The Song Saloon | Songwriting, Live Performance, & New Music Discovery

Today's episode features Kat Sophia! Kat Sophia is an Orange County / LA based artist. We talk about her journey in overcoming her "people pleaser" mentality and cultural blocks to pursuing a career as an artist. 00:00 Introduction to the Song Saloon 00:34 Kat Sophia's Musical Journey 01:49 The Story Behind 'Fade Away' 10:10 Songwriting Process and Inspiration 16:12 Overcoming Personal and Cultural Barriers in Music 20:09 Community and Affirmation 28:10 Exploring Self-Indulgence and Connection Through Art 33:44 Kat Sophia's Production Experience and Future Plans 42:47 Closing Thoughts and Goodbyes Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

This episode of the Song Saloon features Mike McClellan, a Burbank-based songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. McClellan shares insights into his approach to songwriting as a music producer, and why he writes while working so heavily in production. He discusses the impact of working on his song 'The Afterlife,' a piece inspired by the pandemic, highlighting the new life it took on post pandemic with its abstract and universal themes. Mike and Jordan exchange thoughts on the lyricism, melody, and the process of song creation, including working with unusual time signatures. We also chat about the shortcomings of streaming platforms, detailing Mike's experience with his music being removed from Spotify due to bot-generated streams and the lack of support from distribution and streaming companies. They conclude with a discussion on the importance of building genuine connections with an audience beyond streaming numbers. This episode offers a look into the complexities of modern songwriting, production, and navigating the digital music landscape. 00:00 Welcome to the Song Saloon: Introducing Mike McClellan 00:27 Getting to Know Mike: the Masterful Multifaceted Musician 01:18 Balancing Songwriting and Production 04:28 Exploring the Abstract in Songwriting 05:51 Lyrics in 'The Afterlife' 07:44 Live Performance 11:04 Song Structure 19:40 Exploring Musical Influences and Time Signatures 20:35 "Comfortable" Writing Music 21:42 The Maya Principle: Balancing Novelty and Comfort 32:12 Building Your Fanbase 37:58 Final Thoughts and Future Projects Follow Mike McClellan Listen to "The Afterlife" on Spotify Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

This episode is with incredible Kent, England raised Los Angeles based artist named Georgia Parker on her song "Twin Flame." "Twin Flame" is a single off her upcoming album this year! Georgia's bio: Los Angeles based songwriter and storyteller from Kent, England, Georgia Parker places an emphasis on powerful vocal performances and poignant lyricism to draw out an emotive response from her listener. She has been releasing music and performing around the US since moving to the States at 18. Her unique tone and emotive delivery have proved to set her apart as an artist, akin to legends such as Joni Mitchell and Alanis Morrisette. She is currently finishing up an album to be released next year. This is one of my favorite live performances to ever grace the podcast, you don't want to miss it! Follow Georgia Parker Listen to Twin Flame on Spotify Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

In this episode of the Song Saloon, we explore the songwriting process and inspirations with indie pop singer-songwriter Casey Conroy, originally from Orlando, Florida. Casey discusses her journey in the music industry, her approach to songwriting, and the story behind her song 'Glad You Hate Me.' We talk about Casey's collaborative relationship with her partner and producer Willy, the importance of being authentic in the creative process, and staying emotionally connected to music through writing & recording. Listen to "Glad You Hate Me" Follow Casey Conroy Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

