Songs performed and discussed:
“You Go Down Smooth” (Olson) begins at 5:20
“Look What a Mistake” (Price) begins at 20:30
“Seventeen” (Kearney) begins at 46:20
“I Don’t Care About You” (Calabrese) begins at 1:06:05
“Let Me Roll It” (McCartney) begins at 1:51:35

After meeting while students at NEC in the early 2000s, Lake Street Dive has catapulted to stardom. NPR notes that they blend “jazz, folk, and pop in dangerously charming fashion.” In this workshop, the band—vocalist Rachael Price ’07, trumpet/guitar player Mike Olson ’05, stand-up bassist Bridget Kearney ’08 Tufts/NEC, and drummer Mike Calabrese ’07—returned to NEC to share its wit and songwriting expertise with students.

ABOUT NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY
A cultural icon that will mark its 150th anniversary in 2017, New England Conservatory (NEC) is recognized worldwide as a leader among music schools. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, NEC offers rigorous training in an intimate, nurturing community to undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate music students from around the world. Its faculty of 225 boasts internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC alumni go on to fill orchestra chairs, concert hall stages, jazz clubs, recording studios, and arts management positions worldwide. Half of the Boston Symphony Orchestra is composed of NEC-trained musicians and faculty.

The only conservatory in the United States designated a National Historic Landmark, NEC presents more than 1000 free concerts each year. Many of these take place in Jordan Hall (which shares National Historic Landmark status with the school), world-renowned for its superb acoustics and beautifully restored interior.

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22 Replies to “Lake Street Dive: Songwriting Masterclass at NEC”

  1. It's so unusual to hear Mike Olson talk at length because he doesn't make a peep and is the least animated at the live shows. Great musician and COMPOSER!!!

  2. At 43:06, a person asks how does one know when to end a song. LSDers talked around (and I could understand that too). Writing a piece of music is — like any other form of writing — about telling a story. One may ramble on at will… a composition is at its end when it has told its story.

  3. I had to watch this in sections, but I've gotten through the whole two hours in one day. Wonderful hearing about each member's songwriting process, and seeing the interplay among such different personalities. I've been binge-watching their videos the past few days, but this gives me a lot more insight into their dynamic. Great questions from the NEC kids, and great hearing about the band's conservatory roots.

  4. I'm really glad you posted this in its entirety, rather than slapping together a bunch of highlights.  It's worth the full watch.  Thanks NEC!

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