This week SongTalk welcomed Robert Ball to our studio. A native Torontonian, Robert Ball is a multi-faceted singer who has traveled to and performed in over 60 countries around the world. His sound has been described as soulful, jazzy, Neo-soul and he is a much in-demand session singer. Most recently he toured his EP “Need” & single “Breathe” throughout Toronto, New York and many PRIDE circuits including Brooklyn Pride, DC pride and Jamaica Pride. Also making appearances on CTV, CP24, Bold TV, Rogers Nighttime & Daytime on Rogers, Casa Loma …
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Toronto-based Saxophonist Richard Underhill talks about his work with Blue Rodeo, The Shuffle Demons, and how horns work within a song. We talked about: The Shuffle Demons – Spadina Bus lyrics Sell Me This Melodies creating chords Improvising Song Structures Horn Arrangements https://www.facebook.com/richard.underhill1 https://twitter.com/RichUnderhill https://www.instagram.com/richunderhill/
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We talked tips and tricks for beginner songwriters. Our producer Vanessa and techie Micah also joined in the conversation. Some of the stuff we covered included: Our Rocketman movie pre-screening contest How Phil and Neel got started on songwriting, and the challenges they faced Get yourself a decent guitar to start on (or a ukulele!) …
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This week SongTalk welcomed Matthew Reid to our studio. Matthew is a critically acclaimed, award winning composer for film, television, games and theatre. His funny songs have delighted almost a million people during his tenure as composer for Toronto’s world famous Second City comedy theatre. His comedic musical, The Second City Guide to the Symphony …
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R&B singer/songwriter talks about how to work with beats supplied by producers and performing live. AND we announce the RocketMan contest: Win 2 free tickets to the invite only advanced screening of the Elton John biopic, Rocketman, Wednesday, June 29th in Toronto. The special email address is given out at the end of the podcast! …
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Visiting from the United Kingdom, Pena Hughes-John joined us with two of her original songs. We talked about: Steampunk as a culture, fashion statement, and musical style Writing songs on the ukulele How many chords is too many? Collaborating with others Writing a song from a writing prompt Using time signature changes to introduce tension …
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This week SongTalk welcomed Adriel Smiley to our studio. Adriel is the Music Director of CJRU – Ryerson’s Radio station – and Adriel brought a wealth of information about college radio and the best way musicians can get their music played on these stations. On this episode, Adriel gave a lot of tips and best …
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Audio Insurgency returned to the show to talk about a boat load of music stuff, as well as showcasing two of their pop songs. We talked about: Vox’s Earworm videos, in particular the one in support of fade-outs in recordings Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History podcast episode about country music, The King of Tears writing and …
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There are many Government Grants out there that can help you expand your songwriting career. The unstoppable team of Frank and Lisa Horvat stopped by and shared some fantastic tips to get funding for your musical projects. Factor (THE FOUNDATION ASSISTING CANADIAN TALENT ON RECORDINGS Following up how to find who is offering funding It …
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This week SongTalk Radio has a special episode celebrating the 35th anniversary of the classic film, “This Is Spinal Tap”. And joining us in our trip down memory lane is one of our favourite guests on the show Blair Packham. We talk about where and when we first encountered this classic cult comedy and how …
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Indie rockers One in the Chamber joined us following the release of their first studio EP, I’ve Got Something To Say…. We talked about: One in the Chamber’s first appearance on Song Talk Radio difference between their demo EP and their studio EP (hint: pre-production) writing as a band collaboration thwarting conventions around song structure …
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Emmanuel Lopez, the Social Media Wingman, stopped by to share tips on how songwriters can use Social Media to boost their brand and build their career. Stuff we talked about: What channel to focus on Jeff Lynne’s ELO on instagram The Fostex 280 Recorder Defining what we think “Success” is Songs_IN-THE-FILM_Emmanuel-Lopez lyrics Songs_RAIN-OF-ANGELS_Emmanuel-Lopez lyrics www.instagram.com/motivatorman1/ …
