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Toronto-based guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and koto player Jessica Stuart (aka JESSA) has made a music career writing and performing harmonically adventurous, and devastatingly honest indie-jazz-rock tunes around the world. Stuart is also a rare professional female guitarist, with dozens of side-player credits ranging from Mirvish Productions' SIX to Classic Albums Live to Idioteque, and loves …

Dexter Sloan has built his sound around a blissful blend of intimacy and introspection, celebrating the deep connections between nature and humanity. Imbued with fables and folktales, he delivers truth like a puppet show, often playing characters to protect his privacy. A device Sloan has no doubt carried with him from his time as a …

“This song is intended to remind us that the love we have for each other is stronger than our pride. Love takes work. If we can overcome our egos, we can remember why love is the most powerful gift we can experience.” – Brent Jackson, Sunshine Makers Brent shared his song Rock With Me. Download …

For this special episode, Phil and Neel talked about their favourite apps and resources for songwriters and musicians. Let us know what yours are! We talked about: Our songwriting challenge to write a song in an odd time signature. We've added a resource about the theme song to the show Yellowjackets. Rhyme Genie and Tunesmith …

For this special episode, we talked about a collaboration Neel did with Mike Rudquist, a singer-songwriter he met at the At Home Songwriting group for a songwriting challenge. Mike Rudquist is a songwriter from Red Wing, MN who writes songs in Americana, pop/rock, and country. He has a solo album called “Albuquerque in the Morning” …

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 …

Few names carry the weight of Danny Marks in the Canadian blues and roots scene. From his early days as a founding member of Edward Bear, opening for the likes of Led Zeppelin and Humble Pie, to his decades as a torchbearer of the blues with BLUZ FM and beyond, Marks has remained a perennial …

Our songwriting challenge for 2025 is to write a song in an odd time signature.  Award-winning composer and educator Frank Horvat joined us with his pick of odd-time-signature songs. Thanks Frank! We talked about: Our re-discovered Patreon Page – thanks for your support! Juno Awards 2025: Congratulations to our previous guests Julian Taylor and Aphrose …

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. As a mental health advocate, he combines his passion for …

Roger Beckett is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, community builder and artist manager from Pickering, Ontario. He has written and had songs released in various genres, “Fade Away” (Country), “7 Billion” (Pop), with Canadian and US songwriters and artists. He has also performed at various venues in Toronto and at the Bluebird and Commodore in Nashville. …

Nationally celebrated for his modern Country sound, Jason Kirkness has established himself as a standout figure in Canadian Country music, capturing audiences with two acclaimed albums. Awarded Male Artist of the Year title at the 2023 Manitoba Country Music Awards, Kirkness gained impressive traction on the Canadian Billboard Top 50, where his single “Anywhere the …

For this special episode, Boston-based singer/songwriter and music educator Susan Cattaneo joined us to talk about the article How to Write a Song for Beginners: 7 Tips | Disc Makers. We discussed the following tips; be sure to check out the full article on the Disc Maker's blog. The first rule of songwriting Tip #1:How …

Emma Della Rossa is a Toronto-based singer, songwriter, flutist, and educator. She is inspired by exploring the deeper level of seemingly ordinary experiences and expressing them musically. As a singer-songwriter, Emma's original music combines influences from indie-pop, folk, and alt-pop genres, tied together with layers of vocal harmonies and introspective lyricism. Inspired by the vibrant …

JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter Desiree Dorion unveiled her seventh studio album, “Remember Your Name” in the Fall of 2024, stepping beyond her signature Country roots to explore the rich and soulful landscapes of Roots/Americana. Blending vulnerability, strength, and personal growth into every lyric, Dorion's latest project marks a bold evolution in her musical journey, finding a new …

Chris started off in a band that, after its dissolution in 1996, transitioned into music production. In 2000, Chris launched his career as a music producer by building his first home studio in Ottawa, where he began recording his friends for beer. Some of his early recordings garnered Juno Award nominations, which compelled him to …

Recognized for her vibrant, creative flair, Canadian Alternative Pop sensation Elena Erin crafts a striking fusion of Alternative, Electronic, and Dance influences, underscored by her emotionally resonant storytelling. Her breakout single, “Build A Ship,” soared to #2 on the CBC Top 20, propelling her onto the international stage and inviting over four million streams across …

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 …

Blending folk-rock and rhythm & blues, there's something for every music fan to love about singer/songwriter Matt Zaddy. A storyteller at heart, Matt's music speaks to the soul, with tales of life, love, hardship, and redemption. Having shared the stage with artists including K'Naan, Tom Cochrane, Jim Cuddy, The Trews, Cowboy Junkies, 5440 and Sam …

The fourth and final batch of listener and guest songs for our songwriting challenge 2024 to write a holiday song. Nico Rizzuto shared his song Shooting Star. Download the lyrics to follow along. Writing a clear hooky chorus complete with a melismatic melody Sometimes a one-line bridge is enough Writing a song about loss, but from the …

