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

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 due out in September.

You can find out more about Nick Cody here https://www.nickcody.co.uk
You can visit his Youtube Channel here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPA73UEHr3fjOqyTurEpXzg

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

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://jamesbisset.bandcamp.com

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 projects here https://www.storysongscientists.com/
You can find out about Bird On A Wire here https://www.birdonawire.info
You can find his latest album here https://findlaynapier.bandcamp.com/album/it-is-what-it-is

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 alongside Scot's singer Beth Malcolm in the first track of the podcast, Paid My   Dues (Loving You). Check her music out too - voice of an angel. 

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://boohewerdineandthebible.bandcamp.com

To find out more about songwriting workshops with Bird on a Wire please click here
https://www.birdonawire.info

To find out about his work at Scottish writing retreat Moniak Mhor, please click here
https://www.moniackmhor.org.uk/courses/

To find out where you can see State of the Union click here
https://brookswilliams.com/state-of-the-union-brooks-williams-boo-hewerdine

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/breathe-the-stellar-anderson-project.
You can find Stellar on Facebook here
https://www.facebook.com/interstellaranderson
And on Instagram here
https://www.instagram.com/thestellarandersonproject/