolution, he looks back on the long arc of The Neighbourhood with clarity — and with honesty about what success did and didn’t solve. And The Writer Is… Jesse Rutherford of The Neighbourhood! In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Jesse opens up about: • Growing up in the industry before he understood it • The unlikely formation and endurance of The Neighbourhood • His journey through childhood acting, getting discovered, + losing his dad on the brink of success • The advice he’d give himself before it worked • And much more… Hit subscribe and turn on notifications. Every week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music. Follow us on socials: @andthewriteris A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:09 I Never Wanted To Be Alternative 4:02 Why Thousand Oaks Produces Massive Bands 7:39 Becoming a Child Actor at 6 8:35 “My Self-Worth Is Tied to Entertaining” 9:55 Discovered in a Movie Theater at 5 14:16 Reconnecting With His Dad Before He Passed 17:28 Success Without the Fame He Expected 27:10 High School Metalcore Bands 33:17 How The Neighbourhood Formed 36:06 The First Riff of “Sweater Weather” 40:00 Getting Discovered Online by Their Manager 44:23 His Manager’s Warning… 47:20 Writing the Lyrics to “Sweater Weather” 48:42 Pop Writing Rules 55:23 Learning to Let Go of Instant Validation 59:32 Daddy Issues 1:02:30Watching Your Own Lyrics Affect Relationships 1:10:01 Why He Needs Alone Time 1:10:23 Feeling Invisible, the “Chip Chrome” Era 1:11:17 Touring the Same Venues & The Plateau Feeling 1:12:31 Why Chip Chrome Became His Favorite Creative Risk 1:13:48 “You’ve Got to Get People to Look to Listen” 1:16:00 Creative Direction as Identity Control 1:19:30 Self-Sabotage vs Reinvention 1:32:00 Band Brotherhood & Growing Up Together 1:36:00 Legacy, Impact & What Really Matters 1:41:00 Advice to His Younger Self Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London & Jad Saad Edited by Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Watercolor Art by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is a Grammy-winning songwriter, global pop architect, and one of the most quietly influential voices shaping modern music across borders. Before the world heard her voice, EJAE spent years training inside the K-pop system — learning discipline, structure, and endurance long before recognition ever arrived. When the system didn’t know what to do with her, she pivoted. Slowly. Intentionally. And built a career that would eventually be heard everywhere. Now, as a songwriter whose work spans K-pop, pop, animation, and beyond — and as an artist stepping into her own voice — EJAE represents a different kind of success: one built patiently, shaped by pressure, and defined by longevity rather than speed. And The Writer Is… EJAE. In this episode of And The Writer Is…, EJAE opens up about: And much more… Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications. Every week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music. Follow us on socials: @andthewriteris A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:30 Early life & finding music 6:10 Inside K-Pop training 9:00 Ejae's writing process... 28:00 Rejection from auditioning to be a K-Pop Idol... and $5 Karaoke training to pass. 41:00 Ejae sings her first song 41:37 Sponsor Spotlight: NMPA 42:18 Sponsor Spotlight: Splice 14:45 Discipline, pressure, and identity 23:20 Being let go by the system 30:40 Rebuilding in isolation 39:15 Discovering songwriting as power 50:00 K-Pop's ultimate evaluation: Auditioning to debut 50:37 Ejae's rejection and rock bottom... and the pivot that would change everything 56:10 Global songs & delayed recognition 1:00:00 How she wrote her first songs 1:04:00 Writing her first song for film 1:07:00 Writing 'Psycho' for Red Velvet at her first session 1:13:00 K-Pop vs Pop music... And the reference to 'Psycho' 1:14:00 K-Pop Demon Hunters 1:20:00 The story behind 'Golden' 1:26:00 The original 'Golden' voice memo... 1:30:00 The process of co-writing the songs for K-Pop Demon Hunters Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London & Jad Saad Creative Directed by Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Watercolor Art by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is a festival headliner, Grammy-winning songwriter, and the architect of a sound that accidentally changed the course of folk, country, and alternative music forever. From singing as a family around a kitchen table to headlining arenas with banjos and mandolins, Marcus Mumford built something no one saw coming — and has spent years learning not to get in his own way once the stakes got real. Now, as a solo artist and band leader, he's as honest about the creative process as he is about the pitfalls of ego, overthinking, and the quiet ways success can sabotage itself. And The Writer Is... Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons! In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Marcus opens up about: Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications... Every week we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music. Follow us on socials at @andthewriteris A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:00 Desert Island Mix: Radiohead 3:00 The Greatest Band of All Time? 7:00 A Hilarious Story About Bob Dylan — His Songwriting Grandfather 11:00 How Mumford & Sons Structured Equal Ownership 13:35 How Mumford & Sons Writes Music 17:00 Where Great Music Comes From 18:35 His Songwriting Ethos: "Catching Fairies" 22:00 Favorite Poetry and Getting Lost in Words Before Writing 23:46 Childhood 25:00 Growing Up in Church 33:50 Why Drummers Make the Best Producers 50:00 Testing Demos on the Road 52:00 Working on His Solo Record 58:00 The Empowering Pharrell Story 1:03:00 The Chris Martin Story 1:05:00 Rapid Fire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is a multi-platinum DJ, producer, and songwriter who turned personal devastation into one of electronic music's most emotionally resonant careers. From opioid addiction in high school to wilderness therapy at rock bottom, he rebuilt his entire life in Denver—sober, alone, and teaching himself music theory from scratch. Now 13 years clean, he's become a voice for mental health in a scene built on excess, collaborating with Jon Bellion, Halsey, Teddy Swims, and countless others to create music that connects survivors. His latest album, Odyssey, is a cinematic journey through heartbreak, recovery, and the sessions that saved his life. And The Writer Is... Illenium! In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Nick Miller (Illenium) opens up about: * Moving every two years as a kid and never having roots * Falling into opiates at 15 and hitting bottom by 2011 * Moving to Denver alone and getting sober at 21 * The Good Things Fall Apart session (and demo) * How music saved his life entirely and much more... Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications... Every week we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music. Follow us on socials at @andthewriteris A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:00 Childhood and Moving Every Two Years 5:00 Getting Into Music Through Tiesto's Album 6:30 The Electronic Artist That Inspires Industry Musicians 9:00 Getting Sober—His Rough Patch in 2011 10:00 Escapism and Addiction 12:30 The Wilderness Program That Saved His Life 16:30 Getting Lost in Music and How He Learned to Create 17:30 Illenium's Roots 18:00 Learning From Other Producers and YouTube 20:00 Thinking of Sound as a Picture 21:00 World Building and Finding His Brand… and His Purpose 23:00 Ross Opens Up on How Music Saved Him 24:00 The Personality Trait All Successful Creatives Have 26:00 How He Popped Off 31:00 Working With Unknown Artists and How He Picks Them 33:00 How to Find Your Sound 34:30 NMPA and Splice Midroll 41:00 Touring—The Downs After a Show 44:00 Good Things Fall Apart 47:00 Collaboration in DJ Culture 49:00 Why He Doesn't Chase Big Songs 54:24 COVID 1:13:00 Gaming on Tour 1:17:00 Good Things Fall Apart Demo Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Creative Direction by Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Guest Watercolor Art by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is a Grammy-winning songwriter, producer, and performer, best known as one-third of The Smeezingtons and a foundational creative force behind Bruno Mars’ career. He has co-written and helped shape some of the most influential pop songs of the last two decades, including Just the Way You Are, Billionaire, Locked Out of Heaven, When I Was Your Man, 24K Magic, Nothin’ on You, and many more... And The Writer Is... Bruno Mars! In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Philip Lawrence tells his story in full—for the first time - How a $5 bus pass led to Bruno Mars - The hidden cost of early success - Real stories behind pop’s biggest records - The pivot that made everything 'click' - A breakdown at the peak—and the call that brought him back and much more... A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 0:00 – Intro 4:00 – “I Just Might” and Bruno Mars 10:31 – Childhood and Not Feeling Good Enough 14:00 – Early Career 20:00 – Leaving School and Auditioning for Disney 26:00 – The Disney Break Room: The Beginning of His Journey 27:00 – His First Session 30:00 – Meeting Steven Seagal 34:00 – Moving to LA 37:09 – Losing Everything He Had So Far 39:00 – Finding His Manager 43:00 – Finding His Way Through the Industry 44:42 – His Ego Death 45:50 – The Pivot That Really Started His Career 46:50 – Be Friends With All the Assistants 47:20 – NMPA & Splice 48:45 – How to Write for Radio 49:30 – Developing His Songwriting Ethos 50:29 – Spending His Last $5 to Meet Bruno Mars (Before He Was Bruno Mars) 1:05:09 – How Bruno Stayed on His Early Hook Placements 1:07:28 – The Story of Nothin’ on You 1:09:20 – Billionaire 1:11:50 – Just the Way You Are 1:19:15 – Talking to the Moon 1:20:49 – Ross’s CeeLo Story 1:23:00 – “F*** You” Was Not Supposed to Happen 1:28:00 – How Locked Out of Heaven Happened 1:33:22 – When I Was Your Man // Flowers (Miley Cyrus) 1:36:50 – Five Songs He Wishes He Wrote 1:38:34 – 24K Magic 1:40:36 – His Breakdown at the Peak of Success 1:48:45 – The Comeback Phone Call With Bruno 1:50:18 – APT 1:52:39 – Advice for Songwriters + Rapid-Fire