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Songwriter Trysts

Songwriter Trysts

By Rae Leigh

Songwriter Trysts is an intimate space where artists from all over the world gather to discuss the love of songwriting. Writing songs and the journey that one makes into this ancient art form is powerful stuff. Songwriters have something to say and this is a space to delve deeper into their songs, where they come from, and what they are creating & why?
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#35 Gareth Leach

Songwriter TrystsOct 22, 2020

00:00
59:46
#245 Avery Harden
Mar 01, 202437:43
#244 Max Jackson
Feb 22, 202433:14
#243 Sue Ray
Feb 15, 202444:10
#242 Wesley Dean
Feb 02, 202430:32
Hey Mate.
Jan 25, 202448:50
#241 Tyler Spicer
Jan 14, 202433:20
#240 Mario Vayne
Dec 17, 202349:18
#239 Ella & Sienna
Dec 07, 202324:16
#238 Michael Saleta
Nov 22, 202355:12
#237 Scott Clay
Nov 22, 202329:24
#236 Drew Ryder Smith
Nov 22, 202331:52
#235 Austin Mackay

#235 Austin Mackay

Van life musician in Australia Austin Mackay stops by in the van to chat with Rae Leigh live in the studio on the Gold Coast before heading down the east coast on tour to Melbourne. We loved having this young and enthusiastic talent share with us his journey and hearing about his future hopes but also how he has ended up in the dream life on the road with his guitar after COVID pulled him from the cover scene and pushed him back into his original music.
Be melted away with his beautiful stories, voice, and guitar. We also released a special live acoustic version of his single "Real Life" on YouTube now.

Connect with Austin:

Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube

Sep 21, 202351:18
#234 Scotty Mack
Sep 14, 202325:12
#233 Melanie Dyer
Sep 07, 202331:32
#232 Two Tone Pony
Aug 31, 202344:38
#231 Keith Stegall

#231 Keith Stegall

For multiple Grammy, CMA, ACM Award-winning producer Keith Stegall, music has always been his life, strongly influenced by his dad, 1950s Abbott Records recording artist, Bob Stegall. The elder Stegall also played steel guitar for the legendary country singer Johnny Horton. Born in the central Texas town of Wichita Falls and raised in Shreveport (the home of the Louisiana Hayride, a stage his father often graced) the Stegalls were constantly playing and writing songs on guitars and the piano. It was by chance he met another famous Texan, Kris Kristofferson, who inspired Keith to move to Music City.

“Show me what you’ve got!” Kris told Keith backstage at a Kristofferson show. Keith played a couple songs, which prompted Kristofferson to remark, “Son, you need to get your ass to Nashville and hang out with other writers. They will break you down and make you the best you can be.” Keith took the advice to heart and three months after his arrival in 1978, Keith co-wrote his first hit, Dr. Hooks’ 1980 smash Sexy Eyes. Soon after, Helen Reddy, The Commodores, Johnny Mathis, and many others rushed to record Keith’s songs. Most notable was Al Jarreau’s career hit We’re In This Love Together. Eventually Keith signed a record deal with Capitol Records and later Epic Records. He released a pair of albums in the early 1980s with minor chart success. “Because I grew up in the studio,” Keith recalls, “the mistake I made was that they told me to produce myself.” The upside, he says, was he learned how to produce other artists by producing himself.

In the midst of trying to get his own artist career off the ground, a struggling nightclub singer named Randy Ray asked Keith to produce an independent album to sell at his local gigs. The project led to Keith producing the standout songs On The Other Hand and Reasons I Cheat on the singer’s epochal debut, “Storms of Life,” under the singer’s new moniker… Randy Travis.

Connect with Keith:

Aug 25, 202330:16
#230 Chad Lawson

#230 Chad Lawson

World-renowned pianist and composer Chad Lawson, in the past two years has been working to reshape the role that music plays in our daily lives, forging a powerful new pathway for healing. On his luminous new double album breathe, he expands on the extraordinary intentionality he first brought to his massively streamed 2020 effort You Finally Knew, transforming his decidedly modern take on classical music into a conduit for stillness, serenity, and self-reflection.

