Songwriter Trysts

Strawberry Swing isn't just about tunes; they're about making a difference. They're a band from Wollongong, Australia, who use their music to talk about important stuff like politics and how to make life better for everyone. They believe that Aussies can do practical things to change the economy and support the arts. They even had a chat with Rae Leigh from the Songwriter Trysts podcas...

From New Zealand, Kaylee Bell has emerged as a captivating force in the country music scene. Her viral performance on The Voice, featuring an original song dedicated to Keith Urban, catapulted her into the spotlight, where she continues to shine as a powerful female songwriter. Recently, Kaylee shared her inspiring journey on the Songwriter Trysts podcast, detailing her experiences as an independe...

Welcome to Songwriter Trysts Podcast! In today's milestone 250th episode, we have the incredible Murray Cook joining us, alongside our host, Rae Leigh. Murray shares his remarkable musical journey, from crafting his first big hit, "Dorothy the Dinosaur," to his illustrious 20-year tenure with the iconic children's group, The Wiggles, and now his exciting venture with The Soul Mov...

Canada's musical landscape continues to blossom with the emergence of young talent like Elyse Saunders. With her latest single, "Never Have I Ever," climbing the Canadian Country Top 40 Charts, Elyse is making waves both at home and abroad. Notably, her collaboration with Rae Leigh on the Songwriter Trysts podcast provided a captivating glimpse into her musical journey, highlighting...

Bass player, producer and songwriter Zac Watson from Melbourne shares of his journey as an artists, bass player, rock n' roll lover and country music band member turning into full time songwriter producer with the release of his first single as a solo artist. In addition to his talents as a performer and songwriter, Zac is also a formidable force in the realm of music production. Armed with a...

Creative writer, novelist, children’s books, and songs, Tess Rowley joins Rae Leigh in an intimate discussion about creative writing, her work with not-for-profits, and child advocacy work. Earlier in 2024 Tess received the Medal Order of Australia or an OAM for her incredible work in serving the community. A lifetime of dedication and using her creative writing skills to bless generations of chil...

Robbie Mortimer is an Australian singer songwriter who has recenetly come back after a 3 year break while he went through personal and professional development to bring his best to the world. His new single is called Blow The Speakers and has country all over it. Living on the farm with a large family of boys who were all very much sports focused Robbie talks about his experince being a creative s...

Avery Harden is an American songwriter and self-proclaimed positive rapper. We dive into his roots in Christian music, Christian rap, Disney influence, and faith upbringing. Avery is an independent artist who collaborates, tours, and recently released his second album Atlantis II. Coming to tour in Australia in October 2024 we were excited to discuss his music, positive influences and journey as a...

Max Jackson, 2024 Golden Guitar winner at Tamworth awards in Australia. Max is a songwriter and singer and we talk about how it was the songwriting that came first for her. Writing for almost 12 years before releasing her first single in 2020 she found her voice and purpose and she has been living it with passion. Lots of encouragement as a Toyota Star Maker competition winner. She can write a son...

Sue Ray gets real with their discussion on neurodiverse conditions and the impact that has had on Sue as a woman, mother, and musician. Her inspirational story is a testament that there is always another way to keep looking for your people. Sue is bravely stepping into her power as a songwriting coach, artist, and indigenous advocate through Qmusic in Brisbane Australia and we are so glad to have...

Wesley Dean, an Adelaide-born singer-songwriter has been living in Nashville since March 2021 the height of the pandemic, and moved there with his wife and kids. After winning Australian Idol in 2008 he discusses in the interview his dance with his ego and how he needed to have kids, get married, and live life before he had something he felt was worth saying. Coming in his new album which we eager...

Bonus episode this week with The Hey Mate Project, a mental health company building awareness and supporting creative industries including Qmusic in Brisbane. Host Rae Leigh interviews guest Aimee Davies the founder of Hey Mate Project. This is a great conversation about the company and how they started, what they are doing, and why it's so important for us as artists to take care of our menta...

