Joe Jackson

Episode 81 – Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson chats with Sodajerker about his latest album Fast Forward and the writing of classic songs from his catalogue like ‘Is She Really Going Out With Him?’, ‘It’s Different for Girls’, ‘Steppin’ Out’, and ‘Be My Number Two’. Joe also reflects on his early career, his work on film scores alongside directors like Francis Ford Coppola, and why not every song needs an origin story.

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© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.

Songwriting Magazine feature

You may have read our interviews over at Songwriting, where highlights from our podcasts are regularly published. Well, they recently produced a feature on us for the Winter 2015 issue of their digital magazine!

In the interview, we talk about how we started the podcast, how we choose guests for the show, and our plans for the future. We also talk about the technical side of producing the episodes, which we haven’t really delved into before.

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P. F. Sloan

P. F. Sloan (1945-2015)

Phil was a fascinating character and we enjoyed every moment of our conversation with him on the podcast. From meeting Elvis to writing worldwide anthems like ‘Eve of Destruction’, he did it all and saw it all. He was a wonderful songwriter and the music world is poorer for his passing. RIP.  — Simon and Brian, Sodajerker

What follows is the official press release issued by Serendipity Media.

It is with deepest sadness that we are announcing that P.F. Sloan (Phil) passed away on the evening of November 15, 2015, at his home in Los Angeles. Phil had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer several weeks before and was fighting it valiantly. The world has lost one of its great talents.

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Allen Toussaint

Allen Toussaint (1938 – 2015)

“I write every day…I collect a lot of scraps everywhere I go. Little pieces here, and little wishbones and feathers there, and then I get home and try and make a chicken.”

 That’s the metaphor Allen Toussaint used to describe the craft of songwriting to us back when we interviewed him in June 2013. We’ve spoken to many writers over the last four years, and we’re hard-pressed to think of a more charming iteration of the process than that one. But, of course, Toussaint was the epitome of charm. It was present in abundance in every song he wrote, every piano lick he played, and every exquisitely tailored suit he wore.

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Getintothis

Getintothis interview

Sodajerker were recently interviewed for Getointothis, Liverpool music’s best-read webzine.

The interview covers a range of topics including how Simon and Brian met, how they started the podcast, favourite moments with their guests, and more.

You can read the full interview on their website.

Marcus Miller

Episode 80 – Marcus Miller

Bassist, composer and superproducer Marcus Miller sits down with Simon and Brian in Liverpool to discuss his latest album Afrodeezia and his collaborative partnerships with renowned artists like Miles Davis, Luther Vandross and David Sanborn. Marcus also talks about his early career as a session musician, his melodic approach to the bass, and key tracks from his solo career, such as ‘The Only Reason I Live’, ‘Bruce Lee’ and ‘Blast!’

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© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.

John Grant

Episode 79 – John Grant

Celebrating the release of his new album, Grey Tickles, Black Pressure, John Grant chats with Simon and Brian about the writing of songs like ‘Snug Slacks’, ‘Voodoo Doll’ and ‘Disappointing’. In addition to describing his love for horror film scores, synthesisers, and languages, John also talks about his songwriting process on tracks like ‘Pale Green Ghosts’, ‘Black Belt’, ‘Marz’ and ‘Chicken Bones’.

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© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.

Nick Heyward

Episode 78 – Nick Heyward

Singer-songwriter Nick Heyward discusses the writing processes behind songs for Haircut One Hundred and his solo career, including ‘Love Plus One’, ‘Fantastic Day’, ‘Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)’, ‘Love’s Got Me In Triangles’, ‘Whistle Down the Wind’, ‘Blue Hat for a Blue Day’ and ‘Kite’. Nick also talks about the recording of a brand new album that he has undertaken in Key West, Florida.

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© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.

Lamont Dozier

Episode 77 – Lamont Dozier

Motown legend Lamont Dozier meets with Simon and Brian in Liverpool to discuss the writing of songs like ‘Where Did Our Love Go’, ‘Baby Love’, ‘Stop! In The Name of Love’, ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’ (The Supremes); ‘Heatwave’, ‘Nowhere to Run’, ‘Jimmy Mack’ (Martha Reeves & The Vandellas); ‘Baby I Need Your Loving’, ‘I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)’, ‘It’s the Same Old Song’, ‘Reach Out, I’ll Be There’, ‘Bernadette’ (The Four Tops), and the Phil Collins smash ‘Two Hearts’.

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© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.

Jerker-Dozier-Jerker

Motown legend Lamont Dozier to appear on Sodajerker podcast

Through his work with Holland-Dozier-Holland and beyond, Lamont Dozier is responsible for co-writing and producing 54 #1 hits for acts like The Supremes, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson. He has been widely acknowledged as one of the primary architects of the Motown sound.

As luck would have it, Lamont was in Liverpool for an event at the Liverpool International Music Festival, and we were able to enjoy an hour in his company talking about his songwriting process. You’ll be able to hear our conversation on the next episode of our podcast, Sodajerker On Songwriting.

The Bacon Brothers

Episode 76 – The Bacon Brothers

Actor/musician Kevin Bacon and composer Michael Bacon, aka The Bacon Brothers, sit down with Sodajerker to discuss the songwriting techniques behind songs like ‘Hookers and Blow’, ‘Only A Good Woman’, ‘July Away’, ‘Ten Years in Mexico’, ‘New Year’s Day’, ‘Guess Again’, ‘Unhappy Birthday’, ‘She is the Heart’ and ‘Go My Way (The iPod Song)’. In addition to the stories behind the songs, the brothers describe growing up in Philadelphia, their working relationship, and plans for the future.

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© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.

Glen Ballard

Episode 75 – Glen Ballard

Songwriter and producer Glen Ballard discusses the writing of classic songs like ‘What’s On Your Mind’ (George Benson), ‘Dance Electric’ (The Pointer Sisters), ‘Man in the Mirror’ (Michael Jackson), ‘Hold On’ (Wilson Phillips), ‘I Wonder Why’ (Curtis Stigers) and ‘Pink’ (Aerosmith). Marking the 20th anniversary of Jagged Little Pill, Glen also talks in detail about co-writing and producing the landmark Alanis Morissette album, including songs like ‘Ironic’, ‘You Oughta Know’ and ‘Head Over Feet’.

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© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.

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