Shows

Neel & Phil

Songwriting Challenge 2024: Neel’s multicultural approach to his holiday song

For our first host response to our Songwriting Challenge 2024 to write a holiday song, Neel shared the process behind his song Forest for the Trees. Download the lyric/chord sheet to follow along. We talked about: Mystery blobs washing up on Newfoundland shores likely man-made, says scientist | CBC News Listeners, you still have time …

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Neel, Phil, and Avery

Writing through Synesthesia with Avery Raquel

Returning recently from Europe, where she performed, and earned her master’s degree in music from Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain, Canadian Billboard-charting recording artist and alternative Soul singer Avery Raquel has entertained audiences professionally for over a decade. She’s released 4 solo albums and two EPs now to critical acclaim. Her last self-titled …

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Neel, Phil, and Kromatix

Organic Songwriting with Kromatix_

Matthew Isaacs, aka Kromatix_, is a Neo-Soul and R&B singer, songwriter, recording artist, and jazz pianist emanating from Scarborough, Toronto, Canada. Known for his signature style, he blends sublime lyricism with groovy beats, trademark harmonies, and soulful chord progressions that simply compliments his euphonious vocal tones. Sharing his truth where original music and art connect, …

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Neel, Phil, and Sherry

Sherry Jacoby: working with a producer

Sherry Jacoby is a Toronto, Canada-based singer/songwriter who exercises her passion for telling personal stories through song. She writes indie pop/folk for the romantic heart, combining the influences of Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, and Gabrielle Alpin. Sherry’s music story began when her mom taught her piano at a young age. Inspired by her mom’s talent …

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Jade Turner: Songwriting without any instruments

Canadian Roots/Americana singer-songwriter, Jade Turner, is a multi-award winning artist whose powerful, soaring voice and masterful storytelling captivates listeners with every song. The 23-time Manitoba Country Music Award nominee, is a member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation and draws deep inspiration from the cultural tradition of storytelling. Her authentic, relatable catalog of music has earned her notable …

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Neel, Phil, and Sarah

Minimalist songwriting with Sarah Tolle

Sarah Tolle is a singer-songwriter and actress based in Vancouver, BC. Her musical style is marked by a genre-bending, freewheeling, eclectic spirit. Her songs emanate a sense of wildness grounded in a timeless, almost ancient sound. They’re inspired by themes of freedom and peace, in compositions that blend house beats, sweeping orchestras, Celtic melodies, and …

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Neel, Phil, and Tania

About the Springtide Music Festival with Tania Joy

Folk-Roots artist Tania Joy is the Co-founder, Executive Director/Artistic Director of Springtide Music Festival, a non-profit organization led by a volunteer team of business leaders and local musicians which draws over 70 acts to various venues from breweries and bistros to bookstores and clothing shops in historic downtown Uxbridge, northeast of Toronto. Springtide recognizes that …

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Neel, Phil, and Melanie

Songwriting Challenge 2024 Launch: Write a holiday song (with Melanie Peterson)

We’re excited to launch our songwriting challenge for 2024 to write an original holiday song. Helping with the launch, singer-songwriter Melanie Peterson picks two of her favourite holiday songs and talks about what makes them great. Check out our dedicated page for the songwriting challenge to write a holiday song, including all our past holiday-themed …

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Neel, Jenn, Phil, Debbie, and Ann

Arranging vocal harmonies with AV and the Inner City

Established in Edmonton’s inner city neighbourhood of McCauley, AV & The Inner City is a recently formed, all-female Soul/Roots vocal group, originating from the weekly collaborative porch concerts put on during the pandemic by multi-award winning local artist AV (Ann Vriend).  In a testament to their incredible talent, the diverse group of Edmontonian singers brought …

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Neel, Phil, and Lisa and Frank Horvat

All About Music Distribution with Frank & Lisa Horvat

Frank Horvat is an award-winning and critically acclaimed composer and pianist. He maintains an active schedule of recording projects and performances of his own compositions. His portfolio of works consists of chamber, pop/rock, electronic, musical theatre, film, and large ensemble pieces. His music has been premiered on four continents and featured on TV networks like …

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Neel, Phil, and Sydney

Getting Started on Songwriting with Sydney <3

16-year-old budding pop sensation Sydney is ready to introduce herself to the world with electric feel-good anthem “Picture Perfect.” Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, the artist is known for a unique sound that adeptly blends the soaring synths of Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers with Korean pop music, bridging the sonic gap between Taylor Swift and MAMAMOO. …

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