The third of four batches of listener and guest songs for our songwriting challenge 2024 to write a holiday song. Gerben Westerveld shared his song Christmas Love. Download the lyrics to follow along. Writing a nice clear chorus Maintaining focus on your song being a love song Does your song need another verse or bridge? John White …

The second of four batches of listener and guest songs for our songwriting challenge 2024 to write a holiday song. Melanie Peterson shared her song All Roads Lead to Christmas. Download the lyrics to follow along. using conventional holiday images in fresh new ways writing melodies that are sing-song and nursery rhyme-like writing with an economic …

Our first batch of listener songs for our songwriting challenge 2024 to write a holiday song. Victor Hathaway shared his song Keeping Christmas. Download the lyrics to follow along. Pulling off a melancholy song on the ukulele Phil was reminded of the songwriter Moondog Changing the lyric and message a bit in your final chorus Steve …

Jimmy Dunne Says is a collection of author and songwriter Jimmy Dunne's best bite-sized stories that Americans everywhere are spreading and sharing. These stories are heartfelt, smart, and thought-provoking, and some will have you absolutely belly-laughing. Some stories about navigating everyday life today, some that take you right back to your childhood days. You'll see …

Hailing from the quiet, wooded, mountain towns of New England, Nathan Jacques is a singer/songwriter now based in Los Angeles, CA. Contrary to his geographical roots, Nathan paints deeply woven narrative stories in cinematic soundscapes that are undeniably and irresistibly Western. ​Starting with his 2021 debut album, ‘Loud Mind', Nathan has been building his brand …

Nancy Blue has about 50 songs completed, many of which are similar to “jazz standards”. One person described her song “Darn Good Things” as like a classic Holiday song (not lyrics but melody and chords). But now it's a new time – she began the jazz focus in 2012, now she's on to making an …

For our first host response to our Songwriting Challenge 2024 to write a holiday song, Neel shared the process behind his song Forest for the Trees. Download the lyric/chord sheet to follow along. We talked about: Mystery blobs washing up on Newfoundland shores likely man-made, says scientist | CBC News Listeners, you still have time …

Greg Wyard's new song “Don't Get Involved” is available on all streaming platforms, beginning September 13th, 2024. Inspired by tense moments we all face in daily life —like a heated confrontation on the subway or an episode of road rage —”Don't Get Involved” explores the dilemma of staying calm versus reacting. With a backdrop of …

Amanda Sum is a performer and creator who dances between music and theatre. Her latest EP, does it make me naive if i've never been part of something where i've meant more to them than they did to me?, was released in June 2024, accompanied by a short film featuring 13 directors, which is due …

Returning recently from Europe, where she performed, and earned her master's degree in music from Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain, Canadian Billboard-charting recording artist and alternative Soul singer Avery Raquel has entertained audiences professionally for over a decade. She's released 4 solo albums and two EPs now to critical acclaim. Her last self-titled …

Matthew Isaacs, aka Kromatix_, is a Neo-Soul and R&B singer, songwriter, recording artist, and jazz pianist emanating from Scarborough, Toronto, Canada. Known for his signature style, he blends sublime lyricism with groovy beats, trademark harmonies, and soulful chord progressions that simply compliments his euphonious vocal tones. Sharing his truth where original music and art connect, …

For this special episodes, we talked about songs with a post-chorus. Our songwriting challenge for 2024 to write a holiday song. Please send us your answers to the challenge by November 18! What is a post-chorus? The Post-Chorus, And It's Unsung Place In Pop Music – Vinyl Me, Please (vinylmeplease.com) The Power of Post-Choruses | …

Sherry Jacoby is a Toronto, Canada-based singer/songwriter who exercises her passion for telling personal stories through song. She writes indie pop/folk for the romantic heart, combining the influences of Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, and Gabrielle Alpin. Sherry's music story began when her mom taught her piano at a young age. Inspired by her mom's talent …

Canadian Roots/Americana singer-songwriter, Jade Turner, is a multi-award winning artist whose powerful, soaring voice and masterful storytelling captivates listeners with every song. The 23-time Manitoba Country Music Award nominee, is a member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation and draws deep inspiration from the cultural tradition of storytelling. Her authentic, relatable catalog of music has earned her notable …

Mike Enjo is an Australian Singer Songwriter and Producer. He is the founder of the YouTube channel ‘Creative Sauce' which has over 140,000 subscribers, and endeavours to open up the world of home recording to old and new musicians alike. We talked about:  Our songwriting challenge to write a holiday song – and thanks to …

In this special episode, we talked about songs that feature a declarative chorus. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge to write a holiday song How declarative choruses tend to show up more in rock songs Our blog post on 7 ways to bring variety to your collection of songs Our guest Jordan Paul and his …

