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

Leah Ashton joins the podcast to talk about her newest release, “sad girl silver bells.” It’s an EP of merrily melancholy holiday tunes with an original called “Christmas Isn’t Christmas Without You.”It’s out everywhere now, so go save it to your playlists, get a mug of hot cocoa and enjoy the episode! Listen to Christmas Without You & Add to PlaylistsFollow Leah AshtonMore About Leah:Leah Ashton is a Los Angeles-based artist with Midwestern roots whose style and sound is grounded in the combined traditions of soul, jazz, and the 60s/70s era singer-songwriter. Leah’s releases include sad girls silver bells, a new holiday EP that consists of a heartbreakingly beautiful collection of melancholy Christmas songs (released Nov. 29, 2024), her debut full-length album, Late Bloomer (Sept. 2022), and two EPs Things Better Left Unsaid (2010) and Leah Ashton (2007). Influenced by the likes of Sara Bareilles, Lake Street Dive, Jamie Cullum, and Carole King, Leah’s music draws listeners in with her powerfully soulful vocals that tell stories of self-discovery, empowerment, and chasing after one’s dreams.Send a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

In this episode of the Song Saloon, Sadie Gustafson-Zook, a Boston-nurtured, Indiana-based jazzy folk musician, talks about her journey and inspirations behind her song 'Autumn's Fragrance.' We talk about her collaboration with other musicians, her views on the music communities in different cities, and her new EP, 'What I Pushed Below.' Sadie has a live show in LA at the Harmony Room on October 19th for you LA folks!Follow Sadie Gustafson-Zook for more music, and sign up for an online voice/songwriting/guitar lesson!!"Autumn's Fragrance" is streaming now, turn off the episode and save the song and come back!00:00 Welcome to the Song Saloon00:28 Introducing Sadie Gustafsson Zuk01:55 Sadie's Live Performance05:09 The Story Behind 'Autumn's Fragrance'06:46 Exploring Songwriting Themes11:50 Recording and Collaborations13:43 Songwriting Communities: New York vs. LA20:08 Life in Goshen, Indiana21:24 Discussing the EP "What I Pushed Below"21:48 Themes and Inspirations Behind the EP22:18 Reimagining Songs and Album Titles23:40 Seasons in Songwriting28:14 Songwriting Process and Inspirations32:34 Balancing Teaching and Music Career35:04 Fiddle + Viola36:06 Final Thoughts and Upcoming ReleaseSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

Jake's lying to Anna. He's an interesting dude! Jake is a songwriter, educator, dueling pianist, podcaster, improv comedian, academic, and musical theater composer.I think you'll really enjoy this episode about Jake and his life leading up to his album "Idling High." This song is out now, make sure to follow Jake for updates on the album!Listen to the songSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

Zack Fischmann, an LA based artist, makes the bold claim that music marketing "doesn't have to suck." He does make some pretty convincing arguments, and has plenty of success to show for it, jumping from 200 followers on Instagram to 33k+ in just a few months!Magic Nothing is an evolving project with a focus on helping independent musicians develop practical skills, share resources and exchange services.Check out Magic NothingListen to Zack's music project, Marmalade Mountain! His song "Drawing Circles on the Ground" is featured at the beginning of this episode.Send a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

Lotti is the musical moniker of Filipina singer-songwriter Vealy. Lotti's aim is to create modern yet timeless music, drawing from pop, R&B, and soul influences. Her artistic mission is to heal and transform, narrating a personal journey of self-discovery and growth.Follow LottiListen to "Butterflies in My Garden"Send a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

Brad Miles is a singer/songwriter based in Texas. He’s written, played, and performed music for nearly three decades. He writes honest, heartfelt, accesible, and emotionally vulnerable Americana/Country. I do want to add a trigger warning for this episode, we do get into some heavy topics both in the song and the interview, as the song is about domestic abuse. Brad Miles’s goal as a songwriter and performer is simply to connect with others and share a moment of compassion, empathy, and understanding. Enjoy the episode!Follow Brad Miles:https://linktr.ee/bradmilesmusicListen to Stonewall: https://music.apple.com/us/album/stonewall/1719726413?i=1719726417https://open.spotify.com/track/7l2mgy8WGDl4LazGP12gan?si=169d975f6239484chttps://youtu.be/5uKCN8UxBjY?feature=sharedSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

