Based on the Podcast Episode: “Co-Writing Viral Hits with Jude York” – Episode 49, The Magic of Songwriting with Francesca de Valence

Jude York is a fast-rising Australian star, whose self-produced pop delicacies have gone viral. Growing up rurally with an opera-singer mother and jingle-writer father, there was little else for Jude to do but create his own musical world. In 2022, Jude debuted with a unique cult-favourite performance in Australia’s national round for Eurovision, before releasing hits, ‘Mr Porcelain’ and ‘Cashew.’

With breathtaking vulnerability, Jude quickly garnered a fanbase of like minded misfits, a community solidified by seeing him live on tour throughout Europe supporting Dean Lewis and later on his own headline tour of Australia.With 6 million streams on his first mixtape, a Queensland Music Award under his belt and Jude’s latest sensation, ‘Monaco’ climbing the international charts and amassing a staggering 1 million streams in its first week, a new era is on the horizon for the pop star-in-the-making.

We chatted with Jude at the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival 2024 about co-writing his viral hits.

For many songwriters, the creative process can be an isolated journey, a solitary experience where the world outside is left behind in pursuit of musical expression. However, for Jude York, co-writing is one of the most exhilarating aspects of his craft. Whether through Zoom sessions or in-person collaborations, York’s approach to songwriting is rooted in an openness to others’ ideas and an eagerness to create something greater than what any one person could achieve alone.

The Thrill of Co-Writing with New People

One of the things that excites Jude about co-writing is the high-stakes nature of working with new collaborators. When you’re writing with someone you’ve just met, the energy in the room is different. There’s a sense of vulnerability and risk that often brings out the most exciting ideas. As York puts it, the creative process, though sometimes challenging, is always fun at the end of the day because of that potential for discovery.

Zoom Co-Writing: The New Normal

In the modern music landscape, efficiency is essential, and Zoom co-writing has become a go-to method for songwriters like York. The ability to connect with collaborators from anywhere in the world without the need for travel is a game-changer, saving both time and energy. However, this convenience comes with its own challenges, especially when compared to writing a song over the course of an entire day with someone in the same room.

When writing over Zoom, the creative process tends to be more streamlined. The focus is often on cutting out anything unnecessary and honing in on the core of the song. For York, this approach can be refreshing because it eliminates distractions and forces everyone to focus on what truly matters—the song itself. While it might not always allow for the organic, full-day collaboration that in-person sessions provide, the efficiency of Zoom writing is a significant advantage in today’s fast-paced industry.

Despite the benefits, York admits that Zoom writing can sometimes take away the magic of face-to-face collaboration. The ability to bounce ideas off one another, feel the energy in the room, and work through the creative highs and lows together is something that’s harder to replicate online. Still, the time saved by not having to travel is often a relief, especially for someone with a busy schedule.

Vulnerability and Trust in Co-Writing

One of the most challenging aspects of co-writing is learning how to be open and vulnerable with someone you’ve just met. Songwriting is an inherently personal art form, and sharing your emotions and experiences with someone new requires a level of trust. For York, creating the right atmosphere in the room is crucial to making these sessions successful.

Setting the right tone at the beginning of a session can make all the difference. Establishing a sense of openness and mutual respect is vital for fostering an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas without fear of judgment. For York, the priority is always to protect the relationship with the other writer, rather than pushing too hard for a specific outcome. If the session doesn’t produce the perfect song, he believes it’s more important to ensure that the collaboration remains positive and that the creative partnership stays intact.

The best ideas, York has found, often come from places that seem a little out of left field. The ones that seem a bit “stupid” or unconventional at first glance are often the ones that lead to the most exciting and innovative songs. This willingness to embrace the unexpected is what allows co-writing to be such a rewarding experience. It’s in those moments of uncertainty where the best creative breakthroughs happen, and York believes it’s essential to leave space for these surprises to unfold.

Mindfulness and Overcoming Self-Doubt

Like many creatives, York grapples with self-doubt and the constant mental tug-of-war between feeling proud of his work and questioning his own abilities. This inner dialogue can sometimes stifle creativity, especially when working with new collaborators. However, York has found that mindfulness and preparation are key to overcoming these mental hurdles.

Staying present in the moment is crucial for maintaining a strong creative flow. If you’re distracted or too caught up in your own self-doubt, it’s difficult to engage fully in the creative process. To stay grounded, York makes sure to come to each session with at least one or two ideas, feelings, or references to get the conversation started. Having something to offer early on helps break the ice and gets the session off to a good start, reducing the chances of awkwardness.

By focusing on being present and prepared, York ensures that he’s able to contribute to the collaboration without letting negative self-talk get in the way. This level of preparation is not about rigidly sticking to a set plan, but about giving the session a solid foundation so that everyone can engage with the song in an authentic and productive way.

Who is the Song For?

When it comes to deciding where a song should go creatively, York likes to have a clear framework in mind before starting. He believes it’s important to understand the roles of each person in the room—whether they are the writer, the producer, or the artist—so that everyone’s expectations are aligned. For York, this clarity ensures that the song stays on track and evolves in the right direction.

If the song isn’t meant to be for him as an artist, he’s not afraid to step back and let others take the lead. However, when the song is his own, he likes to take charge of the creative direction. As an artist, it’s his responsibility to know what he wants and to guide the session accordingly. This level of ownership is important, as it helps ensure that the final product is true to his vision.

The Reality of Songwriting: Quantity vs. Quality

The music industry is often a numbers game, and York knows this better than anyone. For every song that sees the light of day, he estimates he writes around 50 songs. This may sound daunting, but it’s a reality that every songwriter faces. Not every song will make the cut, but each one is an important part of the process.

York embraces this reality because he understands that the journey is just as important as the destination. Whether working solo or co-writing, the quality of the outcome will always vary. There are days when a song comes together effortlessly, and there are other days when the process feels like a struggle. But for York, that’s part of what makes songwriting so rewarding—every session, every song, is a learning experience that helps refine his craft.

The Magic of Co-Writing

Ultimately, the best part of co-writing for York is the element of surprise. Every song he works on—whether solo or with others—takes on a life of its own. It’s never quite what you expect it to be, and that unpredictability is what keeps the creative process exciting. The collaborative nature of co-writing allows for fresh perspectives, new ideas, and unexpected turns that wouldn’t happen if the process was entirely in the hands of one person.

In the end, co-writing is not just about writing a great song—it’s about the connections, the surprises, and the creative energy that comes from working together. For Jude York, it’s a process that continues to inspire and push him to explore new musical horizons, and that’s what makes it so rewarding.

Some simple next steps

Sign up for our Co-writing Course to improve your writing skills with others, and most importantly, hop on your streaming site of choice and find Jude York.