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This week Song Talk welcomed Patrick Ballantyne back to our studio. Patrick is a veteran songwriter and musician who has worked with many top-selling artists such as The Trews, Meredith Shaw and Big Sugar. On this episode, Patrick brought in a few songs from his upcoming new release so our Song Talk audience got to …
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One of our favourite guests and friend of the show Blair Packham returned to the show to share his song ideas, from titles to bits of songs, and how he develops them into full-fledged songs. We talked about: Song Studio Hugh’s Room in Toronto Songwriting Apps: OnSong, Rhyme Genie, Tunesmith, and Music Memos Writing the …
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Singer-songwriter Pete Eastmure grew up on a horse farm, on the side of Blue Mountain. Needing to find something else, Pete at a young age hitchhiked out to California and entered into a personal musical journey that forever changed him. Pete honed his craft of songwriting from many years of exploring musical genres like folk, …
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Our own Michael Proudfoot proudly stepped into the world of cover songs. He uncovered a treasure trove of examples and ideas. Have a listen as the Song Talk Radio team plus Blair Packham (The Jitters) tackles: when everything was a cover the difference between 45, 78, and 33 1/3 rpm records professional songwriters writing for …
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Angela Saini returned to Song Talk Radio with a new album and a fresh bunch of earnest and optimistic songs. We talked about: Structured vs. casual collaborations When should an artist make a trip to Nashville? Making a personal connections to songs you’re performing, even if you didn’t write them totally by yourself Live performance …
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Ever wondered why hit songs are so memorable? You know, the ones that you can’t get out of your mind for weeks (or years). Well, it could be the hook. In this episode the Song Talk Radio team does a deep dive into the many and various ways that songwriters have created memorable passages in …
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BEHOLD! The triumphant latest release – Seven Seas of Sleaze – from Canada’s legendary rock armada White Cowbell Oklahoma – now in it’s 20th glorious year! WITNESSETH! The 70s-inspired boogie-prog army’s seventh full-length release, featuring seven blistering tracks, brought to you by seven heavily-perspiring musicians. CRY OUT WITH JUBILATION! Two brand new studio tracks – “Into …
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Singer/songwriter Linda Lavender shares the story of her song They Won’t Catch Me Again. Follow her journey from it’s birth on a five-hour road trip to its studio recording. We talked about: Linda’s album The Rosseau Sessions with Often Running Bluegrass music Influencers like Lyle Lovett, Lucinda Williams, Alison Krauss People on the run, rebels, a …
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Indie jazz pop singer-songwriter Jordana Talsky stopped by and shared tips on using looper pedals for songwriting and shared two original songs. Listen to the show Stuff we talked about: BOSS 505 Loop Station looper pedal RUN lyrics Bitter-sweet-heart Lyrics Instagram: @jzt123 facebook: @Jordana.T.Music twitter: @JordanaZT youtube: @JordanaTalskyMusic website: jordanatalsky.com How to write songs with a looper …
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Singer-songwriter and Music Educator Ashley Braga came to visit us again on the tails of her first album for children, Ladder to the Moon. The album features traditional children’s songs with Ashley’s own twists, and totally original songs as well. Ladder to the Moon was produced by Song Talk Radio’s own Neel Modi. We talked about: how songwriting …
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Did you love the new movie Bohemian Rhapsody? Hate it? Something in between? Listen as Bruce, Neel, Phil, Michael, and Vanessa let loose! Hear their takes on the Bryan Singer helmed Queen/Freddie Mercury biopic released in late 2018. While they found much to criticize, they had a few raves too. Listen to the whole show!
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For our special holiday show we dipped into the vast treaure trove of holiday songs. You’ll hear everything from Run DMC‘s Christmas in Hollis to Frank Loesser‘s Baby it’s Cold Outside. Plus Joni Mitchell, Bing Crosby, David Bowie, Vince Guaraldi, John Prine, and Christmas carols too. Have a listen and see if we picked any of …
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