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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Award-winning and critically-acclaimed composer, songwriter, pianist, music educator and frequent Song Talk Radio guest, Frank Horvat returned to the show to talk about his latest project, The Thailand HRDs. Frank wrote 35 two-minute compositions for string quartet, where each movement was written for a Human Rights Defender in Thailand as part of photographer Luke Duggleby’s compelling …
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Singer songwriter Sintja Baba returned to share some songwriting tips. Sintja fronts Toronto based band THE NAIVE on guitar/vocals/keys, and is the principle song writer. Last year they released their Debut EP “Saw The Sun” followed by single “My Guitar” in July of this year. They released their most recent music video for single “The …
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With the holiday season just around the corner, we decided to help you out with some great gift ideas for songwriters and musicians in your life. We put them into four categories: Stocking Stuffers ( 0 – $15) Small Gifts ($15 – $100) Good Gifts ($100 – $300) WOW! Gifts ($300+) (the, gee if I …
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For our 5-year anniversary, we visited moments past and our favourite bits. Song Talk Radio Superfan Mike MacInnes joined us (for the 5th time!) Listen to the show Some of our favourite theme shows: Songs about Mental Health Key Modulations with Frank Horvat How to Start Writing a Song Comedy Songs Special Write a song …
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Jazz songwriter Steven Taetz returns to talk about creating new “Jazz Standards”. Listen to the show: Stuff we talked about: Steven’s first appearance StevenTaetz.com @steventaetz on Instagram , Facebook, Twitter Steven on YouTube The Great American Songbook (Wikipedia) More shows about Jazz Jazz Safaris Get your suggestions in for The First Song Talk Radio Gift …
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On this program Bruce, Neel, and Phil, (and Linda) each brought a three-chord song to share. We looked at what each song needed to do (if anything) to compensate for the lack of chord diversity. We talked about: Now You’re Leaving by Bruce Harrott The Joker by The Steve Miller Band BBC by Ming Tea Street Spirit …
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The Song Talk Team reviews songwriting apps, with special guest Allister Bradley, who went above the call of duty and showed up on crutches! Listen to the show We talked about: MasterWriter – a lyric-writing app with built-in thesaurus and rhyming dictionary Music Memos – like having a back up band in your pocket! GuitarTuna – …
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The team shares tips on the different ways you can start a song. Starting from a bass line Starting with a beat Starting with chords Starting with a lyric or melodic hook Guitarists Picture Chord Encyclopedia Listen to the show
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Eric Walker is a singer/songwriter from Toronto and a member of the blakeley walker band. He was a founding member of the Toronto Songwriters Association which has met the second Saturday of the month for the past 17 years. We talked about: playing Harry Belafonte songs on the ukulele writing a song with 47 chords …
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