Podcast

To kick off 2018, Simon and Brian sit down with actress and singer-songwriter Rita Wilson to talk about her journey into songwriting, her recent eponymous album, collaborations with a range of world-class writers both in LA and Nashville, and her live music series: Liner Notes: Songwriters, Stories and Music with Rita Wilson and Friends.

This special episode features a sit down with legendary British songwriter Noel Gallagher who talks about his approach to writing the new High Flying Birds album Who Built The Moon? as well as classic Oasis songs like ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’ and ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’. In describing his work, Noel likens the discipline of songwriting to fishing, and, in that way only he can, expresses his distaste for artists who rely on songwriting teams.

In this episode, Simon and Brian visit the Ealing studios of celebrated UK producer and songwriter Naughty Boy (aka Shahid Khan) for a chat about the writing and production behind songs like ‘Diamond Rings’, ‘Clown’, ‘Wonder’, ‘La La La’ and ‘Runnin’ (Lose it All)’. Naughty Boy also talks about his long-standing writing partnership with Emeli Sandé, working with other luminaries like Beyoncé, and completing his next album.

We sit down with Emeli Sandé in her London studio to talk about the excellent new EP Kingdom Coming and a host of classic songs from throughout her career, including ‘Clown’, ‘Heaven’, ‘Diamond Rings’, ‘Read All About It, Pt III’, ‘Hurts’ and the transcendent smash ‘Next To Me’. Emeli also talks about her songwriting collaborations with artists like Naughty Boy and Alicia Keys.

Singer-songwriter Jake Bugg joins Simon and Brian in London to talk about the writing of his new record Hearts That Strain and songs from throughout his career to date, including: ‘How Soon The Dawn’, ‘Waiting’, ‘Southern Rain’, ‘The Man On Stage’, ‘Two Fingers’, ‘Slumville Sunrise’ and ‘Gimme The Love’. Jake also reflects on the co-writing process and his time working with people like Brendan Benson, Mike Crossey and Rick Rubin.

In this special episode, Yusuf aka Cat Stevens meets with Simon and Brian in London for a chat about the writing of his new record The Laughing Apple and classic songs from his back catalogue. Songs discussed include: ‘Matthew & Son’, ‘The First Cut Is The Deepest’, ‘Wild World’, ‘Father and Son’, ‘Moonshadow’, ‘(Remember The Days Of The) Old Schoolyard’, ‘Heaven/Where True Love Goes’ and ‘Mighty Peace’.

In this episode, Gary Numan joins Sodajerker in Liverpool for a conversation about the writing of his latest album Savage: Songs from a Broken World including ‘My Name is Ruin’ and ‘Ghost Nation’. Gary also explains his precise approach to lyric writing, why he couldn’t care less about analogue versus digital, and the stories behind classics like ‘Listen to the Sirens’, ‘Are ‘Friends’ Electric?’ and ‘Cars’.

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks sit down with Simon and Brian in London to discuss the writing of their terrific new album Hippopotamus. The brothers describe the processes behind the music and lyrics of songs like ‘What The Hell Is It This Time?’, ‘Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me)’ and ‘Missionary Position’ alongside classics from their catalogue like ‘My Baby’s Taking Me Home’, ‘When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way” and ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us’.

Multi-talented singer-songwriter and former Men At Work frontman Colin Hay talks with Simon and Brian about the writing of his excellent recent album Fierce Mercy. During the episode, Colin reflects on his writing partnership with Michael Giorgiades and tells the stories behind a cornucopia of stunning songs from his back catalogue like ‘Down Under’, ‘Who Can It Be Now?’, ‘Overkill’, ‘Waiting For My Real Life To Begin’, ‘Oh California’, ‘Send Somebody’ and ‘If I Had Been A Better Man’.

Singer-songwriter Imelda May sits down with Simon and Brian in Liverpool for a chat about the writing of her recent album Life Love Flesh Blood including songs like ‘Black Tears’, ‘Should’ve Been You’, ‘Leave Me Lonely’ and ‘The Girl I Used To Be’. Imelda also talks about her collaboration with producer T Bone Burnett, co-writing in Nashville, and songs from previous albums like ‘Mayhem’ and ‘It’s Good To Be Alive’.

Rising star Declan McKenna talks to Sodajerker about the writing of his fantastic debut album, What Do You Think About The Car?, including the songs ‘Humongous’, ‘Isombard’, ‘Paracetamol’ and ‘Brazil’. Declan also reflects on the process of being socially and politically aware in his music.

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist Jason Isbell joins Simon and Brian in London to mark the milestone of the 100th Sodajerker podcast. Jason talks about the writing of his incredible new record, The Nashville Sound, classic songs from his solo and Drive-By Truckers periods, how TV’s Hoarders impacted upon the new album, and the songwriting significance of the humble weed vape.