Students in Yeshivat Frisch’s music track had the treat of a unique songwriting lesson with the L.A.-based indie pop band Distant Cousins last week. The band, composed of Dov Rosenblatt (formerly of the Jewish rock band Blue Fringe), Duvid Swirsky and Ami Kozak, began the lesson by performing their hit song “Are You Ready (On Your Own),” which features in the trailer for the movie “How to Train Your Pet Dragon 3.” Then, they spoke to the students about the process of writing custom, commissioned songs based on industry writing briefs. Such briefs specify the length, style and mood that the client is looking for in the song. “Our job as songwriters is to read between the lines and figure out what they’re really looking for,” explained the band.

Next, the band gave the students an original, sample writing brief, seeking a song for an imaginary Netflix show about Queen Esther and Mordechai, with universal theme, yet tied to the Purim narrative, and with a strong, catchy hook. The band and the students then workshopped their ideas for the song.