Song Writing Retreat
‘To plant a thought’
A song writing retreat with singer songwriter & producer Tom McClung
An exceptional value, week-long retreat in the beautiful French countryside
The song writing retreat will be held at Studio Alouette: a beautiful residential centre in the western French countryside.
The 150 year old renovated farm house is set in over 2 hectares of land just outside the idyllic, quiet, picturesque town of Confolens, Charente.
We will look after your every need leaving you to refine your skills away from the distractions of everyday life, with like-minded musicians.
Your hosts Tom McClung and Joe Woolf are two professional musicians who will deliver a relaxed and varied course to no more than eight people per retreat.
Introducing your tutor Tom McClung
Tom McClung is a songwriter, producer & multi-instrumentalist from Manchester, currently based in Nantes, France.
He writes and records under the moniker Francis Lung, playing almost all the instruments on his recordings as well as recording and mixing a large amount of his catalogue.
Tom also works as a session guitarist, saxophonist and drummer for artists such as Jonathan Bree, Lilly Wood and the Prick and Ben Gregory (Blaenavon).
He has released four EPs and two LPs on London based label Memphis Industries including the critically acclaimed ‘Miracle’ (2021). His songs have been featured on the BBC 6 Music playlist as well as being part of the soundtrack to the hit TV series ‘Normal People’.’
Get to know Tom with his Instagram here and hear Tom’s music here!
‘To plant a thought’ is a week exploring exactly what goes into writing, developing, and finishing the studio recording of a song. During the song writing retreat our participants will be encouraged to share their practices, engage with each other and collaborate to create the best possible versions of their work.
By the end of the week we will all be co-writers, co-producers, co-mixers, co-arrangers and session musicians on each other’s work, in effect giving each participant a view into the process from every seat in the studio.
Song writing retreat outline
Where do songs come from(& how do I know if I’ve found one)?
How do songs develop (& how do I know when to stop)?
‘To demo or not to demo…’ (& do demos even exist anymore)?
How can I help you (the art of collaboration) ?
Basic tracking (there’s nothing basic about it..)
Overdubbing (& how not to overdo it)
Finished (the art of stopping)?
Song Writing Retreat Hospitality
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all freshly prepared throughout the day and you are free to enjoy the grounds, dogs & outside areas throughout your stay.
Your song writing retreat accommodation is a carefully restored French Dortoir with large wet room & shower room. All bedding, towels, toiletries and laundry facilities are provided – all you will need to bring is a change of clothes, phone & tablet/laptop and your passion to create music!
What’s Included
Bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner
Limoges Airport to Studio Alouette transfer
Towels, toiletries and dressing gowns
Tuition and workshops
Wide variety of instruments and kit
Recording studio time with engineer
What you need to provide
Flights to Limoges Airport
Passport, health insurance and GHIC card
Instrument if required
Couple of changes of clothes
Phones, tablets or laptop
Pyjamas!
Travel to our Song Writing Retreat
Studio Alouette is in Confolens, Charente in West France. We are most easily reached by flights from London and Manchester to Limoges Airport. We are able to arrange airport transfers from Limoges on the first and last days of the retreat.
Alternatively, you can drive and take the ferry or Channel Tunnel or the Eurostar to Paris and train to Limoges. See our main travel page for more details here.
Please note: Your travel is not included in the cost of the retreat and you will need to arrange your flights or ferry once you have reserved your space. Call or email and we will be happy to advise you of the best way to travel and what documents you will need.
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