Anne Stott is a singer/songwriter, actor and political rabble rouser who has brought her elastic and enigmatic sound and edgy compassion to audiences along the Eastern Seaboard and beyond for over two decades. Her second album, LOVE NEVER DIES, peaked at #19 on the Relix Magazine radio chart. Water to Blood is a song Anne …

Kari Zalik is the founder of Bad Parade, a full-service music publicity company specializing in creating custom campaigns for musical artists to secure maximum exposure for their work across television, print, radio, and digital media outlets. We talked about: misconceptions about what services a publicist does or does not provide publicists needs time to build …

Sarah Tolle is a singer-songwriter and actress based in Vancouver, BC. Her musical style is marked by a genre-bending, freewheeling, eclectic spirit. Her songs emanate a sense of wildness grounded in a timeless, almost ancient sound. They're inspired by themes of freedom and peace, in compositions that blend house beats, sweeping orchestras, Celtic melodies, and …

Despite being known across the globe as an R&B and Soul-Pop focused artist, Ian Janes was a Semi-Finalist on SiriusXM's Top of The Country contest, and wrote a Blues song on Matt Andersen's 2023 JUNO nominated Blues album, “Matt Andersen and the Big Bottle of Joy”. His music has been streamed millions of times across …

Monet & Christian are an alternative/folk duo hailing from Toronto and Saint John, New Brunswick. Their music focuses on tight harmonies and thoughtful lyrics about finding your place in the world, and draws influences from as many different sources as possible, from Simon and Garfunkel, to Florence + The Machine, to Led Zeppelin, to even …

Greg Wyard is a popular Toronto performer known for his live solo and band performances in and around the Toronto area. He is also an accomplished singer/songwriter who has recently emerged from a few years of dormancy on that front, releasing new songs such as Suddenly Everything's All Right and Guns and Money, which have …

Folk-Roots artist Tania Joy is the Co-founder, Executive Director/Artistic Director of Springtide Music Festival, a non-profit organization led by a volunteer team of business leaders and local musicians which draws over 70 acts to various venues from breweries and bistros to bookstores and clothing shops in historic downtown Uxbridge, northeast of Toronto. Springtide recognizes that …

We're excited to launch our songwriting challenge for 2024 to write an original holiday song. Helping with the launch, singer-songwriter Melanie Peterson picks two of her favourite holiday songs and talks about what makes them great. Coming soon! Check out our dedicated page for the songwriting challenge to write a holiday song, including all our …

Established in Edmonton's inner city neighbourhood of McCauley, AV & The Inner City is a recently formed, all-female Soul/Roots vocal group, originating from the weekly collaborative porch concerts put on during the pandemic by multi-award winning local artist AV (Ann Vriend).  In a testament to their incredible talent, the diverse group of Edmontonian singers brought …

Frank Horvat is an award-winning and critically acclaimed composer and pianist. He maintains an active schedule of recording projects and performances of his own compositions. His portfolio of works consists of chamber, pop/rock, electronic, musical theatre, film, and large ensemble pieces. His music has been premiered on four continents and featured on TV networks like …

Born and raised in Toronto, Victoria Staff was always an “anxious child”. The string that connected much of her young life was using music to communicate with family, friends, teachers, and even therapists. Over time, this coping mechanism developed into a passion for music that would lead to her career as an indie-pop artist. Staff …

16-year-old budding pop sensation Sydney is ready to introduce herself to the world with electric feel-good anthem “Picture Perfect.” Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, the artist is known for a unique sound that adeptly blends the soaring synths of Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers with Korean pop music, bridging the sonic gap between Taylor Swift and MAMAMOO. …

Michael Bones is a classically trained violinist, composer, performer and songwriter who experiments with looping and pedal effects to create a full band experience as a solo artist.  Micheal has released 3 EPs, BONES 2020, BLACKJACK 2021, and MAN IN THE MOON 2022-2023, which are available on all streaming platforms. He's also released several recordings …

Maddy Little is a Canadian Indie Artist, based out of Toronto, Canada. Maddy has spent her formative years immersed in indie-folk band We Wander. Maddy has been deeply influenced in her songwriting by artists like City and Colour, Dizzy, Phoebe Bridgers, who have inspired her to turn to storytelling through music. Currently working on her …

A captivating musical journey of empowerment, self-determination, and the pursuit of lifelong dreams, Country artist Amanda Keeles unveils her invigorating debut album, “Can't Stop Me Now!“. Her rich, ribbon-like vocals come straight from her soul, sharing deeply personal narratives drawn from a songbook overflowing with a lifetime of compositions. Leaving behind a professional career in …

Nelson Little is a celebrated storyteller from Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, who brought home his third award from the Manitoba Country Music Awards this winter for “Best Roots Artist”, and has also received an Aboriginal People's Choice Award. Little has opened for Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Charlie Major, The Sheepdogs, and Fred …