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

Julz LaMantia, the indie pop artist behind Btchcraft, joins host Jordan Smith Reynolds in the Song Saloon. They dive into the origins of her song "Sunburnt," which was born out of a School of Song workshop with Robin Pecknold. Julz shares her experience with open tunings and the magical feeling of being a vessel for a song. They discuss the significance of the lyrics and the personal anecdotes behind them, including a serendipitous hitchhiking encounter that led to her existence.Julz and Jordan dive into the evolution of Julz's performances and the challenges and joys of incorporating backing tracks. They discuss the importance of rehearsing and refining the visual aspects of a performance, including choreography and body awareness. Julz opens up about her vulnerability and the personal connection she strives to establish with the audience. They also touch on the differences between guitar-driven songs and those performed with backing tracks, emphasizing the unique dynamics each brings to the stage.Listen to Sunburnt on SpotifyFollow Julz on SocialsSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

In this episode, Mykel discusses her journey as an artist, from growing up in musical theater to writing her first song in high school. She shares her experiences of moving to Los Angeles and networking with various music industry professionals to build her team. Mykel and Jordan reflect on the significance of building a supportive community in the music industry. They discuss the importance of connecting with like-minded artists and developing relationships within organizations like ASCAP and the Society of Composers and Lyricists. Mykel shares her journey of finding her team and how she learned to strike a balance between humility and confidently offering her skills to others. The conversation highlights the value of mutual growth and collective support among musicians.Send a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

Join host Jordan Smith Reynolds as he sits down with singer-songwriter Solly to discuss the creative process behind his song "Purple Lemonade." They delve into the exploration of melody, the challenges of balancing tunefulness and originality, and the theme of memory and loss in Solly's music. Listen to Solly on SpotifySend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

In this episode of Song Saloon, host Jordan Smith Reynolds introduces listeners to the talented artist Zach Day, who hails from the backwoods of Kentucky. Zach shares his upbringing in one of America's poorest counties and how he taught himself to play guitar and sing while studying the works of legendary vocalists and songwriters. The conversation explores Zach's musical influences, his love for folk music, and his transition from performing solo with an acoustic guitar to collaborating with a full band. Join them for an inspiring discussion about chasing dreams and finding one's authentic voice in the music industry.Follow Zach Day on socialsListen to "Washington" on SpotifySend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

In this episode, Jordan sits down with LA-based artist Jessica Vines to discuss her song "Sun in Your Eyes." Jessica shares that the song captures the initial excitement and infatuation of a budding romance. They explore the nostalgic and timeless tone of the track, which features a retro-inspired keyboard riff that adds a video game-like vibe. Jordan and Jessica also discuss the collaboration with Oh Bummer!, who contributed a rap verse to the song, and the playful interplay between their vocals. They delve into the collaborative process, the importance of intentional collaboration, and the value of bringing a song close to completion before seeking input from others. Jessica reflects on her journey as an artist, starting from singing in church to discovering her own songwriting abilities, and emphasizes her desire to create music that brings positivity and uplifts listeners.Send a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

In this episode of the Song Saloon, host Jordan Smith Reynolds sits down with singer-songwriter Destinie Lynn to break down her song "Your Street." When do you know a lyric is right? When do you decide to stop pursuing a song? Destinie shares her perspective in this episode."Your Street" explores the theme of emotional abandonment in a relationship, capturing the feeling of being physically close yet emotionally distant from someone. Destinie shares her inspiration behind the song and discusses the power of writing from personal experiences as well as drawing from others' stories. They delve into the lyrics, discussing the concept of hiding one's true emotions and the longing for connection. Join the conversation as they explore the creative process, the importance of capturing the right emotions in a song, and Destinie's aspirations as an artist.Listen to "Your Street" on SpotifyFollow Destinie LynnSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

In this episode of The Song Saloon, host Jordan Smith Reynolds sits down with Will Carpenter, the vocalist and guitarist behind the indie rock band Ships Have Sailed. They discuss the band's evolution, their latest live album, and dive deep into one of their popular songs, "Someday." Will shares the personal meaning behind the track and how it has grown over the years. They also explore the process of recording the live album and the creative choices made for the new version of "Someday." Tune in for an insightful conversation about music, journey, and embracing unexpected outcomes.Send a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

Join singer-songwriter Jordan Smith Reynolds in an intimate conversation with indie pop duo "Only Bricks" as they delve into the creation and meaning of their song "Bang Bang." Anne Digiovanni and Joseph Lewczak, the talented married couple behind Only Bricks, share the inspiration behind the song—an unforgettable photograph of them falling in love in front of a graffiti mural. Discover how the couple's personal journey and artistic collaboration have shaped their music and deepened their connection. From the stripped-down acoustic version to the vibrant recorded track, explore the different facets of "Bang Bang" and gain insights into the dynamics of being a songwriting duo in a romantic relationship.Listen to Bang! Bang! on SpotifyFollow Only Bricks on InstagramSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

In this episode of the Song Saloon, host Jordan Smith Reynolds sits down with artist and songwriter Sonja Midtune. Sonja shares her experience and insights into her songwriting process, focusing on her song "Growing Up for You." They discuss the shift in her approach to writing, experimenting with production, and collaborating with producer Sean Oakley. Sonja opens up about the impact of specific lyrics and her newfound willingness to be bolder in her music. Join them as they delve into the details of Sonja's creative journey and the joys of working with a collaborator who brings out the best in her. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the art of crafting songs and the power of taking risks as an artist.Listen to "Growing Up For You" on Spotify.Send a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram

In this episode of the Song Saloon, singer-songwriter Jordan Smith Reynolds sits down with artist Timmy Milner to delve into the creation and meaning behind his song "Crux of a Lie." Timmy shares the inspiration behind the song, which originated during an extended hospital stay. They discuss Timmy's songwriting process, from the guitar line that served as the foundation to the exploration of subconscious thoughts and negative patterns. The conversation explores the themes of hope and contrast in folk music, drawing inspiration from artists like the Beach Boys and the Beatles. They also touch upon the production choices in the song, including the use of a Mellotron and analog synthesizer, and discuss Timmy's journey into film composition and his current projects in the industry. Join Jordan and Timmy as they unravel the story and sound behind "Crux of a Lie" in this captivating episode.Follow Timmy Milner on InstagramSend a textSupport the showSong Saloon LinksJoin The Song Saloon Mailing ListTiktok + Instagram