This week my guest on The Talk Music Podcast is powerhouse vocalist Rick Hughes — known for fronting Canadian metal titans SWORD. 

(METALLICA are such huge fans they personally invited the band to open for them)

With a career that blasted off in the 80s metal scene and took him around the world, Rick is now stepping forward with REDEMPTION, his first international solo album. It’s a spectacular production thats bold, authentic and heartfelt. 

What makes REDEMPTION especially electrifying is the sheer scale of Rick’s vision. He reunited the legendary Ozzy Osbourne Speak of the Devil lineup (Brad Gillis [currently in Night Ranger], Rudy Sarzo, and Tommy Aldridge) for his lead single “The Real Me,” a The Who cover that earned a rare 10/10 review and was praised as “a perfect journey” with a vibrant, modern sound. The album blends blistering rock energy with emotional depth, bilingual tracks and guest appearances from heavy hitters like Robby Krieger (The Doors), Lee Aaron, Amy Keys, and rising guitarist Jacob Deraps. This is Rick Hughes fully inspired, making the album he always dreamed of. 

We go deep into the inside story behind his powerhouse vocals, how his all-star collaborations came about, and the unstoppable passion driving REDEMPTION.

You won’t want to miss this one. Enjoy! 

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Hi everyone!

My Talk Music guest this week is LILY SAZZ— singer-songwriter, bandleader, and now producer of her first solo album! Her brand new record, WHAT JUST HAPPENED, has just been released, and it’s an absolute must-listen! The album features deeply personal songwriting sprinkled with refreshing humour and showcases fantastic performances from a star-studded lineup of special guests — Colin Linden, Suzie Vinnick, Harry Manx, Steve Marriner, Darcy Hepner, Mike Branton, Trombone Charlotte, Boreal, and many more.

Our chat, recorded on my back porch (with a little wine involved), was indeed a fun one! We talked about Lily’s early years growing up in a farming community in the Niagara region, and how she made an abrupt life change to study classical music, majoring in piano and harpsichord. She got sidetracked during a chance encounter with a rockin’ blues band, and that experience ultimately set her course in the music lane that she’s been thriving in ever since.

Lily spent ten years as musical director of the Toronto Women’s Blues Revue Band, performing annually at Massey Hall, backing up a wide array of powerful singers — everyone from Lee Aaron, Sass Jordan, Carole Pope, Jackie Richardson, Serena Ryder and Molly Johnson. She also toured with Canada’s Queen of the Blues, Rita Chiarelli. Lily co-founded and led several acclaimed bands, including Trailblazers, Groove Corporation and the Maple Blues Award–nominated Cootes Paradise.

Her debut solo album What Just Happened is available now on Bandcamp and all major streaming platforms.

And in some exciting recent news — Lily has teamed up with one of my favourite singer-songwriters, ROB LAMOTHE, for some upcoming shows together. Check out her website for further details.

Enjoy the episode!

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This week, my guests on The Talk Music Podcast are Darcy Ataman, Founder of Make Music Matter, and Caitlin Morrison, Executive Director of Matthew Perry House and sister of the late actor. Their organizations have joined forces to launch LIVE LOUD—a bold new partnership harnessing the power of entertainment and celebrity to amplify conversations around mental health and addiction.

The initiative debuts with Live Loud LIVE, a benefit concert at Toronto’s Koerner Hall on November 14. The event will feature performances by City and Colour, Billy Talent, Serena Ryder, Royal Wood, Amy Millan (Stars), and members of Sum 41, Broken Social Scene, Skydiggers, and Moist. Special guest Hank Azaria will lead his EZ Street Band in a Bruce Springsteen tribute, with Tara Slone and Tom Power hosting. 

Limited tickets are available at rcmusic.com.

Founded by Matthew Perry’s family and friends, Matthew Perry House honours his legacy by providing treatment and support for those struggling with addiction, beginning with its first facility in Ottawa. Make Music Matter uses its clinically proven Healing in Harmony program to help marginalized communities worldwide heal from trauma, reduce PTSD, anxiety, and depression through music creation—to date, empowering more than 19,000 individuals across nine countries.

