Sodajerker On Songwriting
273 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 363 ratingsSodajerker On Songwriting is a programme devoted to the art and craft of songwriting. The show, created and hosted by the UK songwriting team Sodajerker, features interviews with some of the most successful songwriters and musicians in the world.
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Episodes
Episode 264 - Sean O'Hagan
April 26, 2024 13:27 - 43 minutes - 60.7 MBThe wonderful Sean O'Hagan joins us to chat about the new High Llamas record Hey Panda, and his songwriting process. The acclaimed artist, producer, and arranger explores a wealth of topics including his formative work in beloved Irish band Microdisney, writing about his own life and experiences, and his insatiable appetite for new music.
Episode 263 - Gossip
March 29, 2024 15:04 - 31 minutes - 43.8 MBGossip's Beth Ditto and Nathan 'Brace Paine' Howdeshell discuss the creative process behind their excellent new record Real Power. The pair reflect on their near telepathic musical relationship, the ethereal mysteries of songwriting, and collaborating with the great Rick Rubin.
Episode 262 - Brittany Howard
February 28, 2024 13:06 - 43 minutes - 60.6 MBBrittany Howard talks with Simon and Brian about her arresting new record What Now and how she approaches songwriting. The singer and guitarist discusses taking risks in the studio, experimenting with rhythm, and her encounters with the legendary Prince.
Episode 261 - Sleater-Kinney
February 08, 2024 11:03 - 46 minutes - 65.2 MBCorin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney join Sodajerker to discuss their fantastic new record Little Rope and their songwriting process. The influential duo talk about song structure and arranging, their strange guitar tunings, and collaborating with producers like John Congleton and Annie Clark.
Episode 260 - Bill Ryder-Jones
January 18, 2024 12:00 - 55 minutes - 77.1 MBSinger-songwriter and producer Bill Ryder-Jones joins Sodajerker from his West Kirby studio to discuss his new record Iechyd Da, and his creative process. The Merseyside-based artist also talks about collaborating with the likes of Mick Head, taking lyrical inspiration from TV’s Eurotrash, and writing bad songs in his sleep.
Episode 259 - Feist
December 22, 2023 15:10 - 48 minutes - 67.6 MBLeslie Feist joins Simon and Brian to discuss her songwriting process and recent record Multitudes. The award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter talks about taking part in a 'Song-A-Day' challenge, bypassing judgement when writing, and how she has developed songs through live performance.
Episode 258 - Thomas Walsh
November 30, 2023 13:44 - 1 hour - 88.2 MBThomas Walsh of Pugwash and The Duckworth Lewis Method joins Sodajerker to discuss his new album The Rest is History and his songwriting process. In this in-depth conversation, the Irish power pop legend talks about his origins in music, his collaborations with The Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon, and his reverence for his musical heroes like Michael Penn and Jeff Lynne.
Episode 257 - Eric Cantona
October 27, 2023 15:40 - 33 minutes - 46 MBEric Cantona joins Simon and Brian to discuss his new EP I'll Make My Own Heaven, and his songwriting process. The actor, artist and former footballer talks about his need to express himself, using mistakes to create better moments, and how to rely on instinct.
Episode 256 - Wayne Coyne
October 07, 2023 14:36 - 49 minutes - 68.8 MBWayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips chats with Simon and Brian about the band's classic album Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots and his songwriting process. The veteran artist talks about the writing of beloved tracks like 'Do You Realize??', working intuitively, and responding with pure emotion to song ideas.
Episode 255 - Kevin Rowland
August 31, 2023 14:42 - 44 minutes - 61.7 MBKevin Rowland joins Simon and Brian to discuss his creative process and the writing of the new Dexys record The Feminine Divine. The acclaimed singer and songwriter talks about where inspiration comes from, the importance of trust when co-writing, and why he likes to write notes on his lyric sheets.
Episode 254 - Stephen Duffy
August 16, 2023 11:12 - 51 minutes - 71.6 MBSimon and Brian are joined by beloved singer-songwriter Stephen Duffy to discuss writing the new Lilac Time record Dance Till All The Stars Come Down and much more besides. Stephen touches on a range of subjects including the influence of W. H. Auden, how therapy changed his writing style, and his collaborations with artists like Steven Page and Robbie Williams.
Episode 253 - Damon Albarn
July 28, 2023 12:32 - 49 minutes - 68.9 MBDamon Albarn welcomes Sodajerker to his London studio to chat about the creative process behind the new Blur record The Ballad of Darren. Among other topics, the singer-songwriter and composer talks about his working routines with Blur and Gorillaz, writing about real life experiences, and his love for the city of Liverpool.
Episode 252 - Lloyd Cole
July 13, 2023 16:19 - 56 minutes - 78.7 MBLloyd Cole joins Simon and Brian to discuss his songwriting and the creative process behind his new record On Pain. The former Commotions frontman reflects on new collaborations with his old bandmates, the influence of David Bowie, and his ongoing quest to experiment and evolve.
