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Manitoba songwriting duo scores a number one down under

Wednesday August 3, 2011

The video of the number one song currently on the country chart in Australia.

Writing songs can be frustrating, but also very rewarding. Successful songs act as soundtracks to our lives.

The Winnipeg based songwriting duo of Keith MacPherson and Chris Burke-Gaffney have composed for the Keats, Sierra Noble and most recently for the Australian country band Jetty Road. Their song Serves You Right was co-written with the group and has made it to the top of the country charts in Australia.

SCENE asked Keith MacPherson about the special chemistry behind their successful songwriting team.

What's the one thing that makes a successful songwriting partnership happen?
I have a quote from Wayne Dyer on my wall that says "Have a mind that's open to everything and attached to nothing." I think having an open mind to explore the creative together when co-writing is the key along with having similar music interests. Both Chris and I enjoy similar tastes in music from Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers to The Wilburys to The Beatles.

The great songwriting teams often have a special chemistry, what's yours? Chris and I are brothers. We often joke that we were separated at birth. We get each other's musical style and it just works. It reminds me of what it would be like to sit down in a room with John Lennon or Paul McCartney, when CBG and I work together on a song.

Describe how you write a song with other artists in mind as opposed to for yourselves?
We always try to keep the interest of the artist in mind. Many times just being in the same room as the artist we are writing for, can help shape the direction for a song. If the artist is not with us, we often try to emulate the style that they want us to write in.

Where do you get your inspiration?
I channel it from the creative pool that is always accessible to us... we just need to be open to it. I have never felt that a song came from me directly... it seems to come through me, but not from me. I am always inspired by my music influences that range from Tom Petty to The Beatles. I also am very inspired by the people around me that I write with including Renee Lamoureux (from my band Keith and Renee) and Chris (my should be brother haha).

These days, in a changing music business, what does it mean to have a number one hit?
It is an exciting honour and I am glad that it has resonated for people. I don't put much attention on the trends of the music business. I like to focus my efforts on making honest music that is undeniably great and from the heart. In the case of Serves You Right I think the intention was to write the best song we possibly could for Jetty Road and it seems that this has happened, which is a really exciting situation!