Vale Philip Hayward-Surry (1945 – 2025)
Last week, I lost a good friend. The world lost a good man. And I lost one of my greatest musical champions… Philip Hayward-Surry. I first met Phil when I was 16 and back then, I was just a young…
Corey Stewart
I am a songwriter, musician, producer and blogger from Australia
What Pharrell Williams Taught Me About Creativity, Humility, and the Power of Collaboration
I recently came across a video exploring Pharrell Williams’ thoughts on creativity, collaboration, and how he’s managed to stay relevant, curious, and inspired over such a long and varied career. This video hit me right between the eyes, not because…
Why Songwriters Aren’t Sacred, But Words Are
There’s a quote from playwright Tom Stoppard that’s always stuck with me: “I don’t think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect.” Now, Stoppard was talking about writers in general, but from where I sit (behind a guitar,…
How I Try To Stay Sane In An Insane World
Let’s face it: the world can feel like a lot sometimes. Between the noise, the speed, the pressure, and the never-ending stream of information and opinions, it’s no wonder so many of us are struggling just to keep our heads…
Hustle Culture Is Bullshit
Somewhere along the line, working yourself into the ground has become a badge of honour. Since when did we begin to wear exhaustion like some sort of trophy around our necks? Since when did we confuse movement with meaning, productivity…
Doing Nothing Is Doing Something
There’s a phrase that’s been orbiting my mind lately, and the more I sit with it, the more truth I find in its simplicity: “Doing nothing is doing something.” Now, that might sound counter-intuitive (maybe even a bit self indulgent)…
What the Political Parties Are Pledging For the Music Industry
The Music Network gathers those notable pre-election promises for assistance and backing for the “Vote Music” campaign. As Australia heads to the polls on May 3rd, 2025, the country’s music industry is rallying behind the “Vote Music 2025” campaign, an…
If You’re Going to Cover a Song, Do It Properly: Dismantle It, Rebuild It And Make It Your Own
In light of my last post I thought it would be a good thing to write about my thoughts on playing covers. I’ve done it for many years and continue to do so from time to time in a more…
When It Comes To Today’s Live Music Scene… Nostalgia Is Dangerous
It’s a Saturday night at a packed suburban pub. The band on stage isn’t playing their own music, in fact, they’re not even pretending to. They’re dressed like Fleetwood Mac, down to the scarves, vests, and Christine McVie’s tambourine. The…
Why I Think Many Musicians Don’t Write Songs (And What Can Be Done About It)
As someone who has spent many years writing songs, performing live, (and more recently) producing in the studio, and talking to countless other creatives along the way, I’ve often wondered: Why do so many musicians shy away from writing their…