Hits And Hooks Vignettes

This week we'll look at call-response structuring of lyrics, runups as a way to infuse forward motion, crescendo dynamics that not every instrument can achieve, and melodic callbacks in a piece by Ludvig himself. We hear original Indie songs from Jon Worthy, Priscilla The Outlaw, Welan Edvee, and Ludvig von Beethoven.   In Hits and Hooks Vignettes, we play some great tunes and lift the hood t...

Edinburgh Indie artist Norman Lamont and I chat about three of his original songs and his process or writing and recording. He's currently working on two albums, one solo and one with his band The heaven Sent, to add to his already extensive catalogue. And he tells us about the Edinburgh Indie scene, a hive of songwriting activity You can hear all of Norman's music at: https://normanlamont.com (We...

This week we'll revisit the backbeat, not always, as we'll see, on a snare drum. Spoken lyrics, where do they fit in. Bass + Kick = Power. What's that? Ever heard of a pre-chorus? I have a really great blues song, from an Italian band. We'll see both perspectives in two back to back break up songs, but with happy music. What gives with that?   In Hits and Hooks Vignettes, we play some great t...

I talk with Paris recording artist Serge Dejazz with the band Dazie Mae. He tells us about his writing process, how the band records, and gives us the back stories to three of their songs. Hear how five musicians living in different cities come together in the studio to make some really great music.   You can hear all of Dazie Mae's music at: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6mDX3lCv3QKLda5Izb...

In "The Hooks Book" we dig in on one aspect of what makes great songs great. Today's subject is Country songs. What is Country? And why do some parts of Country songs not really sound very Country, but do sound great! Today's episode includes the following licensed music... Dustin Chapman - Slow Dance (Jamendo Licensing) E.D. Kennaway - On The Road to Somewhere (Jamendo Licensing) Wild Fire - Been...

This week I talk with Paris indie artist Nick Falcon about his writing process, and the surprising back stories to two of his songs. We hear about a Blues progression discovery with a minor twist, playing live in Paris venues, a song-a-day challenge for a week and what that produced, and his Gypsy Jazz and Brazilian Jazz influences. You can hear all of Nick's music at: https://open.spotify.com/art...

This week I talk with Toronto indie artist Jason Hogan with his album "Sex, Politics, Religion & Death". We take two songs from the album and dive into Jason's process for adding lyric and instrumental hooks to his song. "Pi is equal to three point one four dot dot dot", one of my fav' lines from "She's So Mean To Me" You can hear all of Jason's music at: https://open.spotify.com/album/0EkjcK1...

This week we look again at upper frequency accenting, check out the chords of a major key. I have a Gospel sounding tune to spin and we'll do a hook count for an electronica piece. I talk about fills too. Here we go.   In Hits and Hooks Vignettes, we play some great tunes and lift the hood to see what makes them tick. HHV is a short-form music podcast about how songs keep listeners engag...

This week I have a 2 chord song, yes just 2 chords. I look at the pentatonic scale, spin a lovely Jazz tune from a favourite Paris band, we'll see a couple of versions of the half - time beat, and deep dive into the characteristics of Country.   In Hits and Hooks Vignettes, we play some great tunes and lift the hood to see what makes them tick. HHV is a short-form music podcast about how song...

This week I look at rhyming, imagery and the refrain, in song lyrics. We'll see the hooks that come from staggered instrument entrance. What's a sampler? we'll take a look. Also groove and an unusual Blues song.   In Hits and Hooks Vignettes, we play some great tunes and lift the hood to see what makes them tick. HHV is a short-form music podcast about how songs keep listeners engaged through...

This week we'll see some vocal virtuosity, I dive into folky ballads, and for contrast a rockin' drivin' riffin' song. Ostinato, what's that? What makes a rhyme and how can we use them. And we'll have a laugh or two.   In Hits and Hooks Vignettes, we play some great tunes and lift the hood to see what makes them tick. HHV is a short-form music podcast about how songs keep listeners engaged th...

This week we'll see how expectation and hooks work hand in hand. I have a couple of jokes for you. I dive into how harmony vocals can be used. What's an interval? We'll see. And we discover Dorion mode! Lots of fun.   In Hits and Hooks Vignettes, we play some great tunes and lift the hood to see what makes them tick. HHV is a short-form music podcast about how songs keep listeners engaged thr...

Trailer for Episode 5... EQing?! A studio term. We'll dig in on it, in the context of frequency separation. We count out the hook density of a driving road house tune. We look at the complex chords of Jazz. And we map out the basics of Nashville Notation. Oh, and we look at the Latin clave beat. Let's hit the trail.   This is a preview of Episode 5, Hits and Hooks Vignettes, where we pla...

EQing?! A studio term. We'll dig in on it, in the context of frequency separation. We count out the hook density of a driving road house tune. We look at the complex chords of Jazz. And we map out the basics of Nashville Notation. Oh, and we look at the Latin clave beat. Let's hit the trail.   In Hits and Hooks Vignettes, we play some great tunes and lift the hood to see what makes them...

This week, 8 more great Indie songs, in full. And we're gonna have a laugh. I'll look at hooks in song openings. We'll spin a good head-banging song. Hip hop is not my generation, but we'll spin one of those too. I'll dig in on beat, virtuosity, and the swing time rhythm of Blues and Jazz.   In Hits and Hooks Vignettes, we play some great tunes and lift the hood to see what makes them tick. H...

Love that skank?! This week we look at song bridges, and pads. We see guitar stabs used in a few different styles. I have an interesting Tango song for you, and a beautiful Blues tune with an unusual chord progression. We look at hooks, of course, and touch on fabric and functions. Let's go. In Hits and Hooks Vignettes, we play some great tunes and lift the hood to see what makes them tick. HHV is...

“Happy Happy Happy!” — “Happy” threads through our adventures this week: major chord, sad songs with happy music, tempo and the happiness indicator. We also dive into Folk-Pop over a few songs to distil its characteristics. Hooks: upper vocal range urgency, vocal gymnastics, and dynamic and emotional contour are all part of the mix. Let’s go!   In Hits and Hooks Vignettes, we play some great...

In the first episode of this, the first series, we'll start our journey into hooks, those little things that keep us engaged in a song. We'll talk about sectional contrast as one of those hooks. Also vocalizations, vocal doubling. We have a few different styles to present... Latin, Country, J-Pop, Rock, Pop. And, as they say in the ads... much much more.   In Hits and Hooks Vignettes, we play...

In Hits and Hooks: Vignettes, we play some great tunes — and we lift the hood to see what makes them tick.   Hits and Hooks is a short-form music podcast about how songs keep listeners engaged — through hooks, structure, and the musical decisions that quietly do their work.   We don’t just talk about music — we play it. Full songs. Real examples.   Maybe you make music. Maybe you do...