guitar

Writing a medieval folk song with Raivo Jackson

Saska Lammila joined us all the way from Helsinki, Finland, to talk about his medieval-style folk song Suspended, for his band Ravio Jackson. Download the lyrics and chords to follow along.

We talked about:

Taking inspiration from a years-ago spiritual experience, through a poem, and into a finished song
How Saska wrote a poem in Finnish several years ago, and translated it into English for the song
Having a 3-verse and coda structure with a blooming, intense ending
Writing songs with parts for his bandmates in mind, but that also work for a solo singer-songwriter show

About Ravio Jackson

Raivo Jackson is a versatile Americana band hailing from Helsinki, Finland.… Read the rest

Songwriting Challenge 2025: Listener Songs Volume 1

by Neel Modi

We showcased and reviewed songs from Old Wooley and Paul Gallagher, as answers to our Songwriting Challenge 2025, to write a song in an odd time signature.

Old Wooley shared his song Driving Through The Desert. Download the lyrics, including the time signatures, to follow along.… Read the rest

Using a diminished chord with intention with David Leask

by Neel Modi

Award-winning Scots-Canadian singer-songwriter, David Leask, is a celebrated writer and performer, known for his emotionally resonant songwriting, soulful voice, and deep musical craftsmanship that flows freely between genres. Throughout his three decade long career, Leask has performed over 3,000 shows and earned accolades across multiple genres.… Read the rest

Songwriting as a meditation with Jessica Stuart

by Neel Modi

Toronto-based guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and koto player Jessica Stuart (aka JESSA) has made a music career writing and performing harmonically adventurous, and devastatingly honest indie-jazz-rock tunes around the world. Stuart is also a rare professional female guitarist, with dozens of side-player credits ranging from Mirvish Productions’ SIX to Classic Albums Live to Idioteque, and loves to put her chops in the spotlight when playing her unique, musically playful original songs as the Jessica Stuart Trio.… Read the rest

Remote collaboration tips with Mike Rudquist and Neel

by Neel Modi

For this special episode, we talked about a collaboration Neel did with Mike Rudquist, a singer-songwriter he met at the At Home Songwriting group for a songwriting challenge.

Mike Rudquist is a songwriter from Red Wing, MN who writes songs in Americana, pop/rock, and country.… Read the rest

Revisiting a song with Danny Marks

by Neel Modi

Few names carry the weight of Danny Marks in the Canadian blues and roots scene. From his early days as a founding member of Edward Bear, opening for the likes of Led Zeppelin and Humble Pie, to his decades as a torchbearer of the blues with BLUZ FM and beyond, Marks has remained a perennial force—a man whose time comes, again and again.… Read the rest

Jason Kirkness: Developing as a songwriter

by Neel Modi

Nationally celebrated for his modern Country sound, Jason Kirkness has established himself as a standout figure in Canadian Country music, capturing audiences with two acclaimed albums. Awarded Male Artist of the Year title at the 2023 Manitoba Country Music Awards, Kirkness gained impressive traction on the Canadian Billboard Top 50, where his single “Anywhere the Night Goes” spent 18 weeks.… Read the rest

Indigenous Country Songwriting with Desiree Dorion

by Neel Modi

JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter Desiree Dorion unveiled her seventh studio album, “Remember Your Name” in the Fall of 2024, stepping beyond her signature Country roots to explore the rich and soulful landscapes of Roots/Americana. Blending vulnerability, strength, and personal growth into every lyric, Dorion’s latest project marks a bold evolution in her musical journey, finding a new sonic home that compliments her artistry.… Read the rest