A Case of You

Illustrations by Leanne Shapton ​

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The free filesharing platform WeTransfer runs a series of creativity profiles and while waiting for an upload, I spied a story from resident New York illustrator Leanne Shapton. Stuck in COVID apartment duress with her daughter, this 46 yr old woman outlined her transition from cooking illiteracy to not-so-bad-more -than-getting-by-preparer-of-food-for-the-whānau in her essay/exhibit, I Could Drink A Case of You: A Joni Mitchell Grocery List.

Initially cringingly bad at cooking even the basics, Leanne catalogues her culinary progress and memories alongside lyrics from albums devoured during lockdown and presents a charming series of illustrations of Mitchell's lyrics that specifically mention food or drink.

There's a ton and in terms of highlighting sensebound writing, you couldn't really get a better archive. You can taste and smell these words from 'Singapore slings' to 'muffin buns and berries by the steamy kitchen window'. Truly food for thought!

Which brings me to the (almost related) topic of feedback.! I frequently come across songwriters wondering how to get it or how to avoid it or how to recover from the results of feedback that may be well meaning but has effectively crush their will to live.

In this article  for Bandzoogle, I cover why it is important to utilize feedback as part of your songwriting took kit, but discuss how to curate a feedback loop that's relevant to your career stage. Needs vary wildly depending on where you are in the songwriting ecology. You can learn to be strategic about developing a supportive and open feedback loop and save yourself a lot of grief! 

Finally, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
See you in 2021 if not before. 
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with very best wishes
Charlotte Yates  

ps the Next Level Songwriting Retreat @Tahora 22-25 January has sold out. However, you're welcome to contact me about going on the wait list.  It's gonna be a great start to 2021!

pps Songwriting School is coming soon!!
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