The Talk Music Podcast

Hi and welcome to another episode of The Talk Music Podcast!

Today’s guest is the kind of artist who reminds you why live music matters in the first place. STEVE POLTZ (born in Halifax) isn’t just a singer-songwriter—he’s a storyteller extraordinaire and a master of turning the unpredictable into something unforgettable. Whether he’s crafting deeply moving lyrics or spinning hilarious, off-the-cuff tales, Steve has a rare ability to make every performance feel like a one-of-a-kind experience.

Steve Poltz first emerged from the fertile San Diego music scene as the charismatic frontman and co-founder of The Rugburns, a cult-favorite indie band known for its sharp wit, relentless touring, and offbeat songwriting. During this period, Poltz’s path intertwined with Jewel, leading to one of the defining moments of his career: co-writing her massive 1995 hit “You Were Meant for Me,” which climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a massive global success. That breakthrough opened major industry doors, helping Poltz secure a solo deal with Danny Goldberg and Mercury Records. He released his debut solo album One Left Shoe in 1997, showcasing a more personal, melodic side of his songwriting while still retaining his signature eccentricity. His time with Mercury marked a pivotal transition from bandleader to solo artist and set the stage for a fiercely independent career built on artistic freedom.

Since then, Poltz has carved out an unusually prolific and enduring solo career, releasing a wide array of albums—from the experimental Answering Machine, to fan-favourite records like Chinese Vacation, Dreamhouse, Shine On, and on his most recent 14th studio album JoyRide. It’s chaos, caffeine, and accidental poetry — art colliding with microphones in a glorious mess as Steve weaves his magic into songs like Son of God, Brand New Liver and JoyRide.

With decades of touring, a deep catalog of music, and a fiercely loyal worldwide fanbase, Steve Poltz stands today as a truly singular figure—often cited by fans and peers alike as one of the finest live singer-songwriters working right now.

Enjoy!
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Hi everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Talk Music Podcast!

Few artists embody the spirit of soul, roots, blues, and storytelling quite like my guest today, SHAKURA S’AIDA.

Brooklyn-born and Swiss-raised, Shakura has spent over four decades igniting stages and connecting with audiences around the world. A three-time JUNO Award nominee and internationally celebrated performer, she has toured more than 30 countries, delivering the kind of electrifying, deeply human performances critics describe as “engaging, vivacious, and exciting.”

From fronting bands to starring in theatre productions like The Nina Project, and appearing on hit TV shows such as Schitt’s Creek, Shakura’s artistry refuses to be boxed in. She is as much a storyteller and community builder as she is a vocalist—using music to connect, uplift, and move people at their core. Her career is filled with accolades that reflect both excellence and longevity: Maple Blues Award wins and nominations, JUNO nods across multiple decades, a 2023 Folk Music Ontario Award for Album of the Year and the prestigious 2024 SOCAN Foundation “Her Music” Award recognizing her lasting impact on Canadian music.

In our conversation, we explore her early beginnings, the challenges she faced finding her place in the music world as a black female singer songwriter and her journey toward success in theatre, television, and on stages around the globe as one of Canada’s most respected Americana, roots, soul, and blues artists. Most recently, Shakura performed at the prestigious Chicago Blues Festival and coming up on June 19th, she’ll be performing at TD Music Hall in Toronto.

P.S. A special shout out to PR genius extraordinaire Richard Flohil who initially contacted me to set up this chat! Thanks!
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Hi everyone, and welcome back to another episode of The Talk Music Podcast!

If you love jaw-dropping guitar playing and high-octane rock then listen up, because if you haven’t discovered JACOB DERAPS yet… now is the time.

Hailing from St-Georges, Quebec, Jacob has exploded onto the modern rock scene as one of the most electrifying young guitarists out there. His playing blends insane technical precision with a deep love for the golden era of hard rock—channeling legends like Eddie Van Halen while bringing a fresh, modern energy that’s completely his own.

And the industry is taking notice. Guitar World—with over 1.7 million followers—recently asked: “Who’s the most exciting up-and-coming guitar player?” Their answer? Jacob Deraps. They even said they couldn’t get one of his riffs out of their head for days—and boldly claimed in one of their videos: “Jacob Deraps is here to rescue hard rock.”

His rise started early—at just 13 years old, his YouTube performances went viral, stunning fans with his uncanny ability to capture the tone and feel of Eddie Van Halen. That buzz quickly turned into real recognition, including praise, support and guitar endorsement from the Van Halen camp, and admiration from Dweezil Zappa, who awarded him the prestigious Dweezil and Frank Zappa Fellowship.

In this episode, we dive into his journey—from those early viral moments to signing a global publishing deal with Anthem Entertainment (home of Rush), building an impressive international following, and producing his own music. We also talk studio tips, creative process, and his latest album Viva Rock ’n’ Roll—which shot straight to #1 on the hard rock charts in Japan and scored an impressive 88/100 in Burn Magazine.

After tearing it up across the U.S. on tour recently and wowing audiences everywhere, Jacob is just getting started—with plenty more shows on the horizon.
Just posted, Deraps received a 10 out of 10 review from Powerplay Magazine for their Feb 6 2026 N.Y.C. show. So if you get the chance to see him live, don’t miss it.
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Hi everyone, and welcome to another episode of THE TALK MUSIC PODCAST!

I recently caught an incredible show featuring Canadian arena rock legends Triumph and April Wine—and I’m still buzzing from it. So I’m especially excited to welcome my guest: guitarist extraordinaire BRIAN GREENWAY who’s been a driving force behind April Wine’s sound since 1977!

When you talk about Canadian rock royalty, April Wine is always in the mix. With 16 studio albums, multiple Gold and Platinum records in Canada and the U.S., and a catalogue stacked with radio staples, their legacy is undeniable. From anthems like "Roller" and "I Like to Rock," to hits like "Just Between You and Me," "Sign of the Gypsy Queen," and "You Could Have Been a Lady," their music helped define a generation of rock fans. Add in 20+ Top 40 singles in Canada—including six Top 10 hits—and their 2010 induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and you’ve got a band whose impact still resonates today.

In this episode, Brian and I dive into his early days, how he joined April Wine, and some great behind-the-scenes studio stories—including insights on Roller, Say Hello, and their take on 21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson. We also talk about life on the road, sharing stages with Rush and Styx, and even opening for The Rolling Stones.

It’s a fun, wide-ranging conversation with one of Canadian rock’s true lifers! Enjoy!
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Hi everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Talk Music Podcast.

With RECORD STORE DAY happening this Saturday, April 18, I’m joined by DERRY GREHAN of HONEYMOON SUITE—this year’s Canadian ambassadors—alongside global ambassador Bruno Mars and Record Store Legend award recipient, Robert Plant.

Record Store Day began in 2007 as a celebration of independent record store culture—nearly 1,400 in the U.S. and thousands more around the world. The first official event took place on April 19, 2008.

In this episode, we dive into what makes Record Store Day so special: the culture, the community, and the charm of indie record shops. Derry shares stories from his early days in record stores, the staff picks that helped shape his musical taste, and why putting vinyl on a turntable is often a magical engaging listening experience.

We also talk about Honeymoon Suite’s exclusive Record Store Day limited-edition release—a red translucent vinyl album titled Singles, featuring their biggest hits, including four tracks from their debut album, which I had the pleasure of producing.

Plus, we wrap things up with what’s next for the band—touring, recording, and what fans can expect in the year ahead.

P.S. If you’d like to check out my earlier deep-dive conversation with Derry about the band’s illustrious career, listen here.
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