Podcast

Interviews with some of the world’s most successful songwriters

Mike 'McGear' McCartney Episode 142 – Mike ‘McGear’ McCartney

Mike ‘McGear’ McCartney sits down with Brian and Simon at his Heswall home to discuss songs from the recent reissue of his 1974 solo album McGear via Cherry Red Records. In this wide-ranging conversation, Mike also talks in depth about songs like ‘Thank U Very Much’ and ‘Lily The Pink’ with The Scaffold, ‘Woman’ from his 1972 solo debut, his work on McGough & McGear, The Beatles, and growing up in Liverpool.

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Gretchen Peters Episode 141 – Gretchen Peters

Country noir superstar Gretchen Peters explains the process she embarks upon when creating the cinematic and socially conscious songs that have become her calling card. In our in-depth conversation, the Nashville stalwart describes the writing of recent albums like Blackbirds and Dancing With The Beast, her classic hits for the likes of Martina McBride, Bonnie Raitt and Trisha Yearwood, and her collaborative partnership with Bryan Adams.

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Sting Episode 140 – Sting

In this very special episode, the one and only Sting talks about approaching his classic hits from a fresh perspective on his new record, My Songs. With his guitar to hand, the singular artist sits down at home in London with Simon and Brian to reveal the creative processes behind one of pop’s most extraordinary catalogues.

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Episode 139 – Rhiannon Giddens

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Rhiannon Giddens joins us to discuss her new record, There Is No Other, made in collaboration with Francesco Turrisi. During the course of this in-depth conversation, Rhiannon describes the spontaneous process fuelling their work together, the historical resonance attached to songs like ‘Mama’s Cryin’ Long’ and ‘At The Purchaser’s Option’, and how telling these stories informs her mission as an artist.

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Gaz Coombes Episode 138 – Gaz Coombes

Singer-songwriter Gaz Coombes discusses the writing of songs from his excellent solo albums, World’s Strongest Man and Matador, as well as hits with his former band, Supergrass. During the conversation, Gaz explains how he develops ideas in the studio and how he has expanded his songwriting palette to include the art of ‘soundwriting’.

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Britt Daniel Episode 137 – Britt Daniel

Britt Daniel of Spoon sits down with Simon and Brian in Liverpool to talk about the writing of songs like ‘I Turn My Camera On’, ‘The Underdog’, ‘The Ghost of You Lingers’ and ‘New York Kiss’, as well as songs from the band’s addictive recent offering, Hot Thoughts. During the chat, Britt plays us an early voice memo of ‘Can I Sit Next To You’ and explains how he develops his ideas from handheld recorder to the finished article.

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Rosanne Cash Episode 136 – Rosanne Cash

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash discusses the writing of her stunning record She Remembers Everything and songs from her catalogue including ‘Seven Year Ache’, ‘Seventh Avenue’ and ‘When The Master Calls The Roll’. In this inspiring conversation, Rosanne describes her relationship to prose writing, her collaborations with her husband John Leventhal, and encouragement she received from her father, the late, great, Johnny Cash.

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Paddy McAloon Episode 135 – Paddy McAloon

Prefab Sprout’s Paddy McAloon joins Simon and Brian to talk about the writing process behind his orchestral masterpiece I Trawl The Megahertz. In this in-depth conversation, Paddy explains the unusual situation that led to the record, how he experimented with radio dialogue, voiceover narration, and his ancient Atari computer to create its fascinating soundscapes. This episode represents Sodajerker’s first ever repeat guest, with Paddy having appeared originally on episode 53.

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Jamie Lawson Episode 134 – Jamie Lawson

Singer-songwriter Jamie Lawson talks about his songwriting process and hits to date, including the affecting ‘Wasn’t Expecting That’. Jamie also describes his time in Nashville and collaborations with songwriters like Ed Sheeran, Kim Richey and Ron Sexsmith. His next record The Years In Between is available from March 29, 2019.

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Dido Episode 133 – Dido

In this fun conversation, Dido discusses the writing of her new album Still On My Mind and explains how she approaches the production process. In addition to talking about collaborations with brother Rollo, Brian Eno, Jon Brion and Max Martin, Dido describes the creation of global hits like ‘Thank You’ and ‘White Flag’, and the turn of events that led to being sampled on Eminem’s ‘Stan’.

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Hozier Episode 132 – Hozier

Hozier joins Simon and Brian for a chat about the writing of his new album Wasteland, Baby! In addition to discussing songs like ‘Movement’, ‘Almost (Sweet Music)’ and his work with the great Mavis Staples on ‘Nina Cried Power’, the Irish singer-songwriter also revisits the writing of songs from his first album, such as ‘In A Week’ and the colossal hit, ‘Take Me To Church’.

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Trevor Horn Episode 131 – Trevor Horn

Celebrated record producer and songwriter Trevor Horn discusses his new album Trevor Horn Reimagines The Eighties and his work with ABC, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Grace Jones, Malcolm McLaren, Yes and Buggles. Trevor reveals how he started out in cabaret, why recording studios are still important, and the writing processes behind seminal hits like ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’, ‘Close (to the Edit)’, ‘Slave to the Rhythm’ and ‘Owner of a Lonely Heart’.

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