There’s a new network of songwriters in Music City, and they’re not just up and coming — they’re coming out in droves to lift each other up.
“We’re nearly 400 strong,” says Livin’ The Write Life founder and songwriter Michael “Cef” Cefaratti. “We call our network of songwriters our “tribe.”
“We believe your net worth is your network,” says songwriter Cody Kelley. “We show up for each other, to prove there’s strength in numbers.”
At full strength, Livin’ The Write Life will offer a full complement of in-house services to his tribe, including publishing, song pitching/placement, and for writers with dreams of becoming artists, a record label and career management.
“Right now a small handful of publishing houses control the whole industry, and the same handful of writers are cranking out most of the songs getting recorded and released,” Cefaratti says. “Gone are the small, independent publishing companies. It’s near impossible for an unsigned writer to get a listen – much less a cut, today, meaning the industry, not the artist, decides what music you hear.”
From showcases, writer’s nights, and “in-the-rounds,” to bargaining for studio time and air play, Livin’ The Write Life relies on the unique skills and backgrounds of each member to benefit all of them. When some are performing their songs around town, ALL show up to support them.
“Livin’ The Write Life is built around the working songwriter – we’re not raking in money off our songs, yet,” Cefaratti says. “We work regular jobs and build our songwriting schedules around that, so everybody has a chance to be heard and to write with other songwriters in our tribe.”
They celebrate each other’s milestones, cheer each other own in lean times, and in many cases, turn those good – and challenging – experiences into new, relatable songs.
“The songs on the radio right now were written at least two years ago,” Kelley says. “That songwriting style may not be popular two years from now. We want to be tomorrow’s writers, supplying hit songs to tomorrow’s artists. Our songwriters throw out formulas and rules, and let the song become what feels natural.”
Aspiring artist and songwriter Adysen Malek is new to Music City, but quickly connected with Livin’ The Write Life.
“I was super-new to co-writing and collaborating, but Livin’ The Write Life tribe has helped me improve my craft, without it feeling like a competition,” Malek says. None of us improves or succeeds, we all benefit and celebrate.”
“We keep hearing the term ‘genre-less” these days. Tomorrow’s songwriters are already crafting songs that blow past the barriers of what is country? What is pop? What is rock?,” Cefaratti says. “It’s important for us to be ready for a shift in the music industry. Believe me, it’s coming.”
To learn when you can catch a Livin’ The Write Life writer showcase, and to connect with its writers, visit instagram.com/livinthewritelife.
ABOUT LIVIN’ THE WRITE LIFE
Poised to become the new Nashville model for songwriting and publishing, Living The Write Life consists of nearly 400 independent, but affiliated songwriters and performers, they collectively call their “tribe.” Founded by songwriter and entrepreneur Michael “Cef” Cefaratti, Livin’ The Write Life holds a “everyone’s welcome at the table” approach, giving all aspiring songwriters opportunities to play at its limited Open Mic events. The best of the best get invited to join “the tribe” and are featured around Nashville at high-profile Writer’s Nights and Showcases.
