And The Writer Is...with Ross Golan
And The Writer Is
Every week, we sit down with an acclaimed and venerable songwriter to intimately discuss what happens behind closed doors in the music industry. There are millions of singers, thousands of artists, and only 40 top songs per genre at a time... this podcast is about the people who make them. Produced by Joe London & Ross Golan in association with Big Deal Music & Mega House Music. And The Writer Is... ™ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 10, 2026 • 4min
And The Update Is… Rap Lyrics Banned in Court, AI Deals Stalling, and a $64B UMG Bombshell
Billions on the table as a seismic $64B bid for a major music company shakes up valuation debates. A new Maryland law shields rap lyrics from courtroom use, altering legal strategies. AI music deals hit a snag as licensing concerns stall major label talks. Ticket resale gets a face-value overhaul to fight scalpers and bots.
Apr 7, 2026 • 1h 21min
Ep. 246: Dermot Kennedy | How an Irish Busker Became a Worldwide Phenomenon
Dermot Kennedy, Irish singer-songwriter who rose from Dublin busking to global arenas. He talks about balancing ambition, sensitivity, and creative instincts. He recalls busking tactics, turning streams into a career, navigating deals and teams, and choosing smaller shows to stay grounded. The conversation also covers stage anxiety, songwriting choices, and sustaining a long-term career.
Mar 31, 2026 • 1h 22min
Ep. 245: Madison Beer | Becoming Yourself with the World Watching
Madison Beer, singer-songwriter who rose to fame as a teen on viral covers, reflects on growing up in public and reclaiming creative control. She talks about being discovered, getting dropped, and how social media helped her find power. Conversations cover songwriting processes, close collaborators, touring life, mental health, and why making authentic albums matters.
Mar 24, 2026 • 1h 13min
Ep. 244: Melanie Martinez | How to Protect Your Creative Spirit in a Commercial World
Melanie Martinez, singer-songwriter and visual world-builder behind Cry Baby and K-12, talks about materializing ideas and building immersive worlds. She explains starting songs with titles, mixing dark whimsy with pop hooks, and protecting creative voice in a commercial industry. She also discusses performing nerves, The Voice reality, and the origins and themes of her new album Hades.
6 snips
Mar 17, 2026 • 1h 32min
Ep. 243: Charlie Puth Pt. 2| The Long Road to Becoming Yourself
Charlie Puth, singer-songwriter-producer behind multi-billion streams and major collaborations, shares his long rise from LA writer to global pop voice. He talks studio quirks, uncredited moments on big tracks, the making of “See You Again,” how collaboration reshapes songs, balancing authenticity with industry pressure, and navigating creativity in an AI age.
Mar 10, 2026 • 1h 22min
Ep. 242: Megan Moroney | The Unlikely Road of a Country Superstar
Megan Moroney, a country singer-songwriter known for candid storytelling and viral hits, rose fast with songs like "Tennessee Orange." She tells how a cheerleading injury led to learning guitar and moving to Nashville. She talks about DIY releases, viral breakout via TikTok, collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Kacey Musgraves, and navigating writing rooms while defining her sound.
Mar 3, 2026 • 1h 40min
Ep. 241: Jesse Rutherford (The Neighbourhood) | How an Unlikely Band Became Inevitable
Jesse Rutherford, frontman and co-founder of The Neighbourhood known for writing and performing hits like 'Sweater Weather', reflects on growing up in Thousand Oaks, childhood acting, and the band's unlikely formation. He recounts the first riff and writing process behind their breakout song, navigates grief and industry pressures, and previews new music and touring plans.
Feb 25, 2026 • 1h 36min
Ep. 240: EJAE | A Career Built Slowly and Heard All at Once
EJAE, a Grammy-winning Korean-American songwriter and artist who moved from K-pop trainee to global pop architect. She recounts rigorous K-pop training, the slow pivot from trainee to songwriter, and writing hits like "Psycho." Conversations cover songwriting habits, remote sessions, and balancing pop clarity with theatrical storytelling.
Feb 17, 2026 • 1h 14min
Ep. 239: Marcus Mumford (of Mumford & Sons) | 'Catching' Songs + Avoiding Self-Sabotage
Marcus Mumford, singer-songwriter and frontman of Mumford & Sons, reflects on his folk-rooted upbringing and solo work. He explains his idea of "catching" songs instead of forcing them. He shares stories about Bob Dylan, reframing success after a Pharrell moment, band co-ownership to avoid conflict, and why showing up repeatedly matters.
Feb 10, 2026 • 1h 21min
Ep. 238: Illenium | Addiction Almost Killed Him. Music Saved Him.
Illenium (Nick Miller), electronic producer and DJ who rebuilt his life after opioid addiction, shares his rise from wilderness therapy to multi-platinum success. He talks about learning production from scratch, building a signature cinematic sound, memorable collaborations, and designing immersive live shows. The conversation highlights recovery, creative process, and the making of his album Odyssey.
