If you're a creative type who loves music, songwriting, literature, history, philosophy, and ideas big and small, you've come to the right place!

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:

- The important Value Our Venues fundraiser helping Twin Cities music venues at Music in Minnesota
- Two special announcements! This Friday, Erik begins a weekly article series on Music in Minnesota. The topic for the first: a songwriting legend's late-era masterpieces, including two special playlists of material.
- Second announcement: Erik is re-issuing his 2008 album Floating Bridge in September! The album, which features his popular alternative rock band from the '00s, will feature newly recorded versions of songs and extensive liner notes. Expect singles and songs from the album to be featured on the ERisB podcast in the near future!
- Mailbag question #1: how to love country music
- Question #2: great foods from tuna to meatloaf
- Question #3: unforgettable Minnesota sports moments
- Question #4: the Mount Rushmore of 70s guitarists
- Erik explains a turning point in his songwriting, "Stay Inside." Its main theme: appreciate being alive, because the future's uncertain and the end is always near.
- Full version of "Stay Inside" from the Firelight EP.
- Songwriting insight #2: listen seriously to those who do it best

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.

Resources: - Erik Ritland's songwriting - A previous article Erik wrote about Bob Dylan

Writing Songs About the End of the World ("Stay Inside")