The Talk Music Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

I’m thrilled to announce my guest this week is JIM CUDDY from BLUE RODEO! In this fun interview, we dive deep on his entire career, starting from his early beginnings through all his solo albums, including his most recent called ALL THE WORLD FADES AWAY. 

We discuss Blue Rodeo’s early days, how they got signed to the Warner label and the upcoming Blue Rodeo Documentary. 

Jim’s solo career has included a JUNO award for Best Male Vocalist and Best Adult Alternative album of the year. In the 35 years since forming, Blue Rodeo have sold over 4 million albums, received dozens of JUNO Award nominations/wins, played over 2,000 shows, been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, been named to the Order of Canada and have been honoured with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award. Most recently, Jim and his long time writing partner, Greg Keelor, were announced as new inductees into the CANADIAN SONGWRITING HALL OF FAME!!! (the ceremony will take place at Massey Hall Sept 28th) 

Enjoy! 

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Hi everyone!

Here’s part 2 of my interview with Gordie Johnson from BIG SUGAR. In this episode we continue to go deep into his career, delving into all his albums after signing with A&M Records. With super radio-friendly songs such as Turn the Lights On, Diggin’ a Hole, The Scene, If I Had My Way, Better Get Used to It, Roads Ahead and the classic anthem All Hell For A Basement, Gordie achieved 3 PLATINUM awards for the albums Hemi-Vision, Heated and Brothers and Sisters, Are You Ready?

We also touch on the reasons why Gordie left Canada to live in Austin (where he co-founded the ‘cowboy metal’ band, Grady), his eventual return to Canada, his bout with carpal tunnel and his seemingly never ending tour of all Canada's beautiful provinces. We end our conversation with Gordie's advice on getting started as an upcoming musician/artist.

Always insightful and with great stories to tell, this chat with Gordie was truly a special one for me because of our shared history and the renewed interest in the album 500 pounds, thanks to JACK WHITE.

Enjoy! 

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I’ve loved chatting with all my amazing guests this year, but for our Season 3 finale, this one is extra special.

DEREK SHULMAN was the lead singer of my favourite band GENTLE GIANT. They, along with YES and GENESIS (among others), were pioneers known for the complexity and sophistication of their music. Our chat covers Gentle Giant's entire 11 studio album career, with stories about their beginnings, hanging out with Elton John, working with Producer Tony Visconti, opening for Black Sabbath and headlining big arenas in Quebec. 

After leaving Gentle Giant, Derek became one of the most successful music executives of all time! Next season will open with PART 2 of our conversation where Derek shares about signing BON JOVI as VP of Polygram, and AC/DC, BAD COMPANY, PANTERA and DREAM THEATRE as the President of Atco/Warner in the US. As President of indie label Roadrunner, Derek went on to attain powerhouse status for the label by signing NICKELBACK and SLIPKNOT. 

The Talk Music Podcast features host Tom Treumuth, a Multi-Platinum music producer/manager/entrepreneur. The focus is on both Canadian and Global music commentary.

Over his 40 year music career, Tom Treumuth has worked across all aspects of the music industry, including as a talent scout for RCA New York and producing over 60 albums, with 8 achieving Gold and Platinum status (Honeymoon Suite, Helix, Big Sugar). His Hypnotic label released over 100 albums across all genres via A&M/Universal including artists such as Big Sugar, Anvil, Voivod, Figgy Duff, the Look People, Grimskunk, Chris Spedding and many others. 

Tom also owned and ran a recording studio, was a booking agent and was signed as a songwriter to RCA Publishing in New York. Tom loved artist management and during his career managed Honeymoon Suite, Lee Aaron, Platinum US rock group Steelheart and Hamilton born Kazzer ( Pedal to the Metal) who Tom signed to Columbia Records in New York. Tom also managed and Co produced rock act Gypsy Rose whom he signed to RCA in New York where he worked closely with Gene Simmons. More recently, Tom was Co-Managing Director of indie label Frostbyte (Universal) where he was involved in signing the Headstones and Matt Good. Tom also co-founded Latitude 44, a tech conference in Toronto and was Artistic Director for Estonian Music Week. Tom’s career started as a keyboard musician in True Myth, who recorded the world's 1st digital rock album on Warner Music.

