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Emma Della Rossa: Autobiographical songwriting with a metaphor 01.07.2026 31min

Emma Della Rossa joined us to talk about her song Garden, with a rare live performance (for our podcast, anyway). Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song Emma’s last appearance on the show Why you may not want to end your song with a chorus Writing a song where the chord progression doesn’t change, and in 3/4 time When a song should be autobiographical, and when not How the songs evolve when working with a band and recording in a studio About Emma Della Rossa Emma Della Rossa is a songwriter, singer, and flutist whose dreamy pop production, layered vocals, and narrative-driven lyrics unravel what you thought was healed, and heal what you didn’t know was broken.… Read the rest

Writing fast and with intention with Mia Kelly 27.06.2026 28min

Mia Kelly joined us to talk about writing songs fast, but with clear intentions, and her song Blind Horse. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song How Mia keeps track of her ideas for song starts Using a interesting phrase you hear in daily life as a way into the lyric for a song How Mia goes from idea to song with urgency, running with it to get the song done quickly Incorporating a 2/4 bar into your chorus, by accident Using an usual guitar tuning like DAEAAE Writing or co-writing while you’re on the road for a tour About Mia Kelly Through lush folk and earthy Americana, singer-songwriter Mia Kelly, from Gatineau, Quebec, Canada establishes herself as a spellbinding voice, blurring the lines between intimate memoir and compelling, semi-fictional narratives.… Read the rest

Writing from lyrics with Zachery 16.06.2026 32min

Indie-pop/rock artist Zachery joined us to talk about writing from lyrics, agency, and manifest destiny in his song I Don’t Know. If philosophy in songwriting is your thing. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song Using a simple but compelling chord loop (I-ii-iii-IV) when you’re primarily a signer Starting a song with writing a poem, fully intending to turn it into a song Sticking to your melody, even if it mean putting the em-PHA-sis on the wrong syl-LAB-le Writing with subtle sarcasm and a philosophical angle About Zachery Born and raised in Trinidad, Zachery‘s music is a blend of many influences, including music from up to 50 years ago to the music we love from today.… Read the rest

All about Copyright for Songwriters 09.06.2026 54min

For this special episode, law graduate and artist Orian Israelsohn joined us to explain all about copyright for songwriting, including the implications brought on by artificial intelligence. It’s a jam-packed episode! PLEASE NOTE: NOT LEGAL ADVICE. Information made available for this talk is for information and educational purposes only.… Read the rest

An open approach to songwriting with Brettyn Rose 02.06.2026 32min

Canadian country artist Brettyn Rose joined us to talk about collaboration, traditional country, and being open about her songwriting. Download the lyrics to See it on Her to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song, and what traditional country means to Brettyn Collaborating with Chris Yurchuck Writing lyrics from a specific story, but being open to anyone’s experience Saving ideas that don’t fit for another song Once you find the hook of the song to make the rest of the songwriting really easy When it’s a good idea to write a I-IV-V song About Brettyn Rose Brettyn Rose is a rising country artist with music rooted in an acoustic aesthetic, woven with honest lyrics, powerful vocals, and a hint of sparkle.… Read the rest

Supporting the song with Olivia Penalva 26.05.2026 38min

Canadian pop singer-songwriter Olivia Penalva joined us to talk about collaboration, abstract lyrics, and visualizing her music. Download the lyrics to Code Blue to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song Things that make for a good collaboration experience; even working remotely Taking personal experiences and finding a metaphor and images to express them Finding visual images for cover art or music videos in line with the songwriting How Olivia refers to previous songs she’s written to inspire her current song Writing, or not writing, declarative choruses About Olivia Penalva Olivia Penalva is a Canadian pop singer-songwriter known for her ethereal vocals, emotionally rich melodies, and introspective storytelling.… Read the rest

