Sodajerker On Songwriting

Singer-songwriter David Gray chats about his beautiful new album Skellig , the social and political leanings that underpin his music, and classic songs from his monumental hit White Ladder . David also remembers the time he spent in Liverpool as a young man and explains how his current lifestyle challenges his creativity.

Paul Smith and Duncan Lloyd of Maxïmo Park discuss their latest album Nature Always Wins and how they recorded the album remotely during lockdown. The pair provide an in-depth account of their creative process and how they strive to avoid clichés when writing about topics like childhood, parenting, ageing, and the social politics of tragedy.

Singer-songwriter and producer Róisín Murphy breaks down the creative processes behind her album Róisín Machine and explains how she develops tracks, lyrics and remixes across a range of electronic music styles. Róisín also talks about collaborators like Richard Barratt (DJ Parrot/Crooked Man) and Eddie Stevens, and her hits for Moloko created with Mark Brydon.

One of our all-time favourite guests, singer-songwriter and producer Mike Viola returns to the podcast to discuss his fantastic new album Godmuffin . During the conversation, Mike explains how he makes time for creativity, how the past informs his present, and how he is coping with the loss of his friend Adam Schlesinger. Mike's first appearance on the show was in episode 20 .

Distinguished songwriter and composer Nitin Sawhney shares insights into the writing of his latest album Immigrants , and its relationship to his acclaimed breakthrough Beyond Skin . During the chat, Nitin also talks about the poetry and mathematics of Indian classical music, collaborating with Paul McCartney, and how he has continued working during lockdown.

Enduring singer-songwriter Don McLean discusses the writing of songs from throughout his extraordinary career including 'American Pie', 'Vincent', 'Wonderful Baby', 'The Legend of Andrew McCrew', 'Prime Time', 'Sea Man' and 'When July Comes'. In the conversation, Don teases out the importance of artists like Fred Astaire, Bob Dylan and The Beatles, and explains why he wants to write songs that are...

The New Bohemians singer-songwriter joins Simon and Brian for a chat about the band's excellent album Hunter and the Dog Star , her approach to lyrics and melody, and the music that inspired her. During the conversation, Edie also reflects on her time away from music, her work with Steve Martin, and a potential collaboration with her husband Paul Simon.

Legendary R&B writer and Muscle Shoals figurehead Dan Penn discusses his recent album Living On Mercy and timeless classics like 'The Dark End of the Street', 'Do Right Woman, Do Right Man' and 'I'm Your Puppet'. During the conversation, Dan talks about his time at FAME Studios, his collaborations with the likes of Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding, and why he's not trying to tell his own story thr...

In this special episode, legendary singer, songwriter and philanthropist  Jon Bon Jovi joins Simon and Brian to discuss his recent album 2020 , and his incredible hits through the years. During the conversation, Jon talks about writing topical songs, collaborating with people like Desmond Child and Dave Stewart, and why he keeps coming back to a guitar named Bob. If you enjoy this episode, be sure...

Singer-songwriter and producer Steven Wilson joins Sodajerker to discuss his terrific album The Future Bites , why he hates songwriting, and what it was like collaborating with Elton John. Steven also describes his work remixing classic albums and explains how he finds it important to divorce himself from his love for other artists in his own songwriting.

The incredible Gregory Porter drops in to chat about his Grammy-nominated album All Rise , why he prefers to be in motion when writing songs, and how inspiration is a flower that opens up at midnight. Gregory also discusses his relationship with Nat King Cole's music and explains why super sexy guys have to be careful about what lyrics they sing.

Jessica and Camilla of The Staves join us to talk about their stunning new record Good Woman . The pair explain their different mindsets in the writing process, how they created the sonic textures on the record, and how they completed the album after a momentous personal loss. Jess also remembers her time spent in Liverpool, and tells the story of how their father once sang Christmas carols with P...

In a rare interview, singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne shares insights into his latest album Monovision and reflects on why it's important to maintain playfulness in the songwriting process. Ray also revisits classic songs like 'Trouble', compares the songwriting process to catching fireflies, and explains why he'll never forget performing with Elvis Costello.

Obaro Ejimiwe aka Ghostpoet talks about his writing process on the album I Grow Tired But Dare Not Fall Asleep and building songs from long improvisations in the studio. During the course of the chat, Obaro also reflects on his lack of affiliation with particular genres, the political nature of his words, and his relationship with social media.

In this episode, the tremendous Jeff Tweedy of Wilco provides a masterclass on creativity and songwriting as he discusses his outstanding new book How To Write One Song , and his excellent recent solo album Love Is The King . If you enjoy hearing the world's best break down practical and useful strategies that you can apply to your own work, look no further.

EELS frontman Mark Oliver Everett (aka 'E') drops in to talk about about the writing of the band's new album Earth To Dora and his creative process. During the chat, Mark highlights the power of resilience, how he collaborates with his bandmates, and his love for John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band.

The formidable Lucinda Williams chats with Simon and Brian about the writing of her latest album Good Souls Better Angels . Talking through her expansive catalogue, the veteran artist uncovers a range of themes that have informed her songwriting and her outlook on the music industries including politics, domestic abuse, depression, experiences with record labels and reviews on social media.

Songwriter, comedian and actor Tim Minchin talks about the writing of his debut studio album Apart Together . During this in-depth chat about the creative process, Tim also reveals how he approaches writing songs for musicals like Matilda and Groundhog Day , and why his comedy influences are The Beatles, The Kinks, and Queen.

Decorated singer-songwriter Gary Barlow joins Simon and Brian to chat about his new album Music Played By Humans , his ongoing passion for writing and recording, and his work with Take That. In this wide-ranging conversation, Frodsham's favourite son talks through his glittering catalogue of hits, explains what it was like waiting for cues from Ken Dodd, and reveals how he once got Prince talking...

The great Midge Ure drops in to discuss the 40th anniversary reissue of Ultravox's seminal album Vienna . The legendary songwriter talks about his writing process throughout his extraordinary career from his work with Rich Kids, Visage and Phil Lynott, to the collaborative miracle that was Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'

For this episode, Simon and Brian are joined by singer-songwriter Andrew Roachford to chat about the writing of his new record Twice In A Lifetime . The veteran musician talks about working with Beverley Knight, why he likes singing in his living room, and what it was like to see Alan Partridge miming his classic hit 'Cuddly Toy'.

Singer-songwriter Katie Melua talks with Simon and Brian about the writing of her absorbing new record Album No. 8 . During the conversation, Katie also reflects on her collaborations with the likes of Mike Batt, Guy Chambers, Don Black and Sam Dixon, and explains why she has been on a mission to research lyric writing.

Matt Berninger of The National joins us to talk about the writing of his excellent solo album Serpentine Prison . During the conversation, Matt describes his partnership with the album's producer Booker T. Jones, and explains why he's striving to resist cultures of fear, and structure his life around positive forms of creativity.

Singer-songwriter Dan Croll talks about his staggeringly good third album Grand Plan which covers his first year living as an artist in LA. Dan also remembers the time he had a one-on-one masterclass with Paul McCartney while studying at LIPA and takes a moment to reflect on the tragic loss of the band Her's, which he captures beautifully in his song 'Together'.

Taylor Goldsmith talks about his songwriting process across the impressive Dawes catalogue, collaborating with the likes of Elvis Costello on The New Basement Tapes project, and why it's important not to go into the studio with a hundred songs. Taylor also reflects on his work with talented friends like Brandon Flowers, Mike Viola, and his wife Mandy Moore.