Episode 251 - Jenny Lewis
June 16, 2023 10:02 - 47 minutes - 65.2 MBJenny Lewis chats to Sodajerker about her current record Joy'All and her songwriting process. Among other insights, the musician and actress talks about attending a songwriting group hosted by Beck, recording with Ringo Starr, and her work with Rilo Kiley.
Episode 250 - Mick Hucknall
May 31, 2023 09:59 - 51 minutes - 71.2 MBSimply Red's Mick Hucknall joins Simon and Brian for a special 250th episode covering his new record Time and his work through the years. The celebrated frontman speaks candidly about his career as a songwriter, his collaborations with Motown legend Lamont Dozier, and the stories behind classic hits like 'Holding Back The Years' and 'Something Got Me Started'.
Episode 249 - Theo Katzman
May 21, 2023 15:25 - 59 minutes - 83 MBTheo Katzman discusses his amazing album Be The Wheel and his philosophies as a songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. The Vulfpeck member shares a range of ideas about music including the influence of jazz standards, capturing real performances on record, and why AI is no problem if we just focus on our humanity.
Episode 248 - Jessie Ware
April 28, 2023 12:22 - 45 minutes - 62.5 MBJessie Ware chats with Sodajerker about her new album That! Feels Good! and her approach to songwriting. The singer, songwriter and podcaster talks about wearing lots of different hats creatively, the challenges of co-writing, and past collaborations with Benny Blanco, Ed Sheeran and Julia Michaels.
Episode 247 - David Paich
April 07, 2023 12:56 - 46 minutes - 64.6 MBDavid Paich sits down with Simon and Brian to talk about his songwriting process, his recent solo debut Forgotten Toys, and his classic hits with Toto. The legendary songwriter, keyboardist and session musician discusses his early musical life, the influence of his father, and collaborations with Boz Scaggs, David Foster and more.
Episode 246 - Tim Burgess
March 10, 2023 15:28 - 37 minutes - 52.1 MBThe delightful Tim Burgess joins us to discuss his songwriting process, both solo and with The Charlatans. The singer-songwriter, author, and Twitter legend talks about writing in white rooms, hitting hot streaks, and the joy of sharing music through his listening parties.
Episode 245 - Shania Twain
February 03, 2023 11:50 - 45 minutes - 63.6 MBTriple diamond pop megastar Shania Twain joins us to discuss her captivating new record Queen Of Me and her colossal hits from the past. The Canadian singer-songwriter talks about how she felt going into writing rooms for the first time, her love for strong choruses and bridges, and why she’s always looking to be envious of something someone else wrote.
Episode 244 - Boz Scaggs
January 13, 2023 20:45 - 39 minutes - 54.7 MBThis gem from the archives was thought lost forever, but thanks to the wonders of technology we've been able to recover our chat with the great Boz Scaggs. It was recorded around the time of Boz's last album, Out of the Blues, and highlights his contemporary approach to music making, as well as the creative process behind timeless classics like 'Lowdown' and 'Hollywood'. The singer-songwriter and guitarist also speaks about gaining vocal confidence, collaborating with David Paich, David Fost...
Episode 243 - Michael Penn
December 31, 2022 15:41 - 42 minutes - 58.5 MBComposer and songwriter Michael Penn talks with Sodajerker about his "former career" in songwriting, meeting Bob Dylan as a kid, and why he doesn't co-write with his partner, the equally brilliant Aimee Mann. The acclaimed film/TV composer also reflects on his relationship with performing, his approach to melody writing, and his love for The Chamberlin keyboard.
Episode 242 - Tim Heidecker
December 24, 2022 14:25 - 54 minutes - 74.8 MBThe brilliant Tim Heidecker chats with Simon and Brian about his gorgeous record High School, his love for Randy Newman, and recreating the yacht rock sound. The comedian, writer, actor and musician also explains why he wrote a hymn for agnostics, and wonders why we keep burying people in the ground when they die.
Episode 241 - Seal
December 07, 2022 14:10 - 39 minutes - 54.7 MBTo mark the release of a new deluxe reissue of his eponymous debut, Seal joins Simon and Brian for a conversation about his songwriting process. The singer-songwriter discusses classic hits like 'Killer', 'Crazy' and ‘Kiss From A Rose’ and explains why the alchemy of songwriting still has him passionate about making music.
Episode 240 - The 1975
November 27, 2022 16:04 - 1 hour - 89.8 MBMatty and George from The 1975 talk with Sodajerker about the band's stellar new album Being Funny In A Foreign Language, working with Jack Antonoff, and being addicted to making stuff. The guys explain their songwriting and creativity in a variety of ways, touching on everything from postmodernism to comedy in what feels like a very good therapy session.