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This week's Talk Music Podcast features a really interesting chat with BARRY BERGMAN, a highly respected song expert who has published over 250 songs by major artists such as CHER, KISS, JOAN JETT, MICHAEL BOLTON and many others, including hits for hard rockers LEE AARON, HELIX and US act KIX where their ballad DON’T CLOSE YOUR EYES sold 2 million copies. He’s also had a worldwide TOP 10 hit with DON’T SHED A TEAR by Paul Carrack and signed AC/DC to their first publishing deal for North America. He then discovered and signed MEATLOAF where he was also responsible for breaking the single “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” from the Bat Out of Hell album, one of the biggest selling albums of all time on the Sony/Epic label. 

Barry then founded, and was president of, the INTERNATIONAL MANAGERS FORUM (later renamed to MMF) which now has chapters all around the world including Canada. As president, he was instrumental and successful in helping lobby the US government for change to certain music related intellectual laws.

I really found Barry’s life fascinating as he simply wouldn’t take NO for an answer as he made his path through the complexities of the music industry as a publisher, manager and overall music consultant. In my opinion, his keen knowledge of the music business is second to none. Listen to the podcast to find some info about seminars he puts on a few times a year where he talks about how to be successful in a now DIY industry where you need to market and promote yourself properly and he will also critique your songs.

In 2018, Barry was inducted into the PERSONAL MANAGERS HALL OF FAME in Las Vegas. Enjoy with song clips throughout the podcast of some of Barry’s successes. 

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On this week's podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome GARTH RICHARDSON and JOE PRIMEAU, two fantastic producer/engineers (and friends of mine) from the past.

Garth's legendary producer dad JACK RICHARDSON mentored me, so we both chat about his influence. We also talk about how Garth, after landing in LA, ended up producing RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's monster debut album, which sold 15 million copies, and who were recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Some of his other clients include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mudvayne, Rise Against, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Big Wreck and the latest album by Devin Townsend (who's track Celestial Signals is featured at the top of this episode).

Joe, who moved to LA after engineering at a great studio in Toronto called Phase One and working with me on recording/mixing albums in England/New York, went on to work with some great artists including The Brand New Heavies, Pharcyde, Tower of Power, REO Speedwagon, CHER, and many more. 

The Talk Music Podcast features host Tom Treumuth, a Multi-Platinum music producer/manager/entrepreneur. The focus is on both Canadian and Global music commentary.

Over his 40 year music career, Tom Treumuth has worked across all aspects of the music industry, including as a talent scout for RCA New York and producing over 60 albums, with 8 achieving Gold and Platinum status (Honeymoon Suite, Helix, Big Sugar). His Hypnotic label released over 100 albums across all genres via A&M/Universal including artists such as Big Sugar, Anvil, Voivod, Figgy Duff, the Look People, Grimskunk, Chris Spedding and many others. 

Tom also owned and ran a recording studio, was a booking agent and was signed as a songwriter to RCA Publishing in New York. Tom loved artist management and during his career managed Honeymoon Suite, Lee Aaron, Platinum US rock group Steelheart and Hamilton born Kazzer ( Pedal to the Metal) who Tom signed to Columbia Records in New York. Tom also managed and Co produced rock act Gypsy Rose whom he signed to RCA in New York where he worked closely with Gene Simmons. More recently, Tom was Co-Managing Director of indie label Frostbyte (Universal) where he was involved in signing the Headstones and Matt Good. Tom also co-founded Latitude 44, a tech conference in Toronto and was Artistic Director for Estonian Music Week. Tom’s career started as a keyboard musician in True Myth, who recorded the world's 1st digital rock album on Warner Music.

