Oz artists score songs at boot camp
 |
|
Next single … Bonnie Anderson co-wrote five tracks which could land on her debut album at the 50 Songs in 5 days camp. Picture: Sam Ruttyn.
Source: News Limited
THEY came to make music. Big-name artists like Bonnie Anderson, Tina Arena and Jessica Mauboy, and a host of lesser-known up-and-comers – all with one thing in mind.
Recording a smash hit.
From all over Australia, music-makers, producers and artists from all musical genres converged on Australia’s oldest recording studio, Studios 301 in Alexandria, for the annual 50 Songs in 5 Days recording boot camp.
Hip-hop producers worked with pop artists, country crooners wrote with rock producers, and American and Canadian songwriters were paired with emerging Australian artists to produce 50 new songs in just five days.
“I have been on a bunch of writing trips to LA, but this leads to even more opportunities to write with great people because they are in your backyard.”
While Hume said it was impossible to say whether or not their composition would be a “hit”, he agreed it was a “good song” and he hoped the other tracks he had worked on during the week would find homes on new albums next year.
Hit makers … Grammy-nominated producer M-Phazes with Tiaan, Kav Temperley and Jesse Ferris working on a new tune. Picture: Sam Ruttyn.
Source: News Limited
In another studio, hugely respected hip-hop producer M-Phazes, who just received a Grammy nomination for his contribution on the latest Eminem record, worked with Eskimo Joe frontman Kav Temperley, Thundamentals’ Jesse Ferris and rising electro r&b singer Tiaan.
Temperley said the songwriting camp forced all the participants out of their respective comfort zones and into rewarding collaborations.
“It’s a crazy concept. You step into a studio with a bunch of strangers and create this thing out of nothing,” he said.
Ferris said the camp also allowed someone like himself from the hip hop world to enjoy writing pop music.
“What I would write for myself or my band is through a very harsh filter but when it’s for someone else in the pop world, you can drop your guard,” he said.
In the main studio, Rob Conley shared a snippet of the track Mauboy had written the day before which has smash written all over it.
Everyone said the award-winning pop star couldn’t stop “vibing” about the song which could be destined for her next album.
Creative hub … songwriting camp founder Rob Conley with Reigan Derry and their collaborators Holly Martin and Hunter Nixon. Picture: Sam Ruttyn.
Source: News Limited
But on Wednesday, he was teamed with X Factor finalist Reigan Derry and two other up and coming talents Hunter Nixon and Holly Martin.
They wrote and recorded Derry’s track Like The Sun Chases The Moon in less than four hours.
Other artists and writers on the 2014 camp included Arena, Taylor Henderson, longtime Guy Sebastian collaborator David Ryan Harris, Hayley Warner, exciting new boy band Little Sea, You Am I’s Davey Lane, former Bluejuice frontman Jake Stone, Emma Birdsall, Jai Waetford, Art Vs Science’s Jim Finn and award-winning producer and songwriter Louis Schoorl.
“Vibing” … Jessica Mauboy celebrating the song she wrote at last week’s workshop. Picture: 50 Songs In Five Days / Facebook
Source: Supplied
Conley, who set up 50 Songs In Five Days two years ago, said he not only wanted it to highlight the writing talent which already exists in Australia but to foster more cross-genre collaborations.
“No one gets to say yes or no to their sessions; they are told each morning who they will be working with and we love putting that puzzle together, pairing a hip hop producer with a country guy,” he said.
“It’s what the songwriting community here needs because the results are unique, they sound different to what else is going on overseas.”