Partly informed by his work as creator and host of the iHeartRadio Award-nominated podcast “Calm It Down” (where he guides listeners through techniques for breathing and meditation while tackling mental health subjects) breathe ultimately establishes Lawson as an essential new voice exploring the intersection of music and wellness—all while delivering an exquisitely crafted body of work whose melodic beauty transcends all genre boundaries.

With his latest endeavors including undergoing certification to teach breathing techniques, Lawson has recently begun to integrate breathing exercises into his music and live performance. For Mental Health Awareness Month, he released breathe (guided breathwork edition), a new deluxe edition of his latest album which includes a series of guided breathwork tracks, with Lawson’s soothing voice guiding listeners through simple techniques. 

Co-produced by Lawson and London-based orchestrator Geoff Lawson, breathe came to life at the legendary Abbey Road Studios (the same facility where he recorded You Finally Knew, whose standout track “Stay” held steady in the top 25 on the Billboard Classical chart for 80 consecutive weeks). So while the album features guest appearances from cellist Peter Gregson, violinist Esther Yoo, and members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, breathe embodies an understated elegance that allows a tremendous depth of feeling to shine through every moment.

Lawson has been featured by CBS Sunday MorningNPRForbesGRAMMY.comFinancial Times, and many more.


Connect with Chad:

Aug 17, 202334:38
#229 Sammi Palinkas
Aug 10, 202339:56
#228 Kehinde A
Aug 03, 202337:31
#227 The Pleasures

#227 The Pleasures

Lachlan Bryan (episode #20) & Catherine Britt (episode #69) friends first and 'The Pleasures' second. Started out with just writing a duet to writing a whole albm of duets and forming a band. Catherine connects with Rae Leigh and talks about how this project came about, the stories behind the songs and what they were going through when writing them. The album is incrediblley well produced and written and worth a close listen to every song.

Songwriter Trysts is all about the magic of artistic collaboration and this project is the perfect example of how amazing things happen when talented kinds people work together to create something amazing.


Connect and follow The Pleasures here:

Jul 27, 202321:18
#226 Ryan Terrigno
Jul 20, 202332:52
#225 Lucy Burke
Jul 06, 202328:52
#224 James Keith
Jun 22, 202335:09
#223 Jackson James
Jun 09, 202329:18
#222 Lisa DeAngelis
Jun 01, 202352:47
#221 Mark Mulch
May 26, 202335:56
Women of Music Production Perth - WOMPP

Women of Music Production Perth - WOMPP

WOMPP — Women of Music Production Perth — is a female-run label, booking agency and Ableton user group community. WOMPP gives the opportunity to female, transgender and non-binary music makers to share, discuss and showcase music production within the broader Australian music community. Alongside the record label and booking agency, WOMPP curates monthly community meetings and showcases.

WOMPP aims to inspire and nurture Australia’s diverse electronic music scene and provide a safe place for learning and growth.


Connect with Women of Music Production Perth


May 17, 202330:46
#220 Karli June
May 16, 202327:24
#219 Dariann Leigh
Apr 28, 202323:28
#218 Tori Darke
Apr 20, 202337:00
#217 Elestial
Apr 13, 202346:00
APRA AMCOS
Apr 03, 202301:02:23
#216 Frank Varrasso
Mar 09, 202357:38
#215 Vixens Of Fall
Mar 07, 202334:28
#214 Josh Pyke
Feb 27, 202335:14
#213 Amy Sheppard
Feb 16, 202331:04
#212 Zac & George
Feb 07, 202330:16
#211 Kaylee Lauren

#211 Kaylee Lauren

Host Rae Leigh welcomes Kaylee Lauren as her latest guest on the show. She has the most beautiful voice and fresh heartbreaking lyrics that will take you on a sobering journey of love and loss. Rae is excited to have her share her story of mental health and self love as a songwriter on the show.