Inside Story: The Making of 'Rest of My Life' by Jacob Khalil New York based artist Jacob Khalil discusses his song, 'Rest of My Life', explaining that it was created with the intent of engaging audiences in a sing-along during live performances, much like The Beatles' 'Hey Jude'. He also shares insights into the song's development and production, which included collaboration with a Los Angeles-based producer, Jacob Sigmund. Jacob Khalil discusses the extensive touring plans he has coming up and his emphasis on building a contactable fan base through an ever changing social media climate. Follow Jacob Khalil Listen to "Rest of My Life" 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:28 Discussing Previous Podcast and Live Performance 01:22 Introduction to 'Rest of My Life' 01:29 The Inspiration and Creation of 'Rest of My Life' 02:33 Engaging the Audience and the Power of Sing-along 05:07 The Magic of Timeless Songs 07:31 Live Performance of 'Rest of My Life' 11:46 Post-Performance Discussion and Reflection 13:21 The Production Process of 'Rest of My Life' 16:47 The Importance of Loving Your Work 18:28 The Value of Personal Connection and Email Lists 20:02 Closing Remarks and New York Vibes 20:29 New Year's Eve Experience in Times Square 21:19 The Energy of Crowds and Shared Experiences 21:42 New Year's Gigs 21:55 Songwriting Process and Inspiration 23:23 The Evolution of a Song's Hook 24:25 The Struggle of Choosing the Right Melody 28:06 The Importance of Authenticity in Songwriting 29:05 The Journey to Finding One's Unique Sound 33:26 The Quest for Authenticity in Music 33:34 Upcoming Performances and Projects 35:51 Closing Remarks and Goodbyes Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

Meet Fresh Hot Waffles, the witchiest folk duo in the west! Fresh Hot Waffles consists of LA based artists Maddi Fraser and Ryan Spitzel. In this episode, the duo dives into their songwriting process and talk about how to stay inspired as a songwriter, and where they find inspiration. The discussion ranges from the challenges of writing upbeat songs, the influence of improv comedy and emotional experiences in lyric writing, and how to put the witchy in witchy folk! 'Monsters Aren't Scary' is about choosing life and love over our shortcomings. Be on the lookout for their new EP this year!! Follow Fresh Hot Waffles 00:00 Introduction 00:35 Meet the Band: Fresh Hot Waffles 01:31 Discussing the Song 'Monsters Aren't Scary' 03:44 Songwriting Process and Evolution 04:58 Live Performance: Monsters Aren't Scary 07:39 Post-Performance Discussion and Musical Influences 10:21 Balancing Projects and Band Commitments 12:55 The Band's Formation and Songwriting Collaboration 19:40 Future Plans and Touring Aspirations 25:34 Navigating Creative Blocks and Performance Anxiety 28:33 Song Inspiration and Writing Techniques 29:36 The Power of Community in Music 29:56 WRITING LYRICS 30:34 The Influence of Joni Mitchell 31:56 The Art of Songwriting 33:40 The Emotional Journey of a Songwriter 34:00 The Challenge of Writing Upbeat Songs 37:58 Emotions in Songwriting 42:15 The Story Behind 'Monsters Aren't Scary' 46:21 The Artwork of 'Monsters Aren't Scary' Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

Meet Wendy Parr! I first met Wendy at NAMM where she gave a fantastic workshop on artistic branding. Talk about branding can sometimes feel fake or like you’re going against your better judgement to sell something, but what I love about her approach is how natural it becomes. It's about getting to the heart of what YOU love and care about as an artist, and making steps to show that side of yourself more consistently. In this episode, Wendy Parr and I discuss the importance of recognizing one's individual sound and style, as well as the role of artistic development in songwriting. We talk about personal growth, navigating the music industry, and how to continue evolving as an artist. This is a special episode as we aren't featuring a song, instead we dive deep on songwriting, getting to know yourself as an artist, and preparing to produce your best work! Follow Wendy Parr Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

LA based artist Austin Carr joins the Song Saloon to talk about Cool Kid. The song lyrics have a lot to do with Los Angeles. Austin expresses his frustration with the prevalent attitude in LA to be in the "in" crowd and what people are willing to do to get there. As he was writing the song, he realized with regret that he is guilty of a lot of the behavior he started out trying to criticize. It's a really great blend of emotions and makes for great songwriting. Hope you enjoy the episode! Listen to Cool Kid Follow Austin Carr Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

