melody

Getting (not so) personal with Faaria

Faaria was one of our first guests on Song Talk Radio (check out her first episode) and she joined us once again with new songs about relationships, where none of them are autobiographical (or so she claims).

Stuff we talked about:

writing from different point-of-views
relationship songs
how practicing songwriting can affect the enjoyment of listening to other songs
progressing the story or idea from verse to verse
spicing up chords using the Circle of Fifths
the value of collaboration and playing around with songwriting suggestions

Download the lyrics for Faaria’s songs.… 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

Scott Neary – Tools, tips, and some very cool things

by Neel Modi

Seasoned professional guitarist, singer-songwriter, and all-around nice guy Scott Neary shares some of his best kept songwriting secrets. Scott also accompanied the talented jazz songwriter Steven Teatz for his appearance on Song Talk Radio. We talked about:

The great chorus debate – to repeat it verbatim or not?

… Read the rest

New standards by Steven Taetz

by Phil Emery

Multi-talented singer songwriter Steven Taetz turned the Song Talk studio into a smoky nightclub with his perfect renditions of his own songs. Waiting for Wishes (co-written with Emma-Lee) had so many “hooks” we lost count (listen for pre-chorus one and two, and the first chorus!). … Read the rest

Adding musical interest with chord subsitutions

by Phil Emery

Have a listen to an informative and lively discussion on chord substitutions. In this show we talked about:

the Circle of Fifths
Nashville numbers
one/four/five chord progressions
the sixth, seventh, and ninth chords
how easy it is to use the Circle of Fifths to add colour to your song
Chord Substitution on YouTube
Learning on lynda.com

… Read the rest

Blues lite with Peter Light

by Phil Emery

What a delight to have Peter Light in the studio and hear some down-to-earth songwriting. I Let Her Go was a unique take on “the one that got away”. Charlie’s Playin’ the Blues was a cool tongue in cheek visit to the world of traditional blues – done with great craft and artistry.… Read the rest

Prolific songwriting with Scott B Sympathy

by Neel Modi

Scott B Sympathy returned to Song Talk Radio to talk about how his songwriting process has evolved over twenty years, why you should write everyday, and why every song doesn’t need a bridge. He also played Downhearted live, and played back Come & Go from his Massey Harris album.… Read the rest

Folk Songs with a spanish flavour with Madrid native, Daniel Caceres

by Phil Emery

Madrid, Spain born indie-folk songwriter Daniel Caceres has traveled to Toronto for a year and stopped by the Song Talk Radio studios with some great folky songs. He’s played in bands back in Madrid but is now exploring writing songs on his own.… Read the rest