Sodajerker On Songwriting

Sodajerker

Sodajerker On Songwriting is a programme devoted to the art and craft of songwriting. The show, created and hosted by the UK songwriting team Sodajerker, features interviews with some of the most successful songwriters and musicians in the world. read less

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Episode 276 - Joan As Police Woman

Episode 276 - Joan As Police Woman

Versatile singer-songwriter and producer Joan As Police Woman talks about her latest record Lemons, Limes and Orchids. During the conversation, Joan shares practical advice about taking writing workshops, creating artificial deadlines, and penning songs while riding her bicycle. She also reflects on why mentorship holds a special place in her life, and the influence of artists like Rufus Wainwright and Damon Albarn, whose work inspires her to push creative boundaries.

Episodes

Episode 276 - Joan As Police Woman

Episode 276 - Joan As Police Woman

Versatile singer-songwriter and producer Joan As Police Woman talks about her latest record Lemons, Limes and Orchids. During the conversation, Joan shares practical advice about taking writing workshops, creating artificial deadlines, and penning songs while riding her bicycle. She also reflects on why mentorship holds a special place in her life, and the influence of artists like Rufus Wainwright and Damon Albarn, whose work inspires her to push creative boundaries.

Episode 275 - Snow Patrol

Episode 275 - Snow Patrol

Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody and Johnny McDaid discuss the creative process behind the band's new record The Forest is the Path, which ventures into new territories musically and lyrically. The pair talk about the influence of literary greats like Seamus Heaney, their collaboration with producer Fraser T. Smith, and the liberating experience of writing music without constraints.

Episode 274 - Matthew Caws

Episode 274 - Matthew Caws

Nada Surf's Matthew Caws talks about the band's latest record Moon Mirror and his songwriting process through the years. The singer and guitarist shares his routine of writing before his inner critic wakes up, how recording ‘fictionalises’ an idea, the importance of small moments of encouragement and validation, and the musical epiphanies he experienced growing up in New York.

Episode 273 - Kate Nash

Episode 273 - Kate Nash

Kate Nash discusses her latest record 9 Sad Symphonies and the challenges of being a creative artist in the contemporary music industries. Among other insights, the singer-songwriter and actress talks about the importance of mental health, the power of meaningful collaboration, and her unlikely friendship with actor Danny Dyer.

Episode 272 - Will Young

Episode 272 - Will Young

Will Young tells Simon and Brian about the writing of his new record Light It Up and the various collaborations that made it possible. In this lively conversation, the singer-songwriter, actor and writer reveals that he doesn't always need to have an emotional connection to his material in order to do justice to it, and explains why it's essential to enjoy the creative process.

Episode 271 - Bat for Lashes

Episode 271 - Bat for Lashes

Bat for Lashes (aka Natasha Khan) joins Sodajerker for a conversation about her absorbing new record The Dream of Delphi, which deals with the experience of becoming a mother during the pandemic. The multi-disciplinary artist discusses her approach to composition through improvisation, how she relates creatively to her environment, and the inspiration she draws from the movies of the 1980s.

Episode 270 - Sheryl Crow

Episode 270 - Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow sits down with Simon and Brian in London to discuss her latest record Evolution and her timeless catalogue of hits. The nine-time Grammy winner reflects on the influence of her musical parents, how social issues find their way into her songs, and the power of writing on the back porch.

Episode 269 - Camila Cabello

Episode 269 - Camila Cabello

Pop superstar Camila Cabello tells Simon and Brian about the writing of her new record C,XOXO. The singer and songwriter discusses the creation of a provocative alter ego for the album, writing with Auto-Tune, collaborating with featured guests like Drake, Playboi Carti and Lil Nas X, and situating her work within the vibrant culture of Miami.

Episode 268 - Richard Thompson

Episode 268 - Richard Thompson

Folk-rock pioneer and guitar maestro Richard Thompson joins Sodajerker to discuss the artistic process behind his excellent new record Ship to Shore. In this in-depth conversation, the guitar slinging virtuoso talks about making efficient creative decisions, reliving the old songs on stage, and sharing his musical knowledge through his songwriting camp.

Episode 267 - The Lemon Twigs

Episode 267 - The Lemon Twigs

Brian and Michael D'Addario of The Lemon Twigs chat with Sodajerker about writing and producing their new record A Dream Is All We Know. The multi-talented brothers describe the challenges of working together, the art of recording on tape, and avoiding 'demo-itis'.

Episode 266 - Kings of Leon

Episode 266 - Kings of Leon

Kings of Leon's Caleb and Jared Followill talk about the writing of the band's new record Can We Please Have Fun and their creative process. In this wide-ranging conversation, the brothers discuss such topics as journalling, working intuitively, making accessible music, and being songwriting vampires.

Episode 265 - The Zutons

Episode 265 - The Zutons

Dave McCabe and Sean Payne discuss the writing process behind The Zutons' superb new record The Big Decider. This vibrant conversation delves into the band's unique sound, the blending of production work from Nile Rodgers and Ian Broudie, and the innovative lyrical techniques behind their triumphant return.

Episode 264 - Sean O'Hagan

Episode 264 - Sean O'Hagan

The wonderful Sean O'Hagan joins us to chat about the new High Llamas record Hey Panda, and his songwriting process. The acclaimed artist, producer, and arranger explores a wealth of topics including his formative work in beloved Irish band Microdisney, writing about his own life and experiences, and his insatiable appetite for new music.

Episode 263 - Gossip

Episode 263 - Gossip

Gossip's Beth Ditto and Nathan 'Brace Paine' Howdeshell discuss the creative process behind their excellent new record Real Power. The pair reflect on their near telepathic musical relationship, the ethereal mysteries of songwriting, and collaborating with the great Rick Rubin.

Episode 262 - Brittany Howard

Episode 262 - Brittany Howard

Brittany Howard talks with Simon and Brian about her arresting new record What Now and how she approaches songwriting. The singer and guitarist discusses taking risks in the studio, experimenting with rhythm, and her encounters with the legendary Prince.

Episode 261 - Sleater-Kinney

Episode 261 - Sleater-Kinney

Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney join Sodajerker to discuss their fantastic new record Little Rope and their songwriting process. The influential duo talk about song structure and arranging, their strange guitar tunings, and collaborating with producers like John Congleton and Annie Clark.

Episode 260 - Bill Ryder-Jones

Episode 260 - Bill Ryder-Jones

Singer-songwriter and producer Bill Ryder-Jones joins Sodajerker from his West Kirby studio to discuss his new record Iechyd Da, and his creative process. The Merseyside-based artist also talks about collaborating with the likes of Mick Head, taking lyrical inspiration from TV’s Eurotrash, and writing bad songs in his sleep.

Episode 259 - Feist

Episode 259 - Feist

Leslie Feist joins Simon and Brian to discuss her songwriting process and recent record Multitudes. The award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter talks about taking part in a 'Song-A-Day' challenge, bypassing judgement when writing, and how she has developed songs through live performance.

Episode 258 - Thomas Walsh

Episode 258 - Thomas Walsh

Thomas Walsh of Pugwash and The Duckworth Lewis Method joins Sodajerker to discuss his new album The Rest is History and his songwriting process. In this in-depth conversation, the Irish power pop legend talks about his origins in music, his collaborations with The Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon, and his reverence for his musical heroes like Michael Penn and Jeff Lynne.

Episode 257 - Eric Cantona

Episode 257 - Eric Cantona

Eric Cantona joins Simon and Brian to discuss his new EP I'll Make My Own Heaven, and his songwriting process. The actor, artist and former footballer talks about his need to express himself, using mistakes to create better moments, and how to rely on instinct.