Happy Holidays! Well, here it is folks. The last episode of The Song Saloon for 2023! This episode of The Song Saloon welcomes guest Robert Ballantyne Willis, a classically trained cellist, music producer and audio engineer, to discuss the production process of the Jordan Smith Reynolds holiday single 'Auld Lang Syne'. The duo go deep into music production, including the quick turn-around time for this project, and the creative solutions employed to achieve the final product. They cover various production elements such as adding vocals, string quartet arrangements, backing vocals, employing AI tools for certain instrument sounds, and the thought process behind their decisions. They also discuss Robert's recent album release under the project name Tampico Lasting Love. See you in 2024! Follow Robert Ballantyne Willes Follow Tampico Lasting Love Listen to "Auld Lang Syne" by Jordan Smith Reynolds 00:11 Introduction and Guest Bio 01:55 Discussing Robert's Music and Album 04:19 The Making of Auld Lang Syne 19:51 The Role of AI in Music Production 30:13 Final Thoughts and Wrap Up Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

This episode's featured song is "Gold" by Lennon Vanderdoes. Lennon Vanderdoes is a Phoenix based singer-songwriter. You may have seen Lennon recently tearing it up on The Voice. He moved John Legend to tears with his rendition of Jason Mraz's "I Won't Give Up." On the episode, Lennon discusses his method for creating songs from raw personal experiences like growing up in the Mormon church, marrying young, and divorcing in his early twenties. He also talks about his evolution as a songwriter, and how what he writes about has changed over time. Lennon also sheds light on his process for recording and promoting his music, including the balance between perfection and authenticity in recording. Lennon just released a new holiday song titled 'December in Phoenix,' make sure to check it out! Listen to Lennon Vanderdoes on Spotify Go to Lennon's Website Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

This week, I met up with Mara Sol, a singer, songwriter and producer from Coachella Valley, California. From a young age, Mara has been immersed in musical theater, classical voice training and has now found her way into songwriting. Mara Sol is influenced by artists like James Taylor and Fleetwood Mac. In this episode, we discuss her song 'Take Me Home', a collaboration with songwriter and guitarist Tom Sless. Mara also discusses her career in marketing and how she made her way to songwriting around the time of the pandemic, and shares how it has become an important outlet for her to express and understand her emotions. Listen to Mara Sol on Spotify Follow Mara Sol Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

Excited to have Brother James on this week’s episode. I recently wrote a song with Brother James that I’m really excited about! Brother James is the artist project of singer-songwriter Justin Sinclair. His songs, deeply influenced by classic songwriters like McCartney and Randy Newman, authors like Leo Tolstoy and Aristotle, and monasticism. His songs feature honest self-reflection. Brother James discusses how his songs document his pursuit of truth and attempt to express love for other people. He also gives insights into some of his most personal songs, 'Sunset and Slow Moving Days' and 'Love Everybody'. The songwriter discusses the difficulty of translating knowledge into practical actions, dealing with self-criticism and shares his plans for future releases. The song is out now, please go check it out! Listen to Sunsets and Slow Moving Days on Spotify Follow Brother James Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

Meljii has the soundtrack for your autumn adventure! Meljii writes music for recreational readers. Her music contains clever, playful, verbose lyrics over a unique blend of funky indie rock grooves with jazz-influenced harmonies. Aside from being a songwriter, Meljii is a music school-trained session player specializing in bass, guitar, and guitar-like instruments. She has lived and traveled all over the world, as a Navy brat and also someone who just gets bored easily, having lived in Japan for 4 years and Spain for 1. Her song “frog and toad” is a celebration of autumn, friendship, and the art of noticing. Meljii is a frequent collaborator with my music as both a songwriter and performer. Hope you enjoy the episode! Listen to Frog and Toad on Spotify Follow Meljii Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

