Writers Round San Diego

Submissions for T-shirt contest are now open! Send them to [email protected]. Deadline is July 1st! @squeegeeprints ! Help us get to our goal! Venmo $5 to @WRSanDiego 💙💙💙💙

ATTENTION ATTENTION! This Monday there will be FOUR count ‘em FOUR featured artists in our round. We love when this happens. So excited to have @caitlincannonmusic in town sharing her craft. Caitlin Cannon’s songwriting expertly walks the tightrope between humor and heartbreak, satire and sincerity. She disarms listeners before pulling them into raw explorations of loss, love, and addiction. Think ‘Cosmicana’—a sonic landscape as deep as Cannon’s storytelling on her 2025 LP Love Addict, produced by Misa Arriaga (Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson) where dreamy Americana meets classic country. WRSD is every Monday 6-9pm in the back of the Ould Sod. Put your name in the hat early for a chance to play. Use the link in our bio and see you Monday!

MONDAY 18 MAY: This week’s featured artists are San Diego legends in their own right. What an absolute treat to present these three fantastic songwriters and performers for your listening pleasure! ZB SAVOY @zbsavoy ZB is a native San Diegan, a prolific songwriter, band leader, father of 3, husband of 1. As a studio engineer /producer he has worked with unwritten law, 311, black eyed peas, Tim McGraw and pepper. JESSIE LARK @jessielarkmusic Jessie Lark is a pop-rock songwriter who believes everyone deserves to feel seen, celebrated, and unapologetically themselves. Jessie won Best Pop Song at the 2025 San Diego Music Awards and the 2026 Battle of the Bands at the iconic Belly Up Tavern, winning her band a spot at Fiesta del Sol, a free entry festival in Solana Beach, and you can see her band perform Sat May 30th at 12:30pm. JESSE LAMONACA @jesselamonaca Recorded in Nashville with producer Ben Simonetti (Zac Brown) and Dime Novels bandmates Brandon and James Conway, “Montana Snow” channels the majesty of wide‑open places and the weight of rediscovery in the form of cinematic Western Americana. Inspired by time spent beside the ocean and wandering the mountains and deserts of the West, these songs are for windows-down roadtrips into golden fading light. The first single, “The Way,” arrives June 5, 2026, signaling a powerful new chapter of music for this award-winning songwriter. WRSD is every Monday 6-9pm in the back of the Ould Sod in Normal Heights. Sign up early for our open rounds and Prompt Night in the link in our bio!

ATTENTION: THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Tonight the incomparable @alyrowell will be filling in for @leahhumphreyyy who is unfortunately ill today (BUMMER! But we will absolutely have her back this summer!) We hope Leah rests up and are SO grateful and excited that Aly is available. You don’t want to miss tonight! Also on the bill: @patchandmaggi and @joey_gutos (see previous post for their bios!) So needless to say, I will most definitely see you cool cats tonight! -LL ALY ROWELL Aly Rowell is a writer and folk musician based in San Diego, CA. Her forthcoming full length record, Where It All Goes, will be released in Sept 2026.

MON 11 MAY: A SUPER sweet treat of a featured round is headed your way this Monday! We are so thrilled to invite these folks to play for you. Come, relax, put your name in the hat for our open rounds and make some new friends! PATCH & MAGGI @patchandmaggi Patch & Maggi are a folk-inspired duo whose rich harmonies and heartfelt songs tell the story of love, adventure, and life on the road together. Blending timeless acoustic sounds with original storytelling, their music captures the warmth and authenticity of two people sharing their journey through every song. JOEY GUTOS @joey_gutos Joey Gutos is a genre-bending Indie Pop artist from the heart of Tempe, Arizona. He writes music for the lovers, dreamers and explorers taking the road less traveled. Some of his modern influences include sombr, Teddy Swims and Harry Styles, while his deepest musical roots are grounded in Motown, Psychedelic Rock artists of the 60’s and the Singer/Songwriters of the Folk and Blues music that pioneered American culture. LEAH HUMPHREY (UPDATE: Leah will reschedule for the summer, Aly Rowell will be playing in her spot tonight) @leahhumphreyyy I’m Leah Humphrey — an indie-alt singer-songwriter who writes about the things that are too difficult to say, so I sing them instead. My music is built on honesty, vulnerability, and the belief that we can heal together. WRSD is every Monday 6-9pm in the back of the Ould Sod! Link in bio to put your name in the hat ahead of time! See you soon 💕💙

