This month we feature Sony Music Publishing writer Liz Rodrigues. Her impressive songwriting skills have earned her recognition as a chart-topping, Grammy award-winning songwriter who has penned numerous songs for Celine Dion, Eminem, P!nk, Pitbull, Nicole Scherzinger, and more. More recently, Liz has been working with artists Nicolina Bozzo, RED, New Friends and Priyanka.
What’s your favorite part of the songwriting process?
My favourite part of the writing process is connecting with the artist and cowriters; searching together for the words and melodies that make an impact in the room; then eventually, if we’re lucky, watching the songs take a life of their own when they get released to the public. It’s a rush and something you can never get enough of. Listening back to a song you know is moving in one way or another gives me the feeling that I’m always after. Songwriting has become the outlet I go to through all the highs and lows in my life.
What’s your biggest session highlight so far?
I have so many. Sometimes it’s the session that leaves me feeling like I just wrote the best song I’ll ever write, sometimes it’s the session that I’ve had the most fun at. A fun one would be the session where Eminem asked me to record a new hook at his studio in Detroit. Going through the hook with him and Dr. Dre – thinking, “is this really happening”!
How much do current market and track trends impact your creative process?
I like to listen to different genres from different eras for inspiration. I’m a big fan of Brazilian and Portuguese music from the Bossa Nova, and Fado era. I get a lot of melodic influence from that time. Growing up in the 80’s/90’s has engraved its influences in me – those melodies and lyrics come up in my writing now and then. I’m a sucker for a big balled and dramatic vocal! But, I do love pop music and its trends right now and definitely make it a part of my listening habits to stay on top of what people are listening to and love. There’s a heavy 80’s/90’s influence in music today so it’s an easy trend for me to love.
To learn more about Liz Rodrigues, visit www.lizrodrigues.com.
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