“Mental health struggles divide and isolate us. Music unites us, embraces everyone,” says Darcy Ataman, founder of Make Music Matter. “Live Loud is about making noise—a rallying cry for change,” adds Caitlin Morrison, Executive Director of Matthew Perry House.

makemusicmatter.org

matthewperryhouse.ca

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Hi everybody, I’m incredibly delighted to welcome STEVE HACKETT as my guest for this episode of The Talk Music Podcast.

Steve is one of the most innovative and influential guitarists to emerge from the progressive rock movement. Born in 1950, he spent a year in Vancouver at the age of seven before growing up in the UK, eventually rising to prominence as a member of GENESIS, which he joined in 1971. His debut with the band came on Nursery Cryme, where his distinctive, textured playing helped shape Genesis' unique sound during their most acclaimed era. Hackett was central to the creation of progressive rock landmarks such as Foxtrot, Selling England by the Pound, and the ambitious double album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. After contributing to Wind & Wuthering in 1977, Hackett left the group, eager to explore his own creative path. He was later inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 as a member of Genesis.

Even before leaving the band, Hackett had begun forging a solo career, releasing his debut album Voyage of the Acolyte in 1975. Over the following decades, he built an extraordinary body of work, from Spectral Mornings to the darker tones of Guitar Noir, as well as forays into classical guitar with albums like Momentum. In the 2010s, he revisited his Genesis years with the Genesis Revisited projects, reintroducing the band’s 1970s masterpieces to a new generation of listeners. In total, Steve has released over 30 solo albums, the most recent being the brilliant The Circus and the Nightwhale.

Steve Hackett has secured his place as one of the greats of modern guitar, never ceasing to push boundaries. It was truly an honour for me to chat with him. Genesis was one of the main reasons I entered the world of music, and I had the privilege of seeing them perform numerous times. Our conversation covers his time with Genesis, his reasons for leaving to go solo, info about his amazing fellow musicians joining him on tour and his continued passion for songwriting and performing around the world—including some upcoming Canadian dates. His current tour is titled Steve Hackett – Genesis Greats, Lamb Highlights & Solo.

Enjoy the episode!

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Hi, everybody! 

I’m thrilled that my guest for this episode is Mark “WEISSGUY” Weiss, one of the most iconic rock photographers of the past four decades, whose lens has helped define the visual language of rock and metal!

From capturing the raw energy of bands like Guns N’ Roses, Kiss, Metallica, Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, Ozzy Osbourne, Van Halen, Twisted Sister, Aerosmith and countless others, to shaping the larger-than-life imagery that dominated MTV and magazines in the ’80s and ’90s, Weiss didn’t just document a scene—he gave it an identity. His photographs have graced countless album and magazine covers, tour books, t-shirts, and posters, cementing him as the go-to photographer during rock’s golden era. His classic photos of Ozzy Osbourne are now being featured at the new Ozzy exhibition, “Working Class Hero,” in Birmingham, England.

In this podcast, we get a front-row seat to his journey, including personal stories about his role as Ozzy’s photographer since 1981, along with being on stage for Ozzy’s final performance in July. We also chat about his best-selling book, The Decade That Rocked, which has been published in four languages and remains on best-selling charts in the U.S., with over 1,500 five-star Amazon reviews, with high praise from Rolling Stone, Spin, and The Washington Post. To order, go to markweiss.com.

Mark also created a new mag called ROCKED, which brings classic, glossy rock magazines back to life. Check it out and snag a copy for yourself by heading over to rockedmag.com.

I loved my chat with Mark as his work is a reminder of how powerful an image can be—not just as documentation, but as a cultural force that helps define an era. Enjoy! 

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Hi everyone!

My fascinating guest this week is Michael Bishop, a.k.a. Blöthar the Berserker from the legendary band GWAR! 