Our next prompt night lands smack in the middle of Mothers and Fathers Day! So let’s make that the theme, folks. Write a new or share your old parentally-inspired songs! First 25 folks to put their name in the hat get a guaranteed spot to play. 💕💙

MONDAY 4 MAY: GUESS WHAT? It’s gonna be May. 🍜Spring showers have finally brought May flowers- and the bouquet is nothing to sneeze at. Our first featured round this month has some incredible songwriters for you. Hope to see you there and May the Fourth be with you. SOPHIE LONDON @sophielondon London’s story starts in the quiet suburbs of Needham, Massachusetts, where she first picked up a guitar at age 11. But if Boston gave her a foundation, leaving it gave her a voice. Now based in San Diego, she has emerged as a formidable voice of pop-folk with a pulse, effortlessly bridging the gap between indie folk, country-rock, and modern pop. CHUCK SHIELE @chuckschiele Somewhere between rusted, cold reality and fantastic dreams that hope for the ideal, Chuck Schiele has been writings songs and performing fthem or a long time. ChuckSchieleMusic.com ANTHONY FRIJIA @vanthonyfrijia Anthony Frijia has mastered the art of creating live shows that feel more like intimate conversations than performances. Recently voted “Baltimore’s Best Local Artist” in the Baltimore Reader’s Poll, he knows it’s these intimate conversations to which he owes all of his success as an artist. His knack for quick wit and a great lyrics have never been more evident than on his most-recent, and first-ever, live release, “The Snuggery Sessions (Live)”, recorded in Williamsport, MD, and released in October 2025 WRSD is every Monday 6-9 in the back of the Ould Sod! First draw is at 6:15- show up early and get your name in the hat. Bring a friend! -LL 💕

MON 20 APRIL: whether you’re celebrating earth day or gardening day this 4/20 featured round is a SMOKIN addition to your plans and maybe your new addictions: VANDEN @vand8n “VANDEN is a Filipino-American singer-songwriter who grew up in the Bay Area and is now based in Los Angeles, where he is currently working on his debut album set for release in summer 2026. Rooted in pop, his music blends emotional honesty with melodic storytelling, exploring themes of love, heartbreak, self-discovery, and identity. Through his songwriting, VANDEN invites listeners into a deeply personal world—one that holds both vulnerability and resilience, capturing the complexities of healing and becoming.” ADANA @adanasoul Adana is a singer-songwriter whose work moves between intimacy and depth, blending soulful vocals with emotionally resonant songwriting. Her music explores themes of connection, transformation, longing, and self-truth—crafted with restraint, honesty, and a refined sense of atmosphere. JENNA LEE @jenna_lee_poorthing Jenna writes songs for her band, “poor thing” and they have their debut album coming out this week!  Sometimes dreamy, sometimes folky, sometimes grungy- jenna’s songwriting is a mix of confessional and poetic but always vulnerable.  She and her band are excited to celebrate their album at the casbah show this Friday, 4/24! WRSD is every Mon 6-9 in the back of the Ould Sod. Come early and put your name in the hat for the 6:15 round! Sign ups for Open Rounds and Prompt night in the link in our bio ❤️LL

