Recorded beside the turquoise waters of Airlie Beach at the 2025 Whitsundays Songwriter Festival, Francesca sits down with two-time Golden Guitar winner Brad Butcher to talk about songwriting, collaboration, and learning music by listening deeply growing up in regional Queensland.

About Brad: Brad Butcher is a Central Queensland born independent singer-songwriter and musician. A two time Golden Guitar Award winner for New Talent * (2018) & Alt Country Album of the year ** (2020). He was the 2018 Q Music Award Winner for Best Country Song and an APRA Professional Development Award Finalist (2013). He has release 4 studio albums ~ Travelling Salesman ** (2019), From the Bottom of a Well * (2017), Jamestown (2015) and the debut self titled release (2012). Butcher has earned himself critical acclaim and recognition nationally as an independent artist and has crafted a career and unique style of songwriter that mixes the working class grit of Springsteen and the tender expression of Ray LaMontagne. Touring Australia extensively and the United States multiple times. Butcher has showcased at Nashville's premier Americana Fest, Toronto's NXNE Festival, performed at our own iconic Country Music Awards of Australia multiple times and myriad of national festivals and venues.
Contact Brad: Website / Facebook / Instagram

Join our 2026 Festival
If you want to be part of the 2026 Whitsundays Songwriter Festival and be mentored by our team of acclaimed songwriters, join us in Airlie Beach, Queensland on June 6 https://www.whitsundaysartsfestival.org/songwriterfestival

Ready to deep dive into songwriting? Join our 10-week online intensive course to write 10 new songs with lessons, personalised mentorship and practical tools to refine your craft. Learn more at iheartsongwritingclub.com/songwritingcourses.

Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.

Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community.

Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses.

Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass.

Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Be inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / Instagram

Theme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence

If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

Adam Kidd and Josh Gunnels, aka Summer in the Attic, have been making music together since their college days in the 90s. Now based in Boston and Nashville, they collaborate online through I Heart Songwriting Club, challenging themselves and each other in inventive ways. In this episode, we explore their songwriting process—from Josh’s unconventional singing style and Adam’s intuitive understanding of his partner’s musical intentions, to the crucial role of production and recording in bringing a song to life. They share how songwriting transcends technical singing ability and how their creative energy thrives both in quick demos and polished tracks. Listen in as we dive deep into the making of the track ‘Mumble and Peg’ off their latest album, and the lessons it holds for every songwriter.

About Summer in the Attic: Indie rock duo out of Boston/Nashville. No idea what we are doing but trying to enjoy it along the way.
Contact Summer in the Attic : Spotify / Instagram

Song Credit: ‘Mumble and Peg" - Written by Josh Gunnels and Adam Kidd. Performed by Summer in the Attic

Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.

Ready to deep dive into songwriting? Join our 10-week online intensive course to write 10 new songs with lessons, personalised mentorship and practical tools to refine your craft. Learn more at iheartsongwritingclub.com/songwritingcourses.

Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community.

Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses.

Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass.

Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Be inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / Instagram

Theme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence

If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

First Born Sun, the musical project of Canberra songwriter and producer Dave Cina, is a true unsung hero of the music world. Over four years, he’s crafted four albums in the Club, each one a fully realised sonic world. In this episode, we explore his latest release, Monkey Paw, a Spaghetti Western-inspired album that’s both lighthearted and dark. Dave opens up about his love of producing over performing, and the challenge of hearing his own singing voice in recordings. Tune in for a conversation celebrating the quiet brilliance of an underrated artist and the worlds he creates through music.

Song Credit: “Dimming Light" - Written by David Cina. Performed by First Born Sun.

Ready to deep dive into songwriting? Join our 10-week online intensive course to write 10 new songs with lessons, personalised mentorship and practical tools to refine your craft. Learn more at iheartsongwritingclub.com/songwritingcourses.

Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.

Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community.

Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses.

Don’t struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass.

Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Be inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / Instagram

Theme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence

If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.