

And The Writer Is...with Ross Golan
And The Writer Is
Every week, we sit down with an acclaimed and venerable songwriter to intimately discuss what happens behind closed doors in the music industry. There are millions of singers, thousands of artists, and only 40 top songs per genre at a time... this podcast is about the people who make them. Produced by Joe London & Ross Golan in association with Big Deal Music & Mega House Music. And The Writer Is... ™ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 6, 2020 • 57min
Ep. 88: Nija Charles
Our guest is a 22-year-old Grammy-winning songwriter, record producer, and artist from Union, New Jersey. She is best known for her work with Beyoncé and Jay Z (“Heard About Us”, “LoveHappy”), Cardi B (“Ring”, “I Do”), and Chris Brown and Drake (“No Guidance”) as well as her releases with Post Malone, Meek Mill, Travis Scott, Anitta, 21 Savage, Ella Mai, Major Lazer, and many more. Most recently she celebrated her first No. 1 for Lady Gaga’s single with Ariana Grande, “Rain On Me”, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. She has also gained attention as a featured artist alongside Beyoncé and Tierra Whack on the record, "My Power" from the Lion King live-action soundtrack album,’The Lion King: The Gift’. This year she was named an honoree in Forbes 30 under 30 Class of 2020. And The Writer Is...Nija Charles!Artwork: Michael Richey WhitePhoto: Nailah HowzeThis episode is sponsored by BMI and ROYALTIES, a new show from Darren Criss available exclusively on Quibi. Watch the whole season now and hear soundtrack courtesy of Republic Records. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 7, 2020 • 53min
Ep. 87: Ali Tamposi...Stays At Home
This Season 1 guest is a Grammy-nominated and multi-Platinum-selling songwriter who was recently recognized as the 2019 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year and whose works have been collectively streamed over 12 billion times globally. Some of her most notable co-writes include the 3-time Grammy-nominated "Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson, the multi-format No. 1 “Let Me Love You (feat. Justin Bieber)” by DJ Snake, international hits "Havana (feat. Young Thug)" by Camila Cabello, "It Ain't Me (feat. Selena Gomez)" by Kygo, "Lonely Together (feat. Rita Ora)" by Avicii, “Anywhere” by Rita Ora, “Wolves” by Selena Gomez & Marshmello, “Let Me Go (feat. Florida Georgia Line & watt)” by Alesso & Hailee Steinfeld, “Girls (feat. Cardi B, Bebe Rexha & Charli XCX)” by Rita Ora, and “Youngblood” by 5SOS. Most recently, she co-wrote 9 songs off the latest 5SOS album, ‘CALM,’ 7 songs on Rita Ora's album, ‘Phoenix,’ 6 songs off the latest Camila Cabello album, ‘Romance,’ The Chainsmokers’ x Bebe Rexha single “Call You Mine", "Senorita" by Shawn Mendes x Camila Cabello and Dua Lipa's newest single "Break My Heart”. And The Writer Is… Ali Tamposi!Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fundWatch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 5, 2020 • 45min
Ep. 86: Ricky Reed...Stays At Home
This guest from Season 1 is a songwriter, producer, artist, and father who has built an incomparable resume over the past decade. He is known for his work with Lizzo, Meghan Trainor, Twenty One Pilots, Christina Aguilera, Halsey, Leon Bridges, Kesha, Phantogram, Bomba Estéreo, and more. Been nominated for 5 GRAMMY Awards, two of which for Producer of The Year in 2019 and 2016. He’s launched his label, Nice Life Recording Company, and founded the publishing company Nice Life Copyright Company. He was a major contributor to Lizzo’s breakout album ‘Cuz I Love You’, and co-wrote and co-produced the No. 1 hit “Truth Hurts.” These days you can find him on his weekly YouTube series, ‘NICE LIVE’ where he sat down with Ross for this interview. And The Writer Is… Ricky Reed!Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund Watch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 30, 2020 • 26min
Ep. 85: Ashley Gorley...Stays At Home
We last spoke with this guest in Season 2. Since then he has earned 47 No. 1 singles and has had more than 300 songs recorded by artists such as Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, and Darius Rucker. He has been named the ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year 7 times. And the NSAI Songwriter of the Year 4 times. He has been nominated for multiple Grammy, CMA, and ACM Awards and is the most decorated CMA Triple Play Awards recipient with 15 total trophies to his credit. In 2011, he formed Tape Room Music, a publishing company with a focus on artist development. And The Writer Is… Ashley Gorley!Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund Watch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 28, 2020 • 43min
Ep. 84: Nicolle Galyon...Stays At Home