Questions Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest has quietly shaped the sound of a generation. He has written and produced some of the biggest songs of the last 15 years—from One Direction's "Story of My Life" to Niall Horan's "Slow Hands," Sabrina Carpenter's "Taste", Teddy Swims' "Lose Control," and Olivia Dean's "So Easy to Fall in Love." A true songwriter's songwriter, John Ryan doesn't just chase hits—he shapes careers, defines sounds, and knows exactly when inspiration is knocking. In this episode, John breaks down what it really takes to stay relevant across multiple eras, why authenticity always wins, and how he went from a Berklee kid living in his manager's parents' house to becoming one of the most trusted voices in pop music. We talk about: - The hardest years of his career - The real batting rate of the best songwriters - Meeting Sabrina Carpenter and Teddy Swims - Working with One Direction and losing Liam - Gems upon GEMS for up and coming musicians, songwriters, and producers and a special live performance of some of his biggest hits. A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 00:00 Intro: John Ryan 02:30 How John Got Into the Music Industry 06:30 Songs from Eighth Grade & Writing Early 10:30 Writing Like a Kid Again (The Picasso Effect) 13:00 Berklee, Pro Tools & Learning the Craft 17:00 How Many Songs Actually Make It Out? 19:30 Maroon 5’s “Cold” 21:30 Niall Horan: From One Direction to Solo Artist 24:15 The Lowest Point of His Career 26:00 The Realization That Saved Him 28:00 Meeting Teddy Swims & Sabrina Carpenter 31:00 Social Media, Virality & “I Don’t Have That on My Phone” 33:30 Writing “Heaven” with Niall Horan 34:00 Sabrina Carpenter’s “Feather” 36:00 Stop Chasing Numbers. Start Betting on People 38:00 Co-Writing with Amy Allen 41:56 How John Ryan Produces Songs 44:50 Country Music & Expanding Taste 47:20 Liam Payne 51:03 Olivia Dean – “So Easy to Fall in Love” 56:45 John Ryan’s Take on Collaboration 58:50 Writing “Tears” with Sabrina Carpenter 59:40 Managing Life, Energy & Relationships 1:02:01 “Steal My Girl” & “Night Changes” Should’ve Been Bigger 1:04:52 Choosing Great People Over “Sure Things” 1:07:00 John Plays & Sings His Hits 1:20:00 Why 10,000 Hours Isn’t Enough 1:21:06 GEM: Ruthlessly A/B Your Music to Get Better Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Edited by Jad Saad Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest isn’t just a living legend. He’s one of the architects of modern music. As a songwriter and producer, he’s discovered artists, shaped careers, and defined entire eras. This one is required listening. A once-in-a-generation legendary hybrid of songwriting and production, And The Writer Is... David Foster! In this episode, David breaks down what actually makes music last, the cost of greatness, and what it really takes to survive and stay relevant in the music business over decades, not moments. Not to mention his best advice for people in the business right now... We talk songwriting vs. production, discovering artists like Céline Dion and Michael Bublé, working with legends like Whitney Houston and Paul McCartney, the mistakes artists make chasing hits, and why longevity matters more than hype. Oh, and the only artist who could pull him out of retirement... A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters: 00:00 Mount Rushmore of Producers 02:00 Canadians 03:42 David Foster’s Parents 05:23 Discovering Perfect Pitch 07:03 Musical Roots and Learning Jazz 07:40 Jazz Voicings Explained 10:24 “Leave Songwriters Alone” – Publishing Talk 11:20 Writing His First Songs 12:21 Advice He’d Give His Younger Self 17:00 David Foster’s Trick for Reading People 17:58 Surviving a Plane Crash 20:22 The Start of His Early Career 22:00 Is “Africa” by Toto a Perfect Song? 27:20 The Greatest Songwriters Ever 30:25 Kanye West’s “Through the Wire” Sample Story 32:27 Songwriting vs Sampling (Blurred Lines Case) 34:21 His Documentary, Workflow, and Band Relationships 38:53 How David Foster Writes Songs 42:42 How Seven People Write One Song 43:39 Presented by NMPA & Splice 48:19 The Critical Mistake in “Uptown Funk” 49:49 “Unforgettable” with Nat King Cole 51:08 Paul McCartney 55:17 Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” 57:10 Top Five Singers He’s Worked With 59:06 Discovering Céline Dion 59:56 How David Foster Sees His Life 1:05:13 What Makes a Song Great? 1:09:40 The “Nashville No” 1:11:51 The Arc: A Holistic Approach to Songwriting 1:12:42 Discovering Michael Bublé 1:15:29 Star vs Superstar 1:16:39 Andrea Bocelli & Josh Groban 1:19:04 The Cost of Greatness 1:19:46 How to Make It in the Music Business 1:24:11 Family Life (Katharine McPhee & Kids) 1:25:50 “I Told Céline the Titanic Song Would Ruin Her Career” 1:31:01 Songs He Wishes He Wrote 1:31:39 Artists He Passed On Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Post production by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And The Writer Is... Diplo! This episode isn’t about hits. It’s about how culture actually gets made. Taste, burnout, and building culture without permission. From growing up in Florida crate-digging scenes no one cared about, to turning