Song Talk Radio | Songwriting Tips | Lyrics | Arranging | Live Feedback

For this special episode, law graduate and artist Orian Israelsohn joined us to explain all about copyright for songwriting, including the implications brought on by artificial intelligence. It’s a jam-packed episode!

PLEASE NOTE: NOT LEGAL ADVICE. Information made available for this talk is for information and educational purposes only.
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Canadian country artist Brettyn Rose joined us to talk about collaboration, traditional country, and being open about her songwriting. Download the lyrics to See it on Her to follow along.

We talked about:

Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song, and what traditional country means to Brettyn

Collaborating with Chris Yurchuck

Writing lyrics from a specific story, but being open to anyone’s experience

Saving ideas that don’t fit for another song

Once you find the hook of the song to make the rest of the songwriting really easy

When it’s a good idea to write a I-IV-V song

About Brettyn Rose

Brettyn Rose is a rising country artist with music rooted in an acoustic aesthetic, woven with honest lyrics, powerful vocals, and a hint of sparkle.… Read the rest

Canadian pop singer-songwriter Olivia Penalva joined us to talk about collaboration, abstract lyrics, and visualizing her music. Download the lyrics to Code Blue to follow along. We talked about:

Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song

Things that make for a good collaboration experience; even working remotely

Taking personal experiences and finding a metaphor and images to express them

Finding visual images for cover art or music videos in line with the songwriting

How Olivia refers to previous songs she’s written to inspire her current song

Writing, or not writing, declarative choruses

About Olivia Penalva

Olivia Penalva is a Canadian pop singer-songwriter known for her ethereal vocals, emotionally rich melodies, and introspective storytelling.… Read the rest

Dana and Harry from Secondhand Dreamcar joined us to talk about writing their blues / soul song The Meaning. Download the lyrics to follow along.

We talked about:

Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song

How the band collaborates on songwriting and instrumental arrangements

Dana tends to bring piano-based songs to the band, but not acoustic guitar

The act of ditching songs or ideas that are not working

When and how do you know when a song or idea is good?
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We chatted with Montreal-based artist Avril Jensen about writing an abstract song from personal experience. Download the lyrics to Dog (everybody learns) to follow along.

We talked about:

Songwriting Challenge 2026: Write a Traditional Country Song

Writing musically interesting melodies that are still catchy

Writing the lyrics based on personal experience with actual dogs, but maybe it’s also a metaphor for a toxic relationship

80s French Canadian band The Box

Does music theory get in your way of keeping things simple?
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