Platinum Selling Songs (and How to Make Money as a Songwriter) with Justin Gammella (FINNEAS, Bella Poarch, Bahamas)
Love Music More · hosted by Luke F. Walton
Guest: Justin Gammella
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Topics discussed
Host note
Justin Gammella is a platinum-selling songwriter who's written with FINNEAS, Bella Poarch, and Bahamas, and he's also an active advocate for songwriter pay through SONA. We start with the gap between how glamorous the job looks from outside and how hard it actually is to make a living writing songs for other artists.
Justin walks us from classical training into hit songwriting, what changes in a room when you're writing for someone else's voice, and how to know what you actually want from a publisher before you sign with one, "if you don't know what you want, you might not be ready for one." We get into fair pay, streaming economics, and why he thinks songwriter compensation won't move without consumers pushing for it too.
He closes on the balance between artistry and commercial pressure, and why, whatever else he's doing, music keeps pulling him back.
Selected moments
- Opening introduction and welcome 1:40 The host introduces Justin Gammella, highlighting his career as a songwriter and producer.
- The struggle of songwriters 2:58 Justin discusses how the perception of music's glamour does not match the financial realities songwriters face.
- Importance of fair pay 4:16 They talk about how fair pay for artists affects the music quality and sustainability.
- Justin's early musical journey 5:39 Justin shares how his passion for music started at a young age and evolved over time.
- The dynamics of songwriting 8:18 Discussion on how collaborating with other artists in songwriting sessions influences creativity.
- Navigating publishing deals 16:00 Justin explains the importance of finding the right publisher and negotiating favorable terms.
- The balance between artistry and commercialism 20:04 Conversation on how songwriters can maintain artistic integrity while being commercially successful.
- Future of music consumption 31:00 Justin discusses trends in music and how the industry is evolving.
- Advice for aspiring songwriters 57:18 Justin offers encouragement and practical advice for those looking to pursue a career in songwriting.
Selected excerpts
At the end of the day, you want to make sure the artist is getting paid well.
The way we get paid is similar but different, and we're fighting the same battles.
I think you have to know what you want in a publisher. If you don’t know what you want, you might not be ready for one.
You want to blame us? I don’t care, but you have to force consumers to do it or else it’s never going to happen.
Music will always pull me towards it no matter what I'm doing in life.
FAQ
What challenges do songwriters face in 2024?
In 2024, songwriters face challenges such as unfair compensation, the complexity of music publishing deals, and the need to navigate an ever-changing industry.
How can songwriters advocate for their rights?
Songwriters can advocate for their rights through organizations like SONA, participating in collective bargaining, and by raising awareness about the importance of fair pay.
What advice does Justin Gammella have for aspiring songwriters?
Justin advises aspiring songwriters to focus on their artistic integrity, collaborate with others, and understand the business aspects of music to ensure a sustainable career.
These pages are host notes, not a full transcript. An automatic transcript is on the Spotify episode.