Songwriter Trysts

#36 Jody Friedman

Jody Aaron Friedman is a music supervisor, music producer, award-winning songwriter & music publisher. He is also the founder of www.licenseyourmusic.com, an online platform available for those interested in learning more about licensing their music. His career began working for CNN in Atlanta, NYC & California.   While working as an Audio Operator, he composed a theme song for the show “Nancy Grace” which was his foray into the world of Music Publishing. Since then, his company, HD Music ...

#35 Gareth Leach

Melbourne-based Australian outlaw country singer-songwriter, Gareth Leach, has dropped his hard-hitting album Trigger, landing at #2 on the iTunes Country Albums chart and #4 overall/all-genres. Self-produced and engineered, Trigger is Gareth’s sophomore album, tackling tough subject matter, with introspective lyrics and a powerful vocal performance met with traditional folk and country instrumentation. In this podcast we talked about his family, Covid lockdown in  Melbourne with kids and ...

#34 Ishan Merchant

17 yr old Singer Songwriter Ishan Merchant born in France and lives in Melbourne Australia has a beautiful unique voice and skill for writing beautiful songs and describing stories inspired by movies and other influences.  Rae Leigh came across his Instagram account and wanted to encourage and share his voice and skills with you. Ishan loves sport but after a back injury and a lot of time sitting around at home he discovered his love for music and songwriting.  He's also been blessed to have...

#33 Ashley Taylor

Ashley Taylor Grew Up In Bakersfield, California. Thanks To Her Grandmother's CD Collection Mixed With The Rich Musical History Of Her Hometown & The “Bakersfield Sound”, Ashley’s Love Of Country Music Became Her Life’s Passion . She Received Her First Guitar At The Age Of Seventeen & Has Been Making Music Ever Since. However, It Wasn't Until A Friendship With Hit Songwriter Clay Mills (“Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” By Darius Rucker) That Ashley Made The Life Changing Decision To Sel...

#32 Jake Arthur

Jake Arthur is a singer-songwriter from central Massachusetts now located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As a multi-instrumentalist, he has written for and played in numerous bands and pit orchestras throughout New England and the Midwest. His studio work includes a self-titled album with the Minneapolis folk-rock band Little Riddles and Rochester, NY band Saucy Jack. He is also a PhD student in music theory at the University of Michigan specialising in American popular music. In his shows, Jake cov...

#31 Kylie Adams-Collier

Kylie Adams-Collier is a Kross Kut Records Artist and national radio host for Good Morning Country. Kylie has been supporting the Australian country music industry on the road and on the air for over thirty years. A multi- award winning songwriter, Kylie's inspiration for lyrics and music come from her time on the road. We lost the audio from the first part of the conversation however there was still enough of the chat to get some good stories in there. Thanks for understanding.  Kylie h...

# 31 Kylie Adams-Collier

Kylie Adams-Collier is a Kross Kut Records Artist and national radio host for Good Morning Country. Kylie has been supporting the Australian country music industry on the road and on the air for over thirty years. A multi- award winning songwriter, Kylie's inspiration for lyrics and music come from her time on the road. We lost the audio from the first part of the conversation however there was still enough of the chat to get some good stories in there. Thanks for understanding.  Kylie h...

#30 Andrew Swift

Australian Country Singer Songwriter Andrew Swift - AKA SWIFTY had a chat with Rae Leigh about the 2020 year releases, challenges and also just his journey from punk rockers in Melbourne to Country music superstar and Golden Guitar winner in 2020. It was just the one thing he always wanted to do and talks about his problems with depression as a teenager and how music and songwriting got him through those dark moments in his life.  A must follow if you like a beautiful sexy deep country voca...

#29 Mary Harrison

Singer Songwriter Mary Harrison wrote song's and learnt the way of music theory but in private and hidden away from the world until a local radio station put on a competition for someone with lyrics to have their song put to music by Human Nature! She won and went into the radio station met these people who encouraged her to keep writing and also forced her to tell her friends and family that she was a secret writer. I'm so glad this happened and that Mary has found her voice in a unique and ...