Formed in Richmond, Virginia in 1984, GWAR is known for outrageous sci-fi/horror costumes, over-the-top theatrical shows, and a wild intergalactic warrior backstory.

They’re infamous for spraying audiences with fake blood, elaborate props, and comedic skits—blending metal music, B-movie aesthetics, and sharp social satire. Despite lineup changes, GWAR has thrived for decades, crafting DIY costumes and sets, lampooning politics, religion, and pop culture, and building a HUGE global cult following.

Why so successful? They turned a niche concept into a full entertainment universe—music, theater, and parody like no other. Over their career, they’ve released 15 studio albums (including the new The Return of Gor Gor, with an accompanying comic), earned two Grammy nominations, and just recently even launched their own Mischief Toys line.

Back in the '90s, GWAR also scored some unexpected pop-culture glory thanks to Beavis and Butt-Head. The cartoon’s dim-witted metalhead duo were huge “fans,” often watching GWAR videos, headbanging furiously, and declaring them the GREATEST band in the universe. Their fan base is as eclectic as their shows—rock icons like Dave Grohl, satirist Weird Al, TV host Jon Stewart, and metal contemporaries like Randy Blythe of Lamb of God.

In our conversation, we dive into GWAR’s history and origins, the tragic loss of founder Dave Brockie to a heroin overdose, their THIS IS GWAR documentary, and what you can expect from their current tour.

Enjoy!

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Hi everyone!

I’m really excited to share the latest episode of The Talk Music Podcast featuring one of the top concert promoters in the world — Nick Farkas.

Nick is the Senior VP of Booking, Concerts & Events at Montreal-based Evenko, where he oversees an incredible 1,600+ shows a year — from intimate club gigs and major sporting events to large-scale concerts and seven flagship festivals, including the iconic OSHEAGA. Widely considered one of North America’s premier festivals, the 18th edition of OSHEAGA is happening August 1–3 with an absolutely stacked lineup: The Killers, Tyler, The Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, Glass Animals, DOECHII, Gracie Abrams, The Chainsmokers, Cage the Elephant, and many more. There’s also a standout Canadian lineup this year, including The Beaches, bbno$, EKKSTACY, Aqyila, Rau_Ze, Hologramme, and Ruby Waters, to name a few. It’s truly a must-see event — a full-on celebration of music in every way.

In this episode, Nick and I dive into his journey through the music industry — from his early days with Donald K. Donald, founding the Greenland booking agency (which brought in major international acts), and the evolution of Evenko into a powerhouse that’s respected by artists, labels, and managers around the globe.

Enjoy this behind-the-scenes look into the world of booking and live music!

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Hi everybody,

I’m thrilled to announce my guest this week is pianist, composer, arranger, and producer-extraordinaire BILL KING, whose recording and production credits include hundreds of releases across his five-decade career.

Bill is a three-time JUNO nominee, and the list of artists he’s worked with is remarkable: Janis Joplin (as Music Director and keyboardist), Chaka Khan, Linda Ronstadt, Martha Reeves, The Pointer Sisters, Oscar Peterson, Sophie Milman, Pat LaBarbera, Ronnie Hawkins and many more. He has been instrumental in shaping Canada’s jazz scene through work with his label Night Passage Records, founding and editing The Jazz Report Magazine, hosting nationally syndicated jazz radio programs, and creating the National Jazz Awards to recognize Canadian talent.

Beyond music, Bill is also a celebrated photographer and author, known for capturing iconic images of musicians and urban life. His books, Coming Through the 60s – An American Rock ‘n’ Road Story, Rolling Through the ’70s: Weed, Woman and Song, Rhythms of a Lifetime and The Night and the Music, showcase both his visual artistry and storytelling skills. In 1988, Bill became the founding Artistic Director of the Beaches International Jazz Festival in Toronto, helping to grow it into a major annual music event over his 30-year tenure.

Today, Bill continues to contribute to the arts in many ways by booking shows at the intimate Redwood Theatre, teaching at the Harris Institute, writing for Billboard Magazine and co-hosting a Saturday morning radio show on Toronto’s CIUT with his son Jessie. He’s also about to release new music from his upcoming album, Mint Julep – from his Jazz Room Sessions.