MON 13 April: Three featured performers coming your way to start your week off SOLID. This is exactly what we all need, I promise. EMILY AFTON @emilyaftonmusic Emily Afton is a California-based multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, DJ, and performer known for her signature blend of “queer emo-pop” — a sound NPR calls “wonderful, wonderful electro-pop that’s weary of life, but still positive.” With roots in both Oakland and San Diego, Afton channels a wide range of influences from Fiona Apple and Frank Ocean to Robyn and Elliott Smith, weaving together emotion, grit, and lush production. Her breakout feminist anthem “The Veil” earned her a performance slot at the San Francisco Women’s March and placements on TV shows including The CW’s Batwoman and Riverdale. C. Gibbs @ceegibbs C. Gibbs makes music for people who hear the world a little sideways—blending space folk, soul, and indie rock. New album Against Frail Beats on a Teetering Limb coming Spring 2026. Rolling Stone called him “the country brother of Tom Waits,” and The New York Times said his music “never settles down.” Formerly of Modern English, he’s released 16 albums and toured with artists like John Mellencamp and Son Volt. SHELBI BENNETT @buffalobisonbuffalo San Diego based singer-songwriter, Shelbi Bennett is no stranger to the power of song. For the last 15 years, her talents have shown immense light in bands such as The Midnight Pine, Creature in the Woods, The Havenauts and Baby Bushka. Her prolific career has earned her four San Diego Music Awards, as well as vastly spread critical acclaim. Shelbi has had the honor of sharing stages with Dick Dale and David J (Bauhaus), to name a few. She has also been a regularly booked artist at Napa Valley’s Bottle Rock Festival. Amidst an already vast career, Shelbi is now embarking on a long-awaited solo journey. With songs penned by herself and critically acclaimed lyricist, Alfred Howard, her music spans from delicately played Regina Spector and transcends to a howling country holler. WRSD is every Monday 6-9pm in the back of the Ould Sod. Open Rounds start at 6:15. Show up early or put your name in the hat in the link in our bio. -LL

Here are the prompts we pulled for April my darlings! Take a gander, get inspired. Make some #newshit and we will see you April 27. 🥰 Alice’s lessons not learned In your dreams I can never remember when you’re here The Dead Walk First 25 names pulled on prompt night guaranteed spot to play! Must have written on one of the prompts. xo-Lo

MONDAY 6 APRIL: WHOA WATCH OUT! @sheblondeswede is curating this week’s featured performers and we couldn’t be more excited! The YAMAOKAS @the_yamaokas Carlsbad, CA-based indie, folk and jazz with mellow, smokey vocals—intimate and evocative. EVAN BETHANY @evanbethany Evan Bethany’s instrumental skill combined with an amazingly melodic voice creates a unique sound for all to enjoy. SABA In a past life - Saba is a San Diego Music Award nominated singer/songwriter having released 8 records between 2002 and 2019. Before taking a hiatus in 2020 Saba played out regularly with her band and was featured on 91x, 94/9 and spent way too many nights in what was the Ould Sod smoking hall.

San Diego musicians are leaving San Diego. Let’s talk about it, shall we? The industry exploits. + The city extracts. = Artists exit. I don’t think it has to be this way, but I also don’t think we can gig or grant-application our way out of it. This is why (in all my copious spare time...I swear, my wife is rolling her eyes at me as I type) Songwriter Sanctuary San Diego is launching a brand new Artist Access Network. What the helly is that, you might ask? Well let me telly you. It’s all about connecting our roster of 100+ (& growing!) artists with sustained community care. Think light lifts, immediate impact, and reciprocal relationships. If you or your company can extend a service, resource, or access point (from business, to creative, to wellness, to basic needs, and beyond), there is a place for you in this Network. Offers are on your terms and your term limits. Examples include: -Comps -Consults -Discounts -Education -Gear -Gift Gards -Housing/rental discounts -Memberships -Products -Rentals -Repair -Services -Sessions -Waived Fees What’s in it for you, you might ask? Well let me tell you: The obvious benefit is generating leads via a growing community of ambitious, talented professionals who could become your next lifelong customer and/or collaborator. Don’t forget, lots of these folks are creative and savvy as heck in lots of different areas. Then there’s also the extended digital and physical reach via endorsement within our greater network of attendees, email subscribers, social followers, etc. You in? Cool. Head to songwritersanctuary-sd.com/support, scroll down to the Artist Access Network section and complete the form to get set up. Love, Lindsay, who also happens to be one of the artists trying very hard to stay in San Diego.