Song-Writing Camp

It’s not just office personnel that get sent on seminars. Artists too, end up behind the school desk on occasion. In February, J-Son was sent to a song-writing camp in Finland. As part of his publishing contract with EMI, he gets to take advantage of seminars and other creative parlays. Life of an artist is not just glitz and glamour and for hard-working J-Son the song-writing camp was a welcome change of scenery and an experience that went beyond his expectations.

-  I had no idea what to expect. But I got a great vibe right away. The food was great, people cool and passionate about what they do, we had studios, we had all equipment needed and all help we could ever ask for. The work environment was spectacular.  

The camp kicked off with a seminar, where artists were placed in groups with the assignment to write lyrics for a tune. J-Son and three others went to work, which yielded in a track swooped up on the Korean market. Producers and record labels from all over the world were on site to shop for great song-writing.

-  It is awesome to have all these tools at your hands and be in a place, where everyone is totally focused on the same thing. You can start and finish a project the same day. And, the record labels get a chance to hear a song right there on the spot. They get personal delivery with all that’s worth in terms of live interaction, instead of something popping into their inbox.

Different A&Rs came around to the studios, listened and gave feedback. Some record labels even gave heads up as to what they were looking for. During the second half of the four-day song-writing camp, the artists were placed in new groups, to get the best exposure possible and a chance to work with different talents. Some German record labels showed an interest for a song that J-Son was involved with, something he’s stoked about before his upcoming trip to Germany. At the top of May, J-Son is headed on another song-writing camp, this in Berlin.

- I can’t wait. The first two days I’ll be in Berlin to work with a guy called Farhot. He’s really talented and I’m sure we’re going to come up with something crazy! As a bonus I will get to celebrate my birthday down there, I turn 25 on April 27… But focus is on work. The song-writing camp in Finland allowed me to expose my creative talents in a structured environment. A total new experience and I loved every minute of it. Now, I am looking forward to see what the Germans think of that second song we wrote in Finland…