Podcast

Songwriter, producer, drummer Narada Michael Walden sits down with Simon and Brian to talk about his work on pop hits like ‘How Will I Know’ (Whitney Houston); ‘We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off’ (Jermaine Stewart); ‘All American Girls’ (Sister Sledge); ‘Freeway of Love’ (Aretha Franklin) and his solo work on songs like ‘I Shoulda Loved Ya’ and ‘Divine Emotions’.

Seven time Grammy award winning jazz/pop artist Al Jarreau spends an hour with Simon and Brian talking about the writing of songs like ‘Boogie Down’, ‘Breakin’ Away’, ‘Mornin”, ‘Roof Garden’ and the theme from TV’s ‘Moonlighting’ among others. The trio are also joined by Al’s musical director, Joe Turano, who offers further insights into Al’s songwriting process.

Mike Stoller of legendary songwriting team Leiber and Stoller joins Simon and Brian for a conversation about the writing of timeless songs like ‘Hound Dog’, ‘Jailhouse Rock’, ‘Yakety Yak’, ‘Love Potion No.9′ and ‘Stand By Me’ among others.

Neil Innes of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Monty Python and The Rutles joins Simon and Brian for a conversation about songwriting, comedy, children’s television, and the writing of unforgettable songs like ‘Death Cab for Cutie’, ‘How Sweet to be an Idiot’, ‘I’m the Urban Spaceman’ and ‘Eine Kleine Middle Klasse Musik’ among others.

Allee Willis, the Grammy award winning songwriter and multimedia artist behind such classic songs as ‘Boogie Wonderland’, ‘September’, ‘In The Stone’, ‘Can’t Let Go’ and ‘Let Your Feelings Show’ (Earth, Wind & Fire); ‘I’ll Be There for You’ (the theme from Friends); ‘I Shoulda Loved Ya’ (Narada Michael Walden); ‘What Have I Done to Deserve This?’ (Pet Shop Boys); ‘Stir It Up’ (Patti LaBelle) and ‘Neutron Dance’ (The Pointer Sisters), joins Simon and Brian for a conversation about the art and craft of songwriting and her fascinating career.

Kenny Loggins and Nashville greats Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr aka Blue Sky Riders join Simon and Brian for a conversation about their exciting new band and distinguished songwriting careers. Kenny also tells the stories behind some of his most celebrated songs including ‘I’m Alright’, ‘Footloose’, ‘This is It’ and ‘What a Fool Believes’.

Andy Partridge of XTC and The Dukes of Stratosphear joins Simon and Brian for a conversation about the writing of some of his greatest songs, including ‘Senses Working Overtime’, ‘Love on a Farmboy’s Wages’, ‘Ballet for a Rainy Day’, ‘Scarecrow People’ and ‘Brainiac’s Daughter’ among many others. With his guitar at hand, Andy talks Sodajerker through his writing process in a way only he can!

Simon and Brian welcome Seattle based singer-songwriter Shawn Smith (Brad, Satchel, Pigeonhed) to the show to talk about the writing of some of his most enduring songs, including ‘Screen’, ’20th Century’, ‘Land of Gold’ and ‘Wrapped in My Memory’. In this interview, Shawn speaks about his solo career, his numerous band projects, and his collaborations with Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam.

Simon and Brian talk to legendary songwriting team Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil about their incredible career from the Brill Building era to the present day, and the writing of songs like ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin”, ‘On Broadway’, ‘Saturday Night at the Movies’, ‘We Gotta Get Out Of This Place’, ‘Don’t Know Much’, ‘Just Once’, ‘Here You Come Again’ and ‘Somewhere Out There’.

Simon and Brian talk to five-time Ivor Novello winning songwriter, composer, conductor, arranger and producer Mike Batt about his diverse career including projects like The Wombles, The Hunting of the Snark and the writing of hit songs like ‘Bright Eyes’ (from Watership Down) and ‘The Closest Thing to Crazy’ (Katie Melua).

Simon and Brian talk to legendary American songwriter Jimmy Webb about the writing of classic songs like ‘By The Time I Get To Phoenix’, ‘Wichita Lineman’ and ‘MacArthur Park’.

In the third episode of Sodajerker on Songwriting, Simon and Brian talk to Grammy nominated and two-time Ivor Novello winning songwriter Sacha Skarbek (James Blunt, Adele, Duffy, Jason Mraz) about his work as co-writer of a range of recent pop hits including James Blunt’s worldwide no. 1 ‘You’re Beautiful’.

In the second episode of Sodajerker on Songwriting, Simon and Brian talk with writer/artist/producer Todd Rundgren (Nazz, Utopia, Meat Loaf, XTC) about his approach to the art form and the writing of hit songs like ‘Hello it’s Me’, ‘I Saw the Light’ and ‘It Wouldn’t Have Made any Difference’.

In the first episode of Sodajerker on Songwriting, co-hosts Simon Barber and Brian O’Connor introduce the podcast and talk to Grammy winning songwriter Billy Steinberg about the many pop classics he has written, including ‘Like A Virgin’ (Madonna), ‘True Colors’ (Cyndi Lauper), ‘Eternal Flame’ (The Bangles) and ‘I Drove All Night’ (Roy Orbison).