I absolutely loved this chat as we dove deep into the magic of songwriting, his early beginnings in Jeffersonville, Indiana and his big bold leap from New York to Toronto in 1969. We also shared some laughs reminiscing about our time working together with the fabulous all-girl group Real Divas on their superb album Cafe Society —Bill produced it, and yours truly was their booking agent.

Enjoy!

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Hi everyone! My guest on this episode of The Talk Music Podcast is John Corabi, lead vocalist of the powerhouse rock band The Dead Daisies, and former frontman for Mötley Crüe from 1992 to 1996.

The current Daisies lineup is a who’s who of rock legends: Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake/Dio), Michael Devin (Whitesnake), David Lowy (Mink/Red Phoenix), and Tommy Clufetos (Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath). Along with John, they are one of the most electrifying live bands out there.

Rooted in the spirit of ’70s and early ’80s rock, The Dead Daisies deliver a soulful, hard-hitting sound packed with bluesy riffs, soaring vocals, big choruses, and unforgettable hooks. With seven studio albums, a live record, a covers album, and a “Best Of” collection, they’ve shared the stage with legends like KISS, Guns N’ Roses, Scorpions, Aerosmith, and Def Leppard.

In this episode, John and I dive into their scorching, high-voltage new blues-rock album, "Lookin’ for Trouble," recorded at the iconic Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. We talk about how the band brought their own edge and personality to classic blues tracks, and how a spontaneous late-night jam turned into one of their most soulful records yet.

We also discuss their new 20-minute short film which traces the roots of the blues and its evolution into rock and roll— an intimate and cinematic look into the making of this great new blues tribute album. And we chat about the history of The Dead Daisies and why the chemistry of the band works so well after so many years. 

You’ll hear clips from standout tracks like Crossroads, Boom Boom (check out the swagger-filled video of John walking down the streets in Lyon, France!), Going Down, Little Red Rooster, The Thrill Is Gone, Born Under a Bad Sign, and Black Betty.

The band is currently tearing it up on tour in Europe, with UK dates up next. We wrap things up with a candid chat about John’s rollercoaster ride during his time with the Crüe.   

Enjoy! 

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Hi everybody, I’m thrilled to have as my guest this week singer-songwriter JULIAN TAYLOR. 

For over 25 years, Julian has been steadily building a strong reputation with his roots-driven sound, earning a devoted following and a catalogue of critically-acclaimed albums along the way.

Back in 1996, he co-founded the rock band Staggered Crossing, and by 2001 (with the help of publisher Frank Davies) signed to Warner Music, scoring a Top 10 Canadian rock hit with “Further Again.” After the band went independent, Julian launched his own label, releasing standout records like Tech Noir, Desert Star, and Zero to Eleven.

In recent years, it’s been his solo work that’s really put him on the map internationally. Albums like The Ridge, Beyond the Reservoir, and his latest, PATHWAYS—co-produced by COLIN LINDEN and featuring ALLISON RUSSELL on the title track—have brought a wave of well-earned recognition. Multiple JUNO nominations and glowing reviews from well beyond Canada have followed, firmly placing Julian among the rising stars of the contemporary folk scene. Most recently, Julian recorded and released a soulful version of the classic cover song “Tulsa Time” with longtime friend JIM CUDDY and he also took part in the Robbie Robertson tribute in LA. 

Beyond the music, Julian also hosts the syndicated radio show Julian Taylor’s Jukebox and is deeply engaged in educational and cultural outreach, particularly around Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation efforts.

This conversation took place just after I’d seen him deliver a stunning show in a church setting and just before he hit the road for a U.S. tour with MATT ANDERSON.

Besides song clips from some of his albums, I also feature Julian’s brand new single "Dedication”. 

Enjoy! 

Coming Next: JOHN CORABI from the Dead Daisies and former singer of Motley Crue! 

