Royal Wood, one of Canada's most talented singer-songwriters, joins us for a heartwarming chat about balancing life as a musician, husband, and father. He opens up about his journey, tracing his early years immersed in music, and how he has evolved over the years to create some of his best work to date. Royal reflects on the importance of prioritizing family while still pursuing his passion, sharing how this balance has enriched both his personal life and his artistry. His latest album, "Dear John," serves as a beautiful testament to his love for family and his renewed commitment to music. Get ready for a relaxed, insightful conversation that dives deep into what it truly means to find harmony in life and music!

Royal Wood's Treasure Island Disc Selections

The Beatles- Sgt. Peppers

Cat Stevens- Tea for the Tillerman

Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Volume. 2

Sam Fender- Seventeen Going Under

Royal Wood- Artist Bio

Royal Wood is a Juno-nominated Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer whose work is marked by timeless melodies, lyrical sophistication, and emotional honesty. Raised in Lakefield, Ontario, he began playing piano by ear at age four and eventually mastered guitar, bass, drums and more — developing an ear for rich arrangements and evocative songwriting. Over nearly two decades in the music business, he has built a distinguished catalogue of albums, toured widely in North America and Europe, and earned the respect of a growing global audience. With his new album Dear John, Royal finds himself at an inflection point — rediscovering his love for creating while balancing life as husband, father and artist.

Listen to Dear John:

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/dear-john/1832191785  

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5FhXSeZv7hM2gpR4ou3IFe  

Selected Discography

Studio Albums:

• Tall Tales (2004)  
• A Good Enough Day (2007)  
• The Waiting (2010)  
• We Were Born to Glory (2012)  
• The Burning Bright (2014)  
• I Wish You Well (2014)  
• Ghost Light (2016)  
• Ever After the Farewell (2018)  
• What Tomorrow Brings (2022)  
• Dear John (2025)  

EPs & Live:

• The Milkweed EP (2002)  
• The Lost and Found EP (2009)  
• Love Will Linger EP (2018)  
• Live at Massey Hall (Live Album, 2021) 
• Official website: https://royalwood.ca/  
• Apple Music page: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/royal-wood/192604581  
• Spotify artist page: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0gpd8R84x5pZaGi5tgZdKc  

Takeaways:

• Royal Wood reflects on his early love for music, starting with piano at age four.
• Balancing family life with a music career has led to Royal creating his best work yet.
• His new album, 'Dear John', embodies gratitude, love of family, and personal growth.
• Royal shares how becoming a father changed his perspective on music and priorities.
• The importance of being present and enjoying the small moments with family is emphasized.
• Royal's journey showcases how self-reflection can rejuvenate an artist's creative spirit.

Artists and Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Royal Wood
• McGill University
• Bonnie Raitt
• Sam Fender
• Olivia Rodrigo
• Jimi Hendrix
• Led Zeppelin
• Oscar Peterson
• Frank Sinatra
• The Beatles
• Cat Stevens
• Bob Dylan
• Leonard Cohen
• Joni Mitchell
• Jeff Buckley
• War on Drugs

Mark Farner, legendary frontman and guitarist of Grand Funk Railroad, joins host Jeff Moffatt for a lively and heartfelt conversation on Treasure Island Discs. From his Flint, Michigan roots to selling over 25 million records worldwide, Farner reflects on the family jam sessions that sparked his passion, the whimsical story behind the band’s famous cowbell, and the electrifying energy of their stadium-filling performances.

With humor, wisdom, and humility, Mark shares how songwriting became his outlet for faith, belief, and messages of unity — timeless themes that continue to resonate today. A true American rock icon, Farner brings both nostalgia and fresh perspective to this unforgettable episode.

Learn more at www.markfarner.com.

