Who doesn't struggle with writer's block? Or changing your writing habits or chord structure? Experience 'second verse hell'?? Susan Cattaneo (she/her) has 20 years as an educator teaching at Berklee College of Music so knows a thing or two about how to break the blocks. She's also an award-winning songwriter in her own right and is here to talk about all things songwriting, writer's block and being a full-time musician as a woman in her 50s.   With her powerful voice, captivating melodies and finely-crafted lyrics, Susan Cattaneo is one of Boston’s most respected singer/songwriters. A compelling performer and vivid storyteller, Susan’s music blends folk, rock and blues with hint of country. Following up on the success of her chart-topping double album. The Hammer & The Heart, Susan Cattaneo is releasing All is Quiet in April of 2022. Critics, audiences, and fellow artists have instantly connected with the personal nature of Susan’s songs. Susan is a three-time Kerrville New Folk Finalist and a three-time nominee for Best Americana Artist at the Boston Music Awards, and she won the 2018 CT folk Festival. Her last album The Hammer and The Heart charted #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and yielded a #1 song on folk radio and a top 10 album of 2017. She is also one half of the indie folk duo called Honest Mechanik with Paul Hansen of The Grownup Noise. The duo launched their first album in July of 2020 and were nominated as Folk Act of The Year at the 2021 Boston Music Awards. “Cattaneo’s solo songs have roots that run deep under the earth from Memphis to Nashville to Appalachia (pick a random song from her catalog and odds are it would be an ideal cover for Bonnie Raitt or Carrie Underwood or Steve Earle). ” – Jed Gottlieb, The Boston Herald BONUS: At the end of the episode you can hear Susan's new song Blackbirds from her upcoming album All Is Quiet Check out Susan's site and tour dates here: https://susancattaneo.com Follow her on insta: https://instagram.com/susancmusic  ----more---- You can support our Patreon for BTS and early access to episodes, tip sheets and community here: http://patreon.com/thisnextsongsabout   Transcripts available at http://thisnextsongsabout.com    Don't forget to check out some great home-recording microphones on offer from Shure here:   Shure MV7 podcast and vocal mic Shure SM58 - most durable stage & recording mic ever created! ----more----