Tyler Spicer, musician, producer and songwriter from Bath UK soon to be in Nashville. This passionate artist has been pivoting his talents in a big way he thanks the covid lockdowns for this change and feels like it was the perfect time for him to move into this production space. Connect with Tyler: Instagram Website YouTube Facebook

An emotional rollercoaster of laughs, sad, ugly, beautiful, best and worst. Rock n Roll, music and its history. This conversation with Mario Vayne and Rae Leigh goes into it all. A fun conversation about songwriting and music for your Christmas trip this week. Check out Mario's Music and info here: Website Spotify YouTube Instagram Facebook

Ella and Scienna, Australian female country singer-songwriting DUO jump on a Zoom call and record a chat with host Rae Leigh about their musical journey and their Taylor Swift tribute show. Sisters Ella & Stella are hitting the road and recording studio to launch their careers in the music industry and they are having so much fun doing it. " It’s Not Me, It’s You ” embraces Ella & Sie...

Michael Saleta, a songwriter from Sale, in Victoria Australia, and now living and working as a full-time songwriter in Nashville with his wife Sarah and publisher. Hear how this music teacher from Melbourne changed his whole life around, quit his day job, and launched into a life filled with music and joy. The most optimistic and determined songwriter we have had on the show and inspiring for anyo...

Propulsive rock’n’roll mingles with expansive Americana on Seattle songwriter Scott Clay’s forthcoming LP Time Will Tell. Buoyed by a voice both plaintive and roughhewn, Time Will Tell invites listeners to slow down and reflect on our true nature and our collective humanity. When it came time to track Time Will Tell, Clay and a cadre of top-flight musicians, including engineer Mike Davis (Modest M...

Drew Ryder Smith is an artist and singer-songwriter in his own right after years of writing for others and his own struggle with mental health and substances he has broken through into releasing his own music and performing all over the country. A raw and honest conversation with great stories and advice for songwriters and artists alike. Connect with Drew: Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Spoti...

Van life musician in Australia Austin Mackay stops by in the van to chat with Rae Leigh live in the studio on the Gold Coast before heading down the east coast on tour to Melbourne. We loved having this young and enthusiastic talent share with us his journey and hearing about his future hopes but also how he has ended up in the dream life on the road with his guitar after COVID pulled him from the...

"You can change your life at any point in time" This quote from featured artist singer-songwriter from outback Queensland Scotty Mack with his Songwriter Trysts interview with Rae Leigh. Auditioning for The Voice in 2023 Australia with the audition song "Foot Loose" he is back and sharing his original music which is charting across the Australian country scene. Music is therapy...

Melanie Dyer drops a brand new single, “Dust”.  The Australian singer/songwriter has cemented herself as a leading lady in contemporary country with hits like “Memphis T-Shirt”, “Run Out Of Road” and her most recent hit, “Song For That”.  Joining the lineup for CMA Music Festival 2023, Melanie played alongside the likes of Jason Aldean, Dan + Shay, Miranda Lambert and more to celebrate the Festiva...

Growing up with father Slim Dusty and boarding school in Sale Victoria our featured guest David from Two Tone Pony the band after retiring from a career as a medical practitioner has gotten back into the studio and out on the road. Celebrating the art of songwriting, passion, and music host Rae Leigh and David discuss the powerful art form and give tips and advice on the journey to writing, co-wri...

For multiple Grammy, CMA, ACM Award-winning producer Keith Stegall, music has always been his life, strongly influenced by his dad, 1950s Abbott Records recording artist, Bob Stegall. The elder Stegall also played steel guitar for the legendary country singer Johnny Horton. Born in the central Texas town of Wichita Falls and raised in Shreveport (the home of the Louisiana Hayride, a stage his fath...

World-renowned pianist and composer  Chad Lawson , in the past two years has been working to reshape the role that music plays in our daily lives, forging a powerful new pathway for healing. On his luminous new double album  breathe , he expands on the extraordinary intentionality he first brought to his massively streamed 2020 effort  You Finally Knew , transforming his decidedly modern take on c...

Sammi Palinkas is a native Victorian like Rae Leigh and they talk about her start from the age of 8 winning a trip for the family to Disneyland, meeting incredible writers, ambitiously aiming for Pop start life style and landing gracefully in the Country space with what Sammi describes as a 'broken heart and life experience'. Writing in LA with a cocktail and incredible co-writers she shar...