Other artists mentioned in this episode:

• Grand Funk Railroad
• Humble Pie
• Alice Cooper
• Ursa Majors
• The Yardbirds
• Jeff Beck
• Rick Derringer
• Steve Cropper
• Howard Tate

Gord Deppe, founding member, lead singer and songwriter of the legendary Canadian band, The Spoons, joins us today to share some great insights into his musical journey, his career and the tracks that have shaped his life. From iconic 80s hits like "Nova Heart" and "Romantic Traffic" to his recent gigs with A Flock of Seagulls, Gord's got stories that'll make you feel all the feels! We’ll dive into how his early days in Burlington, Ontario, set the stage for a career that’s defined by creativity and an unwavering artistic commitment to not dwelling on the past and a refusal to be boxed in. Plus, he's got some surprising picks for the songs that resonate with him, proving that even rock legends have a few unexpected favorites. So grab your headphones, settle in and enjoy our conversation with Gord Deppe!

Supporting Episode Resources

Episode Playlists

Apple Music

https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/treasure-island-discs-episode-playlist-gord-deppe/pl.u-JPAZLZ2sWRoDPN

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7AxkUtBdOnl1mTYgWkg0Bb?si=b13ee4a209da498d

Link to Gord's Book

SpoonFed- My Life with The Spoons

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1897453434?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Credits

Intro Music written and performed by Jeff Moffatt

Instagram: @therealjeffmoffatt

https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/jeff-moffatt/1563362236

This podcast is presented by Astraltune

Takeaways:

• Gord Deppe shared how the Spoons defined the sound of the 1980s in Canada, creating timeless hits that still resonate today.
• He discusses the importance of finding a personal safe space for creativity, revealing how it influences his songwriting process.
• Gord emphasizes the organic nature of his songwriting, where music often comes before lyrics, creating a unique artistic flow.
• The conversation reveals that even successful artists like Gord grapple with self-doubt and the pressures of the music industry.
• Deppe's anecdote about shaking hands with George Martin highlights the serendipitous moments that shape an artist's journey.
• He reflects on the evolution of music tastes and the importance of authenticity in songwriting, especially in today's rapidly changing music scene.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• the Spoons
• A Flock of Seagulls
• AIR Studios
• George Martin
• Roxy Music
• Duran Duran
• Queen
• The Prodigy
• Marilyn Manson
• The Verve
• Stone Roses
• Main Skin
• Wet Leg

In this episode we visit with Bill Nelson, a true icon and legend of British Music.

Bill’s musical selections are like a time capsule of his life and fascinating music career. He takes us through five significant tracks, each representing a pivotal chapter in his musical evolution—from his childhood memories of saxophonist Freddie Gardner to the electrifying sounds of Duane Eddy that ignited his passion for guitar. What’s truly special is how he organizes his selections chronologically, allowing us to experience his soundtrack in real-time.

We’ll explore the influences that have guided him throughout his impressive career and how his commitment to artistic integrity has kept his creativity alive. So, get comfortable and prepare to explore the unique and fascinating stories with Bill Nelson about the music that forms the soundtrack of his life. If you’ve ever wondered how music weaves itself into the lives and inspiration of your favourite artists, this episode is a must-listen!

Takeaways:

• The music we grow up with profoundly shapes our creativity and artistic expression.
• Bill Nelson shares how his childhood music experiences sparked his lifelong passion for creating.
• Each song selected by Bill Nelson represents a significant chapter in his musical journey.
• Bill's exploration of various musical styles showcases how eclectic influences can shape a unique sound.

Links referenced in this episode:

• billnelson.com
• www.podpage.com/treasure-island-discs/

Episode Playlists

Apple Music

https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/treasure-island-discs-episode-1-bill-nelson/pl.u-aZb0qG7IVK6Pbp

This is the introductory episode of Treasure Island Discs. The show that takes you behind the music as our musical guests talk about their favourite music and the artists, albums and songs that helped them form their own musical identity. Host Jeff Moffatt talks with a diverse and interesting range of guests and goes behind the music to uncover the stories, the memories and the inspiration, one Treasure Island Disc at a time.

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