This Season 2 guest is a mother, singer, songwriter, producer, label head, and BMI Country Songwriter of the Year winner from Sterling, Kansas. Since we last spoke to her, she launched her label, Songs & Daughters, an imprint of Big Loud (which will soon have a publishing division). The company is dedicated to signing female artists and nurturing both the art and the artist. She also co-wrote the No. 1, 4xPlatinum single “Tequila” by Dan + Shay, which won the GRAMMY Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. The song also won Single and Song of the Year at the CMA’s and BMI’s Country Song of the Year. Many of her songs have been recorded by Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Camila Cabello, Kenny Chesney, Thomas Rhett, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, Kelsea Ballerini, Raelynn, Walker Hayes, Martina McBride, among others. And The Writer Is… Nicolle Galyon!Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fundWatch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 23, 2020 • 38min
Ep. 83: Jason Evigan...Stays At Home
This Grammy-nominated, Season 1 guest is known for his big hooks, masterful use of dynamics, and innovative sound design. Since we last spoke with him he’s had a global hit with Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You (ft. Cardi B)” which he produced and co-wrote. As well as Maroon 5’s smash single “What Lovers Do (ft. SZA).” He’s co-written and/or produced for Selena Gomez, RUFUS DU SOL, Jonas Brothers, Ingrid Michaelson, Clean Bandit, Hobo Johnson, Charlie Puth, Bebe Rexha, Charlotte Lawrence, Chromeo and more. And recently, he and his wife formed a music duo called Elephant Heart, which pushes genre boundaries and expresses ideas of love and spirituality. And The Writer is… Jason Evigan!Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund Watch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewri Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 21, 2020 • 40min
Ep. 82: Justin Tranter...Stays At Home
This Season 1 guest is one of the most in-demand songwriters in the industry. Since we last spoke, they've written on some of the most significant recent albums including Ariana Grande's ‘Thank U, Next,’ Jonas Brothers' ‘Happiness Begins,’ and Selena Gomez’s new no. 1 record ‘Rare.’ They’ve also worked with an impressive range of artists such as Dua Lipa, King Princess, YUNGBLUD, Camilla Cabello, Marshmello, as well as the diverse roster of artists, producers, and songwriters signed to Facet (the record label & publishing company that they co-founded). They have earned consecutive BMI “Songwriter of the Year” awards in 2017 & 2018, and Grammy & Golden Globe nominations. Throughout the years, they’ve continued to give back as a committed activist & GLAAD Board member, using their platform to rally for change across many causes. And in 2019 they were given the ACLU’s Bill of Rights honor for their activism, making history as the first gender non-conforming honoree to receive the award. And The Writer Is... Justin Tranter!Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fundWatch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 16, 2020 • 25min
Ep. 81: Emily Warren...Stays At Home
In this episode, we catch up with a Season 3 guest who is a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum artist and songwriter who has written songs for mainstream pop artists such as Dua Lipa, Shawn Mendes, The Chainsmokers, FRENSHIP, Charli XCX, and more. Most recently, she co-wrote Dua Lipa’s No.1, platinum single, “Don’t Start Now” which spent 6 weeks at the top of the pop radio charts. A native of New York City And The Writer Is…Emily Warren!Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund Watch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 14, 2020 • 32min
Ep. 80: J Kash...Stays At Home
Today we catch up with a prolific Season 1 guest who is a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum, songwriter and producer. He has written multiple hit songs, including “Memories,” “Sugar”, and “Don’t Wanna Know” by Maroon 5, “Attention” and “How Long” by Charlie Puth, “Look What God Gave Her” by Thomas Rhett, “No” and “Me Too” by Meghan Trainor, and recently co-wrote Katy Perry’s new single “Never Worn White” as well as “Feel Myself” for Selena Gomez’s new album ‘Rare’. And The Writer Is… J Kash!Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fundWatch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 9, 2020 • 38min
Ep. 79: Ian Kirkpatrick...Stays At Home!
In the first episode of our “And The Writer Stays at Home” series, we catch up with a Grammy-nominated writer and producer from Season 3 who has produced and written for artists such as Jason Derulo, Selena Gomez, Nick Jonas, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Pitbull, Chris Brown, Dua Lipa, and more. Most recently, this Los Angeles native co-wrote and produced Dua Lipa’s current Top 40 No.1 hit single, “Don’t Start Now,” which was just RIAA certified platinum. And he also co-wrote and produced Selena Gomez’s single “Look at Her Now” from her No. 1 album ‘Rare.’ And The Writer Is… Ian Kirkpatrick!Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund Watch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.