Unsolved Melodies

Taking the Mystery Out of Songwriting

Hello there! My name is Erin Barra and I am the founder and creator of Unsolved Melodies: a unique songwriting consulting springboard that will launch you towards success, regardless of your needs or skill set. Whether you write songs, poems or melodies, need one-on-one help writing your next big hit or need a song for that special occasion, I’m here to help you.

Over the years I have had the pleasure to work with Grammy-winning artists, engineers, producers, songwriters and music industry heavyweights in Nashville, LA and NY. I have a Songwriting degree from The Berklee College of Music and am currently based out of New York City where I have lived and worked as a writer for several years. I can accommodate all levels of musical knowledge and backgrounds from someone with no instrumental proficiency whatsoever to rippin’ guitar and keyboard players. In the words of someone much wiser than I, "All you need is 3 chords and the truth."

When I first met Erin Barra at Berklee a few years ago I sensed she had something special. After our first writing session together, my instincts were confirmed. She is an "old soul" musician with a very modern songwriting sensibility. She is the type of artist who can have a long career in the music business.

John Oates of Hall and Oates

Regardless of the style, be it a Jazz Standard, a Country song, an Urban smash and anything in-between, I try to bring a new perspective and uniqueness to every project I take on. Let me help you craft the songs you were meant to write and take the often-perplexing mystery out of songwriting.

I operate globally via the internet and locally out of New York City. Wherever you are and whatever you need, I’m here whenever you need me. If you have an interest in hearing my own sound, production standards or writing abilities I urge you to visit my website at www.erinbarra.com

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Services

CO-WRITING

Helping artists compose original material for themselves and writers to create songs to sell to artists. The goal is to help performers and writers who need creative support and guidance to write songs they are personally and emotionally connected to, which will make your songs timeless and marketable. Also co-writing with songwriters who wish to learn more about the collaborative process and learn how to create as a classic songwriting team.

TARGET WRITING

Writing songs specifically targeted for a particular artist. The specifications of each particular song can be genre specific, range specific, content specific etc: Guaranteed satisfaction. I will write and re-write until you have the song you have been waiting your whole life to sing.

SONGS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Anything from a spouses birthday, a daughters wedding, the loss of a loved one or an ode to a man’s best friend, I’ve written them all at this point. A song is an amazing way to capture your thoughts and feelings through the use of melody. A gift that will not be forgotten, songs for special occasions and someone’s live on forever and carry with them a matchless ability to move you every time you choose to listen.

DEMO PRODUCTION

I will produce and record demos of your songs so that you can show them to your friends and family, shop them to publishers, put them on your album, or any other purpose you may have for them. Together, we can do everything from record an instrumental/vocal arrangement of your songs in my personal studio to creating fully produced 'radio ready' cuts with studio musicians and everything in-between.

SONGWRITING LESSONS

Weekly, monthly or just every once in a while. My lessons are hour-long songwriting sessions where you will receive one on one attention to you and your songs. This is all about you! The lessons are catered to your specific strengths and weaknesses as a writer and aim to give you a toolbox and vocabulary to utilize while writing your next hit! Ex. Lyric writing, melody writing, harmonic structure etc: Optimally, I prefer to work in person but have and am open to and have used skype as a viable alternative with good results.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

I will listen to your cuts, and then listen to them again and again until I have a solid understanding of where your songs need more work and support. This analysis can be done with a few objectives in mind. For example, I can listen with the intent of finding ways to make your songs more marketable for radio play, suggestions on how to beef up your lyric writing, melody writing and or production of your demos and any other purpose you have in mind. I’m working for you and your songs here.

Pricing

Prices & Rates

Due to the unique nature of each creative project, I can only give you a quote after learning about the involvement and expectations of your individual project. I work on a sliding scale depending each situation. I am currently offering free consultations to new clients, and will work with you on a price that’s fair and reasonable for both of us. I am happy to answer all of your questions personally!

Terms & Conditions

In certain circumstances, I will retain part, all, or none of the intellectual property rights associated with songs created as a service of Unsolved Melodies.

For all songs that include aspects of collaboration the copyright gets split 2 ways (50% - 50%) regardless of how much either party has contributed. I don’t do word counting, or distribution of ownership based upon what someone feels is their personal contribution.

For Target Writing I have done exclusively on my own, I would retain 100% of the copyright. I don’t work under a 'Work For Hire' pretense, or split ownership of something that was created solely by me.

I will retain none of the copyright in circumstances where you are the sole creator of your music.

Contact

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Email Unsolved Melodies

erin@unsolvedmelodies.com