Songcraft: Spotlight on Songwriters

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2022 conversation with Roland Orzabal.  ABOUT ROLAND ORZABAL AND TEARS FOR FEARS: Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith formed Tears for Fears in Bath, England, in 1981 and have gone on to sell 30 million albums worldwide. Their major breakthrough in th...

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2020 conversation with David Crosby and our 2023 conversation with Graham Nash.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Americana Award winner and Grammy nominee Hayes Carll chats about the development of his songwriting and the highly personal nature of his latest album, We're Only Human.    PART ONE Paul and Scott talk about the unfortunate history of songs about rock & roll. PART TWO Scott's in-depth conversation with Hayes Carll ABOUT HAYES CARLL Singer, songwriter, and Americana mainstay Hayes Carll hit the sc...

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2021 conversation with Dan Wilson.  ABOUT DAN WILSON Songwriter, singer, musician, producer and acclaimed visual artist Dan Wilson is a Minnesota native and Harvard graduate who launched his music career with the band Trip Shakespeare, which was...

Five-time Grammy winner, ACM Poet's Award honoree, and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Mary Chapin Carpenter opens up about her process and reflects on her approach to the craft.  PART ONE: Paul and Scott geek out hard on Elvis and legendary songwriter Doc Pomus.  PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with Mary Chapin Carpenter ABOUT MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER Mary Chapin Carpenter is a five-time Gra...

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2017 conversation with Vince Gill.  ABOUT VINCE GILL Multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter Vince Gill launched his solo career in the mid-1980s, hitting the Top 10 on Billboard ’s country singles chart a remarkable 25 times. All but one...

The All-American Rejects frontman discusses the evolution of his songwriting process and what it means for him to embrace his art.   PART ONE Paul and Scott talk about their upcoming music-themed road trip. PART TWO Our in-depth interview with Tyson Ritter of The All-American Rejects ABOUT TYSON RITTER Tyson Ritter is best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and primary lyricist of The All-Americ...

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2019 conversation with Valerie Simpson of Ashford & Simpson.  ABOUT VALERIE SIMPSON Six-time Grammy nominee Valerie Simpson is best known as one half of the songwriting, production and performing duo of Ashford and Simpson, which she formed with...

Two-time Grammy winner and songwriting superhero Patty Griffin joins us for a wide-ranging discussion about her craft PART ONE Reflecting on the lives of recently-departed songwriters Alan Bergman and Ozzy Osbourne, which might be the only time those two were discussed in the same conversation!  PART TWO Our in-depth conversation with Patty Griffin ABOUT PATTY GRIFFIN Patty Griffin is a singer’s s...

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2023 conversation with Robert De Leo of Stone Temple Pilots.  ABOUT ROBERT DE LEO Robert De Leo is best known for his work in Stone Temple Pilots. Collaborating with lyricist and vocalist Scott Weiland, Robert wrote or co-wrote the music for man...

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason chats about his early days in Traffic, writing the classic "Feelin' Alright?", working with Delaney & Bonnie, and so much more.  PART ONE Scott and Paul chat about Dave Mason's unique role in the rock & roll pantheon. PART TWO Our in-depth conversation with Dave Mason. ABOUT DAVE MASON After recording background vocals with The Spencer Davis Group on such hits...

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2016 conversation with Mike Stoller.  ABOUT MIKE STOLLER Mike Stoller has written more than 60 songs that have appeared on the  Billboard  charts, including the #1 hits “Hound Dog,” “Kansas City,” “Yakety Yak,”  “Searchin’,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “P...

Norman Greenbaum gave the world "Spirit in the Sky," one of the greatest records ever made. He chats with us about his iconic classic, as well as other musical adventures and misadventures over the last few decades.  PART ONE:  Paul and Scott chat about Instagram, artist accessibility, and what the heck Norman Greenbaum looks like.  PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with Norman Greenbaum ABOUT N...

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2021 conversation with Ani DiFranco.  ABOUT ANI DIFRANCO Singer, songwriter, musician, producer, poet, author, spoken-word artist, activist and entrepreneur Ani DiFranco has released more than 20 independent studio albums on her own label, Right...

Lumineers front man and two-time Grammy nominee Wesley Schultz goes deep on his passion for songwriting.  PART ONE: Paul and Scott tell the harrowing tale of the Wesley Schultz interview that almost didn't happen. Plus, do you have a question for Patty Griffin, Dave Mason, or Mary Chapin Carpenter? Share it with us and you just might hear your name on an upcoming episode!  PART TWO: Our in-depth c...

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2017 conversation with Jimmy Webb.  ABOUT JIMMY WEBB Jimmy Webb emerged as a superstar songwriter and arranger in 1967 when two of his songs – The 5th Dimension’s “Up, Up and Away” and Glen Campbell’s “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” - were among...

Grammy-winning songwriter and Soul Asylum frontman Dave Pirner chats about his process, from the earliest days of the band to to the most recent album, Slowly But Shirley  PART ONE: Paul and Scott talk about movie soundtracks, music discovery, and how technology changes but the power of music endures. PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum. ABOUT DAVE PIRNER Dave Pirne...

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2021 conversation with Steve Perry.  ABOUT STEVE PERRY One of the most iconic voices in rock music history, Steve Perry is best known as the lead singer of the band Journey during the group’s most successful period. His first Top 20 pop hit as e...

GRAMMY winner Suzanne Vega talks "Luka," "Tom's Diner," her first studio album in more than a decade, and much more!  PART ONE Paul and Scott talk about the pop culture museum in Seattle, as well as Nirvana, Soundgarden, the diner in Seinfeld, canned green beans, and other important stuff.  PART TWO Scott's in-depth conversation with Suzanne Vega ABOUT SUZANNE VEGA GRAMMY winner Suzanne Vega is be...

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2021 conversation with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.  ABOUT JIMMY JAM & TERRY LEWIS With 26 Billboard #1 R&B hits and 16 Billboard #1 pop hits to their credit, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are perhaps the most influential and successful songwriting and...

Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz explains how his songwriting process has changed over the years, and offers insights into some of his songs, from early classics to recent compositions.  PART ONE: Paul and Scott discuss judging a book by its cover and their possible status as idiots.  PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with Adam Duritz ABOUT ADAM DURITZ: Songwriter Adam Duritz is best known as...

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2020 conversation with Peter Frampton.  ABOUT THIS BONUS EPISODE The exceedingly generous and gentlemanly Peter Frampton talks about David Bowie giving him his very first job; Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones getting him into a recording studio...

Drive-By Truckers co-founder Patterson Hood chats about his band, the evolution of his songwriting process, and his most recent solo album. PART ONE Water. Bed. Rock!!! PART TWO Our in-depth conversation with Patterson Hood ABOUT PATTERSON HOOD Muscle Shoals, Alabama, native Patterson Hood is best known, along with Mike Cooley, as the co-founder of the band Drive-By Truckers. Drawing from a range...

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2015 conversation with Swamp Dogg.   ABOUT SWAMP DOGG R&B cult favorite Jerry “Swamp Dogg” Williams is best known as the co-writer, with Gary U.S. Bonds, of the cross-genre classic, “She’s All I Got,” which became a Top 10 R&B single for Freddie...

Six-time Grammy winner and Toto co-founder David Paich joins us to talk about his life as a hit songwriter for his own band and others. PART ONE: Scott and Paul talk about their visit with David Paich and other bits of tomfoolery. PART TWO:  Our in-depth conversation with David Paich ABOUT DAVID PAICH: David Paich is best known as one of the founding members of Toto, and the writer of some the gro...