underground instincts into global movements, Diplo breaks down the uncomfortable truth behind longevity in music: following your taste when everyone else wants safety. We get into: The real physical and mental toll of nonstop touring in a world that never shuts off The power of branding and how he did it (and why you have to, to) Breaking scenes before they’re acceptable Burning out, disappearing, and rebuilding without chasing relevance Why instinct beats public approval every single time And the reality of turning risk into influence and underground energy into global impact This episode is for anyone building anything. Thank you for listening A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters 00:00 – Diplo Is Here 01:02 – Episode Intro 01:45 – AI, Sora, and the Future 03:18 – How Diplo Uses AI in Music 06:15 – Using Prompts to Produce 07:44 – How Diplo Got Into Music 10:32 – How Ross and Diplo Met 14:05 – Life as a World-Touring DJ 16:04 – Dr. Luke Signed Me to Steal My Drums 16:36 – Diplo’s Origin Story 17:13 – Riff Raff, Culture, and Being Hated 18:43 – Making “Where Are Ü Now” 20:04 – Creating Jack Ü with Skrillex 21:37 – Orlando DJ Gigs to Philadelphia 24:33 – First Session with Vybz Kartel 27:23 – Branding, the Internet, and Selling Mixtapes 35:01 – The Story of “Paper Planes” (M.I.A.) 36:44 – How to Find Success in Music 37:57 – NMPA + Splice (Sponsors) 39:25 – “Climax” and Finding His Strengths 43:54 – Why He Started Mad Decent 46:41 – Learning Music and the Birth of Major Lazer 49:30 – The Story of “Lean On” 53:04 – Diplo’s Cheat Code for Creating Fearlessly 54:06 – Country Music 55:28 – “Heartless” and Morgan Wallen 56:19 – Collaborator Rapid Fire 1:00:28 – Diplo’s Branding Advice 1:03:32 – Charli XCX 1:05:00 – How He Doesn’t Lose Himself on Tour 1:06:59 – Nothing Is Perfect. Everything Gets Better. 1:07:19 – Diplo’s Run Club 1:08:00 – Diplo’s Final Advice Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Post Production by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And The Writer Is… Alex Warren. Alex joins the podcast to talk openly about resilience, finding his voice, and what it actually takes to turn pain into songs that connect. In this episode, he breaks down: And the single most powerful way to get your music heard against all odds.. This ones about humble beginnings, trusting your voice when no one will listen, and learning how to write your way out of survival mode. A special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishers’ Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest didn’t just enter the music industry — he grew up inside it. He isn’t just a Grammy-winning producer or a respected solo artist. He’s one of the rare creatives who’s built a career rooted in loyalty, advocacy, and taste — while learning in public and evolving in real time. And The Writer Is… FINNEAS! In this episode, he breaks down: Growing up in the industry without losing your footing The quiet flaw baked into today’s music industry — and the one trait he’s seen in every truly exceptional artist Loyalty over leverage — and why relationships still matter Advocating for artists when you already have a seat at the table Learning as you go without pretending you have it all figured out This one is grounded and essential for anyone trying to build something that actually lasts. A special thank you to our sponsors... Our lead sponsor, NMPA aka the National Music Publisher's Association. Your support means the world to us! And @splice the best sample library on the market, period. Chapters 0:00:00 Teaser 0:02:37 What FINNEAS Would Change About the Music Industry 0:07:40 “What Do You Do?” Identity & Being Multihyphenate 0:08:54 Why taste beats momentum 0:10:51 FINNEAS & Ashe (Not Just a Band Name) 0:12:51 From Workaholism to Efficiency 0:14:17 Tools, Shortcuts & Speed in the Studio 0:16:13 Him and Billie and Their Creative Differences 0:20:11 Stage Fright, SNL & Performing Under Pressure 0:24:23 Writing Songs for Film vs Albums 0:27:49 Writing “What Was I Made For? 0:30:46 Writing Honest Lyrics in LA 0:32:48 Parenting, Legacy & Keeping Ego Out of the House 0:36:42 Creative Endurance: Why some artists last and others disappear 0:38:57 Homeschooling, Childhood & Creative Freedom 0:41:46 Professionalism as a Creative Advantage 0:44:42 Why some songs don’t belong — and that’s okay 0:46:45 Artists FINNEAS Would Love to Work With 0:48:46 How Not to Chase Trends: Why reference points should be old, weird, and far away 0:51:13 Albums Worth Sitting With: Listening deeply 0:53:06 Honesty, Family & Creative Trust 0:58:14 Love, Partnership & Sustaining Ambition 1:01:36 The Lowest Point of His Career 1:04:57 Separating Your Work From Your Worth 1:08:14 Knowing When to Pivot (Without Panicking) 1:11:04 Taste as a Long-Term Advantage 1:14:34 The Myth of Doing It All Yourself 1:17:55 Why Some Artists Plateau 1:21:11 Endurance vs Intensity: Why longevity favors consistency 1:24:33 Avoiding burnout in a high-output career 1:28:01 Creative Confidence Without Arrogance 1:31:14 Aging in the Industry While Staying Curious: Why relevance comes from curiosity, not youth 1:34:36 Learning to Say No 1:38:08 Fear as a Creative