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  Writing a song of Indigenous resilience with Gen7Path 18.08.2026 30นาที

  Laurie Shaw-Greyeys, founder of Gen7Path, an Indigenous education organization, and Métis singer-songwriter Michelle Joly joined us to talk about their new song 1876. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge to write a traditional country song – please send us YOUR mp3, lyric sheet, and a brief paragraph about your songwriting process to feedback@songtalk.ca… Read the rest
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  Collaborative songwriting with Blu Beach Band 12.08.2026 40นาที

  Carter Vosper of the Canadian-Indie-Frat Rock band Blu Beach Band joined us to talk about collaborating with his band and more. Download the lyrics to Queens to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge to write a traditional country song – please send us YOUR mp3, lyric sheet, and a brief paragraph about your songwriting process to feedback@songtalk.ca… Read the rest
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  Writing a slow-burner song with UK band Don’t Worry 05.08.2026 37นาที

  We were joined by Ronan Van Kehoe and Samuel J. Watson of the UK band Don’t Worry to talk about their song Everything. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song The reemergence of our Song Talk Meetup and return to the Tranzac club in Toronto Writing in a very “British” way Collaborating by bouncing ideas off each other Tuning your guitars down a half-step or full-step Writing a “love song” that’s not about romantic love Brexit, the BBC, and Coronation Street About Don’t Worry Don’t Worry is an indie rock band from Essex, England formed in 2014.… Read the rest
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  Country songwriting tips from Andrea Stolpe 28.07.2026 32นาที

  For this special episode, Phil and Neel react to tips from a video by Andrea Stolpe on country songwriting tips. See the entire video below and let us know what you think of these tips. We talked about: The reemergence of our Song Talk Meetup Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song Characters who can be “rough around the edges” and that we can connect with Using simple chords progressions, and making your music reflect the character (i.e.… Read the rest
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  Fusing jazz and Latin vibes with Dee Hernandez 21.07.2026 38นาที

  Cuban-born singer-songwriter Dee Hernandez joined us to talk about fusing jazz with Latin music for her song Used. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Writing traditional-sounding music, without any modern elements Finding appropriate musicians to perform authentic Cuban music, who already understand the essential rhythmic patterns Developing songs through melodies, basslines, and lyric snippets How Dee was actually inspired by a variety of genres, including 90s hip-hop, salsa, and cha-cha Using different syncopations in different sections of your song About Dee Hernandez Cuban-born singer-songwriter Dee Hernandez is one of the most exciting and magnetic voices in Canada’s Jazz and Latin music scene, crafting a sound that moves effortlessly between Afro-Cuban rhythms, smoky Jazz textures, Soul, and contemporary storytelling.… Read the rest
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  Putting the “alt” into alternative folk with Kaeley Jade 14.07.2026 35นาที

  Alternative-folk singer/songwriter Kaeley Jade joined us to talk about the creative process behind her song Growing Pains. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song How Humans Accidentally Created Music Using an AAAA rhyme scheme in a folk song Using a 7/4 time signature in a folk song Overthinking and agonizing every line of lyric until it fits perfectly Jamming as a band to give a song its shape Making the transition into the odd time signature section How also being an actor makes Kaeley more of a lyrics-first songwriter About Kaeley Jade Alternative-folk singer/songwriter Kaeley Jade crafts full-hearted songs that dig deep.… Read the rest
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  Writing a Nu-Metal song with Fatal Switch 08.07.2026 30นาที

  Steve Tobin from the Canadian Nu-Metal band Fatal Switch joined us to talk about writing their song What Would a Hero Do? Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song For Steve, Nu-Metal is defined by mashing together heavy metal with hip-hop culture How the band sometimes starts with lyrics and theme, or instrumental riffs How Steve did a lot of research for What Would a Hero Do?… Read the rest
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  Emma Della Rossa: Autobiographical songwriting with a metaphor 01.07.2026 31นาที

  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
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  Writing fast and with intention with Mia Kelly 27.06.2026 28นาที

  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
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  Writing from lyrics with Zachery 16.06.2026 32นาที

  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
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  All about Copyright for Songwriters 09.06.2026 54นาที

  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
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  An open approach to songwriting with Brettyn Rose 02.06.2026 32นาที

  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
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  Supporting the song with Olivia Penalva 26.05.2026 38นาที

  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
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  Blues and Soul Songwriting with Secondhand Dreamcar 19.05.2026 32นาที

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

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

  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
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  Robert Ball: Smooth songwriting for a musical 29.04.2026 33นาที

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

  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
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  Writing from a concept with Maclayne 14.04.2026 27นาที

  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
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  Considered songwriting with They Might Be Giants 07.04.2026 21นาที

  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