The singer takes passion in her songwriting making sure her fans are able to connect with her music as much as possible as she writes relatable verses expressing the vulnerable emotions she experiences as a teenager. Kaylee writes all of her own songs by creating melodies at the piano and combining raw vocals. Her songs reveals a build up of intricate instrumentals while layering confessional lyrics. The singer creates many relatable, real, and emotional songs for all her fans out there to connect with her music and her as an artist. Kaylee is a 16 year old singer, songwriter, and musician who pours her heart out when writing and producing her music. She takes the pain and hardships of her life and turns them into creative, inspirational, and relatable magic also known as her music. She writes about all aspects of her life to create songs for her audience to connect too. She eloquently conveys the intense and real emotions when writing a song which makes her music special. Most importantly she loves interacting with her fans which she is so grateful to have. Kaylee Lauren is a talented songwriter that continues to write and produce for the world to hear. 

Connect with Kaylee:
Jan 19, 202331:49
#210 Kitt Wakeley
Jan 05, 202328:12
#209 Anthony Agostino
Dec 23, 202238:17
#208 Sons Of Atticus

#208 Sons Of Atticus

Matt from the duo Sons of Atticus catches up with Rae Leigh on a featured podcast chat about the origin of the band and the lessons, development and exciting experiences they have had since releasing their debut song in 2021.

Amongst the chaos of a rowdy bar in their hometown, Matt and Dylan crossed paths for the first time and instantly hit it off with a few beers, tacos and their love for country music. It wasn’t long before the two started to write, record and perform the kind of music that inspired them both growing up. Since then, Matt and Dylan have become Tasman Guitar ambassadors, have released a Debut EP, have matching Elvis Presley tattoos and have now released their new single into the world.

A song for the road when you miss the ones at home. Sore Eyes depicts the balancing act of a traveller feeling the strain of following their dream while being away from the ones they love most.

The duo’s short and sharp existence has already seen them support the likes of CW Stoneking, Andrew Farris, and Catherine Britt & Lachlan Bryan’s new duo, The Pleasures. In April, the boys made their way to Tamworth to perform across venues for the Tamworth Country Music Festival. July saw them release their single ‘Sad Songs’ which was paired with a small tour along the south coast of NSW, teaming up with a local brewing company for the run of shows. Recently, Matt and Dylan travelled to Mackay to open up the main stage of NQ's Rock'n Country Festival.

Connect with Sons Of Atticus:

Dec 16, 202254:16
#207 Jemma Beech

#207 Jemma Beech

This inspirational story of Jemma will encourage anyone who is finding their feet in any creative industry.

Jemma Beech and Rae Leigh catch up for the first time after meeting in 2016 DAG Singer Songwriter Retreat in Tamworth Australia. Jemma talks about living on stations, nannying and balancing life and music.

“We only have one life so I’m going to do what makes me happy”

The pressure and demand of trying to keep up with others in the country music industry got to her when she was younger and she is coming back fully passionate about doing it as she wants to, how she wants and when she wants to do it.

Raised in the quiet town of Yanderra, NSW, singer-songwriter, Jemma Beech has Country in her blood. Her hard-hitting blend of modern and classic Country music spins tales of love and rural life.

When Jemma was just 3 years old she fell in love with music – despite the fact that nobody close to her could play or sing. 90’s Country queens like Trisha Yearwood, Shania Twain and The Chicks would be her inspiration. "I was three years old in the back seat of the car when Mum was flicking through radio stations driving around Queensland on a holiday,” recalls the now 30-year-old. “A Trisha Yearwood song came on and I was hooked from that moment on.”

Growing up in a small town meant a fair dinkum Country upbringing - everything from horse riding to dirt bikes. “We had a few acres of land with a front paddock where my horse was kept,” reminisces Jemma.“ The back half of our property was slowly turned into a motorbike track – mostly for my two younger brothers – I really enjoyed riding the PeeWee 80 around the track and over the jumps and side berms they made.” Although her potential motocross career was short-lived, as the track later became a learner driver’s course when she got a ’97 Toyota Corolla.