Signal 1:41:36 Advice to His Younger Self 1:45:01 What Still Excites Him About Music 1:48:33 Redefining a Successful Career 1:51:58 Building something that lasts without losing yourself Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Edit by Jad Saad Post Production by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest has carved out one of the most improbable creative legacies of his generation — commanding animation, comedy, film, and orchestral music with the same relentless discipline and near-obsessive craft. What began as a kid sketching characters in his bedroom grew into a fight to build Family Guy on his own terms… and eventually into Grammy-nominated big-band records that honor the very foundations of American music. And The Writer Is... Seth MacFarlane! On this episode, Seth breaks down the discipline, taste, and obsessive craft that shaped his creative life… and the standards he refuses to compromise, no matter the project. Dive deep into his roots, heroes, influences, and biggest challenges building his creative legacy. A special thank you to our sponsors... Our lead sponsor, NMPA, aka the National Music Publisher’s Association. Your support means the world to us! And @splice — the best sample library on the market, period. Chapter list: 0:00:00 – Teaser 0:01:06 – Welcome & Episode Intro 0:03:12 – Seth’s Early Creative Roots: Drawing, Music & Comedy 0:08:40 – Developing Discipline as a Young Artist 0:12:55 – The First Breakthroughs in Animation 0:16:33 – Fighting for Family Guy and Holding the Vision 0:18:15 – The Influence of 80s TV Scores and John Williams 0:21:48 – How Taste Shapes Every Creative Decision 0:25:30 – The Craft Behind Writing Comedy That Lasts 0:30:02 – Why Orchestration Matters So Deeply to Him 0:34:44 – Recording His Sinatra Albums & The Pursuit of Precision 0:38:55 – Balancing Film, TV & Music at a High Level 0:43:22 – Obsession, Work Ethic & Sustaining a Long Creative Career 0:45:45 – Diving into the Rat Pack Era and Vocal Legends 0:47:14 – Collaboration, Standards & Protecting the Work 0:52:33 – What He’s Learned About Longevity in Entertainment 0:56:26 – The Role of Curiosity in Every Chapter of His Career 1:00:08 – The Mindset Behind Creative Risk 1:03:03 – His Advice for Multi-Hyphenate Creators 1:05:23 – Seth’s Final Message to Artists 1:07:19 – Closing Thoughts 1:09:30 – Navigating Fame, Fan Encounters, and Meeting Icons Like John Williams & William Shatner 1:15:45 – Final Appreciation for Preserving Classic Music Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Watercolor by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is the producer behind some of the biggest songs of the last 15 years — from “Wrecking Ball,” “Timber,” and “Dark Horse” to early records with The Weeknd and Britney Spears. From teaching himself production on cracked software and vinyl turntables… to going on a run of genre-defining hits. And the writer is… Cirkut! In this episode, he opens up about his early grind, the moment Britney cut his beat, his first sessions in LA, working alongside Max Martin and Dr. Luke, and the mindset that helped him go from unknown kid with an MPC to one of the most important producers in modern pop. A special thank you to our sponsors... Our lead sponsor, NMPA aka the National Music Publisher's Association. Your support means the world to us! And @splice -- the best sample library on the market, period. 00:00 — Intro: Who is Cirkut? 00:04:37 — Early music influences: hip-hop, DJ culture 00:05:49 — Discovering DJ gear & beat manipulation 00:07:55 — First exposure to FruityLoops & early production 00:10:24 — DJ’ing pep rallies with vinyl 00:12:36 — Applying early skills later for Lady Gaga 00:14:14 — Skipping audio classes to make beats 00:16:46 — Early Drake encounter in Toronto 00:18:40 — How the name “Cirkut” was born 00:21:35 — How a CD of his beats got to Britney Spears 00:22:10 — First big cut: Britney’s “Papi” 00:23:01 — Discovering electronic music & the blog era 00:23:49 — Learning from Masterkraft (the MySpace era) 00:33:00 — Working with The Weeknd on “High For This” 00:33:57 — Recognizing Abel’s early greatness 00:35:06 — Moving to LA & hustling through the rat race 00:38:49 — What finally got him out of the rat race 00:39:33 — The call from Dr. Luke 00:41:11 — The Flo Rida / Levels / Good Feeling near-miss 00:42:37 — Losing a big cut overnight 00:43:19 — When the hits start stacking: “Where Have You Been,” “Wrecking Ball,” “Timber” 00:44:48 — The thing he brought that cut through the noise 00:47:18 — What it’s like creating with Max Martin 00:49:36 — Winning Producer of the Year (Junos) 00:50:17 — When Cirkut realized he belonged at the top 00:52:04 — Why his ego is different 00:53:15 — His quiet superpower in the room Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Watercolor by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest went from making songs on a floppy-disk keyboard, sampling off a Kellogg’s cereal box DAW, and sending blind MySpace messages… to producing the some of the biggest crossover dance anthems of the last decade. And The Writer Is... Zedd! What makes this conversation special isn’t just the hits — it’s how brutally