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Hi everybody, I’m thrilled to do a deep dive with this week’s guest—Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter extraordinaire, film composer, author, and actor IAN THOMAS.

Ian’s music has become part of the foundation of the Canadian musical landscape, a legacy recognized with a SOCAN National Achievement Award for Songwriting. He first made waves with his breakout hit “Painted Ladies,” in Canada and the US which then launched a string of chart-topping singles throughout the 1970s and 80s. His success continued with his acclaimed band, The Boomers, which featured Peter Cardinali on Bass, Rick Gratton on Drums and Bill Dillon on Guitars. Releasing 4 albums in total the Boomers via early Major success in Germany, gained a significant following in Europe.

Whether performed by Ian himself or covered by renowned artists such as Santana, Chicago, Manfred Mann, America, Bon Jovi, and Bette Midler, his songs—“Pilot,” “Hold On,” “Right Before Your Eyes,” “Coming Home,” “You Gotta Know,” and “Come the Sun,” among others—continue to receive heavy rotation on radio stations across Canada and around the world.

In addition to his solo career, Ian has been a core member of the beloved Canadian ensemble Lunch at Allen’s, alongside Marc Jordan, Cindy Church, and Murray McLauchlan, for over 25 years. He is also the author of two books: Bequest (2006), a Canadian bestseller, and The Lost Chord (2008), both published by Manor House Publishing.

Most recently, Ian released a new album titled Roll with it and he completed a SOLD OUT theatre tour across Canada. On a personal level - one of my fave albums in my collection is his orchestral Life of Song album recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. It contains absolutely ingenious arrangements of his hit songs. 

I absolutely loved chatting about Ian’s entire illustrious career and about what Ian listens to for enjoyment himself. Our chat took place in the cozy confines of his beautiful home studio. There were laughs aplenty, and our discussion began with me accidentally knocking my full coffee cup off the table, narrowly missing spilling it all onto some of his valuable recording gear lol.

Enjoy! 

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Hi everyone!

I’m really thrilled to announce that my guest this week is Gavin Rossdale from BUSH!

With over a billion streams, 20 million albums sold, and continued sold-out shows around the world in iconic venues and massive arenas, BUSH has truly earned their place in rock history. Since their explosive debut back in 1994 with Sixteen Stone—which sold six million copies and gave us iconic pop classics like “Comedown,” “Machinehead,” and “Glycerine”—they’ve been unstoppable. Their follow-up, Razorblade Suitcase, produced by Steve Albini, hit #1 on the Billboard charts and went triple platinum, with the single “Swallowed” topping the charts too. Over the years, BUSH has racked up an incredible 23 consecutive Top 40 hits on the Modern and Mainstream Rock charts—six of which hit #1!

We kick things off chatting about what fans can expect from BUSH’s current tour across Canada, the US, and Europe—and having just seen them live, I can vouch the show is packed with wall-to-wall hits and stage energy that’s off the charts! 

From there, Gavin shares his love for life on the road and what it means to still have such a powerful connection with fans after all these years.

We then dive into BUSH’s upcoming album, I Beat Loneliness, which explores themes of mental health and personal growth—something Gavin talks about with real honesty and insight. We shift gears to talk about the current rock scene, his passion for tennis, and how his brand new cooking show, Dinner with Gavin, came together.

Enjoy as I also feature the current single “60 Ways to Forget People” along with clips from some earlier albums. 

UP NEXT -Ian Thomas! He’s a Juno Award-winning singer, songwriter, film composer, author, and actor. I dive into his incredible career, starting with his 1973 debut album Ian Thomas, which gave us the classic hit Painted Ladies.

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Hi everyone, I’m thrilled to welcome a very special guest to this episode of The Talk Music Podcast—the twice GRAMMY-nominated flautist, RON KORB.

Ron’s extraordinary music transcends genres, weaving together elements of Instrumental, World, Crossover, Classical, Latin, Soundtrack, and New Age. Deeply rooted in the cultural richness of his Asian-Canadian heritage, his compositions reflect a global journey—both musically and literally—as he’s traveled the world collecting indigenous flutes from Europe, Asia, and South America.

