Interviews | Songwriting Magazine

Introducing… OUTLYA

October 19, 2017 in Features, Interviews

This talented trio have the bombastic pop tunes to match their ambition, it’s a potent formula which should guarantee success… Tags: Henry Kilmister, Kanye West, OUTLYA, Radiohead, Rihanna, The Beatles, Will Bloomfield, Willem Olenski

Interview: Nicky Holland

October 16, 2017 in Features, Interviews

We recently caught up with a songwriter whose resume includes Tears For Fears, John Hughes and a successful solo career… Tags: Andy Partridge, Bananarama, Burt Bacharach, Carole King, Circle Of One, Cyndi Lauper, David Byrne, Donald Fagen, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Fun Boy Three, George Gershwin, Hal David, Hat Full of Stars, I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself, John Hughes, Kate St. John, My Best Friend’s Wedding, New York Inside My Head, Nobody's Girl, Randy Newman, Rickie Lee Jones, Seeds Of Love album, Sense and Sensuality, Talk Talk, Talking Heads, Tears For Fears, The Blue Nile, The Ravishing Beauties, The Rhythm Of Life, Tom Waits, Virginia Astley, Waiting For The Train, XTC

Interview: Dave Stewart

October 15, 2017 in Features, Interviews

This synth-pop legend tells us all about the journey which has led him to release an album of country duets… Tags: Alison Krauss, Annie Lennox, Blackbird Studio, Bootsy Collins, Dave Stewart, Deee-Lite, Eurythmics, Feargal Sharkey, Hillary Lindsey, Jessie Baylin, Jon Bon Jovi, Jon McBrid, Joss Stone, Lady Miss Kier, Martina McBride, Reece Witherspoon, Ringo Starr, Stevie Nicks, The Spiritual Cowboys

Interview: Dhani Harrison

October 12, 2017 in Features, Interviews

The son of the Beatles guitarist takes a break from his many projects to finally release his debut solo album… Tags: Anoushka Shankar, Ben Harper, Beth Gibbons, Bristol, Davide Rossi, Dhani Harrison, Fistful Of Mercy, Geoff Barrow, George Harrison, Jack Leonard, James Lavelle, Jim Keltner, Jonathan Bates, Jonny Greenwood, Joseph Arthur, Learning To Drive, Martina Topley-Bird, Massive Attack, Mereki Beach, Paul Hicks, Portishead, Portmeirion, Ravi Shankar, Ryan David, Seattle Road, The Beatles, The Beatles Anthology, The Prisoner, Thenewno2, Thom Yorke, Tricky, UNKLE, Wu-Tang Clan

Interview: Starsailor’s James Walsh

October 2, 2017 in Features, Interviews

The post-Britpop, indie frontman talks about how he writes songs for the band, for pop stars and for music libraries… Tags: Bee Gees, Cooking Vinyl, Curtis Mayfield, Iain Archer, James, James Walsh, Mel C, Melanie C, Modest Management, Starsailor, Suzanne Vega, The Charlatans, Wigan, Will Morgan, Wonderland

Interview: Judith Owen

September 29, 2017 in Features, Interviews

The Welsh singer-songwriter tells us about her evolving relationship with her songs and their role in her battle against depression… Tags: Harry Shearer, House Of Blues, Judith Owen, Richard Thompson, Somebody's Child, Twanky Records, Welsh

Interview: Wilko Johnson

September 26, 2017 in Features, Interviews

We caught up with a songwriting legend, one whose influence began over 40 years ago and is still felt today… Tags: Bo Diddley, Bob Dylan, Dr Dupree, Going Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited, I Keep It To Myself, Jean-Jacques Burnel, Joe Strummer, Lee Brilleaux, Lee Brilleaux: Rock ‘n’ Roll Gentleman, Sex Pistols, She Does It Right, The Clash, The Stranglers, Wilko Johnson, Zoe Howe

How I wrote ‘Luka’ by Suzanne Vega

September 21, 2017 in Features, Interviews

The legendary folk-pop singer-songwriter tells the remarkable story behind her song that tackled the subject of child abuse head on… Tags: Lou Reed, Luka, New York, Suzanne Vega

Interview: Tony Visconti (Part Two)

September 21, 2017 in Features, Interviews

In the second half of this special extended interview feature, the respected US producer and songwriter reveals more fascinating insights… Tags: Damon Albarn, Daphne Guinness, David Bowie, Dr Dre, Holly Macve, Jane's Addiction, Kristeen Young, Marc Bolan, Mick Ronson, Mick Woodmansey, Morrissey, Paul McCartney, Perry Farrell, Pharrell, Phil Lynott, Sky Arts, T Rex, Thin Lizzy, Trent Reznor, Tyrannosaurus Rex