#28 Susan Muranty

Susan Muranty is all about the sky. She is obsessed with stars of all kinds - actual, astrological and Hollywood old-style glamour. She adore's the colour blue and loves the curious fact that ... blue is the hottest flame. She lives on an island in Sydney, one of the most civilised places on earth, but roar up a mountain-high fire trail in a four-wheel drive every night just to get home. Her house is surrounded by wilderness but she is as passionate about fashion and beauty and art and food ...

#27 Adam Fitch

Adam Fitch is an alternative folk solo artist from Millburn, New Jersey. Over the years, his style has developed into its own unique blend of folk and soulful jazz. He has an eclectic array of experience playing with bands as a guitarist, bassist, and vocalist in genres such as progressive metal, hip hop, electronic music, soul, blues, and more. Lyrically, Fitch has a level of emotional transparency and depth that invites personal exploration and doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of ...

#26 Josh King

Singer Songwriter from Gold Coast Australia Josh King is an up and coming artists who is amazingly smart and talented, even with Law as a possible option after school Josh new that music and songwriting was apart of who he was and had to dive into that passion and love for his art. He has a beautiful pop soft sound.  "Over this year you’re going to hear songs that came from pivotal moments for me. Yeah I fell in love. Yeah it didn’t work out. Yeah it hurt. Yeah that’s okay. I made a few son...

#25 Karen E. Reynolds

Karen E. Reynolds Singer Songwriter from East Tennessee native, Award winning Singer Songwriter and Recording Artist, has appeared at premier venues, performance series' and high profile festivals such as Nashville's Bluebird Cafe, Atlanta's Eddie's Attic, The Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, The Kent State Folk Festival, The Mississippi Songwriters Festival, Bristol Rhythm and Roots, The Cape Fear Folk Festival, The Nashville Songwriters Festival, The National Shrimp Festival...

#24 Eev Ferreira - August River Band

After a huge year for Brisbane's August River Band, releasing singles "Crazy" and "In My Arms", the band are releasing "Mr Sky", the feature track from their forthcoming debut album Thank You Pain. August River Band will be celebrating the release of the album at The Tivoli on Friday October 2nd, supported by Colin Lillie & HAM!  Eev Ferreira sat with Rae Leigh to discuss the experiences and life behind August River Band, how they came to being and where they are heading. Get to know Eve in...

#23 Daniel Spirovski

Daniel Spirovski is a producer, teacher, musician and songwriter. He works on production, artist development and higher education with music at JMC Academy check out his website and enjoy the wisdoms in this podcast.  http://www.spirovski.com/

#22 LÂLKA

LÂLKA is an amazing visual and audio engineer, producer, singer songwriter and realist. Rae Leigh had an amazing chat about the realism of the music industry and shows that even if you have to break the mould of what is expected that you can push through if your being true to who you are and you know what you want and why you're doing it.   Check out LÂLKA and her "bubblegum pop" music below.  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lalkamusic Instagram @lalkamusic Youtube https://www.youtube...

#21 Zeek Power

Singer Songwriter Zeek Power from Queensland Australia, has the voice of an angel and songwriting gifts that he shares on YouTube, Spotify, Apple music, in live performances and recently in 2019 on the Australian serious of 'The Voice'. Rae Leigh and Zeek had a quick meet before this podcast recording but didn't really know each other so as the podcast unfolds they learn more about each other and find common ground over growing up in the pentecostal church in Australia in the 90's and 2000's...

#20 Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes

Golden-guitar winning trio Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes grew up in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, but quickly gravitated to the thriving inner-city music scene. Rae Leigh met Lachlan Bryan at the 2015 Winter singer songwriter retreat at the DAG Sheep Station in Tamworth where songwriters come together to learn, encourage, support and write with each other.  With mentors like Lachlan Bryan and his experience and success in the songwriting industry he has some insightful advice and ...

#19 Harry J Hart

Harry J Hart Joined me at my place for a chat about his life as a teen singer songwriter and guitarist on the Gold Coast. Such a good chat, he really has moved all over the place just to be able to continue to pursue his passion including busking non stop to be able to pay for his artistic education. I saw him perform for the first time at the Home of the Arts (HOTA) workshop last year and kept running into him and his mum. They are everywhere and have more music coming and gigs so keep a w...

