Daniel Siegel Alonso

Songwriting isn't rocket science. Instead, it's more like emotional alchemy. You're blending raw emotions with melody to create something that resonates in people's hearts (and playlists). What's the trick? Crafting tunes that make people say, "Wow, this song gets me." Daniel Siegel Alonso shares eight methods for songwriters to explore to write songs that connect with audiences.   1. Go with what you know Siegel Alonso reminds aspiring writers that great songs arise from great stories. Think of Someone Like You by Adele or Fast Car by Tracy Chapman. They're specific yet universal. Listeners relate to songs when they recognize themselves in the narrative. Write about love, heartbreak, triumph, or even that weird time at the DMV. Just make it honest. One tip: get specific, then zoom out. "The sunbeams pierced the cafe window as I realized I'd been ghosted" is more vivid than "I felt blue." 2. Emotional content Every memorabl...

Success in the music industry used to be straightforward: secure a record deal, scale to the top of the charts, and bask in fame while dodging paparazzi. But in today's streaming-dominated, algorithm-driven landscape, those old markers of success have lost their sheen. But there is good news, says Daniel Siegel Alonso . Musicians now have more avenues than ever to define their own journeys—as well as their own versions of success. Relinquish the Billboard Fantasy According to Siegel Alonso , the days of measuring success purely by platinum records and sold-out arena tours are long gone. Of course, it's fantastic if that happens, but it's not the sole way to earn a living (or a legacy) in the music industry. Young singer/songwriters like Jacob Collier and indie bands on Bandcamp have forged loyal, sustainable fanbases without ever cracking the Billboard Hot 100. In a world where niche communities thrive, being the biggest is no longer the only way to win. Find Your Tribe In...

  How we consume music has shifted dramatically in the last decade, and unless you've been living under a rock—or worse, still using CDs—you've probably noticed. Streaming platforms have radically changed how listeners access, discover, and listen to music, leaving the traditional music industry to play catch-up. Daniel Siegel Alonso examines the modern music landscape, where algorithms are king, and our favorite artists are a thumb tap away. The Digital Shift Siegel Alonso recalls buying an album meant a trip to the record store. You'd hold a physical album in your hands, leaf through the liner notes, and commit to a collection of songs, good or bad. But then Pandora came along in 2005, offering the ability to curate our listening experience with "stations" based on specific artists or genres. It felt like magic. Suddenly, you didn't have to wade through B-sides or skip tracks. Pandora's algorithm did the heavy lifting, using the Music Genome Project to...

  Once upon a time, making it in the music industry meant playing gigs at every dive bar, hoping a record exec might be in the audience. Today, while talent and hard work are still essential, there's a new stage where stars are born—social media. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have become the modern-day springboards for music careers, providing artists direct access to their audiences and unprecedented control over their look and sound. Daniel Siegel Alonso examines how social media is reshaping the music industry, one post at a time. The New A&R Siegel Alonso notes that in the pre-digital era, unknown artists used to rely on A&R (Artists and Repertoire) scouts to discover them. However, today, algorithms are doing much of that leg work. Platforms like TikTok have turned music discovery on its head. The app's For You Page (FYP) is the new A&R office, where a catchy beat or a witty lyric can go viral and propel an obscure artist into the limelight. Take Lil Na...

  Introduction   For a musician and any performing artists, having the trust and support of your audience is invaluable. A loving audience can make or break the presence of the artist in their industry. Hence, engaging your audience effectively is an optimal way to success.  It is largely well known that audiences love when artists show their authenticity and their unfiltered selves. Relatability sells. Through audience engagement, an artist can receive insightful feedback, inspiration for new projects, financial support, and leverage the power of streaming for maximum exposure. Moreover, having a dedicated and loyal audience can help an artist ensure the longevity of their career. An artist who develops a strong and consistent relationship with their audience can leave a lasting impression.  Having an online presence is important for modern musicians. Research suggests that over 83% of musicians reported using social media to promote their music and interact with t...