Julian Taylor is a Canadian singer-songwriter formerly with the band Staggered Crossing. His songs have appeared in television series including Degrassi: The Next Generation. He now fronts the Julian Taylor Band. Julian dropped by the studio with his daughter Ella. We talked about: Skookum Music Festival, Vancouver Basic core band members together for 24 years! Music …
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Michael Thorner turns a webcast into an album
Toronto singer/songwriter Michael Thorner dropped by the studio for a chat about his music. He brought two catchy tunes from his recent webcast/album release The ehMTee Show; Don’t Let it Go and Point Edward Fair. We talked about: chamber/orchestral pop Point Edward, Ontario church organist at 10! Mouth Congress (Scott Thompson & Paul Bellini) Marker …
Dean Hajas exploring songwriting strategies
Songwriter Dean Hajas stopped by and talked about grabbing inspiration and making a career in music. We talked about Dana-Keith-Dean-Hajas-22I-Cry22 lyrics Secure Our Streaming Rates and Royalties 4 Canadian Musicians Song creation strategies Pushing yourself Recommended reading: The Talent Code: Greatness Isnt Born. Its Grown. Heres How. The importance of expanding your world and networking Listen …
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?” …
Randy Newman’s “Cowboy” & “Somewhere” from West Side Story dissected with Patrick Ballantyne
Patrick Ballantyne stopped by to pull apart two of his fave songs. The open and emotive “Cowboy” by Randy Newman, and “Somewhere” from West Side Story by Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein. Stuff we talked about: Patrick Ballantyne’s website Randy Newman “Cowboy” Lyrics Somewhere Lyrics Northwood Records West Side Story Randy Newman Leonard Bernstein Somewhere …
How to write a break-up song
True to form for Song Talk Radio, the day before Valentine’s Day seemed a good day to talk about break-up songs. So Phil brought “Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels)” by Jim Croce, Neel chose “One More Minute” by “Weird Al” Yankovic, Bruce performed a new original tune “I Don’t Love You Anymore”, and …
Shelly Peiken – writing the hit song
Multi-platinum hit songwriter Shelly Peiken, has written songs for, and with, Ed Sheeran, Keith Urban, Celine Dion, Cher, Reba McEntire, Christina Aguilera, Meredith Brooks, Britney Spears, Natasha Bedingfield, NSYNC, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Idina Menzel and Demi Lovato. Shelly Peiken is also a successful author who has written a book detailing her experiences in songwriting – …
Pop songwriting with Amir Brandon
Pop music singer-songwriter Amir Brandon joined us to talk about two of his upcoming songs, working with producer Thomas McKay, and the stories behind his songs. We also talked about: Collaborating with other songwriters Battle Royale: grammar vs. lyric vs. meaning vs. melody How to write a really long chorus Chord choices and mixing up major, …