#18 Amber Lawrence

Singer Songwriter and mother Amber Lawrence has been releasing original country and kids country music for over 15 years and with over 100 songs released online on all major streaming services she has a huge amount of wisdoms and experience to share. From singing in a school play to now playing shows all over Australia she is passionate about her work and entertainment and if you follow her on any social media platform you are sure to see what I mean. I'm honoured to present this amazing stro...

#17 René Le Feuvre

René Le Feuvre Singer Songwriter in the Gold Coast, Australia. He grew up with skills in music and sports and was on his way to playing in the professional Australian Football League (AFL) when he reached a tipping point and had to make a decision to choose between music or his sport. In this podcast we discuss the journey he has been on to get to where he is and why he wants to fill the world with his cool rock alternative pop music and amazing charisma.  He has a star personality and a cle...

#16 Briana Dinsdale

16 year old, Singer songwriter on our 16th episode, Briana Dinsdale joined me live for a chat about her songwriting life and aspirations, we talked about her love for Taylor Swift, her idol, Keith Urban who she got to play on stage with at his Brisbane concert when she was only 13, and nailed it!(see YouTube video here >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgI8kvca-nw ) Her confidence and loving personality shines through and was such an honour to speak to someone leading her life with such di...

#15 Graham Ashton

Graham Ashton, also lovingly known as Asho is a singer songwriter and has also worked in the music industry along side artist such as Robbie Williams, Powderfinger, The Living End, Paul Kelly, The Go-Betweens and Mumford & Sons. He also was the Executive Programmer for BIGSOUND one of the worlds largest music industry events. He has so much experience and passion in his life when it comes to music, songwriting and also artist development. We had a great chat about how this man lived and amazi...

#14 Kristy James

Kristy James is an Australian singer songwriter and now independent artist mentor and coach.  https://www.shapemusic.online/ is her new online mentorship program to help other artists based on real life experiences and mistakes.  We had a great talk about the do's and don'ts of the industry and how it can be challenging for new artists and songwriters who are just starting out.  To hear her music or find out more go to her website https://www.kristyjames.com/ Find her on instagram @kristy...

#13 Eric Dodd

Eric Dodd is a singer songwriter from Nashville. We met through a SongTown retreat in Nashville October 2019 and got to co-write a song 'Dancing on the Moon' with Les Hauge. In this podcast we spoke more about his journey how he writes and what his journey has been to date.  He has so many accomplishments and other than just getting a killer song while working with him I learnt a lot and wanted to share some of his wisdoms and amazing music with you guys too. If you haven't heard his voice....

#12 Billie-Jo Porter

Say if Dixie Chicks, Jewel, Tom Petty, and Angus and Julia Stone were jamming at a party and you had to describe that sound - you would call it.... Billie-Jo Porter. Billie-Jo is a singer/songwriter who invites the listener to look for silver linings in the everyday. Growing up just outside of Australia’s Country Music Capital, Tamworth, much of her younger days were sound tracked by non-stop country music including Shania Twain, Tim McGraw and Willie Nelson. Now living on the North Coast...

#11 Alexis Naylor

Singer Songwriter Alexi Naylor from Perth Australia joined Rae Leigh in a Songwriter Tryst podcast talking about her journey with music, being in a band and then launching her first EP in 2019 as a solo artist. Find more information about her here - http://alexisnaylor.com/ Follow Alexis on Instagram at @alexisnaylormusic Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/alexisnaylormusic/ Subscribe to her YouTube channel here - https://www.youtube.com/user/A88888N88888 

#10 Benny Allen

Singer Songwriter Benny Allen's first single from the album, Day One of Missing You, launched him into the Australian Country music world. An awesome Melbourne personality and honest authentic soul and father his music touches a cord for me and i'm honoured to have him on the songwriter podcast with me.  We met through Country Kickbacks online music festival during the first Australian Covid Lockdown in 2020 called 'Clothing Optional'. Check out our chat to find out what we got up to and to...

