Two singer songwriters meet for the first time. They have a day to compose a new tune. Possible? You bet! Learn the craft of songwriting with Ben Sollee and Erin Mckeown as they explore the depths of their creativity and emerge with an evocative new song.

Ben Arthur, our intrepid songwriter-in-motion, and his talented audio/video team from Dubway, travelled to the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas to document what songwriters do best: write songs!

The Dubway crew first rounded up the very talented cellist/songwriter/performer, Ben Sollee. Next, they wrangled in the extraordinary folk/rock singer/songwriter Erin McKeown. Then they set up a guerrilla, hi-tech recording studio in a rented condo and – using Pro Tools and a collection of quality mics – documented the process of birthing a new song.

The songwriting process is both illusive, demanding and often frustrating. So when you add time-pressure to the mix, well... it becomes downright insane. This course is designed to give you an inside look at the craft of songwriting and the trials and tribulations of creativity under the musical microscope. Watch as Erin and the two Bens literally put their heads together to meet the challenge. You will learn a lot about songs, collaboration and recording in less-than-desirable, non-studio situations! You also see how Al Houghton and Mike Crehore take the song back to their Dubway Studios in New York to enhance the final production.

So, sit back and watch this songwriting docu-reality course and learn the art and the craft of conceiving and recording a new song... all in a few hours!

Table of contents:

1. Introduction
2. Starting a Song
3. Melodic Inspirations
4. Story as Launching Pad
5. Taking "No" for an Answer
6. Three Writers, Three Verses
7. Panic Sets In (The Time is Now)
8. Tracking the Instruments
9. Tracking the Vocals
10. Mixing the Instruments
11. Mixing the Vocals
12. Overview of the Session
13. The Song