Insiders! So what did you think of our conversation with songwriter Roxanne Seeman? Very interesting perspectives from the international angle for your songs. Let us know in the comments below.

Perfect timing. I just learned how to write songs in every single language on the planet.

It's incredible what can happen 🎉

I really enjoyed this interview - thank you Music Business TV! The most elucidating things that I learned from the interview were: 1) I was reminded that opportunities come from allowing relationships to develop organically and from staying responsive enough to the other party to be able to be ready to give them something they need. It was also a reminder that sometimes unexpected requests happen, such as a foreign language song. This was interesting to me, because I've written a song with two co-writers from India, and we are exploring integrating Indian and Western elements - so I am interested in learning how building relationships with people and music business people in other countries can lead to opportunities; how opportunities can open up once we start forming relationships and work hard to give them what they are asking for. 2) That you can get there if you apply your strengths skillfully and you take the time to write the best songs you can; and really make them the best they can be. For Roxanne it sounds like that started with writing lyrics to melody. Currently, I'm enjoying doing the opposite: writing melodies to existing lyrics. But this was a reminder that if you do one thing well and stick with it, you can find opportunity. 3) It gave me inspiration to consider recording my songs in other languages, though I know there may be a bit of a learning curve. Fun idea, but not sure if I have the time and energy at this point in my life to pursue this avenue. 4) I also appreciated hearing about how the relationships with people formed organically, just by taking chances, such as the relationship with Hubert, the jazz player. I had a similar experience in my life of taking a chance and reaching out to someone successful and having them take me under their wing a bit; and they did way more for me than I ever expected. 5) I appreciated hearing about how Roxanne wanted to take calligraphy, but there were no calligraphy classes so she took language. It was a good reminder to me that sometimes in life we don't have access to exactly what we want, but we can adapt and still find value in what is available. It was also interesting to hear about her background in Chinese music and piano and jazz. 6) This interview was a reminder to me that you never know how opportunities will come, but if keep your skills strong, and you stay independent and brave (in the context of putting yourself and your music out there, and building relationships), opportunities often come around in some form. I also enjoyed hearing about her time in Brazil and in writing the song about the Chinese wall. I have also found a lot of inspiration for songwriting in poems. Thank you for this thoughtful interview Ritch, and thank you to Roxanne for giving us this window into your career and experiences. FUTURE CONTENT IDEAS: Currently, I am interested in seeing content on two areas of the music business: 1) How to pitch your songs to raise awareness for things like severe, disabling, untreatable/incurable illnesses (that can potentially be cured in the future), and charities that support these illnesses; in order to help the diseases be brought more into the public consciousness and awareness - so as to create a dialogue that potentially leads to more time, energy, money, and a spotlight toward the illness, benefitting patients with that disease. (I'd like to learn more about how to approach, establish and grow a campaign for using a song that is relevant to the disease (e.g. song has message that is consistent with the emotion and experience of those with the disease, while not being being too specific about the exact illness) in marketing for organizations that raise money to find a cure or treatment. 2) how to craft your recordings/productions so that the recording stands out, hits the right marks, and sounds contemporary and competitive with other songs being licensed, while also maintaining that authentic, natural, and creative/unique spirit that comes when we write from our own soul, with our own sound (in the context of sync licensing). For example, I have heard from a screener at TAXI that the chorus has to really stand out, and it is useful to provide melodic and instrumental contrast between the verses and chorus; as well as utilize dynamics in the song. I have heard a lot from sync pros that if the chorus doesn't have enough going on, such as having too simplistic instrumentation or not producing enough emotion in the chorus to really give it that lift, the song won't reach the heights it could, and it won't be as memorable. Also, I've heard that it is important that the song have clear arc/development step-wise....I'm also interested in hearing thoughts from professionals in sync about strategies for maintaining artistic integrity while also incorporating elements into production that make the song sound more "now". ALSO, would love to see an interview with 13-time emmy winner AJ Gundell, CEO of Future Hits Music. I think your audience would learn some really valuable insight about sync from him.

it only reminds that connections and money are more needed than talent