honest he is about the craft, the obsession, and the unexpected moments that built his career. A special thank you to our sponsors... Our lead sponsor, NMPA aka the National Music Publisher's Association. Your support means the world to us! And @splice -- the best sample library on the market, period. Chapters: 0:00:00 – Teaser 0:01:06 – Welcome & Episode Intro 35:58 – Zedd on Never Thinking He’d Be Successful 25:41 – Growing Up Poor & Studying One Album a Month 18:01 – The Kellogg’s DAW That Started Everything 15:33 – Learning Music on a 16-Track Floppy-Disk Keyboard 30:44 – Why He Thought EDM Was a Joke at First 38:12 – The Skrillex MySpace Story That Changed His Life 31:25 – Finding His Sound Through Curiosity & Obsession 47:14 – The “Lightning Moment” Behind Clarity 59:34 – Being Wrong More Often Than Right 1:03:03 – Why Most Music Feels the Same Today 1:03:37 – Extraordinary vs. Average: What Listeners Actually Feel 1:00:08 – “All I’m Doing Is Chasing a Feeling” 56:26 – The Chaos Behind Making The Middle 1:00:47 – Realizing the Scale of His Own Success 28:23 – What It Takes to Stay Inspired 6:48 – The Creative Principles He Still Lives By 41:22 – The Fastest Way for Artists to Get Noticed 1:05:23 – Zedd’s Final Advice for Musicians 1:07:19 – Closing Thoughts Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Watercolor by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest has rewired modern hip-hop. His fingerprints live all over the last decade but the real story behind that success is far more human, painful, and transformative than the headlines ever show. In this conversation, he opens up about the highs and lows of being a producer in hip-hop: the pressure, the politics, the contracts, the moments that nearly broke him, and the breakthroughs that almost didn’t happen. He also shares the lessons shaped by fatherhood, betrayal, and real perseverance — all while creating some of the most important and culture-defining music of our time. And The Writer Is... Hitboy! A special thank you to our sponsors... Our lead sponsor, NMPA aka the National Music Publisher's Association. Your support means the world to us! And @splice -- the best sample library on the market, period. Chapter list 0:00 TEASER 1:20 Ross’ Intro 2:02 Fatherhood and Being a Full-Time Dad 5:12 Parenting, Hoops, and What His Son Really Loves 6:29 The Humbling Reality Check: Kids Don’t Care About Your Hits 7:29 Growing Up Between Pasadena & San Bernardino 8:34 Seeing His Uncle’s Success & Wanting to Be on TV 9:35 Falling in Love With Beat Programming 10:12 Learning to Write & Rap at 13 11:23 Selling His First Beat for $20 at 16 12:24 MySpace Era: The Birth of “Hit-Boy” 13:09 First Major Betrayal: Partner Gets Signed Behind His Back 15:01 Advice to His Younger Self: Patience & Self-Belief 15:23 Building Early Industry Relationships Through MySpace 16:13 First Time Inside a Real Studio (The Underdogs) 17:39 The Underworld of LA Sessions & A Young Hit-Boy Watching Greats 18:44 First Major Placement: Jennifer Lopez 19:06 Providing for His Mom With His First Checks 19:27 Growing Up Without a Present Father 20:22 His Dad’s Return & Going on a Run Together 22:04 How Fatherhood Changed His Time, Focus & Creativity 23:27 Recording Nas: The Hidden Role People Don’t See 24:57 Getting His First Publishing Deal (And the 18-Year Lock-In) 28:02 Staying Current: “I Update My Software Every Day” 28:21 First Big Hit: Drop The World Lil Wayne & Eminem 29:47 Why He Used to Clash With Kanye 32:00 The ‘N*****s in Paris’ Moment (Language Question + Setup) 33:35 First Song With Kanye: The Christmas Track 34:12 Making Music With Kanye, Jay-Z & the Good Music Family 35:40 Hearing 'Paris' for the First Time in the Planetarium 36:32 Realizing the Song Was Going to Be a Cultural Earthquake 38:23 Big Sean, Executive Production & Sharpening His Ear 39:09 How Drake Found the ‘Trophies’ Beat 39:52 Stripping Beats Down to Let Artists Shine 40:33 When to Stop Producing: The Minimalism Lesson 41:38 Depression, Contracts & Losing the Relationship With Drake 42:57 The Pain of ‘Trophies’ Not Making Drake’s Album 43:13 What His Publishing Deal Held Him Back From 44:22 Working From a Place of Fear vs. Freedom 45:01 Working With Beyoncé (Excellence at Every Level) 46:22 The Story of ‘THIQUE’: An 8-Year-Old Beat Comes Back to Life 46:39 Why Old Beats Deserve Second Lives 47:57 The Making of Sicko Mode & Travis Scott’s Explosion 48:20 The Greatest Timing Ever: Streaming, Social Media, Travis 49:00 The Long Journey of Sicko Mode (2016 → 2018) 50:13 Are Producers Songwriters? The Eternal Debate 51:30 Nipsey Hussle: Early Sessions & Mutual Respect 53:53 Nipsey Claims the Song: “I Need This for My Project” Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is a familiar face... A friend to the podcast and one of the most successful and influential creators in music history. He isn’t just a hitmaker. He's perhaps one of the few people in the history of music to have hits as a songwriter, artist, and producer... completely aside from one another across genres. And The Writer Is... Ryan Tedder! In this episode, he breaks down: 🎯 Why the middle class of music is disappearing 🎯 How splits, streaming, and AI are reshaping the game 🎯 The mindset you need to survive as an artist today 🎯 What real creative value looks like in 2025 and beyond This one isn’t just inspiring — It’s essential listening for anyone who wants to last in music.. A special thank you to our sponsors... O ur lead sponsor, NMPA, the National Music Publisher's Association. Your support means the world to us! And Splice -- the best sample library on the market. Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is an international soul sensation...From writing “The Hardest Part” on Zoom to conquering imposter syndrome, crafting hits like "Dive" and "Man I Need," and creating her acclaimed album The Art of Loving.. She is on a meteoric rise in music. We discuss raw stories of heartbreak, growth, the magic of songwriting.. and how she learned to protect her voice in a room and write music that actually feels like her. And The Writer Is...Olivia Dean! Whether you're a songwriter, fan, or music lover, this episode is packed with inspiration, laughs, and behind-the-scenes gems. Presented by NMPA.. The National Music Publisher's Association. Championing songwriters everywhere. Thank you to our sponsors! Co-presented by Splice. The best music sample library in music. CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Welcome to the Soul 01:50 – “I Still Feel So British” 03:00 – First Trip to L.A. (With No GPS or Plan) 04:00 – Learning to Trust Her Own Taste 07:40 – When Artists Had Time to Be Bad 08:30 – Making Meaningful Music in a Chart World 09:20 – “I Don’t Write Every Day” 13:35 – Disney, West Side Story, and Other Early Teachers 15:50 – The First Song: “Mean Boy” 17:05 – Parents Who Said Yes 17:20 – The BRIT School Plan 20:05 – Busking, Best Friends, and the Birth of a Band 22:15 – The First Show: 70 Tickets, 10 People on Stage 23:40 – Signing Her First Deal 25:00 – The Studio Explosion (Her Worst Song Story) 27:00 – Surviving the Rooms 29:15 – How the Best Songs Are Written 30:45 – The Yellow Van Tour (COVID-Era Reinvention) 31:30 – “OK Love You Bye” — The First Song That Felt Free 34:00 – From 70 Fans to 100 Million Streams 36:00 – It Takes a Village (and a Lot of Gratitude) 39:00 – “The Hardest Part” — The Song She Hated (That Changed Everything) 40:00 – The Take That Hurts Is the Take That Wins 43:20 – NMPA Ad Read 44:05 – Splice Ad Read 47:45 – Crying on the Studio Floor 48:00 – “Dive” — When the World Started Singing Back 51:40 – Being a Woman Who Writes (and Plays) 53:10 – The Anatomy of a Song 56:25 – “I Don’t Write Lies” 57:35 – “The Art of Loving” — How the Album Was Born 1:00:15 – What Love Actually Taught Her 1:01:35 – Making Time for Love Anyway 1:02:55 – Ross’s Mirror Moment 1:04:30 – Learning to Sit in Silence 1:05:45 – The Weight of Words 1:06:30 – Being Heard And The Writer Is... Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Julia Michaels has quietly rewritten the emotional DNA of pop music. From Selena Gomez to Justin Bieber to Sabrina Carpenter — her pen reshaped how vulnerability sounds on the radio. In this episode, Julia sits down with Ross to unpack the craft behind her catalog: the psychology of honest writing, the architecture of a hit, and the years she spent changing pop from behind the glass. They dive into the writing of hits, the evolution of her artistry, and what it means to sustain creative integrity in a fast-changing industry. Chapters 0:00 Intro: The Woman Who Reshaped Pop Music 0:59 Welcome Back: Reflecting on 8 Years in the Industry 2:13 Music Industry Evolution: Then vs. Now 3:00 Adapting Songwriting to Social Media and Trends 4:32 Early Career Advice: Mental Health and Boundaries 6:03 Panic Attacks and Performance Anxiety 9:25 From Songwriter to Artist: Reluctance and Breakthrough 11:23 Influence on Songwriting: Changing Pop's Sound 15:06 Hit Runs, Burnout, and Creative Pauses 17:55 Writing for Disney's Wish: Behind the Scenes 19:42 Future Plans: Musicals, Retirement, and Balance 21:05 Artistry and Collaborations 23:00 Inside the Sabrina Carpenter Camp 29:01 Breaking Down Hits: Taste, Bed Chem, and Coincidence 30:50 Joining Tate McRae: From 17 to Global Hits 33:39 Favorite Producers: Ryan Tedder, Stargate, and More 36:04 Working with Ed Sheeran: Panic, Brotherhood, and Hits 39:30 Crafting Lose You To Love Me with Selena Gomez 43:24 Longtime Bond with Selena: Firsts and Milestones 45:50 Celebrating Wins in a Changing Industry 47:19 Songwriter Struggles: Pay, Radio, and Streaming 50:26 Fair Splits and Standing Up for Writers 55:09 Gender Challenges: Overworking Female Writers 1:00:06 Regimented Life: Balance and Boundaries 1:02:40 Running Her Own Label: Freedom and Control 1:04:15 Career Lows and Highs 1:06:10 Perfect Studio Moment: Working with Britney Spears 1:07:34 Reflections: Where She Thought She'd Be 1:08:45 Uncut Demos and Sacred Songs 1:11:27 Wrapping with Selena, Benny, and Unlikely Stars 1:15:55 Ego-Free Sessions and Lifelong Roots 1:18:22 Outro and Credits NMPA fights for songwriters' rights, ensuring fair pay and protection. Check them out at NMPA.org and follow them on social media at @NMPAorg Splice is the industry’s top sample library—royalty-free for all. It empowers creators