Ethan Buckner is an activist and singer-songwriter, but only recently has found a way to fuse those two major roles in his life. Ethan helped organize the March to End Fossil Fuels held this March in New York City, where about 75,000 people showed up! After an A list headliner artist didn’t work out, Ethan flew his band in, rehearsed the morning of the march, and performed his new and extremely fitting single "Eyes on the Prize." Be sure to look for his upcoming single "Treading Water" out on November 3rd! Here’s his artist bio: There was that time he was detained by the Egyptian military, accused of being an American spy. Or the time he repelled off a massive highway bridge protesting big oil. Or the time he chained himself to the Oakland police department headquarters after yet another unarmed Black man was murdered by cops. Harrowing true story after story, LA indie folk/pop troubadour and activist Ethan Buckner has seen it all. Through trauma and triumph, anxiety and hope, Ethan has always turned to songwriting to try and make sense of it. His forthcoming debut LP Treading Water, produced by grammy-nominee Justin Glasco (Paris Paloma, Lone Bellow), weaves between moments both intimate and anthemic, exploring struggles that are both deeply personal and unavoidably collective. Hope you enjoy the episode! Listen to "Eyes on the Prize" by Ethan Buckner. Follow Ethan Buckner March to End Fossil Fuels Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

I met Rachel Siegel at the ASCAP experience where her song was selected for feedback by a panel of professional songwriters. I loved her songwriting and vocal performance, and I'm excited to introduce you to her now! Music as a means to heal is not a new concept but Rachel Siegel, a New Jersey native, certainly represents it uniquely. Rachel’s story is one of grief, struggle, and overcoming. She invites us into this journey through her fervent but approachable pop music. An artist who writes for other artists, after earning her degree in songwriting from Berklee College of Music, Siegel started her career helping other people tell their stories. However, in 2020, when the world shut down, she decided it was time to tell her own. Rachel’s debut album, Heart Injuries Are Cumulative, came out last year and is looking forward to releasing new music through 2023. Follow Rachel Siegel Listen on Spotify Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

This episode brought to you by nepotism! But seriously, Guy Richey Gibbons may be my cousin but he is also an incredible songwriter/producer! Guy released his debut album "In this Moment" just last year, but he didn’t stay in that moment for long. He’s gearing up to release a full second album, with several singles already released! In this episode, Guy gives an exclusive preview of his song "Love Somebody," which is scheduled for release on September 22nd. I’ll include the fully recorded version to the episode at that time, but you should just go stream it wherever you listen to music, yeah??? Hope y’all take the message to heart. Go make the world a better place! Follow Guy Richey Gibbons Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

Hannah Siglin is an accomplished folk singer-songwriter, classically trained guitarist, and professional "singing garden fairy!" Her love of nature is a common theme in her work, particularly in "Persimmon." She keeps a very busy schedule performing in wineries, breweries, and other venues in the Spokane region. This episode we really dive into the craft, and Hannah walks us through some of her choices with guitar in hand. Enjoy this look at Hannah's upcoming, unreleased song "Persimmon." Follow Hannah Siglin Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

Conner Cherland talks about his new single "Drugs," off of his first ever full length album, recently crowdfunded for $15,000! We talk about the process of creating an album, crowdfunding, writing songs with a new instrument, and the story behind the song. As Conner describes in the episode, “drugs” isn’t a song title that many who know Conner would expect. It’s less about drugs and more about how we change as we get older. Listen to Drugs by Conner Cherland on Spotify Follow Conner Cherland Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

Elthia is an artist in every sense of the word. It was fascinating to hear all the thought and planning that goes into her process. We talk in the episode about her focus on building a world for her artist project that both she and her fans get to inhabit. Enjoy stepping into the world of Elthia! Artist bio: Singer-songwriter Elthia creates indie pop music that leaves her listeners marveling at her wordplay and vibing to her ethereal, dreamy style. She enhances her artistic image by creating wearable art pieces, using dripping candles, demitasse spoons, and skeletal claws, all featured in her music videos. In October 2020, Elthia’s debut single, “i love you but you make me cry” went viral, generating millions of streams and creating a fanbase eager for her following releases. Listen to wildfire on Spotify Follow Elthia Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram

We cover A LOT of ground in this episode. Defining success in music, using music to overcome grief, live performance, setting goals, and family and community as sources of strength. Listen to Liz on Spotify Follow Taylor Sackson Support the show Song Saloon Links Join The Song Saloon Mailing List Tiktok + Instagram