INTERVIEW WITH PUBLISHING A&R AGAPI MELKONIAN
- Sarah Manovski
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Inside International Songwriting Camps: An A&R Perspective with Agapi
International publishing A&R Agapi discusses songwriter development, creative briefs and what makes collaborative writing camps successful.
As part of The Song Method research project, I spoke with Agapi, an international publishing A&R working across the global pop and K-pop markets. Her role involves managing a roster of songwriters, producers and artists while organising international songwriting camps, coordinating writing sessions and pitching songs to major labels and artists around the world.
Having developed strong relationships with publishers, labels and A&Rs across Europe and South Korea, Agapi offered valuable insight into how professional songwriting camps operate behind the scenes and why preparation, collaboration and clear creative direction often lead to stronger commercial outcomes.
Why Songwriting Camps Produce Results
When asked whether songwriting camps generally produce more successful commercial outcomes than traditional writing sessions, Agapi's answer was clear.
"Yes, I would say so."
She explained that camps often involve direct collaboration between publishers, record labels, A&Rs and artists from the very beginning of the creative process.
"When labels and A&Rs are involved in setting up the sessions, they're much more invested in the songs."
Unlike many standalone writing sessions, songwriting camps usually involve significant financial investment, careful planning and clear commercial objectives.
Most importantly, many camps are built around specific artist briefs.
"We're often writing to a brief, which makes the songs much more relevant for the artist."
Rather than leaving writers to guess what an artist may be looking for, camps often begin with detailed briefings from A&Rs or label representatives.
Feedback Throughout the Creative Process
One aspect Agapi believes significantly improves songwriting camps is immediate feedback.
Rather than waiting until songs have been completed, A&Rs frequently visit writing rooms throughout the day to guide the creative process.
"The A&Rs come into the sessions and help shape the song to make it more on point."
This ongoing dialogue allows writers to make creative adjustments while the song is still being developed, increasing the likelihood that it will meet the artist's vision.
International Camps Share More Similarities Than Differences
Having organised camps across Europe and South Korea, Agapi was asked whether different countries approach songwriting camps differently.
Interestingly, she believes most international camps share remarkably similar collaborative structures.
"I don't think there's much difference. They're all very collaborative."
She recalled organising a camp with Norwegian writers and producers, describing the experience as highly collaborative despite participants coming from different countries.
However, she did identify one notable distinction within the Korean music industry.
"In Korea everything moves very quickly. The songs generally need to be finished on the day."
She also observed that Korean writing sessions often involve less social conversation and greater focus on completing songs efficiently, reflecting broader cultural differences in professional working practices.
The Importance of Research
Throughout our conversation, one theme emerged repeatedly: preparation.
Agapi believes that understanding the artist before entering the writing room is one of the most valuable things songwriters can do.
"Research is a big thing."
While writers cannot always be expected to know every detail about an artist, she believes camp organisers should provide meaningful context before sessions begin.
This may include information about the artist's background, musical influences, previous releases, lyrical themes and creative direction.
"It's always good to give information at the start of the camp to help writers understand the artist and the brief."
This preparation helps writers create songs that feel more authentic and commercially relevant.
Artists Help Shape Better Songs
Agapi has also observed that camps involving artists directly often produce stronger outcomes.
Whether working with DJs, solo artists or K-pop groups, direct artist involvement allows immediate creative feedback.
"The artists know exactly what they want."
She explained that writers often become even more motivated when artists participate in sessions and respond positively to developing ideas.
"The writers are more motivated when they're getting feedback from the artists."
Giving Songwriters More Creative Tools
When discussing potential improvements to songwriting camps, we explored whether camps could include short workshops or creative exercises designed to stimulate idea generation.
Agapi believes organisers should be careful not to over-direct professional writers.
"As an A&R, I don't want to impose anything on the writers. I want to give them freedom."
However, she also recognised the growing importance of strong concepts within contemporary pop music.
"I always encourage writers to come up with concepts."
As music marketing becomes increasingly connected to social media, visuals and storytelling, she believes strong conceptual ideas are becoming just as important as melodies themselves.
Songwriters Need Professional Development Too
Perhaps the most interesting part of our conversation focused on songwriter education.
While singers, instrumentalists and producers are often encouraged to continue developing their technical skills throughout their careers, Agapi observed that professional songwriters rarely receive the same encouragement.
When asked whether greater access to coaching, creative-development programmes and songwriting education could benefit the industry, her response was immediate.
"Yes, definitely. It can only help."
She believes emerging writers would benefit from learning new creative techniques while also staying informed about current musical trends, genres and commercial releases.
Perhaps most significantly, she recognised the potential value of accessible songwriting education that supports professional growth without undermining writers' confidence.
"It would be interesting if there was something available that writers could access to learn new ideas and techniques without bruising their egos."
Supporting Creativity in Professional Songwriters
Managing professional writers every week has also highlighted another challenge.
Even experienced songwriters must continually generate fresh ideas despite writing multiple songs each week.
For this reason, Agapi believes any tools that help overcome creative blocks would be valuable.
"If there are techniques that help writers with writer's block, it can only be a good thing."
This perspective closely aligns with one of the central aims of The Song Method-providing practical songwriting methodologies that support creativity while complementing, rather than replacing, each writer's individual creative process.
Key Insights
Agapi's interview reinforces several important themes emerging throughout The Song Method research:
Songwriting camps often produce stronger commercial outcomes because artists, A&Rs and publishers are directly involved in the creative process.
Clear artist briefs and ongoing feedback significantly improve songwriting outcomes.
Researching an artist's catalogue, background and creative direction strengthens preparation for writing sessions.
Direct artist involvement increases songwriter motivation and improves creative decision-making.
Strong concepts are becoming increasingly important within contemporary pop music.
Songwriters would benefit from greater access to coaching, creative-development resources and practical songwriting education.
Creative techniques that support idea generation and overcome writer's block could strengthen both emerging and professional songwriters.
Perhaps the strongest insight from Agapi's interview is that successful songwriting rarely begins when writers enter the studio. Instead, preparation, research, clear communication and ongoing creative development all contribute to stronger songs and more productive collaborations. As the music industry continues to evolve, songwriter education may become an increasingly important part of sustaining long-term creative careers.
Interview by Sarah Manovski
The Song Method Interview Series
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