Fresh off the heels of her new release, ‘Love and What I Thought It Was’, Mimika is making the transition from songwriter to soul-baring artist. With over 2 million streams as a writer and a degree from Berklee College of Music, Mimika’s ‘story first’ approach to songwriting has earned her the kind of balance that …
Shows
Trying something other than a love song with Greg Wyard
Best known for his heartfelt love songs, songwriter Greg Wyard is about to surprise his audience with “Guns and Money,” a song that delves into significant global issues with a guitar-heavy rock sound. “Guns and Money” takes a more serious and thought-provoking direction than previous songs, taking inspiration from society’s obsession with wealth and weapons …
Fixing the World with Carmen Toth
Carmen Toth is a Toronto singer-songwriter with a power pop sound reminiscent of the 80s and 90s. Whether on acoustic guitar playing solo or on electric with a full band, her unique, childlike voice, relatable lyrics and catchy hooks have drawn comparisons to Stevie Nicks, Cyndi Lauper and Kate Bush. Active in the independent music …
Collaborations with Maggie Andrew
Creating music that journeys far beyond the confines of genre, Nova Scotia’s Maggie Andrew infuses her style of modern (s)alt-Pop with confident, relatable lyrics that often challenge stereotypical norms. Layered with Punk, R&B, Hip-Hop, and Rock, Andrew’s textured and edgy songs are boldly charming and stunningly innovative. With frank and straightforward lyrics that leave little …
Writing and Arranging Funk and Soul with The Commotions
Canadian Soul-Funk collective, The Commotions, are an all original 12-piece Motown-to-Disco era band that has brought the exquisite grooves from the famed Motor City all the way across the border. Celebrating their first decade as a band, founder Brian Asselin created the collective after spending six years with legendary musical group, The Funk Brothers; the …
Songwriting Challenge 2023: Listener Songs Volume 2
Our second batch of listener songs for our songwriting challenge 2023 to write in a mode included a song (mostly) in Phrygian, one definitely in Phrygian, and one with modal interchange. We talked about: The Song Talk Meetup Being sure you incorporate the unique intervals of a mode in your chord choices and melodies Phrygian …
Writing a multilingual song with Amanie Illfated
Amanie Illfated (pronounced: ah-MAH-nee eel-fay-ted) is an award winning South Sudanese born international recording artist. Her music consists of thought-provoking multilingual mixed with a dynamic blend of R&B, Afropop, Reggae and Trap, all combined with her signature, clear-toned vocals. She incorporates her personal experiences growing up as a refugee in Canada to deliver inspirational messages …
Writing for radio with Kasia Livingston
Few things are as exciting as being a teenager with talent and a dream!! Located in the heart of the entertainment industry, the Los Angeles College of Music faculty are currently touring and working with music’s top stars and can give musical teens a leg up and inside track on the competition. Kasia ‘Kasey’ Livingston …
Serving the song with Desiree Dorion
Desiree Dorion is an artist fluent in the language of relatable storytelling. With an inherent ability to deliver impactful lyrics that range from emotional to humorous, the decorated singer-songwriter effectively immerses her audiences in her expertly crafted songs with ease. To date, her illustrious career has included a 2014 JUNO nomination, six appearances on Canada’s …
Songwriting Challenge 2023: Listener Songs Volume 1
Our first batch of listener songs for our songwriting challenge 2023 to write in a mode included a song in Dorian and two songs in Lydian. Lynn Moe shared his song Clean Up Time in D Dorian. Download the lyrics and chords to follow along. We talked about: Using a phrase that doesn’t necessarily make …
Phil leans into Lydian for his songwriting challenge answer
For our second host-answer episode for our Songwriting Challenge 2023, Phil shared the process behind his answer to the challenge to write a song in the Lydian mode. Our good friend Susan Cattaneo joined in. We talked about: How Phil experimented with various scales before landing on Lydian for his song How working in Lydian …
Governor Tom is all about that Iambic Pentameter
Governor Tom is a singer/songwriter whose indie style blends folk, blues, and jazz with pathos and humor. Sherry Jacoby filled in for Neel, who was busy visiting a galaxy far far away, but not too long ago. Thanks Sherry! Tom talked about his song The Public Eye. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked …
