The Goal is Connection.

Co-writing is partly about songwriting but it’s also about building genuine connection with other creatives. Being able to share a little about yourself, your favorite genres and artists, what’s currently inspiring you, and what you would like to get out of songwriting will be important! Just as important is the willingness to listen and learn from your co-writers. You may in a room with people who hold different or similar views than you- can you find a common ground to create something together? Determine for yourself before stepping into the write, that whether or not you write a great song, you will make a genuine connection with others.

The Theme for the Intensive.

So often in these kinds of events, the goal is to write “hit songs”, and in the case of Christian music so often the goal is to write songs people can sing along with on the radio or in church. But we don’t want to do the status quo.. Here the goal is not to merely write hits and feel good songs- the goal is to write about the Real Life stuff. About loss, justice, the important topics that maybe we shy away from in the church, seeking peace after heartbreak, and so much more. The heart of 318 Collective is “to be a voice for the voiceless” Proverbs 31:8. Bring yourself, your journey, and your sound.

Come Prepared.

Will you commit to bringing and sharing some ideas for a song or a lyric? Whether or not your idea gets used, sometimes just the simple act of sharing ideas helps get a creative, productive conversation moving- and that might be the whole point of sharing your idea. Bring an instrument if you’d like, bring a pen and paper, laptop, your midi setup for producing beats- whatever you need to have a fun and productive co-write! Please also bring your information for your account with a Performance Royalty Organization (i.e. ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, etc). If you have not registered with a PRO yet you can learn more about it here. BMI is free to set up!

Blessed are the Flexible.

Hold your ideas and opinions with open hands. Be willing to try out writing in a new genre. Be willing to write lyrics that outside of your normal paradigm. Be willing to share your vulnerable self with the people you are writing with. Be a great listener who is trustworthy with the hearts, stories, and feelings of your co-writers. What happens in the co-write stays in the co-write- unless it’s an awesome song! Also please be aware that not every song we write will get recorded, but we hope to record 3 to 5 songs from the intensive.

Money, Money, Money.

The co-writes will be evenly divided among the writers for the songwriting share of the song. This means that if there are 3 writers in the room, each writer’s share will be split 33% for each person. In a standard songwriting agreement, the songwriter’s share consists of one half of the song (50%), and publisher or label owns the other 50% of the song. In this case 318 will be the label/publisher, owning the masters to the recording, splitting the song with the writers. Where does that money go that goes to a label (318)? It goes toward setting up awesome recordings like the one you’re about to participate in, also towards the mixing, mastering, distribution, promotion, administration, and much more. We hope it will be an amazing and worthwhile experience for everyone involved, including an opportunity that opens doors for you as a songwriter and a creative! Confused yet? Check out the video below for more info.