Episode 239 - Ben Gibbard
November 20, 2022 14:02 - 50 minutes - 69.8 MBDeath Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard gives Sodajerker the lowdown on the band's superb new album Asphalt Meadows, the process of round robin songwriting, and why he's always falling in love with dead movie stars. The songwriter and guitarist also talks about writing with his trusty Fender Mustang, how certain guitars can deal a hot hand creatively, and the importance of lived experience in his work.
Episode 238 - Brett Anderson
November 10, 2022 10:30 - 48 minutes - 66.9 MBSuede's Brett Anderson joins Simon and Brian for a candid conversation about the writing of the band's new record Autofiction, accessing naivety, avoiding self-parody, and the value of craft. The frontman and author also reflects on the importance of fans, and why a songwriter's musical limitations don't need to be a barrier to success.
Episode 237 - Madison Cunningham
October 17, 2022 21:30 - 52 minutes - 73.1 MBThe phenomenal Madison Cunningham speaks with Sodajerker about her new record Revealer, sincerity versus technicality in music making, and why songs are sometimes smarter than you. The singer-songwriter also discusses her distinctive approach to the guitar and the influence of church music in her development.
Episode 236 - Julian Lennon
October 04, 2022 10:56 - 42 minutes - 58.4 MBJulian Lennon joins Simon and Brian for a chat about his new record Jude, the importance of emotion in songwriting, dealing with anxiety, and the trials of relearning his old material. The multi-faceted singer-songwriter also discusses his work as a photographer, filmmaker and author, and reflects on how his creativity is powered by his relentless work ethic.
Episode 235 - Martha Wainwright
September 18, 2022 18:16 - 46 minutes - 64.9 MBSinger-songwriter Martha Wainwright discusses her recent memoir Stories I Might Regret Telling You, how she approaches writing both songs and prose, and being done with old narratives. The critically lauded artist also shares her thoughts on using open tunings, why she found acting wasn’t compatible with songwriting, and her plans for the future.
Episode 234 - Steven Page
August 31, 2022 16:27 - 53 minutes - 74.1 MBCanadian treasure Steven Page sits down with Simon and Brian to discuss his songwriting process, his work with Barenaked Ladies, and songs from his forthcoming solo album. The beloved singer-songwriter shares his thoughts on the joy of choir singing, the place of humour in songwriting, and what he's learned from long-time collaborators like Stephen 'Tin Tin' Duffy.
Episode 233 - Bruce Hornsby
August 14, 2022 16:10 - 55 minutes - 76.5 MBThe charismatic Bruce Hornsby joins us to talk about the writing of his superb new album 'Flicted and the art of living a life of creativity. In this in-depth conversation, the singer-songwriter and pianist describes how he gets inspired by reading literary fiction, his work on music for Spike Lee joints, what he means when he describes his sound as 'Bill Evans meets the hymnbook', and why 'The Way It Is' was one of the most unlikely hits ever.
Episode 232 - Andrew Bird
July 17, 2022 14:14 - 44 minutes - 62.4 MBSinger-songwriter and violin virtuoso Andrew Bird discusses the writing of his captivating new record Inside Problems. In this detailed chat, the seasoned artist explains his approach to confessional songwriting, using archaic language, and how he has been inspired by everything from insomnia to the air freshener used in New York taxicabs.
Episode 231 - Michael Head
July 10, 2022 09:40 - 56 minutes - 78.2 MBBeloved Scouse singer-songwriter Michael Head (The Pale Fountains, Shack) talks about his fantastic new record Dear Scott and his approach to songwriting. In this detailed conversation, Mick reflects on his relationship with poetry, his Liverpool roots, and how he imbues his songs with stories, characters and imagination.
Episode 230 - Norah Jones
June 15, 2022 19:04 - 44 minutes - 61.2 MBNorah Jones talks about the 20th anniversary edition of her Grammy award-winning record Come Away With Me and how her songwriting has developed over the past two decades. The singer, songwriter and pianist also discusses her past collaborations with Danger Mouse and Jeff Tweedy, and explains why the bathtub is the best place to write songs.
Episode 229 - PJ Morton
May 25, 2022 14:58 - 53 minutes - 73.9 MBGrammy-winning singer-songwriter PJ Morton talks about the writing of his latest record Watch The Sun and his collaborations with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott and El DeBarge. The versatile musician and producer also reflects on the importance of being himself, the inspiration he takes from his hometown of New Orleans, and his work as the keyboard player for Maroon 5.
Episode 228 - Jewel
May 10, 2022 12:35 - 46 minutes - 64.4 MBSinger-songwriter Jewel discusses her new record Freewheelin' Woman and how she has used the songwriting process as a way to deal with anxiety. The musician and author also remembers lessons learned from time spent with Bob Dylan and Neil Young, and explains why singing in the studio is a little bit like porn.
