rhymes

Songwriting from a drum beat with Amanda Keeles

Canadian country artist Amanda Keeles joined us to talk about her latest album and starting a song based on a beat she found on her digital piano. Download the lyrics to Leads Me to You to follow along.

Check out Amanda’s earlier appearance on the show.… Read the rest

Songwriting Challenge 2025: Listener Songs Volume 2

by Neel Modi

We showcased and reviewed songs from Dan D’Agostino, Lynn Moe, and Steve Johnson as answers to our Songwriting Challenge 2025, to write a song in an odd time signature.

Dan D’Agostino shared his song October Morning. Download the lyrics, including the time signatures, to follow along.… Read the rest

Neel plays with a polymeter for his songwriting challenge answer

by Neel Modi

For Neel’s answer to the 2025 songwriting challenge, he wrote a baroque-esqe song using multiple time signatures and polymeter sections.

Download the lyrics to Vice and Rack to follow along.

We talked about:

The song Cup of Coffee by Garbage and how they used a polymeter (which Neel incorrectly labelled compound time)
How Neel incorporated four different time signatures in his song, including a polymeter of “3 against 4” (3/4 and 4/4 simultaneously)
Using a 7/4 time signature with alternating 3+4 and 4+3 emphases
The appearance of odd time signatures in classical Indian music
How Neel’s approach to the bridge resulted in a modulation for the final chorus
How Neel used a metronome and selectively muting tracks to compose the polymeter section

… Read the rest

Mistakes that “amateur” songwriters make

by Neel Modi

For this special theme episode, we reacted to the Song Town podcast video “10 Mistakes that Peg You as an Amateur Songwriter.” We were pleased to have singer-songwriter Jessica Stuart join us as co-host. We covered a few of the mistakes, but be sure to check out the entire Song Town episode below for more.… 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

Writing a song based on a book with Mark Ippolito

by Neel Modi

Mark Ippolito is a proud member of Seattle’s vibrant community of singer-songwriters and regularly performs his original songs in venues throughout the Pacific Northwest. His debut full length album “New Moon” is steeped in equal measures of folk, roots, jazz and rock and reflects Mark’s abiding interest and celebration of the interconnectedness, both physical and spiritual.… Read the rest

Songwriting as a prayer with Steve Harmony

by Neel Modi

Toronto’s own Steve Harmony emerged from the heart of Regent Park, navigating a life surrounded by challenges to find his true calling in music. With his smooth blend of R&B and gritty hip-hop influences, Steve’s music reflects his personal journey through repentance, recovery, and redemption.… Read the rest

Writing a classic love ballad with Colm Gavin

by Neel Modi

Colm Gavin has always been hugely inspired by the great American Songbook – particularly: Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Hoagy Carmichael and their brilliant love ballads.

Lyrically, Colm wanted this to be playful and honest. “While I’m someone of simple means, goes wild for the finer things, a Paris balcony with a view, I’m more an early bird lunch for two.”… Read the rest