The Talk Music Podcast

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

I’m thrilled that my guest is Barry Harris, one of the true architects of modern dance music. His project Kon Kan broke worldwide with “I Beg Your Pardon (I Never Promised You a Rose Garden)," a massive Top 5 hit on Atlantic Records US that launched his international career.

After a couple of albums on Atlantic, I signed Barry to my indie Hypnotic label (via A&M), where we released the Kon Kan album Vida and saw solid success with songs "Sinful Wishes" and "S.O.L," including features on major dance compilations of the era.

Barry later moved to LA and became one of the most influential remixers of all time. As part of the mix duo Thunderpuss (with Chris Cox), he helped define late-’90s/early-2000s club culture, delivering 20+ Billboard Dance #1s and reworking tracks for icons like Madonna, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Cher, and Celine Dion.

Decades into his career, Barry is still evolving. Our chat dives into his incredible music journey, his recent successful tour of Brazil and the details behind his brand-new release, Barry Harris’ Kon Kan, proving he’s not just part of dance music history—he’s still shaping it. From his Atlantic Records breakthrough to global dancefloor domination, Barry Harris didn’t follow the culture—he helped build it.

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

I’m thrilled to welcome JUNO Award–winning Canadian blues guitarist STEVE STRONGMAN as my guest. We recorded this most entertaining chat on my back porch on a beautiful afternoon, so listen closely and you'll hear some birds chirping in the background.

Steve is one of Canada’s top blues artists/guitarists, and his recording journey actually began back in 2004 with the album Honey, which I released successfully on my indie label via A&M Records. Reminiscing about that time working together made this conversation extra special and fun for me.

Since then, Steve has built an incredible discography, including his 2013 JUNO-winning album A Natural Fact. His records highlight talented artists such as Harrison Kennedy, Jessie O’Brien, Crystal Shawanda, Rob Szabo, Dave King, Steve Marriner and many others.

He’s also an acclaimed producer, having co-written and co-produced Struck Down by Kim Wilson and The Fabulous Thunderbirds—a GRAMMY-nominated project featuring Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal, and Mick Fleetwood (and we go deep into how this record came together over a 2 year period).

Steve has shared the stage with legends like B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, and Jeff Healey, and in this chat we delve into his musical journey up to now, the story behind his favourite guitar, and as a bonus I also feature Steve with a live solo acoustic porch performance of "Struck Down (by the Blues)."

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

My guest this week is MICHAEL SHOTTON—drummer and powerhouse vocalist for VON GROOVE—a melodic hard rock trio packed with serious firepower. Alongside him, guitarist Mladen Alexander delivers elite technical chops, while bassist Matthew Gerrard brings the groove and a heavyweight songwriting pedigree.

After a long hiatus—and now signed to the prestigious FRONTIERS Music label—VON GROOVE is back with a killer new album, BORN TO ROCK. In this episode, we dig into the band’s origins, the inspiration behind some of the songs, and feature clips that display the album’s raw, visceral, hard-hitting production that absolutely lives up to its name.

Emerging from Ontario in 1990, the band built a worldwide cult following through standout releases like Rainmaker, Mission Man, and Chameleon, all driven by Shotton’s melodic instincts and commanding vocal delivery.

We also dive into Michael’s incredible journey in music—spending time with Tom Scholz of Boston, recording at A&M Studios in Los Angeles, and even hanging out with Phil Spector and Ron Wood. Plus, we explore his collaborations with Rik Emmett (Triumph), Gord Deppe (Spoons) and Wes Arkeen (Outpatience), who co-wrote several songs for Guns N’ Roses.

Enjoy!
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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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