“Good Days”
Written by Phoebe Katis
Interview by American Songwriter
Phoebe Katis is the American Songwriter March Forward Road Ready Talent Contest Promotion winner with her song “Good Days.” American Songwriter caught up with her to get the story behind the song.
How long have you been songwriting?
I started writing when I was 11 or 12, those songs will never see the light of day haha. I started seriously writing & performing my own songs at 15.
Why did you enter American Songwriter’s March Forward Promotion?
I’m working on my 5th studio album and booking my debut headline tour, so the support both financially and press wise is very helpful! Opportunities like this are so important for independent artists and songwriters. Thank you again for choosing my song!
What was the inspiration behind your song, “Good Days”?
Bad days haha. we all have them, and we all have the power to turn them around. Which is something I definitely don’t always do. Good Days is a little mantra about staying in the present, reminding yourself that the grass isn’t always greener, and maybe you do know what you’re doing… at least a little bit. And now I have a song of my own to hold me accountable when a bad day hits.
Are you planning to release any new music this year?
Yes! My 5th studio album is in the mastering stage, releasing later this summer 2025. “Good Days” was the first single from the album, and there are two more out now 🙂
Who are your all-time favorite songwriters and why?
An impossible question to answer, so I’ll go for an era of songwriters – 70s. Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Kate Bush, Elton John, David Bowie, Michael McDonald, Paul Simon, Bill Withers. The list goes on. What I adore about their writing is that they wrote for the song’s sake as well as their artistic expression. They were open channels for music, ideas, philosophies, wisdoms. They told stories that weren’t always their own but were so universally relatable that it didn’t matter. They were chameleons when it came to artistic expression, adapting and changing as the song needed whilst still retaining their artistic identity. Carole King especially, with her background in writing for other artists, and in fact not even really wanting her own artist career, shows how devoted she is to the art of songwriting. I always go back to her career for inspiration. When in doubt, just finish the song, regardless of whether it’s for your artistic project, or for someone else’s, or even just to get it out of your system. I’ve always gravitated more towards a variety show in terms of artistry, delivering a buffet of different styles, songs, and production all on one album, rather than a chocolate cake divided into 10 pieces, a ‘concept’ album. Or maybe a variety album is a concept… aaaaand the debate begins!
Honourable mention. Diane Freaking Warren. Wow. her discography is endless, and ALL the bangers. Don’t get me started on my love for the 80s…
What would you tell other artists who are considering entering the contest?
Do it! You never know what will come from entering, there’s nothing to lose. At the very least your music is being heard by respected members of the music and songwriting community, & there’s definitely no harm in that. You can also use competition deadlines as a deadline to finish that song, which is always helpful, for me at least.
Check out the winning song below:
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.