The Art of Lyricism in Songwriting

The Wailin' Jennys have been singing together for more than two decades - recording albums, touring the world, and filling venues large and small. After all these years, the trio—Ruth Moody, Heather Masse, and Nicky Mehta—have reached both a plateau and an inflection point. What's it like for a musical group that's been together for that long; for singers who've found such perfect vocal harmony for one another? How do they each think of songwriting, and of creative work in general? On their recent west coast tour, they stopped by the studio for a chat about those things and more.

THE WAILIN' JENNYS ARE:

Ruth Moody - Banjo, Guitar, Vocals
Nicky Mehta - Guitar, Drums, Vocals
Heather Masse - Bass, Vocals

Featuring excerpts from the Jennys' albums Bright Morning Stars, iTunes Session - EP, 40 Days, and Firecracker

FEATURED/DISCUSSED:

• "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Jim Steinman, sung by Bonnie Tyler and Rory Dodd
• "Paradise by the Dashboard Light," "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)," "Objects in the Rearview Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are" - by Jim Steinman sung by Meat Loaf
• "Closer To Fine" and "Love's Recovery" by Indigo Girls from Indigo Girls, 1989
• Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert, 2016
• Kirk's essay on creativity, "Follow The Spark"
• Jeff Tweedy talking songwriting on The Ezra Klein Show
• "What Am I Here For" by Jade Bird

MUSIC PICKS:
Heather: Bonny Light Horseman, Keep Me On Your Mind/Set You Free, 2024
Ruth: Aaron Neville, "Louisiana 1927"
Nicky: Afghan Whigs, Black Love 

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