Sodajerker On Songwriting

Mike 'McGear' McCartney sits down with Brian and Simon at his Heswall home to discuss songs from the recent reissue of his 1974 solo album McGear via Cherry Red Records. In this wide-ranging conversation, Mike also talks in depth about songs like 'Thank U Very Much' and 'Lily The Pink' with The Scaffold, 'Woman' from his 1972 solo debut, his work on McGough & McGear, The Beatles, and growing up in Liverpool.

Country noir superstar Gretchen Peters explains the process she embarks upon when creating the cinematic and socially conscious songs that have become her calling card. In our in-depth conversation, the Nashville stalwart describes the writing of recent albums like Blackbirds and Dancing With The Beast, her classic hits for the likes of Martina McBride, Bonnie Raitt and Trisha Yearwood, and her collaborative partnership with Bryan Adams.

In this mini bonus podcast episode, Simon and Brian chat about the experience of attending the 64th Ivor Novello Awards ceremony in London on 23rd May as guests of the Ivors Academy, the independent trade body for songwriters and composers in the UK. This year’s winners included The 1975, Wiley, Deep Purple, Natasha Khan, Jonny Greenwood, Mariah Carey, Richard Ashcroft, and former podcast guest Dido (who received the award for Outstanding Song Collection).

In this very special episode, the one and only Sting talks about approaching his classic hits from a fresh perspective on his new record, My Songs. With his guitar to hand, the singular artist sits down at home in London with Simon and Brian to reveal the creative processes behind one of pop's most extraordinary catalogues.

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Rhiannon Giddens joins us to discuss her new record, There Is No Other, made in collaboration with Francesco Turrisi. During the course of this in-depth conversation, Rhiannon describes the spontaneous process fuelling their work together, the historical resonance attached to songs like 'Mama's Cryin' Long' and 'At The Purchaser's Option', and how telling these stories informs her mission as an artist.

Singer-songwriter Gaz Coombes discusses the writing of songs from his excellent solo albums, World's Strongest Man and Matador, as well as hits with his former band, Supergrass. During the conversation, Gaz explains how he develops ideas in the studio and how he has expanded his songwriting palette to include the art of 'soundwriting'.

Britt Daniel of Spoon sits down with Simon and Brian in Liverpool to talk about the writing of songs like 'I Turn My Camera On', 'The Underdog', 'The Ghost of You Lingers' and 'New York Kiss', as well as songs from the band's addictive recent offering, Hot Thoughts. During the chat, Britt plays us an early voice memo of 'Can I Sit Next To You' and explains how he develops his ideas from handheld recorder to the finished article.

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash discusses the writing of her stunning record She Remembers Everything and songs from her catalogue including 'Seven Year Ache', 'Seventh Avenue' and 'When The Master Calls The Roll'. In this inspiring conversation, Rosanne describes her relationship to prose writing, her collaborations with her husband John Leventhal, and encouragement she received from her father, the late, great, Johnny Cash.

Prefab Sprout's Paddy McAloon joins Simon and Brian to talk about the writing process behind his orchestral masterpiece I Trawl The Megahertz. In this in-depth conversation, Paddy explains the unusual situation that led to the record, how he experimented with radio dialogue, voiceover narration, and his ancient Atari computer to create its fascinating soundscapes. This episode represents Sodajerker's first ever repeat guest, with Paddy having appeared originally on episode 53.

Singer-songwriter Jamie Lawson talks about his songwriting process and hits to date, including the affecting 'Wasn't Expecting That'. Jamie also describes his time in Nashville and collaborations with songwriters like Ed Sheeran, Kim Richey and Ron Sexsmith. His next record The Years In Between is available from March 29, 2019.

In this fun conversation, Dido discusses the writing of her new album Still On My Mind and explains how she approaches the production process. In addition to talking about collaborations with brother Rollo, Brian Eno, Jon Brion and Max Martin, Dido describes the creation of global hits like 'Thank You' and 'White Flag', and the turn of events that led to being sampled on Eminem's 'Stan'.

Hozier joins Simon and Brian for a chat about the writing of his new album Wasteland, Baby! In addition to discussing songs like 'Movement', 'Almost (Sweet Music)' and his work with the great Mavis Staples on 'Nina Cried Power', the Irish singer-songwriter also revisits the writing of songs from his first album, such as 'In A Week' and the colossal hit, 'Take Me To Church'.

Celebrated record producer and songwriter Trevor Horn discusses his new album Trevor Horn Reimagines The Eighties and his work with ABC, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Grace Jones, Malcolm McLaren, Yes and Buggles. Trevor reveals how he started out in cabaret, why recording studios are still important, and the writing processes behind seminal hits like 'Video Killed the Radio Star', 'Close (to the Edit)', 'Slave to the Rhythm' and 'Owner of a Lonely Heart'.

Simon and Brian speak with one-woman hit factory Diane Warren, whose career-making songs have produced timeless collaborations with the likes of Celine Dion, Aerosmith, Cher, LeAnn Rimes and Toni Braxton. In this episode, Diane talks about her work ethic, her approach to 'method songwriting', and writing her latest Oscar contender 'I'll Fight', as performed by Jennifer Hudson for the Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary, RBG.

Mike Posner, the singer-songwriter, poet, rapper and record producer behind global successes like 'I Took A Pill In Ibiza' and 'Cooler Than Me', discusses the writing of his biggest hits as well as the creative process behind his moving new album A Real Good Kid. Mike also talks about his work on songs for the likes of Justin Bieber, Nick Jonas and Maroon 5.

Simon and Brian visit synth maestro Howard Jones to talk about the writing behind two of his seminal solo albums, Human's Lib and Dream Into Action, newly remastered and expanded by Cherry Red Records. In addition to songs like 'What Is Love?', 'New Song', 'Hide and Seek', 'Things Can Only Get Better' and 'Like To Get To Know You Well', Howard talks about his classic synth setup, performing at Live Aid, and his work on Transform, a new electronic album due this year.

The great Elvis Costello sits down with Simon and Brian in Liverpool for an in-depth conversation about the writing of his fantastic new album Look Now including modern classics like 'Under Lime', 'Burnt Sugar Is So Bitter' and 'Stripping Paper'. During the chat, Elvis also reflects on his collaborations with Carole King, Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach and Allen Toussaint, and shares the stories behind songs like 'Oliver's Army', 'Shipbuilding', 'Everyday I Write The Book' and 'God Give Me Strength'.

Vocalist and songwriter Steve Perry joins Sodajerker in London to discuss the writing of his new album Traces as well as some of his classic hits with Journey like 'Open Arms' and 'Don't Stop Believin''. In this candid conversation, Steve talks openly about his complicated relationship with singing, the time he spent away from music, and the impetus that brought him back into the spotlight.

Legendary singer-songwriter David Crosby sits down with Simon and Brian in Manchester to discuss the writing of his stunning new album Here If You Listen as well as songs from his previous solo albums and the Crosby, Stills & Nash catalogue. In the conversation, Croz explains what he learned from songwriters like Joni Mitchell and how his collaborations with the Lighthouse and Sky Trails bands have led to one of the most productive periods of his extraordinary career.

With the release of the 'zeitgeist edition' of her hit album The Architect, Paloma Faith joins us to discuss songs like 'Loyal', 'Your Ex', 'Just Be', 'Crybaby', 'Kings and Queens' and past successes like 'Stone Cold Sober' and '30 Minute Love Affair'. Throughout the course of the conversation, Paloma reflects on the importance of collaboration, her passion for poems and lyrics, and the art of writing from experience.