Producer, composer and Blue Rodeo founder, Bob Wiseman stopped by to share tips on pushing your songwriting approach to get out of a songwriting rut. Listen to the episode here: Some stuff we talked about: Working with songwriters Blue Rodeo BobWiseman.com Bob Wiseman on Wikipedia Download lyrics for “The Reform Party at Burning Man Download the …
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The show you’ve all been waiting for…or maybe that was just Neel. The Song Talk Radio Team tackles the subject of the pre-chorus; what it is, what it does for a song, and why have one? Singer/songwriter Melanie Peterson joined us to perform one of her songs as an example, “Been So Long.” To add a few …
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Singer-songwriter Stacey Dowswell joined us to talk about her literature-inspired and poetic take on songwriting with two original songs, Ties that Bind and Wax Wings. We talked about: Poetic vs. more straight forward lyrics How to add complexity to a simple 1-4-5 chord progression How to incorporate a cliche Contrast and space Using dynamics in your …
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Popular guest co-host and guest on Song Talk Radio, Patrick Ballantyne dropped by the studio to share two of his well-crafted songs. “Where Things Used to Be” is great example of the skillful combination of melody, structure, and lyrics to evoke a strong feeling of longing in the listener. Listen to the bridge in particular and …
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The Song Talk Radio team of Bruce, Neel, and Phil received an education in Industrial music with Eric Scrape. Here’s some of what you can learn by listening to the show: What makes it “industrial” Industrial love songs How it got started during the punk music years Why Scrape starts with a beat Electronic Body …
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Young pop sensations the Command Sisters (Charlotte and Sarah) joined us to talk about writing as a sibling duo and working with producers. Patrick Ballantyne filled in for Bruce. We also talked about: how to write a 2-chord song the musical Book of Mormon whether to repeat lyrics in each chorus the challenge of writing …
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Emily Mac is a singer-songwriter and a regular at our Songwriter’s Roundtable Meetup. She joined us with piano player Joel to perform and talk about two of her songs, Back to the Rhythm and When It’s Gone. Special guest host Carmen Toth filled in for Neel. We talked about: how learning to play an instrument …
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Unleashed Dreams brought their epic, new age, neo-classical music to Song Talk Radio. Lindsay Walker (lyricist/singer) and Sean Michael Paddison (composer, producer, and pianist) have a mission. They want to create and distribute music that empowers people to transform their lives and live their dreams. Their first song, “Deep”, is powerful. It recounts the challenges of going …
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Old friend of the show, Eric Sorenson stops by to share a couple of his songs off his upcoming release. Mr Dave Miner sat in for Phil too! Listen to the show: Stuff we talked about: Download: Go-Lyrics Download: Directions-lyrics Eric’s Website: www.G3NERIC.com Instagram: instagram.com/g3n3r1c Twitter: twitter.com/G3NERIC
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Braeden Mitchell returned to Song Talk Radio for his third visit and contributed to a very lively and informative discussion of songwriting and recording. He shared two songs with us, Glory Days and Everyday Girl, both from his upcoming EP release. We talked about: moving from a pop-rock sound to a folk-country style a producer’s influence …
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Crazy talented Jeremy Voltz joined us with his Stevie Wonder inspired, but totally original songs, In the Clear and Wrong With Me. We talked about: CounterMeasure the advantages of regularly performing at open mics getting inspiration for your songs from life situations how to make subtle changes between sections of your song how to write …
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This week we picked our favourite songs from movies. We talked about: La La Land (the movie) People bursting into song for no reason vs. singing in sensible places in the story The Big Chill Movie Musicals key modulation Quentin Tarantino’s unique approach to picking songs for his movies Listen to the show: Our selections:
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Toronto-based virtuoso electronic music duo Audio Insurgency joined us for a second time to talk about their latest projects, including an album of inventive video game music covers. Audio Insurgency is made up of Alon Rodovinsky and Ivan Popov. The guys previously appeared on Song Talk Radio in early 2016. Patrick Ballantyne filled in for Bruce …
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For our Valentine’s Day special, each member of the Song Talk Radio team brought a favourite love song too woo our listeners. All the songs were very different, and we each had a different take on what makes a good love song: Bruce appreciates authentic, honest expressions of love Neel likes it when there’s a …
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Singer / songwriter Davis St. Bernard stopped by and we explored the issue on complexity in one’s songwriting. What we talked about: How to Write Songs on Guitar: 2nd Edition, Expanded and Updated SongStudio Songwriting workshop Non-traditional song structures modulations Finding your vocal range Jimmy Web gets snubbed by the Grammy’s Listen to the full show: …
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Moody, original and unexpected are three words that describe the song writing of Louis Moon. He started his musical life when he took piano lessons at age seven. Three years ago, influenced by Korean Hip Hop artists, he began to create his own beats. More recently he added lyrics and his own voice to the …
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Toronto and Mississauga-based singer-songwriter Ashley Braga joined us for two live performances and insights into her unique approach to songwriting. While most songwriters turn largely inwards to write, Ashley provides a service writing songs for other people, based on their relationships and emotions. Often the songs are for engagements, weddings, or funerals. Other stuff we …
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Kirk Felix arrived at our little studio with a whole band; bass, violin (fiddle), and cajon. As we did our sound check the Song Talk crew all savoured the gentle, soothing and heart-warming sounds of a folk ensemble. Patrick Ballantyne sat in for Neel Modi who was on assignment. In addition to two very authentic folk songs (Dusty …
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Born in England, raised in The Netherlands, Paul Vos shared two of his songs with us at Song Talk Radio. The first was “Lost Along the Way” a song about finding love when you least expect it. Listen for the awesome 80’s background vocals on the chorus! The second tune, “Heaven in My Hands” had …
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Toronto-based singer-songwriter Angela Saini joined us to talk about her process and two beautifully crafted songs: Something Like I’m Beautiful and Living on the Bright Side. We talked about: Switching from a major to minor key for your bridge How to connect emotionally with your listeners Song endings – to resolve to not resolve? Putting …
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Singer songwriter Sherry Jacoby stopped by with our old friend Alon and played some wintery tunes. SongStudio working with co-writers Forget lyrics Download Winter Hibernation by Sherry Jacoby Artist website: http://www.sherryjacoby.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sherryjacoby Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sherryjacobymusic YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNVZl1tcGdqoUr8usbbKjaw SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/sherryjacoby Listen to the full Episode:
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Piper Hayes is a New York born singer/songwriter currently living on the outskirts of Hamilton, Ontario – home to a burgeoning arts scene. Piper started writing her own songs because she couldn’t play other people’s songs on her guitar. On this fast-paced and informative show, she sang “You’re Gone” and “Honey” and we talked about: musical theatre training and the singer/songwriter …
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Saskatoon-born, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Melanie Peterson joined us again, this time with her original holiday-themed love songs. Melanie has been deemed “Mary Poppins with a broken heart” by the BBC and a “superb songwriter” by Joe Warmington of the Toronto Sun. She was last on our show in 2015. We talked about: Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s …
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