The Writer's Life

press release: Two Madison area songwriters will discuss the process of songwriting and their own musical careers at a Writer’s Life Lecture Series event held at 7 p.m. February 25 in Room 240 at the downtown campus of Madison College, 211 North Carroll Street, Madison. The event is free and open to the public.   

Lo Marie, a solo artist whose “Solid Ground” album was selected as the Jazz Album of the Year at the 2015 Madison Area Music Awards ceremony, and Kyle Rightley, a songwriter and guitarist for The Big Payback band who was a 2015 MAMA finalist for best country/bluegrass performer, will discuss how and why they became songwriters at the lecture series that explores the writing lives of local writers.  

“The Writer’s Life Lecture Series has featured all types of writers over the years, from novelists and investigative journalists to advertising copywriters and travel writers,” said Larry D. Hansen, the event moderator. “This is the first time we will feature songwriting.  It’ll be interesting to hear these songwriters talk about their ‘writing lives,’ as well as perform a few of their own songs.”  

Marie, a Madison resident who was once an opera singer, is internationally known for her jazz projects. She published her first album (EP), “Beyond the Age of Reason,” in 2012. She followed that up in 2015 with her second EP, “Solid Ground.”  

Rightley has built a career out of a wide variety of genres, such as rock, folk, classical, jazz and funk. He released two solo EPs in 2014: “Raven Steals the Moon” and “The Bleak, Barbarian Pines.” In addition to his work with The Big Playback, Rightley has performed with Drivewawy Thriftdwellers, Five Points Jazz Collective, and Beefus.  

The panel discussion will be followed by a question-and-answer period. The public is invited free of charge.  

The college’s Journalism Program and Creative Writing Program sponsor the Writer’s Life Lecture Series event.