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We talk about our top love songs, how they work and what tricks the songwriters used. The Spotify Playlist
For a songwriter, what makes a great love song? Our 5 top songs
Shows
Keeping It Real with Blair Packham
This week SongTalk welcomed our old friend Blair Packham to our studio. The Toronto-based artist, first gained attention for his work with ’80’s power pop band The Jitters. He is now an acclaimed solo artist and musician. Blair released two strongly-reviewed solo albums before shifting his focus to composing music for TV and films, teaching …
The Hosts Take on Their First Songwriting Challenge
About three months ago, we asked our listeners to suggest a songwriting challenge or prompt for us to explore. Organizations like the Toronto Songwriting Association often prompt their members with challenges such as “Take a cliche and turn it on its head”, or “Write a song about a home appliance.” Singer-songwriter and former Song Talk …
Jadyn Lamb: How to build your musical career one track at a time
Described as “sickly sweet”, singer/songwriter Jadyn Lamb embodies moody electronic pop with a style similar to Lorde and Kate Bush. Jadyn was joined on the show by her producer Marco Palma (Material City). We talked about: FACTOR Canada MusicExpo happening in Mississauga this weekend! Upcoming Song Talk Challenge songwriting challenge: positive lyrics in a minor …
How Featurette add emotion to Electro-Pop
This week SongTalk welcomed FEATURETTE to our studio. The Toronto-based duo FEATURETTE, formed by singer Lexie Jay and drummer, Jon Fedorsen, makes emotionally-charged, heavy-hitting electro-pop music that has been met with international critical acclaim. After receiving their first full recording grant from FACTOR Canada, the duo released their debut LP CRAVE in October, 2016. The …
It’s a Christmas Extravaganza!
This week SongTalk welcomes… Christmas into our studio. For our Xmas Eve show, we all brought in our favourite Christmas songs and had a good chat about what makes them so great. Featuring some classics and some new songs that you may not have heard before. So pour yourself some Rum and Eggnog or …
Best Songs of the Decade Special
Super-fan of the show Mike MacInnes joined us for our final live show of 2019, and indeed of the decade, for our personal takes on the best songs of the last 10 years. We also created a Spotify playlist of all the songs! We talked about: Neel’s 2019 holiday song, and Phil’s re-mix Our songwriting …
Writing new Christmas songs with Jef Farquharson
Jef Farquarharson stopped by to share tips about writing Christmas tunes. Listen to the whole show Rum And Eggnog lyrics Christmas Is Lyrics
David McLachlan: That Nashville sound.
This week SongTalk welcomed David McLachlan to our studio. David McLachlan is a prolific songwriter with 7 albums released, one in the can, for release next Aug 2020. Several years ago David ventured to Nashville to record with some stellar A-list players. He found that experience to be so rewarding it changed the way he …
Heartfelt blues (and no trucks) with Steve Strongman
Juno-award winning recording artist Steve Strongman joined us to talk about his take on the blues. Steve is a multiple Maple Blues Award winner, 2019 International Blues Challenge Best Guitarist (solo/duo). He’s opened for BB King, Buddy Guy, Joe Cocker, Johnny Winter, and toured all over the world. We talked about: What’s the blues anyway? …
The 2nd Annual Holiday Gift Guide
The gang gets together to share suggestions on the perfect gifts for the songwriter in your life (let’s be honest, it’s you. You’re gonna by yourself this great stuff– and so you should!). Let us know what you want for the holidays in the comments below! Listen to the show The Lists note that we …
Amanie Illfated: Beats + Producer = Gold
Amanie Illfated is a South Sudanese born, Toronto based singer/songwriter working in a dynamic fusion of R&B, Reggae, Afrobeat and Trap. She was born in what is now known as South Sudan and immigrated to Saskatchewan with her family as refugees in 1992. At the age of 16, she left her family to pursue music …
6-Year Anniversary Special
We celebrated six years on Song Talk Radio with a little reminiscing, a few songwriting tips, and some random stuff. We talked about: Muse Songwriter’s Forum as a great online community for lyricists and songwriters (formerly known as the Muse’s Muse) What does voicings mean? Our Holiday Gift Guide show on November 19 – send …
The TV Theme Draft Show Extravaganza
Frank Horvatt joined in on our Favorite TV Theme Draft show, where we chose our fav TV themes of the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, 2000’s and the 2010s.
Beige Shelter: How To Write Within A Band
Beige Shelter is an ambitious and eclectic five piece band from Toronto that brings fire, passion and a political conscience to their music. Through electrifying live performances, the band showcases both original songs and interesting twists on cover songs. Beige Shelter is currently working on their 2nd EP release. Lead singer and vocalist Adi Aman …
Songs by the Hosts: how we wrote ’em
For this host’s show, Michael, Neel and Phil brought in a song each and discussed how we wrote and some cool approaches in the songs. AND, Vanessa was in the house!!! What a fun episode! Listen to the Episode What we talked about The 2nd Annual Holiday Gift Guide Blog post: Creating Lyric Sheets that Don’t …
Steve Koven – Play Piano, See The World
This week, SongTalk welcomed jazz pianist and teacher Steve Koven. Steve is a composer, performer, producer and educator. He has one of the longest standing trios in Canada, performing, touring and recording together for over 26 year. Aside from performing and recording with his trio – Steve Koven Trio – Steve also has other recording …
Bridging classical and pop music with Alex Whorms
This week singer-songwriter and Hamilton Arts Award for Emerging Artist winner (2019) Alex Whorms joined us to talk about her sophomore EP, Burgundy, and two of the songs. We talked about: FACTOR grants and Canada’s Music Incubator (check out our episodes on grants and music royalties) how long to take to get to the chorus …
The Beatles, who? Yesterday movie review with Emmanuel Lopez
Emmanuel Lopez, movie blogger and Social Media Wingman, joined Phil and Michael to talk about the latest Danny Boyle movie, Yesterday where a struggling songwriter wakes up in a world where the Beatles never happened. Is he the only one who remembers all those great songs, and what should he do. We Talked About: Emmanuel …
Making the most of your voice with Taylor Abrahamse
This week, professional singer/songwriter, voice actor & co-founder of Silverthorn Studios recording, Taylor Abrahamse joined us in the studio at SongTalk World Headquarters. Taylor was a Top 40 finalist on Canadian Idol, has performed on stages across Ontario, has also written & produced musicals, and music for animated series and viral internet music through Corus, …
Stark Naked and the Fleshtones: classic punk rock band
Stark Naked and Eugene Ripper of Stark Naked and the Fleshtones joined us to talk about their heyday in the early 80s as an awesome live band in Toronto. We talked about: how songs are shaped by band dynamics working with the “right” producer the punk music attitude live vs. recorded music Listen to the …
Favourite Movie Soundtracks!
This week SongTalk welcomed our pal Matthew Reid to our studio to talk about movie soundtracks. We chose our favourites and talked about why they made the cut and what were the runners up. We talked about: what are the criteria of soundtracks – are they a collection of songs from other sources, are …
How to write a Musical – it takes longer than you’d think! with Frank Horvat and Catherine Frid
Long-time friend of the show, songwriter and composer Frank Horvat brought in his musical writing partner Catherine Frid to explain all the steps it took to write and produce their Toronto Fringe hit Spend Your Kids Inheritance. Listen to the show: What we talked about: This Is It_Frid Horvat New Waters_Frid Horvat
Songs without a chorus
This week we talked about songs which have no chorus. First, we had to be clear about what does make a chorus. Then we deep dove on three songs we think don’t have one. What do you think? Leave a comment with your pick for a song without a chorus. We also talked about: focussed …