Interview: Jon Stevens

September 15, 2017 in Features, Interviews

We meet the Antipodean rock singer and Noiseworks/INXS frontman who went from teenage superstar to Jesus Christ Superstar and beyond… Tags: CBS, Dave Stewart, INXS, Jeff Barry, Jon Stevens, Lance Reynolds, Noiseworks, Richard Perry, The Dead Daisies, Trevor Lawrence

How I wrote ‘I’m Too Sexy’ by Right Said Fred

September 9, 2017 in Features, Interviews

Having inspired Taylor Swift’s new single, the Fairbrass brothers reveal all about the creation of their shirtless 1991 smash hit… Tags: Alvin and the Chipmunks, Brian Pugsley, Fred Fairbrass, Fruitella, Gary Crowley, Graham Bonnet, Heaven 17, Ian Craig Marsh, Richard Fairbrass, Right Said Fred, Rob Manzoli, Saint Etienne, Taylor Swift, The Smurfs 2, TommyD

Interview: Tony Visconti (Part One)

September 7, 2017 in Features, Interviews

In this first half of a bumper feature, the legendary American producer reveals some fascinating insights into Bowie and Bolan… Tags: Adam Ant, Biddu, Boomtown Rats, David Bowie, Decca, Denny Cordell, Deram Records, Iggy Pop, Joe Cocker, Kaiser Chiefs, Kristeen Young, Manic Street Preachers, Marc Almond, Marc Bolan, Morrissey, Prefab Sprout, Ralph McTell, Richard Barone, Sparks, Steve Peregrin Took, T Rex, The Incredible String Band, The Moody Blues, The Stranglers, Thin Lizzy, Tony Visconti, Tyrannosaurus Rex

Interview: Hue And Cry

August 30, 2017 in Features, Interviews

We hear both sides of the story behind the emergence of the 80s blue-eyed soul pop brothers from North Lanarkshire… Tags: A Certain Ratio, Berkeley Street Studios, Elvis Costello, Gang Of Four, Greg Kane, Hue And Cry, Ian Dury, Joe Jackson, Joe Strummer, John Brunner, Pat Kane, Scritti Politti, The Vikes, The Winning Losers

Sodajerker presents… Declan McKenna

August 17, 2017 in Features, Interviews

The dynamic duo, Simon and Brian, are joined by a talented young musician with a penchant for writing political songs… Tags: ABBA, Blossoms, Declan Mckenna, James Ford

Interview: Carly Paoli

August 3, 2017 in Features, Interviews

We chat to a classical singer whose alluring debut album features her own lyrics and a duet with José Carreras… Tags: Bonnie Tyler, Carly Paoli, classical, Don Black, Grant Black, James Horner, José Carreras, Liz Hetherington, Mia Martini, Pope Francis, Romano Musumarra, Royal Northern College of Music, Shirley Bassey, The Roman Forum

Sodajerker presents… Jason Isbell

July 26, 2017 in Features, Interviews

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist joins Simon and Brian in London to mark the milestone of their 100th podcast episode… Tags: Drive By Truckers, Fame Studios, Jason Isbell, Nashville

Interview: Love Ssega

July 19, 2017 in Features, Interviews

With a new EP being released later this year, we caught up with the fast-rising songwriter to discuss his influences… Tags: Clean Bandit, Hugh Worskett, Jack Patterson, Jack Savidge, Love Ssega, Marvin Gaye, Mozart's House, Olugbenga Adelekan, PRS for Music Foundation, Warren Zevon

Interview: Maxïmo Park’s Duncan Lloyd

July 11, 2017 in Features, Interviews

The alt-rock band’s founder, guitarist and songwriter talks of his continuing solo projects and occasional detours into the avant-garde As… Tags: Decade In Exile, Duncan Lloyd, Maximo Park, Paul Smith, The Velvet Underground

Interview: The Doors’ Robby Krieger

June 28, 2017 in Features, Interviews

We chat to The Doors guitarist and songwriter about his time in one of the most influential bands on earth… Tags: Acapulco Gold, Burt Bacharach, Danny Kalb, How I wrote, Jim Morrison, L.A. Woman, Light My Fire, Love Me Two Times, Muddy Waters, Paul Rothchild, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, The Blues Project, The Doors, The End

Sodajerker presents… Jack Savoretti

June 27, 2017 in Features, Interviews

Our podcasting duo meet the Anglo-Italian troubadour to hear the story behind that gravelly voice and his breakneck writing-recording process… Tags: Bob Dylan, Jack Savoretti, Jon Green, Kelly Joe Phelps, Paul Simon, Ray LaMontagne

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