Benj Pasek and Justin Paul Interview + Songwriting Q&A | 2016

As part of our Song Spotlight series, we had the chance to sit down with award-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Pasek and Paul discuss how they started writing music together, the story behind “Caught in the Storm,” their advice to aspiring musicians & songwriters, and more! Recorded in 2016, at SubCulture in NYC.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro
0:06 – How did “Pasek and Paul” begin?
2:07 – How would you describe your writing style?
3:18 – Adaptational vs Non-Adaptational Writing
4:52 – How to start a song
5:42 – Do you write a show with an intended audience in mind?
7:34 – The story of “Caught in the Storm”
10:13 – What advice would you give to aspiring songwriters and musicians?

🎼 Search all of Pasek and Paul’s arrangements: https://www.musicnotes.com/l/pasek-an...

You can also watch the duo perform a few of their hit songs!
▶️ “Waving Through a Window” from Dear Evan Hansen:    • Waving Through a Window - Pasek and P...  

▶️ “Caught in the Storm” from Smash:    • Pasek and Paul - Caught in the Storm ...  

▶️ “City of Stars” from La La Land:    • City of Stars - La La Land - Pasek an...  

▶️ “Middle of a Moment” from James and the Giant Peach:    • Middle of a Moment by Pasek and Paul ...  

Want more Song Spotlight? Visit http://www.musicnotes.com/songspotlight

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Credits
Videography: Alan Smith and Adam Volerich
Audio: Craig Bundy and James Hartnett
Edited by Alan Smith
Produced by Dan Ruff & Duncan Hearn
Special thanks to Marc Kaplan at SubCulture