This week Song Talk welcomed Patrick Ballantyne back to our studio. Patrick is a veteran songwriter and musician who has worked with many top-selling artists such as The Trews, Meredith Shaw and Big Sugar. On this episode, Patrick brought in a few songs from his upcoming new release so our Song Talk audience got to …
bridge
Writing Songs for Children with Ashley Braga
Singer-songwriter and Music Educator Ashley Braga came to visit us again on the tails of her first album for children, Ladder to the Moon. The album features traditional children’s songs with Ashley’s own twists, and totally original songs as well. Ladder to the Moon was produced by Song Talk Radio’s own Neel Modi. We talked about: how songwriting …
Making the most of a three-chord song
On this program Bruce, Neel, and Phil, (and Linda) each brought a three-chord song to share. We looked at what each song needed to do (if anything) to compensate for the lack of chord diversity. We talked about: Now You’re Leaving by Bruce Harrott The Joker by The Steve Miller Band BBC by Ming Tea Street Spirit …
Eric Walker, jazz/pop/blues fusion
Eric Walker is a singer/songwriter from Toronto and a member of the blakeley walker band. He was a founding member of the Toronto Songwriters Association which has met the second Saturday of the month for the past 17 years. We talked about: playing Harry Belafonte songs on the ukulele writing a song with 47 chords …
Canadian songwriters rock the nineties
Maybe you didn’t ask for it but we did it anyway – the 90’s song draft – this time with Canadian songwriters. Blair Packham sat in for a sick Bruce, Vanessa joined the gang for her song picks, and much fun was had. Of the many writers of the Great White North, here are a …
Blending Jazz and Soul with Avery Raquel
Teen-aged jazz/soul superstar Avery Raquel joined us to talk about moving from covers of jazz standards to her own blend of jazz and soul to better connect with her audience. We talked about: Jazz standards by Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra Listening to songs analytically Tension and release in a song …
Fathers Day Special with Allister Bradley and Sean Bertram
For a special Father’s Day episode, we invited father and son Allister Bradley and Sean Bertram to share their experiences working on music together and independently. Friend of the show Dave Miner filled in for Neel – thanks Dave! We talked about: Sean starting out with piano lessons, Guitar Hero and Rockband Allister finding the …
DAHLIA, long-term views on writing songs
Songwriter DAHLIA stopped by after her tour in India to talk songwriting. Listen to the episode: What we talked about: How do you start a song? Are “hooks” teachable? Pulling apart your fav songs Getting Funding from the government Falling in love with your demo’s Jule’s first single Rick Beato “Why makes this song great?” …