Blues and Soul Songwriting with Secondhand Dreamcar 19.05.2026 32min

Dana and Harry from Secondhand Dreamcar joined us to talk about writing their blues / soul song The Meaning. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song How the band collaborates on songwriting and instrumental arrangements Dana tends to bring piano-based songs to the band, but not acoustic guitar The act of ditching songs or ideas that are not working When and how do you know when a song or idea is good?… Read the rest

Spinning real life into an abstract song with Avril Jensen 12.05.2026 31min

We chatted with Montreal-based artist Avril Jensen about writing an abstract song from personal experience. Download the lyrics to Dog (everybody learns) to follow along. We talked about: Songwriting Challenge 2026: Write a Traditional Country Song Writing musically interesting melodies that are still catchy Writing the lyrics based on personal experience with actual dogs, but maybe it’s also a metaphor for a toxic relationship 80s French Canadian band The Box Does music theory get in your way of keeping things simple?… Read the rest

New Middle Class: Writing a folk-pop song with a really weird bridge 05.05.2026 33min

Mike and Barbara Borok of New Middle Class joined us to talk about writing a pop song with a super crazy bridge. Download the lyrics to Television Sky to follow along. We talked about: How Angine de Poitrine use Microtonality Our songwriting challenge to write a traditional country song How the bridge can be the emotional high point of your song How a song takes on a life of its own as you’re writing it Working a song until it’s better than “good enough” Writing for a different singing voice than your own About New Middle Class Mike Borok is a singer-songwriter from New York’s Hudson Valley.… Read the rest

Robert Ball: Smooth songwriting for a musical 29.04.2026 33min

Toronto artist Robert Ball joined us to talk about writing a smooth soul-drenched song with a theatrical musical in mind. Download the lyrics to I Want a Man to follow along. We talked about: Neel’s engagement with Suno from the Toronto Library’s Innovator in Residence series.… Read the rest

Songwriting Challenge 2026 Launch: Write a Traditional Country Song 21.04.2026 58min

Our songwriting challenge for 2026 is to write a traditional country song. To help us launch this challenge, we were joined by singer-songwriter and music educator Blair Packham. Thanks Blair! We talked about: Phil has an issue with Everybody Knows by Leonard Cohen, and The Famous Blue Raincoat album Why mathematics and literature have more in common than you may think | Ideas | On Demand | CBC Listen Challenging the Tyranny of 440 hz Typical characteristics of a traditional country song: Simple “campfire” chords Stories about the past or regret (unlike pop songs, which are primarily concerned with “now”) Lyrics are the most important thing A story with a specific time and place A strong, central idea There’s no guessing as to what the song is “really about” They don’t usually have a bridge I Can’t Help it if I’m Still in Love With You by Hank Williams – download the lyrics to follow along a verse-refrain structure how country was considered “old-timey” in 1951 when this song came out simple, relatable story and a 3-chord song Mama Tried by Merle Haggard – download the lyrics to follow along Merle Haggard was considered an “outlaw” in the 1960s Nashville establishment How this sounds more modern than Hank Williams A more detailed story in a 4-chord song It’s not necessarily autobiographical Stay tuned to the podcast and our dedicated webpage for this challenge to get the date for submitting YOUR traditional country song to the challenge and have it featured on the podcast.… Read the rest

Writing from a concept with Maclayne 14.04.2026 27min

Maclayne joined us to talk about writing songs from concepts and her song There You Are. Download the lyrics and chords to follow along. We were treated to a rare live performance by Maclayne! We talked about: Writing lyrics or music first The value of deadlines to get songs done Revisiting a hook a year later to complete the song with producer James Bryan Ecstatic Dancing in Guatemala Writing with specific details but still open to listeners seeing themselves in the lyric Growing as an independent artist in the face of commercial music About Maclayne Maclayne is a Calgary and Toronto-based independent singer-songwriter whose music is as hooky and quirky as it is sincere and moving.… Read the rest