With 30 albums to his name, Ron has also made his mark in film, contributing to the score of The Eight Hundred, the highest-grossing international box office hit of 2020, as well as working with celebrated directors like Ang Lee, Atom Egoyan, Mira Nair, and John Woo. His music has been featured in Being Julia, The White Countess, and two IMAX films narrated by Tom Cruise and Jennifer Lawrence.

I recently had the pleasure of seeing Ron perform live with an exceptional ensemble at the Sakura celebration at the Japanese Cultural Centre. It was an unforgettable evening filled with magical moments and mesmerizing music.

In our conversation, we dive into Ron’s incredible music journey, and I’m excited to share song clips from across his entire career. 

Enjoy! 

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Hi everybody, This Talk Music episode is a VERY special one for me personally. 

I am a Massive Pat Metheny fan, and vocalist extraordinaire DAVID BLAMIRES who sang and performed with Pat from 1986-1997 is my guest. 

David, for his vocal chops, took home 2 GRAMMY Awards for the albums Still Life (Talking) (in my top 5 desert albums of all time) and also We Live here. He also performed and sang on the Grammy award-winning album Imaginary Day. 

Our conversation took place about a month ago, shortly after David returned from one of his frequent tours in Italy, where he performs regularly with outstanding musicians, including jazz guitarist Antonio Onorato. A few days later, I had the wonderful opportunity to see David live with the superb rock-symphonic group Jeans ’n Classics. As a featured vocalist, he delivers powerful performances of classic material by The Who, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, and more—accompanied by local orchestras across North America.

David has enjoyed an incredible career doing what he loves—singing and performing. I loved diving into his early musical roots in Toronto, where his remarkable 3.5-octave vocal range and expressive style led to significant success in the jingle studio scene. Our chat then takes us through a pivotal moment in his journey: being invited to join Pat Metheny’s band after being recommended by David’s friends Canadian master luthier Linda Manzer and singer-songwriter Johnny Rutledge. This amazing opportunity led to his involvement in 3 great studio albums and extensive touring across the globe, with David eventually relocating to the burgeoning studio jingle scene in Chicago. David has continued to develop his artistry over the years, releasing a range of solo projects and collaborating with talents like Emilie-Claire Barlow, among others. Be sure to check out his latest release, MELT INTO ME. 

I really enjoyed this engaging chat with David and can’t wait to see him sing again! Enjoy the episode!

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Hi, everybody!

Here’s PART 2 of my interview with RIK EMMETT, recorded live in the cozy confines of his studio loft. We take a deep dive into his legendary career as the songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist extraordinaire for Canadian rock icons TRIUMPH!

Our conversation kicks off with Rik’s early days in Toronto, his decision to pursue music over sports, and his fateful first meeting with Mike Levine and Gil Moore, where he immediately recognized Gil’s sharp business acumen and Mike’s record production skills. Rik generously shares memories from each TRIUMPH album and how major support from US radio and MTV/MuchMusic impacted the band's success. We also explore his incredible songwriting contributions, including classics like “Lay It on the Line,” “Hold On,” “Fight the Good Fight,” “Ordinary Man,” “Magic Power,” “Somebody’s Out There” and “Never Surrender.”

More than 40 years after exploding onto the scene, one thing remains crystal clear: Triumph’s legacy lives on. The Canadian hard-rock power trio stands out as a visionary, uniquely influential force—known for their virtuosic musicianship, soaring melodies, electrifying live shows and powerful songwriting with a positive message.

It was an absolute honour to interview Rik and we had plenty of laughs along the way! Enjoy!

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My guest this week is guitarist/songwriter RIK EMMETT!

After a dozen PLATINUM albums from ‘75 to ‘88 with TRIUMPH (who celebrated their legacy and rise to stardom with the documentary “Rock and Roll Machine”), Rik has now released 25 more solo projects. Six decades in the biz have landed him in five halls, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, along with a few Best Guitarist awards. Rik has also released a poetry collection titled REINVENTION and a memoir, LAY IT ON THE LINE. His latest work is a collection of instrumental pieces called TEN TELECASTER TALES, and it’s accompanied by a book with detailed liner notes and personal stories. 

