bridge

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
the influence of Stephen Sondheim
specific versus ambiguous lyrics
using the rhythm guitar to drive a song
the right mood for writing

Connect with Piper

http://pipersings.com/… Read the rest

Jordan Paul on Writing Trippy Tunes

by Phil Emery

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.… Read the rest

Writing the emotional gamut with Beige Shelter

by Neel Modi

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.… Read the rest

Thoughtful lyrics and music with Allister Bradley

by Neel Modi

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 each chord in your progression a perfect fifth above the previous one

Download the lyrics for the songs.… Read the rest

Writing to perfection with Jules

by Neel Modi

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 lyrics that are open to interpretation
working on a lyric until it’s perfect
collaborations
what a band brings to the songwriting process
how teens are feeling about issues and putting them into songs

Listen to the whole show:

Watch the live performances:

… Read the rest

Jeff Greenway finds his own way

by Phil Emery

Jeff Greenway returned to the Song Talk Radio studio to share his thoughts on song writing. His approach to writing is through a feeling, not a theory. This was amply demonstrated in the two songs he shared with us. The first, Cavalry, evoked the sadness and confusion you feel when a relationship just isn’t working any more.… Read the rest

Letting songs steep with Carmen Toth

by Neel Modi

Carmen Toth / Social Potion joined us for the second time to talk about a new song, and an older one, both of which are appearing on her upcoming album.

Stuff we talked about:

writing lyrics first, songs first, or improvising on the fly during a jam/collaboration
journalling / creating a “lyrics bank”
starting a song from an emotion
marketing to promote other artists
memorable titles in the world of singles
working with a producer to focus the song structure and strengthen commercial appeal
writing universal, relatable lyrics
using a bridge to bring a new perspective into the song

Download Carmen’s lyrics for the show.… Read the rest

Blair Packham packs emotional power

by Phil Emery

From the moment Blair Packham started to speak, we knew we were in for some great lessons from a master songwriter and experienced teacher. If You Were Mine featured a great bridge and instrumental break. In Her Dreams started out as a story of a woman in a call centre and moved to a daughter caring for an ailing mother. … Read the rest