Songwriters can find inspiration, objective critiques in meetup group

Jim Miller/ViewTim Catching, left on guitar, and Sharon Paquette work on a song together. Paquette recently started the Songwriters Meetup group in Las Vegas. Songwriter Sharon Paquette works on a song on her keyboard.Jim Miller/VIew Advertisement

Ever sang a song, painted a picture or wrote a poem and shared it with your mom? You probably heard that you were the best singer, painter or writer this world had ever seen, and that your skills left no room for improvement.

Four years ago, Sharon Paquette, a singer and songwriter, was in search of more than a pat on the head from friends and family. She wanted an objective critique. She wanted to improve as an artist. So, the 31-year-old invited a group of other songwriters to meet at a bar in her hometown of Toronto for two years. The monthly sessions sparked new ideas for Paquette's work and equipped her to release her first four-song demo album.

"I really needed interaction with other songwriters," said Paquette, who is set to release a 12-song CD in the spring. "I get inspiration from just being around them."

She moved to southeast Las Vegas 11/2 years ago and is working to bring that same support to local songwriters. Last month, she launched the first Songwriters Meetup. Fifteen people showed up, each with different goals for their music.

"The one thing they all have in common is they want someone to hear their music," Paquette said. "There is such a need for this here. There are so many cover bands, and there is no outlet for songwriters with original work."

The next Songwriters Meetup is at 6 p.m. today at the Sam Ash music store at 2747 S. Maryland Parkway.

In February, Paquette started a weekly open mic night called Resodence that gives musicians a stage to showcase their work. Every Thursday night, musicians pack the Freakin' Frog at 4700 S. Maryland Parkway to watch and take part in four 45-minute performances. Paquette said Resodence performance slots are booked through February.

Through the weekly performance nights, Paquette has met several songwriters who wanted more than a lit stage, but a platform where they could swap ideas, hear objective critiques and network with other songwriters.

Songwriters are asked to bring their sheet music and either perform in front of the group or play a CD of one of their songs to be critiqued. Paquette will lead various songwriting exercises and occasionally bring in guest artists who will offer other writing tips. Tonight, a representative from Roland Corp. will demonstrate how to use a loop pedal, which records an instrument and plays it back during a performance.

Songwriters groups are not new in the valley. Las Vegas Songwriters Association has been a haven for musicians for 25 years. Doug Erickson, a board member with the association, which is made up of mostly country music songwriters, said it doesn't hurt to have more groups like Paquette's in the valley.

"If your goal is to hear your songs in public, it's vital to be a part of something like this," Erickson said. "I've learned the craft of writing from being in the group."

Tim Catching, who will co-host the Songwriters Meetups, said he looks forward to songwriters from all levels in the group learning from one another.

"The challenge for every songwriter is to have each song have its own personality, and when you have other people listening to your stuff, you get kind of a three-dimensional view of your song," said Catching, who's written music since he was 6 years old. "It'll be cool to hear what everyone else has to say. Everybody has a good amount to teach and a good amount to learn."

Contact Southeast and Southwest View reporter Danielle Nadler at dnadler@viewnews.com or 224-5524.

FIND OUT MORE

Songwriters Meetup is at 6 p.m. today at the Sam Ash music store at 2747 S. Maryland Parkway. Future meetings will be the fourth Sunday of each month.

The groups is free and songwriters of all genres are welcome. For more information, visit www.meetup.com/lasvegas singersongwriters.