This super entertaining chat was done in person at Rik's beautiful home in his cozy studio. We chatted so long I've decided to release our conversation in two parts.

In this Part 1, we dive deep into Rik's solo career after leaving Triumph. We chat about the creative process, his roots, influences, philosophy, and spirituality involved in writing and recording. Additional stories, career highlights, jams with George Benson and Alex Lifeson and a Juno-nominated album with Pavlo make part 1 a MUST listen! 

Stay tuned for Part 2 for a deep dive into Rik Emmett's ENTIRE Triumph career! 

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In part 2 of my feature on Interesting Estonian Personalities, my guest on the Talk Music Podcast is Mari Sild—an extraordinary artist and scientist who seamlessly blends both worlds to inspire, innovate, and make a difference:

www.marisildmuusika.com

By day, as a Senior Project Manager in clinical research, she plays a key role in developing new medications for migraines, hemophilia, and cancer, with past experience spanning work in cardiovascular, infectious diseases, immunology, ophthalmology, and oncology treatments.

Beyond the science, Mari is also a passionate and boundary-pushing musician. Trained as a classical pianist in Estonia, she later forged her own path, creating a genre she calls Nordic fusion—a mesmerizing blend of the likes of jazz, alt-pop, and indie rock. You can find her performing in clubs and festivals, or composing and releasing songs in various languages. Her recent collaboration with Cuban musicians led to what is likely the world’s first-ever salsa song in Estonian—a true testament to her love for musical storytelling across cultures.

We dive into her childhood in rural Estonia, learning to play her grandmother’s piano, touring with a symphony orchestra as a teenager and ultimately facing the difficult choice of whether to pursue music or science. We also talk about her love of travel, performing on trains (which I also love!), and her deep passion for protecting nature.

It truly was a fun conversation I enjoyed very much. Mari leads a fascinating, multifaceted life, and you won’t want to miss this episode!

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Hi everybody, my truly special Talk Music guest for this episode is ESTONIAN PIANIST KRISTJAN RANDALU, who exists among the most sought-after piano players of his generation, carrying the torch in both the improvised world of jazz and the traditional realm of classical music. Between creating his own original blend of contemporary jazz as a leader and collaborating with several generations of respected musicians, Randalu has brought his music to some of the world’s most renowned jazz festivals and concert halls. The prestigious magazine Jazz Times describes Kristjan’s playing as an “open invitation to an unnameable exotic land." At the same time, he is viewed as an esteemed interpreter of a broad spectrum of contemporary and classical music, performing alongside internationally acclaimed orchestras and conductors. 

We chat about how Kristjan was born in Estonia's capital Tallinn and how his family escaped Communist rule by relocating to Germany where he graduated from the Stuttgart Music University. Kristjan then went on to study at The Royal Academy of Music in London, followed by the Manhattan School of Music where he attained an additional master´s degree. 

We also delve into some of his most recent recordings including Sisu (awarded Jazz Album of the Year at the 2023 Estonian Music Awards) and Schumann’s Dichterliebe (Berlin Classics, 2024) whereby Randalu has not only deepened his musical ties to the classical world, but presented a truly original recasting of one of the Romantic repertoire’s cornerstones. We discuss his recordings with saxophonist Dave Liebman (Mussorgsky Pictures Revisited), Bodek Janke (Double Standard) and his album “Absence,” produced by Legendary owner of the ECM label, Manfred Eicher. Coming soon, his collaboration with Martin Kuuskmann (Schubert Voyage, release in March 2025 on Berlin Classics). Kristjan's list of musical partners include: Eivind Aarset, Mark Guiliana, Dieter llg, Marilyn Mazur, Nils Petter Molvaer, Claudio Puntin, Nguyen Le, Trygve Seim, Mathias Eick, Petros Klampanis, Dhafer Youssef, the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, the New Chamber Orchestra of Berlin, the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, the London Symphony, Dennis Russell Davies, Paavo Järvi, Kristjan Järvi and Maria Schneider.

