Podcast

Musical polymath Jacob Collier meets Simon and Brian in London halfway through the expansive four volume Djesse series to discuss his approach to songwriting and creativity. Jacob explains how he reconciles his vision for the project alongside the contributions of guests and how deadlines help to narrow down the infinite possibilities that musical ideas present to him.

Lightning Seeds frontman and celebrated songwriter Ian Broudie joins Sodajerker to mark the 25th anniversary of his classic album Jollification. In this in-depth conversation, Ian details his approach to songwriting and production, how Liverpool informs his musical creativity, and his experiences working with local acts like Echo and the Bunnymen, The Coral and The Zutons.

Simon and Brian visit singer-songwriter, pianist and broadcaster Jamie Cullum at home to discuss the writing of his dynamic new album Taller. Jamie reveals how focusing on lyrics first helped him to write more personal songs, why boredom can be the songwriter’s most useful tool, and the challenges of remaining creative and confident in the modern world.

Louisa Roach of She Drew The Gun sits down with Simon and Brian at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool to discuss the writing of songs from her first two albums Memories of Another Future (2016) and Revolution of Mind (2018). Louisa talks about the importance of prose writing and spoken word in her work, her collaborative relationship with The Coral’s James Skelly, and how the sci-fi genre has acted as an effective vehicle to mobilise her political views.

Kasabian’s Serge Pizzorno joins Sodajerker in London to discuss the writing of his excellent debut solo album The SLP. In addition to talking about the creation of his new alter ego, and his work with the band, Serge explains how he captures ideas on the move, how he uses sounds to write in the studio, and why using broken equipment works for him.

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 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.