For the purposes of this challenge the simple answer is 4 songs or more qualifies - you decide whether you call it an Album or an EP. For me 3 songs is a single, and given the top prize is for us to put out an album it's hard to sell a 3 track CD. There's a conversation to be had about length etc and if someone submits 3 20min tracks then fine, I get it... but for most people I'd use 4 tracks minimum as the guideline!

Definitely agree with this! I stopped writing lyrics for 10+ years - mostly because I was in bands with singers who were much better at lyric writing than me - coming back to it a few years ago was really hard though! Back in a groove now but definitely wish I'd kept going.

I'm hoping to be up at midnight and start sketching some ideas out too - still not sure what I'm going to end up doing to be honest!

haha nice, I love that!

Great idea, could yield some very interesting results!

Nice, great tips - thanks! I tend to write lyrics and music separately. Sometimes I write with a tune in mind but by the time I decide to adapt and use them it's usually for something completely different. Definitely like the idea of swapping things like verses and choruses, I have done that a fair bit.

Awesome, that's a great story. I took a break for a year or 2 when my oldest was born but I've always advocated that making and writing music is something that stays with you for life - very pleased to hear this playing out in your story!

Very cool tip, I find there's a big difference between writing something down and saying it out loud. For me it's unexpected upsets in the rhythm as well as repeated words. Although that might just be that I'm not very good at counting syllables!

Wow this sounds like it will be amazing, can't wait to hear it! I completely agree with the philosophy that the best songs are the ones where you can strip them right back to the bare essentials and they are still great songs. I've talked about this a lot in the past - great to hear you feel the same!

I agree with all of the above!

Great point, for you the challenge is flipped! Theramin sounds fun, I nearly bought one once but didn't in the end so I'm afraid I can't help you this time...

I'm similar actually, working on 2 other projects at the moment so when May hits I'll have that same 'ah shit' moment - I quite like it, focuses the mind!

Absolutely - Anything can happen!

I quite like working on other things while I'm waiting for something - often I end up learning things I can apply to the thing I was waiting on.

I like the idea of a 'harmonic flourish' - sounds very intriguing! I agree, Natalie Calhoun's EP was exceptional last year, there's definitely something interesting in the idea of limiting the number of instruments and focusing instead on how to get the best out. Lots to think about, great to hear all about it!

Awesome, love that - even the phrase 'mosaic of worn pottery' is strangely poetic! At some point I will point everyone towards the Collaborations thread in the forum, I was going to wait a week or 2 to see if more people signed up so I don't repeat myself too often but no harm in posting in there to see who is available.

Having fun is the key part really, that's what it's all about!

ooh nice, love a bit of noise!

Maybe combine the 2 and go for experimental country...!

I definitely want to play with samples at some point, never really done it but I think it could be fun!