With a discography of over 50 albums under his belt (including a Grammy-nominated recording) and numerous awards to his name (including “Jazz Artist of the Year” and “Jazz Composer of the year” in Estonia), Randalu’s prolific body of work continues to grow in breadth and quality. His unique voice is becoming internationally more and more important. 

This was for me a most interesting deep dive into an amazing musician and fellow Estonian! Whenever I can attend a performance you will always find me in the front row!

Enjoy! 

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Hi everybody, Happy New Year! I’m stoked to post this chat with my first guest of 2025: Mediterranean artist extraordinaire PAVLO! 

Born in Toronto to Greek parents, Pavlo’s amazing journey to touring concert halls around the globe is most impressive. Over his 20-year career, he’s released 17 albums and 4 PBS TV specials, including his latest which was filmed in Santorini! Two of his albums went GOLD, and he had a Top 10 Billboard hit with “FANTASIA.” In 2002, Pavlo won a lawsuit against R&B mega stars R-Kelly and Jay-Z, who sampled his music for their hit song “Fiesta.” 

Pavlo has performed for King Charles and worked/toured with artists such as Jose Feliciano, Olivia Newton John and The Tenors. He also recorded/performed a trio album called “Trifecta” with legendary guitarist OSCAR LOPEZ and Hall of Famer RIK EMMETT (Triumph). Their subsequent national tour was sold out, and the album earned Pavlo a Juno nomination!

Playing what he calls “Mediterranean music”- a blend of Greek, flamenco, Latin and Balkan flavours, Pavlo chats about his early childhood, how he went GOLD on his debut album and sold out Toronto’s Massey Hall. We also talk about his continuous growth in popularity by orchestrating the release of 4 PBS specials, allowing him to tour constantly all over North America. 

Pavlo has headlined over 3000 concerts so far and, being a born entertainer, will keep performing and performing. This was a fun chat I enjoyed very much! If you like what you hear, please consider subscribing to get more of the Talk Music podcast.

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What a thrill and honour to interview an iconic Canadian music legend to end this season of the Talk Music podcast: BRUCE COCKBURN.

Among his many achievements (including the release of 39 albums), the Ottawa-born artist has been honoured with 13 Juno Awards, an induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, Canadian Music Hall of Fame, a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award and has been made an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Bruce is an artist revered around the world. With his repertoire of musical styles and skillfully-crafted lyrics, his songs have been covered by diverse artists such as Jerry Garcia, Chet Atkins, Judy Collins, The Barenaked Ladies, Jimmy Buffett and K.D Lang. His pioneering guitar playing, both acoustic and electric, has placed him in the company of the world’s top instrumentalists. THE NEW YORK TIMES called him a “virtuoso on guitar,” while Acoustic Guitar magazine placed him in the esteemed company of Andrés Segovia, Bill Frisell and Django Reinhardt. Bruce remains deeply respected for his activism on issues spanning native rights to land mines, the environment to third world debt, and he has worked for organizations such as Oxfam, Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders and Friends of the Earth. 

In this episode, I go deep with Bruce as we chat about his early beginnings, his time at Berklee College of Music in Boston, the inspiration behind some of his most memorable songs (Wondering Where the Lions Are, If I had a Rocket Launcher, The Mines of Mozambique), and we chat about his memoir Rumours of Glory. Whilst navigating his entire career, we explore his in-studio relationships with producers Colin Linden, Eugene Martynec, Jon Goldsmith and T-Bone Burnett.

After chatting about Bruce’s wonderful last album, O SUN O MOON, which also features a co-written song with Susan Aglukark about the growing threat of global warming (To Keep the World We Know), our conversation wraps up with Bruce saying that "if God shows up I hope I will recognize him." 

This is a highly recommended must-listen. Enjoy! 

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