rhymes

The Hosts Take on Their First Songwriting Challenge

About three months ago, we asked our listeners to suggest a songwriting challenge or prompt for us to explore. Organizations like the Toronto Songwriting Association often prompt their members with challenges such as “Take a cliche and turn it on its head”, or “Write a song about a home appliance.”… Read the rest

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Neel, Ritah, Mike, Lexi, Jon, Don, and Phil

How Featurette add emotion to Electro-Pop

This week SongTalk welcomed FEATURETTE to our studio.

The Toronto-based duo FEATURETTE, formed by singer Lexie Jay and drummer, Jon Fedorsen, makes emotionally-charged, heavy-hitting electro-pop music that has been met with international critical acclaim.

After receiving their first full recording grant from FACTOR Canada, the duo released their debut LP CRAVE in October, 2016.… Read the rest

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Vanessa, Michael, Ritha, Taylor, Phil, Micah, and Neel

Making the most of your voice with Taylor Abrahamse

This week, professional singer/songwriter, voice actor & co-founder of Silverthorn Studios recording, Taylor Abrahamse joined us in the studio at SongTalk World Headquarters.  Taylor was a Top 40 finalist on Canadian Idol, has performed on stages across Ontario, has also written & produced musicals, and music for animated series and viral internet music through Corus, DHX & Super Planet Dolan.… Read the rest

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Michael, Ritah, Robert, Phil, Micah, and Neel

Robert Ball: Giving Voice To The Personal

This week SongTalk welcomed Robert Ball to our studio.

A native Torontonian, Robert Ball is a multi-faceted singer who has traveled to and performed in over 60 countries around the world.
His sound has been described as soulful, jazzy, Neo-soul and he is a much in-demand session singer.… Read the rest

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Phil, Michael, Pena, Neel, and Micah

Pena Hughes-John

Visiting from the United Kingdom, Pena Hughes-John joined us with two of her original songs. We talked about:

  • Steampunk as a culture, fashion statement, and musical style
  • Writing songs on the ukulele
  • How many chords is too many?
  • Collaborating with others
  • Writing a song from a writing prompt
  • Using time signature changes to introduce tension
  • Our show all about rhymes with Blair Packham
  • Using reverse vocals in your recordings

Listen to the show

Download the lyrics for:

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Back row: Michael, Alon, Ivan, Neel, and Phil. Front row: Ritah and Micah.

Audio Insurgency on video game music, pop music, and well, everything music

Audio Insurgency returned to the show to talk about a boat load of music stuff, as well as showcasing two of their pop songs. We talked about:

  • Vox’s Earworm videos, in particular the one in support of fade-outs in recordings
  • Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History podcast episode about country music, The King of Tears
  • writing and placing music for video games
  • getting your songs into placement for TV or movies
  • the role of the producer in the creation of songs for maximum impact
  • writing a song completely in the digital realm (Abelton Live, in this case)
  • why deadlines are a good thing

Listen to the show

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Back row: Gerrod, Mike, Cecil, Christian, Linda, and Phil. Middle row: Ritah and Micah. Front row: Michael, Neel, and Vanessa. Whew!

One in the Chamber on their debut EP

Indie rockers One in the Chamber joined us following the release of their first studio EP, I’ve Got Something To Say…. We talked about:

  • One in the Chamber’s first appearance on Song Talk Radio
  • difference between their demo EP and their studio EP (hint: pre-production)
  • writing as a band collaboration
  • thwarting conventions around song structure
  • guitar solos: a good thing or a bad thing?

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