Learn How to Use Exotic Chords Like Nickel Creek’s “This Side”

In this episode, we’re looking at Nickel Creek’s “This Side” with a focus on learning how to use some exotic chords in your songwriting.  Here are the particular techniques we are analyzing: Using G# in the key of E and why that works — it’s because the song temporarily shifts …

Song Reflections: Nickel Creek “This Side”

Nickel Creek’s title track from its second album may have the most generic title, but the song is anything but.  An understated song about the journey to break out of the mold, the story is told with inventive metaphors and fresh imageries that achieve a good balance between clarity and …