Songwriters J. Trafford and Matt Pless to Discuss Creative Process

The two musicians will explore the art of lyric writing and songcraft at a special event in Baltimore.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:19pm

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An abstract illustration featuring bold, geometric shapes in contrasting red and black, conceptually representing the collaborative spirit of a songwriting discussion and performance event.Two acclaimed singer-songwriters unite for an intimate exploration of the art of lyrical composition.Today in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh-based musician J. Trafford and Baltimore legend Matt Pless will come together for a special Songwriters Discussion and Performance event on Friday, April 10th. The event will feature a roundtable discussion on the art of songwriting, followed by an intimate live performance from the two artists.

Why it matters

The event provides a rare opportunity for music fans to gain insight into the creative process of two acclaimed singer-songwriters. Trafford and Pless will share their experiences and techniques for crafting impactful lyrics and melodies, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into their craft.

The details

The discussion portion of the event will take place at 7 p.m. at Viva Books in Baltimore, where Trafford and Pless will be joined by Pittsburgh performer Lady Grace to explore topics like word choice, balancing abstraction and directness, and the musical composition process. Following the discussion, the artists will perform live at the adjacent Stem & Vine venue.

  • The Songwriters Discussion and Performance event will take place on Friday, April 10, 2026.
  • The discussion portion will begin at 7 p.m. at Viva Books.
  • The live performance will immediately follow next door at Stem & Vine.

The players

J. Trafford

A Pittsburgh-based musician and songwriter with over 20 years of experience. Trafford recently published a hardcover collection of his lyrics titled 'Why is My Heart in My Throat?', and has been touring the country engaging local songwriters in roundtable discussions.

Matt Pless

A Baltimore-based singer-songwriter who has toured extensively in Europe and the U.S., sharing the stage with acts like Maroon 5, Rilo Kiley, and Fallout Boy. Pless is known for his rare local performances in his hometown.

Lady Grace

A Pittsburgh-based performer who will join Trafford and Pless for the roundtable discussion and live performance in Baltimore.

Canerika Rice

Trafford's partner, who plays bass in his group and will co-moderate the songwriting discussion.

Viva

The owner of Viva Books, the independent bookstore hosting the discussion portion of the event.

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What they’re saying

“I've been a professional musician for a little over 20 years now, and it's something that's been on the back of my list of things to do, to publish a lyric book, for probably close to 10 years.”

— J. Trafford, Musician and Songwriter

“The more specific things, rather than just 'Who's your inspiration?', really getting into things like word choice and balancing abstraction versus directness; really mostly focused on lyrics, but speaking a little bit about music composition as well.”

— J. Trafford, Musician and Songwriter

“He doesn't get a chance to do this terribly often, that he appears in Baltimore. So yeah, I think he's looking forward to it. He's bringing out people who haven't seen him locally in a while.”

— J. Trafford, Musician and Songwriter

What’s next

Tickets for the Songwriters Discussion and Performance event are available now through the Viva Books and Stem & Vine websites. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early as seating is limited.

The takeaway

This event provides a unique opportunity for music lovers to gain insight into the creative process of two acclaimed singer-songwriters. By exploring the art of lyric writing and songcraft, Trafford and Pless will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into crafting impactful and meaningful music.