In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols take on the timeless creative challenge: writing a song in an hour. With no plan, no pressure, and a room full of guitars, amps, and pedals, they build a rock song from scratch in real time.

Watch as riffs turn into verses, choruses emerge organically, and a full song takes shape through tone chasing, odd time signatures, gear experiments, and pure musical instinct. This episode pulls back the curtain on the songwriting process, showing how musicians collaborate, problem-solve, keep it real, and follow inspiration wherever it leads.

If you love guitar tone, songwriting, creative process, or watching music get made from nothing — this one’s for you. The song isn't half bad either ;)

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0:00 - Writing a Song in One Hour

0:31 - Rules of the Songwriting Challenge

0:48 - Guitar Pedals and Gear Overview

1:38 - Choosing Guitars and Amps for Songwriting

1:58 - How Guitar Tone Sparks Song Ideas

2:29 - Cranking a Marshall for Riff Writing

3:03 - Finding the Groove and Tempo

3:54 - Building the Main Guitar Riff

4:23 - Turning a Riff into a Song Structure

5:04 - Songwriting Advice: Don’t Overthink It

6:06 - Using Fuzz and Texture for Inspiration

7:52 - Creating Verses and Choruses

9:04 - Switching Guitar Amps for New Sounds

10:34 - Using Alternate Tuning for Songwriting

11:46 - Writing a Chorus That Hits Hard

13:01 - Adding Harmony and Movement

15:49 - Avoiding Blues Clichés in Rock Songs

17:16 - Choosing the Right Drum Groove

18:40 - Writing a Bridge That Creates Contrast

22:28 - Experimenting with Odd Time Signatures

24:57 - Locking in the Bridge Section

25:38 - Preparing for Guitar Solos

30:29 - Adding Ambient Guitar Layers

38:09 - Final Song Structure Comes Together

40:48 - Recording Guitar Solos

47:05 - The Creative Process Explained

51:40 - Final Song Reveal: Dr. Death

The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.

Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.

Plug in and hang out.

Thank you to the sponsor of our show, ⁠Roswell Pro Audio!

In Episode 15 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols break down every phase of a guitarist’s life — from the first moment music grabs you to the highs, lows, gear spirals, plateaus, breakthroughs, and the reality of becoming a career musician. Expect hilarious stories, inspiring advice, honest struggles, and spontaneous riffing as Tyler and Jared reveal the universal stages all guitar players experience.

Whether you’re in the pre-guitar awakening phase, deep in the obsession phase, stuck in the plateau phase, overwhelmed by gear acquisition syndrome, or pushing through the practice and discipline phase, this episode will feel like therapy… with more overdrive.

Sit back, plug in, and enjoy a guitarist’s journey we all share.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:12 – Opening Jam in D, the People's Key

1:37 – Introducing today’s topic: the phases of a guitarist’s life

3:13 – PRE-GUITAR AWAKENING PHASE

4:06 – Wanting to be a drummer first

5:23 – Getting talked into guitar instead

6:07 – Early sounds that “unlocked” the instrument

7:28 – Discovering open-string magic

9:03 – The Incubus/Mike Einziger influence

10:03 – OBSESSION PHASE begins

12:17 – Learning why players sound different

13:35 – Unlocking nuance and tone

16:20 – PLATEAU PHASE — when everything feels wrong

21:15 – Rut-busting tricks and new tunings

24:24 – Entering the GAS PHASE

26:50 – First pieces of gear that changed everything

29:20 – Gear expectations vs. reality

31:13 – PRACTICE & DISCIPLINE PHASE

33:55 – Berklee stories & formative experiences

37:01 – Leaving the comfort zone

39:01 – Jared’s Guitar Center “Horror Story”

43:37 – The phase of becoming a CAREER MUSICIAN

46:16 – Why we keep playing: the same feeling from day one

47:53 – Walrus Audio Melee joystick pedal demo

49:18 – Final jam & wrap-up

Buy a Walrus Audio Melee

The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.

Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.

Plug in and hang out.