Shows

Phil, Tony, and Neel

Poetry meets songwriting with CALICO

CALICO, an independent Folk/Americana band based in British Columbia, formed at the start of the pandemic by creatively negotiating the space between personal discovery and cooperative writing. Made up of a group of seasoned professional musicians {Tony Cecchetti (lead vocals & rhythm guitar), Chris Couto (BG vocals & drums), Will Lloyd, (electric guitar) and JeanSe …

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Sherry, Neel, and Susan

Susan Cattaneo and two of her favourite songs

Award-winning singer-songwriter and music educator Susan Cattaneo joined us to talk about two of her favourite songs and why they’re so great. Sherry Jacoby filled in for Phil Emery as co-host – thanks Sherry! Susan’s choices were Little Green by Joni Mitchell and The River by Bruce Springsteen. We talked about: The differences between classic …

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Neel, Phil, and Billy

Writing in a rock band with Billy Lunn of The Subways

Billy Lunn is the singer, guitarist, songwriter, and producer of the UK-based rock band The Subways. The Subways released their debut album Young for Eternity in 2005, and they’ve just released their fifth album, Uncertain Joys, on January 13, 2023. Billy grew up on a swirling mix of Motown, rock, disco, dance, hip-hop, and pop, …

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Neel, Phil, and Andrea

Writing a long song with Civil Wray

Sparkle. It’s exactly what Civil Wray does on her brand-new single, appropriately entitled “Sparkle”.  Civil Wray, the nom de plume of Toronto singer songwriter Andrea de Boer, worked with producer Matt DeMatteo (Danko Jones, Big Wreck, Ashley MacIsaac) in creating an ethereal, dreampop song, that may remind listeners of artists like Fiona Apple, David Bowie, and Tame Impala. It’s a song about …

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Neel, Phil, Alex, and Dana

McMaster LIVELab Concert Research Study

Singer-songwriter Alex Whorms and doctoral researcher Dana Swarbrick met while attending McMaster University. Last year, they collaborated to produce a concert research study at McMaster’s renowned LIVELab, a state of the art performance theatre and research facility, to study social bonding between performers and audience members at live music events. The concert-study involved both in-person …

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Neel, Phil, and Amanda

Writing to the big picture with Amanda Sum

Canadian artist Amanda Sum has recently released her brand-new debut album “New Age Attitudes” and was quickly featured as one of Exclaim! Magazine’s picks of the week. Blending musical elements of Indie-Pop, Jazz, and Alternative Folk with incredibly thought-provoking lyrics, Amanda’s work has received critical acclaim from major media outlets including CBC, Exclaim! Magazine, and …

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Neel, Phil, and Alex

Alex Whorms writes her first original Christmas song

While some artists work to master their chosen genre and others may even manage to define one, Alex Whorms crafts music that is essentially a genre unto itself. Seated at her beloved keyboard, the young vocalist and composer flows freely and flawlessly between styles and sounds, gracefully blending classic singer-songwriter pop, jazz, soul, rock, classical, …

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Neel, Phil, and Joey

The Laws of Creativity with Joey Cofone

Joey Cofone is Founder & CEO of Baronfig and an award-winning designer and entrepreneur. His work has been featured in Fast Company, Bloomberg, New York Magazine, Bon Appétit, Quartz, Mashable, Gizmodo, and Print, among others. Joey was named a New Visual Artist and, separately, Wunderkind designer, by Print magazine. He is the author of the new book, The Laws of Creativity: Unlock Your Originality and …

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Neel, Phil, Dave & Meghan

Writing in a blues band with Bywater Call

Filled with incredible vocals and musicianship often compared to the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Canadian Americana/Roots band Bywater Call has made their unprecedented mark on the Canadian and international Blues/Roots scene with their brand-new album, “Remain”. From explosive television performances to radio play across the country, their distinctive sound blending Rock, Americana, and Soul is highlighted …

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Neel, Phil, and Susan

Getting Past Writer’s Block with Susan Cattaneo

Singer-songwriter and music educator Susan Cattaneo joined us once again, this time to talk about tips for overcoming writer’s block for songwriters. We talked about: writing in a different mode, on purpose a great video on understanding modes – The Modes Ranked by Brightness – YouTube lists of contemporary songs using modes, courtesy of Susan …

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Neel, Phil, and Jerry

Jerry Sereda on collaborating with Nashville songwriters

Canadian musician Jerry Sereda is a decorated Country artist who can’t help but capture music fans everywhere he goes. With his gripping and energetic live performances, Jerry celebrates his Indigenous heritage by weaving personal stories and experiences into his delightfully catchy songs. Beginning his music career as the winner of a local music contest who …

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Neel, Phil, and Angela

Angela Saini on developing songs past their initial ideas

Indian-Austrian Canadian country folk-pop artist Angela Saini is all about second chances and empowering others. She uplifts and inspires audiences with sing-alongs and storytelling about courage and finding joy in surprising places. BBC Radio has called the positive and upbeat songstress “massively talented”. Angela is most known for her sunshine-soaked song “Living on the Bright …

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Neel, Phil, and Matt

Chord Progression Tips with Matt Zaddy

With a sound that seamlessly blends folk-rock and modern soul, there’s something for every music fan to love about singer/songwriter Matt Zaddy. A storyteller at heart, his music is filled with tales of life, love, hardship and redemption. As someone who has shared stages with a diverse array of artists including K’Naan, Francesco Yates, and …

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Nabs-D, Neel, and Teresa

Funky Collaboration with Nabs-D & Teresa

Nab-s D & Teresa is a new Toronto-based duo featuring funky basslines and powerful, soulful vocals. They featured their new single On The Run on the podcast this week. We talked about: writing an instrumental bed to support a singer leaving room for spontaneity in the studio structuring your song with very high contrast between sections …

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