Shows
Matthias Interviews Musicians: A Pop Songwriting Podcast8. Canyon City on Catch Fire and Purple HorizonThis week, I speak with Paul Johnson, who performs under the moniker Canyon City, about two of his latest singles - Catch Fire and Purple Horizon.
Since its inception in 2015, Canyon City has become known for its distinctive whispery vocals layered over intimate acoustics orbiting candidly emotional storytelling. As Johnson self-released a series EPs and LPs over the last five years, the industry took notice, with Canyon City frequenting Spotify editorial playlists and winning praise from media like NPR, Paste, American Songwriter and more. His combined streams on Spotify alone surpass 100 million, with an...2020-11-1600 minMatthias Interviews Musicians: A Pop Songwriting Podcast7. Canyon City on the "Modern Folk" Label, Growing Up in Fargo, and Writing Songs about WaterThis week, I speak with Paul Johnson, who performs under the moniker Canyon City, about what "modern folk" means to him, growing up and playing in a folk trio with his parents in Fargo, North Dakota, and writing emotional and vividly descriptive songs (and speculate as to why so many of them revolve around fire and water). Since its inception in 2015, the project has become known for its distinctive whispery vocals layered over intimate acoustics orbiting candidly emotional storytelling.
As Johnson self-released a series EPs and LPs over the last five years, the industry took notice, with...2020-10-1800 minMatthias Interviews Musicians: A Pop Songwriting Podcast6. The Valla on Ice Cream and Shut My MouthThis week, I chat more with Alex Walker (drums) and George Coulson (guitar / lead vocals) of The Valla, your favorite new pop/indie-rock band - about their two newest singles - Ice Cream and Shut My Mouth. The Valla also includes bassist Hamish Knowles and lead guitarist Jay Williamson. Native of nowhere, the four-piece emanate from England, Wales, Australia, and Germany, but currently reside in London, UK. Holding the line between pop and rock, inspired by the likes of Cage The Elephant, Gang of Youths, and Catfish and the Bottlemen, the band plays what they describe as ‘music for da...2020-09-2119 minMatthias Interviews Musicians: A Pop Songwriting Podcast5. The Valla on Their Background and SongwritingThis week, I chat with Alex Walker (drums) and George Coulson (guitar / lead vocals) of The Valla, your favorite new pop/indie-rock band - formed in late 2018. The Valla also includes bassist Hamish Knowles and lead guitarist Jay Williamson. Native of nowhere, the four-piece emanate from England, Wales, Australia, and Germany, but currently reside in London, UK. Holding the line between pop and rock, inspired by the likes of Cage The Elephant, Gang of Youths, and Catfish and the Bottlemen, the band plays what they describe as ‘music for damaged souls’, writing with beautiful insecurity and vulnerability, appealing to anyo...2020-09-0842 minMatthias Interviews Musicians: A Pop Songwriting Podcast4. Prof. Joshua Fairfield on Music Copyright Law, YouTube Reaction Videos, Tik-Tok, and MoreIn this episode, I chat with Professor Joshua Fairfield on the current state of music copyright law, with a focus on how the law treats the new generation of content creators who are reacting to and utilizing existing media in creative ways, what the future may hold, and how content creators can navigate a complex legal landscape that isn't necessarily well-tailored to new technological and social advances. Joshua Fairfield is an internationally recognized law and technology scholar, specializing in digital property, electronic contract, big data privacy, and virtual communities. He has written on the law and regulation of e-commerce...2020-08-1846 minMatthias Interviews Musicians: A Pop Songwriting Podcast3. Tim Be Told on his Background, Songwriting, and the Love and Happiness LPIn this episode, I chat with Tim Ouyang of Tim Be Told. Trying to make an honest living by being honest, Tim Ouyang is a recording artist, producer and song writer who originated in Charlottesville, VA. His band, Tim Be Told, developed a strong grassroots following in 2007 after releasing a self produced album recorded in his college apartment. Today, Tim resides in the California Bay Area and has amassed a devoted fanbase and a large catalogue of music. Tim has had the honor of performing the national anthem for NBA champions, The Golden State Warriors. He produced and wrote...2020-07-3054 minMatthias Interviews Musicians: A Pop Songwriting Podcast2. Michigander on Growing Up in Michigan, Writing Music, and the Where Do We Go From Here EPIn this episode, I chat with Michigander. Michigander emanates a magnetic Midwest spirit, delivering uplifting anthems, raised even higher by six-string fireworks, empowering lyrics, and understated arena ambition. Garnering 3 million-plus streams and the acclaim of NPR, Paste, NME, Metro Times and more by 2019, the sonic alter ego of Michigan native, singer, producer, and guitarist Jason Singer bottles the feeling of the region on the 2019 EP, Where Do We Go From Here [C3 Records]. Jason brought Michigander to life during 2014 while moving across his home state to Kalamazoo. In 2016 the independent single “Nineties” took off, clai...2020-07-1228 minMatthias Interviews Musicians: A Pop Songwriting Podcast1. Noah Kahan on His Background, Songwriting, and the Cape Elizabeth EPIn this episode, I chat with Noah Kahan. Stepping out of his childhood home located on a 133-acre tree farm in Strafford, VT (pop. 1,045) and onto stages worldwide, Noah Kahan introduced one side of himself. Since 2017, he has generated half-a-billion combined streams and views, garnered a gold plaque for “Hurt Somebody” with Julia Michaels, and launched sold-out headline tours in North America, Europe, and the UK. His 2019 full-length debut, Busyhead, attracted acclaim from Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, NYLON, Idolator, Ones To Watch and more. Along the way, he performed on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Late Night With Seth Meye...2020-07-0436 min