Four-time Grammy-nominated songwriter Laura Veltz is teaming up with American Songwriter for the launch of a weekly podcast, Songwriter Soup, on March 13. Songwriter Soup, which drops a new one-hour episode every Monday, offers “healthy recipes for not losing your mind and your money in the songwriter business.”
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Veltz serves as a co-host alongside Tracy Hackney, Partner, MRWM and veteran wealth management advisor, and Kevin Sokolnicki, recording engineer and producer. The podcast transpired after Veltz and Hackney partnered to write a book of the same name. The yet-to-be-released project was written as a handbook for creatives while Veltz says the podcast is “more accessible and understandable.”
“My hope is that some of these things that I have distilled into words help [songwriters] live a little bit better, a little easier, and enjoy this incredible opportunity to be the world’s emotional interpreter,” Veltz tells American Songwriter.
[RELATED: Laura Veltz on Why Her Historic Grammy Nomination Is a Win for Songwriters]
In the 15 years since she moved to Nashville, Veltz has penned multiple No. 1 songs, including Maren Morris’ “The Bones” and “I Could Use a Love Song,” Dan + Shay’s “Speechless,” Eli Young Band’s “Drunk Last Night” and Lady A’s “What If I Never Get Over You.” Every other episode of the podcast has Veltz and Hackney discussing their book with Sokolnicki. The episodes in between feature songwriters in the Nashville community as they share their creative journeys, financial lessons, and more. Season one guests include songwriters Luke Dick, Luke Laird, Lori McKenna, Jimmy Robbins, and Andy Albert.
Veltz initially connected with Hackney at her publisher’s urging early in her career. She says Big Machine Music GM Mike Molinar knew her anxiety with money and suggested she meet with the financial advisor. During their first meeting, Hackney gave Veltz three pieces of advice that kept her grounded and less worried about money. After years of advice and friendship, the pair decided to share these lessons with others.
Veltz first learned of Sokolnicki through Kelleigh Bannen’s This Nashville Life podcast and says he’s “such an integral part” of the Songwriter Soup podcast.
“He’s a really good organizer,” Veltz says of Sokolnicki. “He’s asking us questions based on stuff we already wrote. He’s walking through it in a way that I don’t have to reread the book. He’s like, ‘Here’s a point that’s going to be interesting.’ He has a really high value in my head on how this is all working. Kevin is just delightful. He’s so much fun.”
Veltz adds that partnering with American Songwriter on Songwriter Soup was “such a chef’s kiss moment.”
“It’s just this perfect thing and it’s been a joy,” she says of the collaboration. “Everyone we’ve met with totally gets what we see. The further down the road we go, the more excited we are. It just feels like one of those things that I’m going to be really proud of.
“The hope here is that these kids, who are just starting out, will have some idea of what’s coming years before it happens so that they’re like, ‘Oh, yeah, I remember this part,’” she continues. “Even if only 10 people listen to it, and they really get it, it will be worth doing. … The excitement about helping a handful of [creatives] operate a little differently just gives me so much joy. I’m so stoked.”
Don’t miss Songwriter Soup with Laura Veltz, Tracy Hackney, and Kevin Sokolnicki when it launches on Monday, March 13, everywhere you get your podcasts.
Photo by Ann Marie DiSalvo / American Songwriter
Really excited to listen in on this one!