Shows

Phil, Neel, Vanessa, Dave, Bruce, and Etain

Complexity in songwriting: When is it too much? with David St. Bernard

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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Phil, Bruce, Ashley, Vanessa, and Neel

Writing for others with Ashley Braga

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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1972 revisited with Kirk Felix and friends

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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Hema, Bruce, Angela, Phil, Vanessa, and Neel

Earnest and optimistic songs with Angela Saini

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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Back: Bruce, Sherry, Alon, Phil, and Neel. Front: Jonathan and Vanessa

Winter tunes with Sherry Jacoby

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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Neel, Bruce, Piper, Phil, and Vanessa

Piper Hayes, from Broadway to Hamilton

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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Back: Bruce, Melanie, Phil, and Neel. Front: Vanessa and Etain

Holiday Love Songs with Melanie Peterson

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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Neel, Bruce, Etain, Jordan, Phil, and Vanessa

Jordan Paul on Writing Trippy Tunes

Singer/Songwriter Jordan Paul stopped by with a couple of brilliant songs. His sound has been described as “if Queen, Mimicking Birds, Radiohead, and Led Zeppelin all had a beautiful love-child.” A clever songwriter at only 24–his writing and musicality is well beyond his years and his voice is otherworldly. Paul’s new single ‘Rain’ is coming out …

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Phil, Vanessa, Neel, Etain, and Bruce

Leonard Cohen, the late great Canadian troubadour

What can you say about the exceptionally talented poet, novelist, and prolific singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen.that hasn’t already been said? Well, the Song Talk Radio action team didn’t worry about that. Bruce, Neel, and Phil simply dove into their memories and had a close look at three of his many, many songs. Bruce brought the poetic Bird on …

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Writing the emotional gamut with Beige Shelter

Indie rock band Beige Shelter stopped by to talk about forming the band, producing their first album, and performed two songs. Our very own Neel Modi took the co-guest seat as producer, drummer, and co-writer. A good friend of Song Talk Radio, Patrick Ballantyne filled in for Neel’s host spot. Beige Shelter is: Adi Aman …

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Dan Edmonds making it up in the moment

The Song Talk Team had the distinct pleasure of spending an hour with the very talented and original singer/songwriter Dan Edmonds. His fresh takes on music and how it’s made were both illuminating and engaging. He played two of his intriguing recordings – “Love Can Be a Tunnel” and “To Be That Needle”. We talked about: improvising …

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Songwriting Humour & Hiring Someone to Demo your song with Robert Davis

Singer/songwriter Robert Davis stopped by with some great fun songs and we talked about the following: Download robert-davis-lyrics here Differences between kids and Adult songs Dr. Demento Koerner Hall Mark Russell (piano player / songwriter / political satirist) Subversive themes in children’s songs Country Music songwriting approach NSAI Socan House (Nashville House) Factor.ca Country Music Association Ken …

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Where’s Bob Dylan?

Okay, so we couldn’t get Bob to come to the studio for the show. Not surprising considering how the Nobel Prize people can’t find him either. On this show about Bob Dylan we discussed: The new film from Ron Howard  – The Beatles, Eight Days a Week How the Beatles wrote songs Should the Nobel Prize …

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allister-with-the-team

Thoughtful lyrics and music with Allister Bradley

Pro songwriter Allister Bradley joined us for an hour to talk about two of his catchy, thoughtful songs and his process for getting them done. Stuff we talked out: Toronto’s Song Studio Making it in the music industry Writing with your secondary instrument Using session musicians Why you should whistle your melody Chord progression tip: make …

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Neel, Alyssa, Bruce, Janice, Phil, and Nicole

How to master multiple career streams + songwriting with Alyssa Baker

The Multi-Talented songwriter/actor Alyssa Baker stopped by with a couple of great songs and an even better discussion on creating songs and managing multiple career streams. Some Stuff We Talked About: Lost & Found Music Studios tv series Protecting your songs VisiKlick Metronome app Socan Songs being too “songwriter-y” ? Undone – EP – Alyssa Baker on iTunes …

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Neel, Phil, Jacob, Bruce, Nicole, and Janice

Jacob Moon a song writing star

With 10 albums over a 20-year career, Canadian singer/songwriter/guitarist Jacob Moon dropped into the studio to share a wealth of helpful tips and clear insights. “Live a Little” is a truly exceptional tune, a perfect marriage of lyrics, melody, theme and variation.  “Is That All You Got” is a gutsy rocker that looks at calamity with defiance …

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Writing to perfection with Jules

Talented teen singer-songwriter Jules joined us again, after her first appearance over a year ago. In the midst of writing songs for her sophomore release, Jules talked with the Song Talk Radio Action Team about: FACTOR grants for Canadians, and why you should hire a grant writer Unsigned Only Songwriting Competition writing from a title writing …

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