SongWriter turns stories into songs
Ben Arthur
SongWriter is a storytelling and songwriting podcast where stories become brand new songs. In each episode, a celebrated writer shares a story, and a musician writes and performs a song inspired by it — revealing how narratives turn into music, lyrics, and emotion.Hosted by Ben Arthur, SongWriter features conversations and performances from artists including Questlove, Joyce Carol Oates, George Saunders, Steve Earle, David Sedaris, and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd. The show blends the craft of writing, the creative processes of art, and intimate connections between authors and musicians.If you love great stories and great songs — and want a behind-the-scenes look at creativity from some of today’s most influential artists — this is your next listen.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 6, 2019 • 28min
Joyce Carol Oates + Ted Leo
In the fifth episode of SongWriter, legendary author Joyce Carol Oates reads "Deceit," from her collection Black Dahlia & White Rose, about a young mother dealing with allegations of abuse made about her teenage daughter. Songwriter Ted Leo talks about his reaction to the story and reflects on his own history of abuse, and shares his song "Deceit," which was written in response.https://SongWriterPodcast.comTwitter.com/SnogWriterInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcastFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
Jul 23, 2019 • 24min
Dolan Morgan + Emily Hope Price
Brooklyn author and illustrator Dolan Morgan reads a story called "The New Middle Class," and cellist Emily Hope Price plays a song she wrote in response. Price talks about the recent loss of a friend, and how that loss informed the song, also called "The New Middle Class."https://SongWriterPodcast.com/Joyce-Carol-Oates-Katie-MeluaTwitter.com/SnogWriterInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcastFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
Jul 9, 2019 • 26min
Deborah Copaken + Tommy Siegel
In the third episode of SongWriter, Deborah Copaken reads an excerpt of her upcoming book Ladyparts, and Tommy Siegel (of Jukebox the Ghost) performs his song "Dear Science," which he wrote in response.https://SongWriterPodcast.comTwitter.com/SnogWriterInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcastFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
Jun 25, 2019 • 27min
Gary Shteyngart + Elissa LeCoque
Gary Shteyngart reads from his novel Lake Success, about the flame out and subsequent freak out of hedge fund manager Barry Cohen, and Elissa LeCoque shares her song written in response, "Weak Wrists."https://SongWriterPodcast.comTwitter.com/SnogWriterInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcastFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
Jun 11, 2019 • 11min
Susan Orlean + Ben Arthur
This is the first episode of SongWriter, featuring a story from bestselling author Susan Orlean, and a song written in response by host Ben Arthur. Ben and Rob Reinhart, of the syndicated radio program Acoustic Cafe, introduce the series and briefly discuss inspiration and answer songs.https://SongWriterPodcast.comTwitter.com/SnogWriterInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcastFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
May 7, 2019 • 2min
Season One Trailer
SongWriter is a podcast of stories and answer songs, with episodes featuring Roxane Gay, Joyce Carol Oates, Susan Orlean, Ted Leo, Jonathan Lethem, and many others.https://SongWriterPodcast.comTwitter.com/SnogWriterInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcastFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