Episode 227 - Desmond Child
April 18, 2022 16:01 - 44 minutes - 61.5 MBHit songwriter and producer Desmond Child speaks with Simon and Brian about the songs that make up his enviable catalogue. From his work with Kiss, Bon Jovi, and Aerosmith, to global smashes with Ricky Martin, Desmond has consistently been involved in creating unforgettable songs for major artists. In this conversation, Desmond explains how his approach to songwriting, creativity and collaboration has facilitated his success.
Episode 226 - Daryl Hall
April 11, 2022 10:20 - 41 minutes - 58 MBLegendary singer and songwriter Daryl Hall talks with Sodajerker about his new retrospective solo anthology Before After, the writing of his classic hits with John Oates, and his seminal web series Live From Daryl's House. The Philly soul star also reflects on his musical origins and early inspiration from contemporaries like Gamble & Huff and Thom Bell.
Episode 225 - Bleu
April 01, 2022 11:20 - 52 minutes - 72.7 MBVersatile songwriter and producer Bleu discusses his recent album SiX TAPE, his new Berklee course on sync for songwriters, and his adventures in writing K-pop. The multi-talented singer and collaborator also revisits his many excellent side projects like Loud Lion, L.E.O. and The Major Labels.
Episode 224 - Kelly Jones
March 18, 2022 10:56 - 46 minutes - 64.9 MBWelsh songsmith Kelly Jones of Stereophonics joins Simon and Brian for a chat about their brand new number one album Oochya!, the importance of narrative in his songwriting process, and mega hits from the back catalogue like 'Dakota'.
Episode 223 - The Anchoress
March 09, 2022 12:50 - 1 hour - 87.9 MBCatherine Anne Davies aka The Anchoress talks about the expanded edition of her critically acclaimed record The Art of Losing, her approach to songwriting and production, and why there's no such thing as great inspiration.
Episode 222 - Tears For Fears
February 28, 2022 10:00 - 47 minutes - 65.7 MBRoland Orzabal and Curt Smith of Tears For Fears discuss their excellent new record The Tipping Point, getting back to basics as songwriters, and classic hits from the past like 'Mad World', 'Head Over Heels', 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' and 'Sowing The Seeds Of Love'.
Episode 221 - Kiefer Sutherland
February 18, 2022 11:00 - 42 minutes - 58.5 MBActor and singer-songwriter Kiefer Sutherland joins Sodajerker for a chat about his new album Bloor Street and his creative process. Kiefer talks about writing from experience, how his acting informs his songwriting, and why he loves to write at his kitchen island.
Episode 220 - Steven Van Zandt
December 31, 2021 11:17 - 44 minutes - 61.1 MBSinger-songwriter, producer and actor Steven Van Zandt sits down with Simon and Brian in Manchester, UK, for an inspiring conversation about songwriting and arranging, his expansive musical history, and forays into other art forms. The E Street Band guitarist also talks about his creative partnership with Bruce Springsteen, early records with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, and the five crafts of rock.
Episode 219 - Tim Rice
December 24, 2021 12:14 - 57 minutes - 79.8 MBDecorated lyricist Sir Tim Rice chats with Simon and Brian about his writing process and his extraordinary career in musical theatre and film. In this wide-ranging conversation, Tim discusses the business of launching shows like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and Chess, his illustrious collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John, ABBA's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and songs for films like The Lion King and Aladdin.
Episode 218 - LP
December 13, 2021 10:36 - 55 minutes - 77.3 MBSinger-songwriter LP joins Simon and Brian for a freewheeling conversation about their new album Churches, the art of whistling, collaborating with greats like Dan Wilson and Billy Steinberg, and why they'll never co-write on Zoom.
Episode 217 - Duran Duran
November 29, 2021 10:55 - 40 minutes - 56.7 MBDuran Duran's Simon Le Bon and John Taylor talk with Sodajerker about their exciting new record FUTURE PAST. During the chat, the pair reflect on the band's creative process, including their approach to groove, tempo and melody, and their recent collaborations with Graham Coxon and Giorgio Moroder.
Episode 216 - Tori Amos
November 22, 2021 10:53 - 52 minutes - 72.3 MBTori Amos joins Simon and Brian for a chat about her new record Ocean to Ocean and her songwriting process. The bewitching singer-songwriter and pianist gives a detailed account of her practice, including the art of following her muses, stocking her sonic pantry, and taking inspiration from Bruce Lee.
Episode 215 - The War On Drugs
November 11, 2021 14:39 - 52 minutes - 72.3 MBAdam Granduciel of The War On Drugs sits down with Simon and Brian to discuss the band's latest record I Don't Live Here Anymore and how it was shaped and reshaped prior to release. During the conversation, Adam explains his creative process, his experimental approach to recording, and why it's important to have a very well-organised Dropbox.