Considered songwriting with They Might Be Giants 07.04.2026 21min

Grammy-winning They Might Be Giants’ John Flansburgh joined us to talk about songwriting from listening and intuitions. Download the lyrics to Outside Brain to follow along. We talked about: Modal writing when you don’t know what modal writing is, and our Songwriting Challenge 2023: Write in a Mode Tension between conventions and breaking the rules Songwriting as a very plastic medium where the variations are endless Using terms like “gold dust” and “kicker” to identify elements or sections of songs How learning the I-vi-IV-V became the key to start writing songs How John and John typically bring completed songs to each other, but work at editing for a long time until it’s right Starting songwriting by failing at cover songs John says, rhyming is overrated and bridges are overrated About They Might be Giants They Might Be Giants treat the entire history of popular music as a trampoline rather than a rulebook.… Read the rest

Garrett Lajoie: Writing with FAWM for ten years 31.03.2026 31min

Hamilton-based singer-songwriter Garrett Lajoie talked about taking on February Album Writing Month for the last ten years and how that experience has shaped his approach to songwriting. Download the lyrics to Window Shopping to follow along. We talked about: Collaborating on a love song with Alex Whorms An Instrument For Every Child | Hamilton Music Collective This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession: Levitin, Daniel J.:… Read the rest

Goin’ all punk with Delyn Grey 23.03.2026 48min

Delyn Grey returned to the show for the third time to talk about her new release My Mind is a Riot and her upcoming album Delynquent. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: How AI Will Fail Like The Music Industry Delyn’s previous appearance on the show How working in a minor key and having crunchy guitars is dark enough Sometimes stepping away from a song and getting perspective can be better Make sure the song wins no matter what or how finished you think you might be Engaging in songwriting challenges to grow your creativity – and our Songwriting Challenge 2023: Write in a Mode About Delyn Grey My Head is a Riot was released in February and is the first song off of Delyn’s twelve-song 2026 project, “Delynquent,” written, recorded, and produced in her garage with her dad.… Read the rest

Songwriting from a drum beat with Amanda Keeles 17.03.2026 39min

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

Intersecting interesting chords and personal experiences with Max Tojicic 07.03.2026 31min

Max Tojicic joined us to talk about writing songs by intersecting interesting chords with personal experiences. Download the lyrics to Lavender Bouquet to follow along. We talked about: Upcoming free Live Looping workshops with Jacob Moon: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/179GNpQieV/ Check out Jacob’s episode on this show all about live looping: https://youtu.be/X2TrGNrbKSI?si=BxBcUNjqi470iz6V… Read the rest

Turning a personal experience into an accessible pop song with Geneviève Racette 02.03.2026 38min

Geneviève Racette talks about taking a personal experience and writing it into an accessible pop song. Download the lyrics to Common Denominator to follow along. We talked about: Writing from personal experience but making your song open to others Capturing an idea as soon as you can, even if it occurs in your sleep or in the shower Using the bridge as a way to redirect the narrative What’s up with long, wordy choruses in modern pop songs?… Read the rest

Writing an album in a month with Mark Ippolito and FAWM 23.02.2026 44min

Singer-songwriter Mark Ippolito talked about his experience with February Album Writing Month (FAWM), challenging himself to write a full album of songs in 28 days. Check out his album on Bandcamp. We talked about: William Shatner to Record a Heavy Metal Album Featuring Covers of Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden Our Song Talk Meetup The wonderfully supportive community of songwriters at the FAWM website The diversity of genres, instrumentalists, and approaches at FAWM Opportunities for collaborations between lyricists and musicians The organizers propose weekly challenges to prompt individual songs (e.g.… Read the rest

Pop songwriting with Emma K 17.02.2026 31min

Pop singer-songwriter Emma K talks about rearranging parts of her song to create a clearly structured pop song inspired by Billie Jean. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Rearranging sections of your song, and ending with the pre-chorus Using the same chords in sections of your songs, and still making them distinct Working with Matte Black Records Toronto to polish off the song Using dance as a songwriting tool, and the interplay between the artforms Songs that have declarative chouses, or not – see our episode How to use Declarative Choruses in your songs About Emma K Emma K is a pop singer originally from Penhold, Alberta.… Read the rest