How Dan Nigro Builds Superstars | Ep. 195 | Rewind

Today's guest is the Grammy Producer of the Year who built the two biggest pop breakthroughs of the last five years back to back — and whose real story isn't about the hits. It's about the three years he spent making nothing and the rule he wants every producer in the game to understand.From indie rock frontman in As Tall As Lions to pop's most trusted collaborator, Dan built his career against almost every industry instinct. He carries three things at once that most producers never figure out how to hold: the commercial ear of someone who's had back-to-back Grammy runs with Olivia Rodrigo, the patience of a craftsman who sat on "Good Luck, Babe" for 18 months before it ever left his hard drive, and the conviction to say no — to every rushed demo, every session hop, every label note that doesn't serve the artist.This is one of the more honest conversations about what it actually takes to build a superstar. And The Writer Is... Dan Nigro!In this episode of And The Writer Is, we go deep on:• The three years he spent making nothing — and what finally broke it• Why getting Chappell dropped from Atlantic was "the greatest thing that ever happened"• "We're building like an icon here" — the real work behind Chappell Roan's rise• Why Dan refuses to send demos• 20 days with one artist, not 20 sessions with twenty• Meeting Dua Lipa in 2014 — "this girl is a superstar"• Artist development, finding your lane• Writing good songs sucks — and why that's fineAnd much more...Hit subscribe and turn on notifications. Every week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music.Follow us on socials: @andthewriterisA special thank you to our sponsors for making these conversations possible.Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us.And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period.Chapter timestamps:0:00 Intro3:01 Why Atlantic dropping Chappell was "the greatest thing that ever happened"4:16 Atlantic's note: cut one of the Pink Pony Club guitar solos8:20 Self-releasing Karma, Naked in Manhattan, and building a label with Island11:33 "We're building like an icon here" — Bowie, Madonna, the Chappell blueprint13:13 What makes somebody "have it" — the gut call you can't fake17:21 "There are no more superstars" — the article that pissed Dan off19:34 20 days with one artist, not 20 sessions with twenty21:27 Good Luck Babe's million rewrites — the "Good Luck Jane" era22:59 Why Dan refuses to send demos — ever24:54 18 months on the hard drive26:01 Justin Tranter asks: how do you have the confidence to dive that deep?28:04 Three years. Ended up with nothing.33:12 The Madonna model — outside songs, finding your lane43:21 Taking five months off after Olivia and Chappell46:41 Steph Jones asks: rituals, guilty pleasures, happy accidents51:43 Amy Allen asks: has your feeling ever been wrong?52:58 "The most egotistical thing I've ever said" — never wrong about an artist53:20 Meeting Dua Lipa in 2014 — "this girl is a superstar"55:55 Vampire — and the label that thought it was "three songs in one"62:39 People need to take more risks63:37 Writing good songs sucks — and why that's fine68:21 Five for five — As Tall As Lions, Sour, Guts, Amusement Records70:31 The second-album mountain72:58 Playing Olivia and Chappell for his daughterCredits:Hosted by Ross GolanProduced by Joe London & Jad SaadEdited by Jad SaadPost-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.