<![CDATA[The Song's the Thing!: TSTT! Private]]>https://nicbriscoe.substack.com/s/tstt-privatehttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tXi5!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4c64af4-120c-4b90-9f92-595e178978b8_1280x1280.pngThe Song's the Thing!: TSTT! Privatehttps://nicbriscoe.substack.com/s/tstt-privateSubstackWed, 13 May 2026 00:56:59 GMT<![CDATA[Tools & Equipment]]>https://nicbriscoe.substack.com/p/tools-and-equipmenthttps://nicbriscoe.substack.com/p/tools-and-equipmentThu, 30 Apr 2026 09:23:59 GMT

A short note

From time to time, there are specific tools or pieces of equipment that would directly support the work.

This is simply a list of those items

There’s no expectation attached to this, and no structure around it.

It’s here only for those who, for their own reasons, might prefer to contribute in this way.

Current items

Considerations

  • These are practical tools, not upgrades for their own sake.

  • They are chosen for usefulness, portability, and integration into the way I already work, both for recording and live work.

  • My ultimate goal is to get a medium-sized camper van, with a configuration suitable for me to create, work and interview on the road, and to make small live tours feasible again.

  • If something here changes, the list will be updated quietly.

  • You can directly donate towards this list here.

Donate

Final thought

If this route feels more natural than ongoing support, that’s entirely fine.

If not, equally so.

Nic Briscoe

nicbriscoe.substack.com

nicbriscoe@substack.com

Work

]]><![CDATA[Private Song Development]]>https://nicbriscoe.substack.com/p/private-song-developmenthttps://nicbriscoe.substack.com/p/private-song-developmentTue, 28 Apr 2026 15:09:20 GMT

Occasionally, a piece of work needs more than a single decision.

It needs time. Focus. And a level of attention that’s difficult to create in isolation.

This is where I sometimes work more closely on the material with a small number of songwriters.

These are not open sessions.

They tend to follow on from one or more Musical Crossroads conversations, where it’s clear there’s something worth developing further — and a way of working that fits.

The focus is simple:

To work directly on the song.

Not in theory. Not in abstraction. In practice.

Structure, harmony, phrasing, arrangement, direction — whatever is required to move the piece forward.

The format is flexible, but typically:

  • Four 2-hour sessions

  • Spread over 4–6 weeks

Each session is €400.

Most work sits in the €1,600–€2,400 range, depending on what’s needed.

That may include an additional session, and/or a more detailed written roadmap to support the work going forward.

Between sessions, the expectation is that you continue working on the material.

This isn’t a passive process. It relies on engagement, iteration, and a willingness to explore different directions.

I don’t take on many of these each year.

Not because of time alone, but because the work requires a certain level of focus on both sides.

If this feels relevant, we can discuss it directly.

Nic Briscoe

nicbriscoe.substack.com

nicbriscoe@substack.com

Work

]]><![CDATA[A Small Circle of Patrons]]>https://nicbriscoe.substack.com/p/patronshttps://nicbriscoe.substack.com/p/patronsTue, 28 Apr 2026 15:00:47 GMT
Writer

What this is

This is a quiet invitation.

Over the next few years, I’m focusing on a body of work across music, writing, and a small number of direct collaborations.

This page is for a small number of people who would like to support that work directly — and, in doing so, be a little closer to it.

This is not a subscription.

It’s not a membership.

And it’s not an investment.

It’s a simple patron relationship.

Why this exists

I’ve spent most of my working life in environments where time and attention are constantly fragmented — by projects, deadlines, and the need to generate income in conventional ways.

What I’m doing now is different.

The aim is simple: to create the conditions for sustained, focused work — creatively and intellectually — over time.

A small number of patrons makes that possible.

Not by funding outputs, but by protecting the time and attention required for the work to exist properly.

This isn’t about access. It’s about enabling the work to exist, properly.

The intention is not to maximise scale, but to sustain the work — properly, and over time.

The direction of the work

What I’m building is intentionally open-ended, but not undefined.

At its core, the work will move across a few consistent threads:

  • writing — primarily on Substack — exploring the craft of songwriting, the realities behind creative work, and occasional reflections on contemporary culture

  • music — ongoing songwriting, recording, and experimentation, including the use of emerging tools and AI-assisted processes

  • documentation — sharing aspects of the process as it unfolds, including what works, what doesn’t, and how ideas are developed and realised

  • conversation — informal exchanges and interviews with other musicians and creatives encountered along the way

Alongside this, I’ll continue working directly with a small number of individuals:

  • helping creatives navigate key decisions and direction

  • and, where there is a natural fit, collaborating more deeply on specific projects

The exact shape of this will evolve over time.

The aim is not to execute a fixed plan, but to build a coherent body of work — one that develops naturally, and reflects where the most meaningful focus lies.

That’s the direction.

The structure

I’m looking for a small group of patrons — around 20 initially, potentially up to 40 over time.

The structure is simple:

  • €50 per month, for a minimum of 24 months

  • plus a one-time contribution of €500 at the beginning

That’s it.

If someone prefers to contribute at a higher level, or in a different way, that’s also possible — but the above is the baseline structure.

There is no upper limit on the number of patrons in principle, but the intention is to keep this a relatively small and manageable group.

For some, a one-off contribution towards specific tools or equipment may feel more natural — if so, I can share a short, private list.

What this is not

Patrons are not investors.

There is:

  • no equity

  • no ownership

  • no financial return

This is support of the work itself.

Nothing more, nothing less.

What you can expect

There are no “perks” in the usual sense.

What this offers is something simpler.

A closer view of the work as it develops.

That may include:

  • occasional private notes or reflections

  • early access to certain pieces, where appropriate

  • and, at times, a more direct line of communication

There is also the option of direct contact.

However, this comes with a caveat: I won’t always be available, and I won’t be operating on a “response on demand” basis.

The priority is the work itself.

This is not about access or entitlement.

It’s about proximity to something being built — over time, and with care.

Who this is for

This will make sense to a very small number of people.

Typically, those who:

  • value independent creative work

  • understand the importance of time and focus

  • prefer depth over noise

  • and are comfortable supporting something without needing a defined return

People who don’t need recognition.

Who don’t need access.

Who simply want to know that something worthwhile is being given the chance to develop properly.

If that resonates, you’ll already know.

Duration

The initial commitment is 24 months.

After that, there is the option to continue, adjust, or step away — entirely by choice.

A final note

This isn’t something I’ll be promoting widely.

It will be shared quietly, on a one-to-one basis, where it feels appropriate.

If you’ve been sent this page directly, it’s because I thought there might be some alignment.

If this feels relevant, we can discuss it directly.

If not, no problem at all.

Either way, thank you for taking the time to read it.

Nic Briscoe

nicbriscoe.substack.com

nicbriscoe@substack.com

Work

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