The Hatch Podcast
At the intersection of innovation, creativity, and community — The Hatch Podcast shares stories from founders, scientists, and artists shaping the future of Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Produced at Hatch Fairhope, it’s where bold ideas take flight.
The Founders Series dives into the journeys of startup founders building the future of business, technology, and innovation across the Gulf South.
The Music Accelerator combines professional music industry guidance with spiritual mentorship, creating a unique environment where artists can grow both creatively and personally. Hosted by music industry veteran Chris Estes, this series features conversations with artists and insiders who’ve spent years shaping the sounds and stories of modern music.
The Bioscience Innovation Series explores breakthroughs in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental science — with founders and researchers driving life-changing discoveries in labs across the region.
Around the Table features conversations with Alabama’s most forward-thinking companies and creators, from startups re-imagining industry to leaders building stronger communities.
And throughout the year, The Hatch Podcast Network introduces new limited series spotlighting the people and ideas transforming the Gulf Coast economy — one story at a time.
Find out more at hatchfairhope.com
Contact: team@hatchfairhope.com
The Hatch Podcast
Songwriting: The 3 Lanes Every Artist Should Know: Chris Estes & Keith Glines | Music Accelerator
With 119,000 songs uploaded every day, how do you write something that cuts through the noise?
In this episode of The Hatch Podcast: Music Accelerator, host Chris Estes and Hatch director Keith Glines dive deep into the art and business of songwriting — the foundation of every music career. From the creative process to the essential business fundamentals, they share how independent artists can refine songs that don’t just get heard, but truly get remembered. You’ll learn why consistency beats chasing one hit, how to use the “two or three sleeps” rule to improve your work, and the business steps that protect your songs and royalties for years to come.
👉 Apply now for the Hatch Music Accelerator: 119collective.hatchfairhope.com
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- The Three-Lane System: Development → Curation → Placement
- The “Two or Three Sleeps” Rule for finishing songs
- Business fundamentals: PROs, publishing entities, splits, and monetization
- The Completion Test: How to know when a song is truly finished
- Collaboration strategies: who to co-write with and when to bring in outside voices
- The Live Test: Using audience reaction to refine your songs
Key Episode Highlights:
- [00:00:00] The staggering reality: 119,000 songs uploaded daily
- [00:02:52] Why even great albums usually only have 1–2 standout songs
- [00:03:44] The three lanes every song lives in
- [00:05:27] The 20-year test: writing songs you’ll still love playing decades later
- [00:06:15] Why finished songs often sound nothing like their first drafts
- [00:08:24] Placement lane: what to do with songs that don’t fit your brand
- [00:10:18] Business essentials: PROs, publishing entities, and revenue streams
- [00:13:12] Producer Tim asks: “How do you know when a song is finished?”
The Chris Estes Songwriting Philosophy:
“There’s no bad songs — they’re just not finished.”
The magic happens in that last 10–20% of development, where good songs become great songs.
The Three Critical Tests for Song Completion:
- The Expression Test — Does it clearly convey your intended message?
- The Live Test — Does it connect with a live audience?
- The Community Test — Do trusted collaborators and listeners agree it’s complete?
Episode Quotes:
- “Average songs are ignored. Great songs get attention.”
- “Give it two or three sleeps, then come back to the song with fresh ears.”
- “What’s the last song you heard that made you say, *‘I have to share this’? That’s the mark you should be aiming for.”
Resources and Links:
- Apply now: 119collective.hatchfairhope.com
- Hatch website: hatchfairhope.com
- Instagram: @hatchfairhope
About The Hatch Podcast
At the intersection of innovation, creativity, and community — The Hatch Podcast shares stories from founders, scientists, and artists shaping the future of Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
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🔗 Learn more: hatchfairhope.com
📩 Contact: team@hatchfairhope.com
Produced by Tim Scott for The Hatch Podcast Network.