with its incredible library and ethical AI tools, supporting original artists every step of the way. Download Splice today and follow them on social media at @splice And The Writer Is... Hosted by Ross Golan Executive produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Follow us on socials at @andthewriteris Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guests are one of the most unique voices in music — and they’ve carved out one of the most iconic sounds of their generation. Not to mention having collaborated with some of the biggest names in music. And the writer(s) are... HAIM! Dive into an unfiltered conversation with HAIM — a decade-long journey of grit, growth, and staying true when the world said no. We talk about: • How they found success their way after years of reps and rejection • The real stories behind their music • How they learned to write songs that move millions and more. Presented by our friends at @NMPA @splice NMPA fights for songwriters' rights, ensuring fair pay and protection. Check them out at NMPA.org and follow them on social media at @NMPAorg Splice is the industry’s top sample library—royalty-free for all. It empowers creators with its incredible library and ethical AI tools, supporting original artists every step of the way. Download Splice today and follow them on social media at @splice And The Writer Is... Hosted by Ross Golan Executive produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Follow us on socials at @andthewriteris Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is one of the most exciting young artists in the world right now. A once-in-a-generation artist writing and producing every record himself — and turning that independence into global hits. His records aren’t just topping charts — many of them are 100%ers. Self-written, self-produced, and streamed hundreds of millions of times. He’s building a world entirely his own... In this episode of And The Writer Is, Ross Golan sits down with Sombr to unpack how he: 🎛️ Writes and produces 100% of his music 🌍 Went from viral moments to global success 💭 Deals with pressure, purpose, and proving himself 💬 Comment your favorite moment below. #Sombr #AndTheWriterIs #RossGolan #Songwriting #MusicProduction #PopMusic Presented by our friends at NMPA. A huge thank you to our sponsors. NMPA fights for songwriters' rights, ensuring fair pay and protection. Check them out at NMPA.org and follow them on social media at ⁨@NMPAorg⁩ Splice is the industry’s top sample library—royalty-free for all. It empowers creators with its incredible library and ethical AI tools, supporting original artists every step of the way. Download Splice today and follow them on social media at ⁨@splice⁩ And The Writer Is... Hosted by Ross Golan Executive produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Follow us on socials at @andthewriteris ​ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is quite literally one of the greatest songwriters of all time. He also happens to be one of the biggest artists of all time. Imagine that. This legend needs no introduction... And the writer is... Ed Sheeran! Presented by our friends at NMPA. A huge thank you to our sponsors. NMPA fights for songwriters' rights, ensuring fair pay and protection. Check them out at NMPA.org and follow them on social media at ⁨@NMPAorg⁩ Splice is the industry’s top sample library—royalty-free for all. It empowers creators with its incredible library and ethical AI tools, supporting original artists every step of the way. Download Splice today and follow them on social media at ⁨@splice⁩ Chapters: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:05 - Ed and Ross Reconnect 00:04:41 - From Rap Battles to Shaping His Songwriting 00:07:07 - Painting as Creative Outlet 00:09:13 - Emotional Ties to Songs, Writing Honest Songs for Himself and Others 00:12:05 - Childhood Music: Beatles, Dylan, and Irish Trad Influences 00:15:07 - Fatherhood’s Impact: Balancing Music and Family 00:16:26 - Ed Sings His First Song! 00:18:30 - Ed Sings, Ross Tests His Song Memory 00:20:27 - The Key to Confidence Starts With.... 00:22:10 - Advice: Navigating the Music Industry’s Challenges 00:24:20 - Where Ed Gets His 'Buzz' From Music 00:25:50 - The Thing That Made His Songwriting 'Stick' 00:28:35 - No Plan B: Why He Never Gave Up 00:30:04 - Discovery by Jamie Foxx: Breaking into the Scene 00:36:14 - Mid-Roll Ad: NMPA Fighting for Songwriters 00:36:52 - Mid-Roll Ad: Splice Supporting Creators with AI 00:44:11 - First Cuts: Writing for Olly Murs and One Direction 00:46:58 - Creative Process 00:52:12 - The Lawsuit That Changed Everything 00:55:49 - Protecting Songwriters: Why No Union Exists 01:05:57 - Making "Perfect" to Prove Himself After the Lawsuit 01:12:49 - Advice to Young Songwriters... 01:14:03 - Legacy Songs: What Ed Wants His Grandkids to Hear 01:15:23 - Family Over Fame: Being a Present Dad 01:20:38 - Songs Ed’s Jealous Of 01:23:46 - Closing: Ed’s Gratitude and Future Plans And The Writer Is... Hosted by Ross Golan Executive produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Follow us on socials at @andthewriteris ​ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.