Sodajerker On Songwriting

The 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.

Triple 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.

This 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...

Composer 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.

The 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.

To 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.

Matty 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.

Death 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...

Suede'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.

The 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.

Julian 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.

Singer-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.

Canadian 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.

The 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 Wa...

Singer-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.

Beloved 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.

Norah 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.

Grammy-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.

Singer-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.

Hit 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...

Legendary 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.

Versatile 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.

Welsh 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'.

Catherine 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.

Roland 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'.