A string of odd jobs followed. Bartender, Truck Stop Worker, Nanny – you name it. Music began to take centre stage in Jemma’s life when the she attended the 2015 Senior Academy of Country Music in Tamworth. Previously studying as a beauty therapist she crowd funded the lion’s share of the costs to get her to the Country Music capital.

Jemma’s latest track, ‘You Fool’, drops on November 11th. Recorded at the renowned Music Cellar by Rod McCormack and written alongside Rod and Sally Barris.


Connect with Jemma:

Dec 08, 202240:02
#206 Brittany Maggs
Nov 23, 202235:06
#205 Rachel Koster
Nov 11, 202253:04
#204 Hinterland

#204 Hinterland

Jesse from Hinterland the Aussie country band sits with Rae Leigh live in the Gold Coast studio to talk music, songwriting, and her mistakes, lessons, and successes.

Brother & sister, Robbie & Rachel Bostock with childhood friend Jesse Emmanuel make Hinterland. Together they’ve been kicking down doors in the Australian country music industry since their launch in 2020. Hinterland has amassed some consistently impressive stats–all 6 of their singles dominating Top 10 charts all over the country including 3 x #1s (“Treating Me Good”,“Giddy Up”, “In The Hinterland”), streams in the millions and a viral moment for theirsong& EP “Loud” in March of 2021 thanks to mainstream airplay on rock station Triple M.Their sound is one of a kind–an eclectic mix of their strongest influences such as The Corrs, Fleetwood Mac, The Chicks, Brad Paisley and Zac Brown Band–blending different styles of country, pop, and rock with a focus on catchy hooks, dreamy melodies and shows topping musicianship: Rachel shredding on the violin, Robbie melting faces with his electric guitar and Jesse holding down a solid rhythm on 2nd guitar. In full band mode, they are a sensational force–with the kind of musical chemistry that can only come from decades of experience, collaboration, friendship, and family. They love what they do, and they are simply exceptional. Despite launching the band during the pandemic, Hinterland performed coveted stage-storming sets at Groundwater, Savannah In The Round, Bush To Bay, and Tamworthfestivals. They are looking forward to releasing their long-awaited debut album and dominating the circuit once again in 2023. There is no one doing country music like Hinterland.

Connect with Hinterland:

Oct 20, 202201:23:38
#203 MacKenzie Porter
Oct 06, 202230:10
#202 Sister2Sister
Sep 22, 202252:30
#201 Matt Scullion
Sep 09, 202245:44
#200 Sodajerker
Aug 28, 202201:07:38
#199 Casey McQuillen

#199 Casey McQuillen

Whether touring extensively across the U.S. and Europe, gaining a loyal fan base from the millions who watched her as a powerhouse vocalist on Season 13 of American Idol, appearing on The Kelly Clarkson Show, or having her most recent single played on CMT, MTV, and Sirius XM ‘The Pulse,’ Casey as accomplished so much in her short career.

On the touring front, Casey has headlined her own sold out shows in New York and Boston. She’s also supported incredible acts like James Morisson, Stephen Kellogg, Kate Voegele, Tyler Hilton, Eric Hutchison, Clark Beckham, David Ryan Harris, and Nick Howard. The songsmith has organically accumulated tens of thousands of followers on social media and millions of views and streams of her music online, largely because her songs are authentic, intimate and relatable.

Additionally, Casey has performed her anti-bullying concert series at over one hundred middle and high schools for over 40,000 students.  The “You Matter” Tour was recognized by the UN Foundation and was recently featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Casey recently release her debut album Skinny which includes the hit single ‘In & Out’, a duet with Jon McLaughlin, which found its way into several major playlists, being spotlighted by the likes of Apple Music and Amazon Music, as well featured on MTV and CMT, and Sirius XM ‘The Pulse’.


Connect to Casey:

Aug 18, 202201:14:00