In this episode I chat with singer/songwriter Matt Hill, 52, formerly knowns as The Quiet Loner. Matt teaches songwriting to all sorts of groups from people in prison, to homeless people, teenagers and even elderly people suffering dementia. He talks passionately about the process, song writing techniques and his own work. You can find out more about Matt and his work here https://matthillsongwriter.com Support the show

Guitarist and musician Nick Cody began songwriting in his mid fifties after picking up a ukulele for the first time. From that moment onwards he set off on a journey of exploration and experimentation, collaborating with other artists and finding ways to support their creative endeavours. In this episode he shares three new songs from his forthcoming album, All is Fine Til the World Goes Pop! The album, produced by the Carl Rosamond, who worked with 80s indie band, The Wedding Present, is du...

In this episode singer/songwriter/poet Steve White shares his punk approach to songwriting and reveals where the real magic of performing lies. You can find out more about Steve and his band here...https://protestfamily.com To support Steve's fundraising efforts for Pub Landlady, and campaigner Pauline Town, use this link https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/andrew-stanworth-934 Support the show

Singer/songwriter James Bisset started his musical journey in a seventies Christian rock band, known as Caedmon. Since then he has played in various bands and styles with one mission in mind - he just wants people to have fun. In this episode he talks us through the success of Caedmon and shares the ups and downs of his songwriting journey. And if you're listening in the car be warned...it's impossible to tune in without having a wee boogie! You can find more of Jim's music here; https://jame...

This week I chat with Scottish singer/songwriter Findlay Napier. Findlay is a man who likes to keep busy. As well as teaching songwriting at various retreats, he runs Glasgow Songwriting Festival, teaches ukulele, performs solo and with various other musicians. He had his first taste of songwriting in his teens and assures me that you don't need to be a musician to write a good song... You can find out more about Findlay here -https://www.findlaynapier.com You can listen to some of his joint ...

This week I take a trip down memory lane to my childhood home, where singer/songwriter Stevie Agnew performs regularly. Stevie's dad, Pete, was the bass player in the 70s rock band, Nazareth. Here, Stevie tells me what it was like to grow up with a rock star dad and how it influenced his own work. You can find Stevie's Americana music, Wreckin Yard and Bad Blood and Whiskey on Amazon. His Facebook page is here https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063555617674 Stevie is singing alongsi...

This week, Life Begins at Forte records a live gig in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, with songwriting duo Boo Hewerdine and Brooks Williams (The State of the Union). Boo Hewerdine (80's rock band The Bible) is a singer/songwriter, mentor and producer. In an exclusive interview, he shares some of his wisdom on song writing techniques, life, and growing older. If you would like to purchase any of the songs on this podcast please visit Boo's band camp here https://boohewerdineandtheb...

Leeds-based musician, Stellar Anderson, 50, explains how a medical diagnosis freed her up to find the voice she had hidden for over thirty years, for fear it didn't 'fit' with what society wanted to hear. In an incredibly candid interview, complete with original songs, Stellar tracks her musical journey, from dropping out of music college back in her twenties to releasing her first album, Breathe, in March 2022. Music from The Stellar Anderson Project can be found here https://ditto.fm/breat...

Last year, (as mentioned in episode two) a national competition was launched for songwriters aged 50 plus. The winner of the competition was Scottish musician, Fergus McNeill, who took up songwriting in his forties. Fergus is a criminologist and was introduced to songwriting through a programme he ran in a Scots prison. In this episode, he tells us why songwriting is important for people in prison, and elaborates on his own process and success. You can find Fergus's music here ht...

In this episode we speak with Leeds-based Singer Songwriter Nicky Bray who runs an open mic called Tower of Song in the city's Fox and Newt pub. The event, run alongside co-founder and co-host Carl Flattery (a lecturer in songwriting at Leeds Beckett University) is in its ninth year and now has a sister event in Newcastle called Tower in the Toon. The emphasis at both events is strictly on 'having fun' and has been so inspirational, that Nicky's parents, Frank and Ros, (both featured in the...