--- title: "Platinum Selling Songs (and How to Make Money as a Songwriter) with Justin Gammella (FINNEAS, Bella Poarch, Bahamas)" description: "Why is it so hard to make a living as a songwriter? I ask Justin, who's an advocate on behalf of songwriters, and a hit writer himself. We dig into what it means to be a writer in 2024, the challenges, the opportunities, and the joy of it. Let's Love Music More. Justin Gammella is a platinum-selling songwriter, producer, vocal producer, podcast host, and songwriter advocate based in Los Angeles hailing from Long Island, New York. With a diverse clientele that includes a roster of renowned artists such as FINNEAS, Bella Poarch, Benson Boone, Steve Aoki, Lauren Jauragui, Bahamas, Lennon Stella, Ashe, Kaskade, Vicetone, Rosie Darling, Shallou, mazie, Katelyn Tarver, Jake Scott, Blake Rose, Carlie Hanson, and more, Justin’s multifaceted talents have left an indelible mark on the music industry. As a member of SONA (Songwriters of North America) and an active participant in multiple committees, he champions the rights and recognition of fellow songwriters. With a career that spans across various genres and projects, Justin brings a wealth of experience and expertise to every endeavor, ensuring a signature touch of excellence in all his collaborations." status: complete date: 2024-11-26 kind: guest guestSlugs: - justin-gammella listenUrl: "https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/Platinum-Selling-Songs-and-How-to-Make-Money-as-a-Songwriter-with-Justin-Gammella-FINNEAS--Bella-Poarch--Bahamas-e2remdb" appleUrl: "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/platinum-selling-songs-and-how-to-make-money-as/id1567355195?i=1000678259897&uo=4" spotifyUrl: "https://open.spotify.com/episode/5CsK1ZVJQ0DW93B48YnaO0" youtubeUrl: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfyLDSMh3EE" topicsDiscussed: - "Songwriting" - "Music production" - "The music business" - "Collaboration" - "The internet" - "Advocacy for songwriter rights" - "Earnings from streaming platforms" - "The reality behind platinum hits" - "Transitioning from artist to songwriter" - "Importance of live performances" - "Navigating music publishing deals" hostNote: | In this episode of the Love Music More podcast, we sit down with **Justin Gammella**, a platinum-selling songwriter and advocate for songwriters, as we explore the changing landscape of songwriting in 2024. Justin brings his experience working with artists like FINNEAS, Bella Poarch, and Bahamas to the conversation, sharing both the challenges and opportunities that songwriters face today. The discussion ranges from the misconceptions of glamorous music careers to the reality of earning a living as a songwriter in the digital age. **We unpack** Justin's journey from classical musician to hit songwriter, how he navigates the complexities of the music industry, and what the future holds for creators. This episode is filled with insight on how songwriters can advocate for their rights and why it’s essential for fans to ensure that artists are compensated fairly for their work. Let's Love Music More together! selectedMoments: - label: "Opening introduction and welcome" startSec: 100 note: "The host introduces Justin Gammella, highlighting his career as a songwriter and producer." - label: "The struggle of songwriters" startSec: 178 note: "Justin discusses how the perception of music's glamour does not match the financial realities songwriters face." - label: "Importance of fair pay" startSec: 256 note: "They talk about how fair pay for artists affects the music quality and sustainability." - label: "Justin's early musical journey" startSec: 339 note: "Justin shares how his passion for music started at a young age and evolved over time." - label: "The dynamics of songwriting" startSec: 498 note: "Discussion on how collaborating with other artists in songwriting sessions influences creativity." - label: "Navigating publishing deals" startSec: 960 note: "Justin explains the importance of finding the right publisher and negotiating favorable terms." - label: "The balance between artistry and commercialism" startSec: 1204 note: "Conversation on how songwriters can maintain artistic integrity while being commercially successful." - label: "Future of music consumption" startSec: 1860 note: "Justin discusses trends in music and how the industry is evolving." - label: "Advice for aspiring songwriters" startSec: 3438 note: "Justin offers encouragement and practical advice for those looking to pursue a career in songwriting." excerptQuotes: - text: "At the end of the day, you want to make sure the artist is getting paid well." startSec: 257 reviewed: true - text: "The way we get paid is similar but different, and we're fighting the same battles." startSec: 258 reviewed: true - text: "I think you have to know what you want in a publisher. If you don’t know what you want, you might not be ready for one." startSec: 1039 reviewed: true - text: "You want to blame us? I don’t care, but you have to force consumers to do it or else it’s never going to happen." startSec: 3137 reviewed: true - text: "Music will always pull me towards it no matter what I'm doing in life." startSec: 3511 reviewed: true faq: - question: "What challenges do songwriters face in 2024?" answer: "In 2024, songwriters face challenges such as unfair compensation, the complexity of music publishing deals, and the need to navigate an ever-changing industry." - question: "How can songwriters advocate for their rights?" answer: "Songwriters can advocate for their rights through organizations like SONA, participating in collective bargaining, and by raising awareness about the importance of fair pay." - question: "What advice does Justin Gammella have for aspiring songwriters?" answer: "Justin advises aspiring songwriters to focus on their artistic integrity, collaborate with others, and understand the business aspects of music to ensure a sustainable career." transcriptPublished: false draft: false ---