#9 Lucy LeBlanc

Lucy LeBlanc is a Canadian songwriter, with a passion for music that ranges from folk songs to rock. Lyrics are her speciality and she has been involved in multiple co-writes with songwriters from Australia, the Netherlands, US and Canada. Lucy’s songs have been recorded by several indie artists, others are currently under consideration by major artists and for film and TV projects. She has mentored with Songtown.com and Pat Patterson  Here's three songs which she co-wrote featured in this...

#8 Kent Tonscheck

Australian male Singer Songwriter Kent Tonscheck from Queensland shares his story of finding his voice, confidence and passion in music. From shy awkward school kid to young TV star vocal talent, his story of drive, determination and pure heart is an inspirational tale. His voice is of an angel and heart of pure gold, this young artist is still early in his career as a songwriter but continuing to find his sound and strive to be better in everything he does. Check out his music video "I'm N...

#7 Dani Young

Dani Young is a Sydney singer-songwriter whose love of songwriting and journey to believing in herself is both inspirational and encouraging. "take the pressure off" says Dani in this podcast, talking about how she had such high expectations of herself initially it stopped her from even getting started with songwriting. She was able to work with experienced Songwriter Warren H Williams who has mentored her to where she is today.  Her latest single is out now called "Outback Lullaby"  Check...

#6 Allan Caswell

Allan Caswell is the most recorded songwriter with well over 750 of his songs being released around the world by artists of the calibre of Cilla Black, Patti Page, The Irish Rovers, The Living End, Slim Dusty, Barry Humphries, Ricki May, James Blundell, Jasmine Rae, McAlister Kemp, The Wolfe Brothers, Lynne Hamilton, Rae Leigh among dozens of others. With over 50 years of songwriting experience, 8 golden guitar awards and a place in the galaxy of stars for country music, this is an extra ja...

#5 Virjilla Joyce

Virjilla Joyce a young mother and beautiful happy singer songwriter. Lives in Brisbane Australia and launched her first EP in 2019. She has a powerful voice and a strong message. After having her baby girl she struggled with post natal depression (PND) and found healing power in music. In this episode we discuss her journey to believing in herself and finding her songs. Her latest single has just been released "Lady in Red" the first song Virjilla ever wrote after the passing of her Aunty, ...

#4 Cory Hargreaves

Singer-Songwriter Cory Hargreaves came to my attention through a friend and I honestly became a fan from the first youtube video for "CHICKEN PICKIN", it's a boot scootin' country rock track that you can dance away to and have a laugh and then even identify with the characters in this song. He has a good body of work that will keep you going all the way from Gold Coast to Geelong on the Australian east coast drive.  "i'm trying to work out if your a tragedy writer or a love writer" says one...

#3 Kaitlyn Thomas

Kaitlyn Thomas was just 12 years old when Beccy Cole declared to her audience, “There’s a star in the making right there”. Since then she has released two singles First Kiss & Could'a Should'a Would'a  Ambassador for Bully Zero an Anti-bullying organisation, in this podcast she talks about how going through bullying and having music and songwriting as an emotional outlet got her through those dark and lonely times at school. An inspirational story to all kids having a hard time with bullyi...

#2 Marty Dodson

American singer-songwriter/producer Marty Dodson has had songs recorded by artists such as Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Plain White T's, Saving Jane, Lonestar, Billy Currington, and Craig Morgan. His first #1 song, “Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right” spent two weeks at the top of the country charts and was the first #1 for Billy Currington as well. "It took several years of writing for free before I landed my first publishing deal with Kim Williams and...

#1 Rae Leigh & Renee Jonas

Feature length episode with the host Rae Leigh @raeleighaus and her first guest Renee Jonas @reneejonasmusic. These two artists met at the 2019 Singer Songwriter DAG retreat in Tamworth, Australia which was followed by a trip to Nashville, Tennessee in October 2019 to attend the Songtown.com songwriting retreat. Rae discusses the story behind her music and the reason for starting the 'Songwriter Trysts' podcast. She chats with Renee about her journey into songwriting you'll find that these ...

Songwriter Trysts (Trailer)