Today's episode I meet with Jeffrey Derus, our first featured choral composer! I think you'll find there is a lot in common with songwriting and composing choral works.This featured song is performed by Choral Arts Initiative, a small ensemble choir that I sing in that exclusively performs works by living composers. We recently released a #1 Classical Billboard charting album called "The Tapestry of Becoming," and this song "The House of Belonging" is the opener. This episode, Jeff talks about his creative process, collaborating with poets including David Whyte, the poet for this piece, navigating commissions, publishing, self-education, marketing strategies, and the significance of quality recordings in the contemporary music industry.Follow Jeffrey DerusGraphite PublishingListen to "The House of Belonging"Learn More about Choral Arts InitiativeSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

Meet Cogito!I met Cogito when she played as the featured artist for Lazy River Presents in LA. This song struck me as something special, and I think you'll agree!This episode we talk about the importance of recording the world around us as a songwriter, and how to connect our conscious and subconscious mind to make deep rooted art. Listen to "There's Nothing Left to Me":SpotifyApple MusicFollow Cogito on InstagramSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

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 Saloon00:34 Kat Sophia's Musical Journey01:49 The Story Behind 'Fade Away'10:10 Songwriting Process and Inspiration16:12 Overcoming Personal and Cultural Barriers in Music20:09 Community and Affirmation28:10 Exploring Self-Indulgence and Connection Through Art33:44 Kat Sophia's Production Experience and Future Plans42:47 Closing Thoughts and GoodbyesSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + 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 McClellan00:27 Getting to Know Mike: the Masterful Multifaceted Musician01:18 Balancing Songwriting and Production04:28 Exploring the Abstract in Songwriting05:51 Lyrics in 'The Afterlife'07:44 Live Performance11:04 Song Structure19:40 Exploring Musical Influences and Time Signatures20:35 "Comfortable" Writing Music21:42 The Maya Principle: Balancing Novelty and Comfort32:12 Building Your Fanbase37:58 Final Thoughts and Future ProjectsFollow Mike McClellanListen to "The Afterlife" on SpotifySend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + 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 ParkerListen to Twin Flame on SpotifySend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + 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 ConroySend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

Inside Story: The Making of 'Rest of My Life' by Jacob KhalilNew 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 KhalilListen to "Rest of My Life"00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:28 Discussing Previous Podcast and Live Performance01:22 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-along05:07 The Magic of Timeless Songs07:31 Live Performance of 'Rest of My Life'11:46 Post-Performance Discussion and Reflection13:21 The Production Process of 'Rest of My Life'16:47 The Importance of Loving Your Work18:28 The Value of Personal Connection and Email Lists20:02 Closing Remarks and New York Vibes20:29 New Year's Eve Experience in Times Square21:19 The Energy of Crowds and Shared Experiences21:42 New Year's Gigs21:55 Songwriting Process and Inspiration23:23 The Evolution of a Song's Hook24:25 The Struggle of Choosing the Right Melody28:06 The Importance of Authenticity in Songwriting29:05 The Journey to Finding One's Unique Sound33:26 The Quest for Authenticity in Music33:34 Upcoming Performances and Projects35:51 Closing Remarks and GoodbyesSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + 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 Waffles00:00 Introduction00:35 Meet the Band: Fresh Hot Waffles01:31 Discussing the Song 'Monsters Aren't Scary'03:44 Songwriting Process and Evolution04:58 Live Performance: Monsters Aren't Scary07:39 Post-Performance Discussion and Musical Influences10:21 Balancing Projects and Band Commitments12:55 The Band's Formation and Songwriting Collaboration19:40 Future Plans and Touring Aspirations25:34 Navigating Creative Blocks and Performance Anxiety28:33 Song Inspiration and Writing Techniques29:36 The Power of Community in Music29:56 WRITING LYRICS30:34 The Influence of Joni Mitchell31:56 The Art of Songwriting33:40 The Emotional Journey of a Songwriter34:00 The Challenge of Writing Upbeat Songs37:58 Emotions in Songwriting42:15 The Story Behind 'Monsters Aren't Scary'46:21 The Artwork of 'Monsters Aren't Scary'Send a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + 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 ParrSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + 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 KidFollow Austin CarrSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + 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 WillesFollow Tampico Lasting LoveListen to "Auld Lang Syne" by Jordan Smith Reynolds00:11 Introduction and Guest Bio01:55 Discussing Robert's Music and Album04:19 The Making of Auld Lang Syne19:51 The Role of AI in Music Production30:13 Final Thoughts and Wrap UpSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + 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 SpotifyGo to Lennon's WebsiteSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + 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 SpotifyFollow Mara SolSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + 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 JamesSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram