Creating Relevant Music

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: We recently scored a 3 week promo for ABC's show "Forever". We wrote, performed, and produced the song.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital all the way. We are all about the future and think that new technology is awesome. With companies like Universal Audio who make it easy to achieve what we love about the analog sound while blending it with the convenience if digital - we don't ever see ourselves turning back. Our clients expect us to have an efficient process so that they can have outstanding sounding music and a quick timeframe.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: "How long will my project take?" Typically 7 business days on a single project. "Are your productions and lyrics work for hire?" We can do work for hire scenarios or partner with our clients. It depends on the situation. If a client wants to leverage our connections then typically we'll team up.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: UAD Apollo, Pearlman Mic, Macbook, Dave Smith Pro-2, Les Paul

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: We'd love to work with Prince because his knowledge of songwriting as well as production is what helps him create incredible records. The Songwriting Team would love to be a part of that!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: 1. We don't like cookie cutter, and we don't feel like inexpensive should equal unoriginal. Listen to our work and you will hear that we have a lot of interesting production elements. With that said it is also important that the song stays authentic to our clients. 2. We bring a vast knowledge of multiple music genres. We stay very up to date on what is current while also paying homage to the legends of the past. 3. Our client's success is our success. We try to help our clients create songs that they can monetize. With that said we always take a approach of "How could our client's use this for sync licensing or publishing"? Etc.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Our set up is located in a quaint suburb of Music City, USA. Nashville is an upcoming and community based music city that offers excellent talent (and NOT just country!). We have a 1300 Sq Foot studio with a large treated control room, lounge, and 2 cozy tracking rooms with wood floors. Upstairs are living quarters for our traveling clients and an office that houses our staff of writers, assistants, and interns. Gear wise we use Logic X and Protools 10. A huge library of both original and purchased sounds and synths. A hefty mic locker and large instrument collection are what we use to create everyday.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: We like to think of our style as fresh and futuristic yet digestible.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: We work with folks all over the globe so we are introduced to many different genres. We enjoy combining genres based on our client's influences. We specialize in: Pop, Indie-alt rock, indie-tronica, EDM/Dance, Future Pop, Acoustic, Hip Hop, and hard rock. Country music and latin music are what we do the least of.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Production, toplining, and helping our clients communicate their thoughts via the internet.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: We typically have about 20 projects in the cue at all times. A few current highlights are.. - We are working with a notable DJ duo in Dubai toplining their tracks for a major label project. - We just finished creating 3 pieces for an off-broadway musical "The Desperate Farm Wives" - We are helping a rock band in Austin, TX create a concept album called "Hoe Avenue" - We are toplining tracks for an Electro producer in Sweden - We doing a series of musical collections for Film/TV with some talented co-writers here in Nashville.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: We're brand new to SoundBetter, but we plan on bringing the upstanding reputation that we have on Google here to our SoundBetter profile. If you would like some testimonials or references simply ask. We'd be happy to put you in touch with some of our raving fans.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: We promise to never "sell dreams" but rather offer practical guidance. We promise spectacular customer service. We promise that we'll always be on your side. We promise authentic and competitive sounding music.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Educating independent musicians and seeing the smiles on their face when they hear their music come to life.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: The biggest misconception we get is that "inexpensive" means "Lower Quality". We know how the music industry works now a days. We feel strongly that the future of the music industry will be built by independent artists forging their own paths. A lot of industry professionals hold on to how "it used to be". We understand that that isn't the case anymore and we've creatively put together a business model where we can prosper while still offering our client's a low cost. In the present, the music is not actually the product anymore. It's the vehicle. Since music isn't the product for our clients then we know we have to be fair with pricing. We want our clients to get fantastic sounding music so that they can use that as their vehicle to make money through licensing, live shows, endorsements, special projects, and merchandising.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: We start by asking, "what you want your ultimate outcome to be?" This gives us a since of what you need your songs to do for you. We ask you about your musical background and your influences. We ask about timeframes and deadlines. We ask about the emotion that you want the song to portray. We ask about your personal process and preferences.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Do your research. Listen to our work. Read our terms. Feel out "our vibe". Do you feel like we could be a match? If so, my advice is to set up a call. Let's just chat music and see if we click! Typically, we'll both know within about 10 minutes whether we are a fit or not.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: Here's a brief run down on our 2 owners.. Daniel Grimmett // Dan started playing in bands and recording at the ripe age of 12 years old. When he was 15 he opened his studio to the public out of his parents house. At the age of 18 Dan explored other ventures such as advertising, finance, and real estate consulting. Dan cut his teeth working long hours in a commercial indie rock studio in Charlotte, N.C. He later became a staff engineer. When he was 24 he moved to Los Angeles and that is where he got into Pop and Electro music. It was in LA where Dan started SongwritingTeam.com. In 2014 Dan hired NY based producer Christian Fiore and they relocated to Nashville. Since their partnership they have launched 2 other music companies. Christian Fiore// Christian is a young producer and multi-instrumentalist originally from Baltimore, MD. Christian has been playing music since he was an early teen. His band Brightside Drive had regional success and shared the stage with notable acts on Warped Tour. When he turned 18 he went to Berklee to continue studying his craft. Christian cut his teeth interning at Jungle City in New York. A major label studio owned by Alicia Keys. In 2014 Christian accepted a job offer from Daniel Grimmett to help run Songwriting Team in Nashville, TN.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Sure! Details are what make great song. Pay attention to the details, and don't be afraid add little "quirks" that are your own. Copying is the worst thing you can do. Oh, and when it doubt - make it simple!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: After many years of working with our clients virtually, we have finally nailed down the online collaboration process. Typically, we start with a consultation call or Skype to discuss the project. We know what questions to ask and what info to collect so that we can get the work done right the first time. Because of our seasoned staff we are able to accomplish most single projects within a 7 business day turnaround. The clients receive updates so that we can get feedback and collaborate. Once the project is finished we swiftly provide all the files that the client will need. We then offer ongoing support.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: We're inspired by Mitch Easter, 40, Mike Will Made It, Tove Lo, Max Martin, Taylor Swift, Amanda Palmer, Foo Fighters, The Killers, Butch Vig, Vance Powell, and many more musicians & producers!

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Our clients are typically made up of 4 categories.. 1. Songwriters who need to build a competitive sounding song catalog on a budget. 2. Artists who need authentic full production tracks and co-writing. 3. Producers & Publishers who need "go to guys" for lyrics, session singers, and mixing. 4. Apps, Films, and Companies who need custom music.