If you're a creative type who loves music, songwriting, literature, history, philosophy, and ideas big and small, this podcast is for you.

Erik Ritland is a songwriter, editor, and journalist. He's released over 12 albums and EPs. Currently, he is editor and writer for popular culture website Music in Minnesota and a journalist for new music app Hear.By. He also founded music, sports, and culture website Rambling On in 2012.

On each ERisB podcast, Erik answers some questions from the mail bag, talks about his songwriting process and features one of his songs, and gives a short final thought about any ol' topic.

On this episode:

- Big news! Erik is coming out with a special new album that will only be available digitally for 24 hours on August 16. An extremely limited run of CD copies, handmade by Erik himself, will also be available. More information to follow.
- Erik is also re-issuing his 2008 alternative rock album Floating Bridge in September. Lead double A-sided single "Promises"/"Help Me Tonight" came out last Friday. Buy it now for the low, low price of $2.
- Mailbag question #1: bands that have no bad songs?
- Mailbag question #2: Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Godfather
- Mailbag question #3: the greatest presidents
- Mailbag question #4: the best songs to play on electronic juke boxes at bars
- Erik Ritland songwriting feature: "Help Me Tonight." Erik gives a deep dive into the Floating Bridge track that was recently released as a single.
- "Help Me Tonight" in its entirety
- Creativity Tip #4: be influenced, but don't copy

Thanks for listening!

Erik Ritland isn't so Bad is sponsored by the Midwest Metropolitan Music Association (MMMA), your #1 source for creative Midwestern music and beyond. It's impossible to sift through all the chaff on websites like ReverbNation, SoundCloud, and BandCamp to find the best music around. So luckily for you, Midwest Metropolitan Music Association has done the heavy lifting, serving you the best independent rock, Americana, country, folk, blues, and more.