Songwriter: The Complete Season One

What is it like to be a songwriter? Filmmakers Mike Purcell and Eric Fazzini address that question through the words, experiences, and songs of Nashville-based professionals, some of whom you may be unfamiliar with, but who nonetheless make their living from songs. In six segments, the bands/performers—including Pageant, Froskull, Brad Pounders, and Them Vibes, covering genres from rock to country, folk to progressive, and urban to pop—share stories of remarkably similar challenges in both their art and the music business. Interviews and footage of the subjects during their day-to-day activities reveal the creative process behind the music, from the (sometimes) mundane details of arrangements or compositions that take years to write, to the proverbial flash of inspiration in which a great tune is created in minutes. For those interested in what it's really like to follow the path of music-as-business, the insights shared by the remarkable folks showcased here may be one of the best available introductions to the trade. DVD extras include music videos. Recommended. Aud: P. (C. Block)