Occasionally we post random relevant links from around the web relating to songwriting:

Are albums an aging art form?

And bands will continue to dream up characters and plot lines whose exploits hold up over the course of a dozen songs or more — whatever the distribution method. It might be the Arcade Fire or it might be Nas: There’s no shortage of musicians who are creative enough to tell stories that require whole albums to unfold.

New book details emergence, evolution of songwriting in Nashville

Rather than simply a straight history text or another volume heavy on gossip and obsessed with recounting myths and wild adventures, Kosser’s book covers events and examines issues frequently overlooked in Nashville music works. He spotlights record label executives, discusses the importance of promotional staffs, explains the significance of publishing companies and focuses on much more than simply the people in front of the microphones. At the same time, he doesn’t ignore major musical events that happened in Nashville, from the arrival of Bob Dylan to the phenomenon of Garth Brooks. The final sections look at more recent issues involving country and pop locally, among them the rise of independent labels and the image and direction of the country sound in the 21st century.

Musicians and blogs. (via Largehearted Boy)

Fan clubs still exist, of course. But blogging has revolutionized the way fans connect with their favorite performers. Beyond “sharing time” with the folks who rabidly purchase every album and concert ticket, some pop stars have figured out a way to use blogs to boost their brand – spurring record sales when other outlets have been closed to them.

Singer-songwriter Seth Lakeman talks about how his album’s nomination for the Mercury Prize last year changed his audience. (via LargeHeartedBoy)

“Before the Mercury nomination, we were playing arts centres, to about 150 people, and it was predominantly a folkie-esque audience, with an average age from 40 up to 60. After Mercury, with a bit of radio play and lots of coverage, suddenly the next tour we did was all sold out, and the audience was 16 to 60.”

Franz Ferdinand on songwriting:

“The age-group is going to be 14-18, which is great,” he explains, “but I wish there were even younger kids coming along as well. That’s the age where I would particularly love kids to be encouraged to write music . At primary school, you’re told to write a creative story about what you did the day before, but in music you only ever learn to play scales and other people’s music, you’re never encouraged just to make up a little daft tune of your own. I think it’s a shame; something that’s really missing from music education in primary schools. If we could start kids writing music when they’re young then they’d be able to do it much easier when they’re older.”