Neel gets all nostalgic for his songwriting challenge answer
For our first host-answer episode for our Songwriting Challenge 2023, Neel shared the process behind his answer to the challenge to write a song in a mode. Our good friend Susan Cattaneo joined in – thanks Susan for your awesome insights! Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: SummerSongs songwriting retreat The Number …
Writing a “hit song” with Greg Wyard
Toronto singer/songwriter Greg Wyard is thrilled to announce the release of his latest song, “Suddenly Everything’s All Right.” This track presents a refreshing blend of sounds, reminiscent of Phil Collins infused with the timeless charm of Motown. With its heartfelt lyrics and captivating melody, the song takes listeners on an exhilarating journey of love, discovery, …
Writing a hard rock song with VILIVANT
VILIVANT is a Canadian hard rock artist who started music at the very young age of 3. First with the piano then picking up the guitar and developing her voice along the way, VILIVANT grew a strong liking to rock music. After receiving the Juried Sound Recording grant from FACTOR Canada and the help of …
Writing a protest song with Ryan Hahn
From the bourbon hills of Kentucky to the streets of Los Angeles, Americana/Rock N’ Roll band Ryan Hahn and the Believers craft honest, insightful stories rooted in Americana, roots, and southern rock and roll. With their dynamic sound, Ryan and his believers harken back to the sounds of Steve Earle and Tom Petty telling stories …
Finding her own voice in Jazz: Nicky Schrire
Nicky Schrire is a British-South African vocalist and composer based in Toronto, Canada. Her work has seen her likened to vocalists Joni Mitchell and Esperanza Spalding with The Boston Globe’s Jon Garelick noting that “though her approach has earned her comparisons to Gretchen Parlato and Becca Stevens, the similarities are superficial. She’s got her own …
Collaboration tips with Alex Whorms and Aaron John
Songwriters Alex Whorms and Aaron John met ten years ago at a youth talent contest in Oshawa, Ontario, where they both performed original songs and tied for first place. They quickly bonded over their shared love of Coldplay, Keane, and Sara Bareilles and went on to write music and perform together often. Aaron would later …
Deep Dive: This Guy’s in Love by Burt Bacharach
For this special episode, Phil dives deep on the Burt Bacharach / Hal David song This Guy’s in Love With You, made popular in 1968 by Herb Alpert. We talked about: Our Songwriting Challenge for 2023, and thank-you to everyone who have already sent in their songs! Using ChatGTP to write (a really vanilla draft …
The Magic of Songwriting with Econoline Crush’s Trevor Hurst
When The Devil Drives is the latest album from Canadian rock veterans Econoline Crush, formed some 30 years ago by frontman Trevor Hurst, now the sole original member. The band’s first full-length album in over a decade, and documentary film, Flatlander, about a rocker from Brandon, Manitoba’s second career as a psychiatric nurse, will be …
Songs with odd time signatures
For this special episode, Phil joined Neel in his studio to record our first in-person episode since early 2020! We dove deep into songs with odd time signatures and talked about: Our songwriting challenge for 2023 How time signatures work How odd time signatures can introduce a lot of tension in your song How complex …
Conscious songwriting with Meris Gantt
Meris Gantt is an Indie Folk singer and songwriter based out of the North Carolina mountains. Meris’ songwriting is honest and to the point; exploring life’s journeys with longing, regret and the silver linings that lie in between. Her songs tell tales of love, loss, and redemption that speak to the universal truths that bind us …
Reflecting on the career of Tina Turner
We talked about: Tina Turner’s start in the 60s with Ike Turner and her resurgence as a pop/rock star in the 80s List of songs written by Tina Turner – Wikipedia Nutbush City Limits – Wikipedia Singers who hit the ends of the words, or don’t What’s Love Got to Do with It (song) – …
Being open to new collaborations with Jeremy Voltz
Burned-out mathematician turned indie-soul artist, Jeremy Voltz’s music is inspired by thinking deeply about the people in his life and what he’d love to have the courage to say to them. Reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, Hozier, and Stevie Wonder, he has a voice that is powerful and haunting. As a vocalist, Voltz has toured the …