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On this week's podcast, my guest is DARYN BARRY, co-owner of one of the best studios in the world: The ORANGE LOUNGE RECORDING STUDIO in downtown Toronto. I recently had some of the most fun in years with Daryn as we chatted in his beautiful, vibing control room.

Daryn was the first employee I hired at my Hypnotic label/studio many years ago, so we chat about how we first met and some of the acts we worked on together, including BIG SUGAR, ANVIL, VOIVOD, and THE LOOK PEOPLE (featuring JAYMZ BEE and KEVIN HEARN).

After leaving Hypnotic, we go deep on how Daryn helped open The Orange Lounge boutique studio and turn it into one of the best in the world. With an incredible list of some of the world's biggest stars who have either recorded or mixed there (DRAKE, AMY WINEHOUSE, THE WEEKEND, NELLY FURTADO, TRAGICALLY HIP, RUSH and MADONNA), Daryn opens up about his time working with the artists and offers his expert advice on the process. 

This is the longest chat I’ve had so far, but we had so much fun discussing our views on the music biz that I’ve decided to post the entire deep dive. Enjoy!

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The Talk Music Podcast features host Tom Treumuth, a multi-Platinum music producer/manager/entrepreneur. The focus is on both Canadian and Global music commentary.

Over his 40 year music career, Tom Treumuth has worked across all aspects of the music industry, including as a talent scout for RCA New York and producing over 60 albums, with 8 achieving Gold and Platinum status (Honeymoon Suite, Helix, Big Sugar). His Hypnotic label released over 100 albums across all genres via A&M/Universal including artists such as Big Sugar, Anvil, Voivod, Figgy Duff, the Look People, Grimskunk, Chris Spedding and many others. 

Tom also owned and ran a recording studio, was a booking agent and was signed as a songwriter to RCA Publishing in New York. Tom loved artist management and during his career managed Honeymoon Suite, Lee Aaron, Platinum US rock group Steelheart and Hamilton born Kazzer (Pedal to the Metal) who Tom signed to Columbia Records in New York. Tom also managed and Co produced rock act Gypsy Rose whom he signed to RCA in New York where he worked closely with Gene Simmons. More recently, Tom was Co-Managing Director of indie label Frostbyte (Universal) where he was involved in signing the Headstones and Matt Good. Tom also co-founded Latitude 44, a tech conference in Toronto and was Artistic Director for Estonian Music Week. Tom’s career started as a keyboard musician in True Myth, who recorded the world's 1st digital rock album on Warner Music.

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Hi everyone and welcome back to THE TALK MUSIC podcast, part 2 with BRIAN VOLLMER, lead singer of Canadian rock band HELIX.

In this riveting episode, besides a fun GENE SIMMONS story and another when ROBIN WILLIAMS dropped in to say hi during a video shoot in LA, we talk about how Brian hit rock bottom and how he wound up sleeping on sofas, working as a clerk in a convenience store and getting beat up (and then he was accused of murder!), when one minute before he was living the High life after Platinum albums and touring around the world with the likes of Motorhead, KISS, Motley Crue, Accept, Girlschool, Heart, Whitesnake, The Scorpions, Megadeth, Mercyful Fate, Quiet Riot, Meatloaf and Ronnie James Dio.

Follow Us And subscribe to the THE TALK MUSIC podcast so that you ever miss out.

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This week's interview is yet another really special one for me and The Talk Music podcast as it's with singer BRIAN VOLLMER from HELIX. I truly regard them as another fantastic band that I owe my success to as a producer as I was fortunate to produce 4 albums for them. I am so grateful that one went double platinum and two others platinum in Canada.

We also had success around the world including a #1 album in Sweden for the album LONG WAY TO HEAVEN due to a major commitment from the US and Europe when their manager Bill Seip and I got them signed to Capitol Records in Los Angeles. The key to that happening was that Dean Cameron from Capitol Canada was a major cheerleader for the band as was international head of Capitol/EMI David Munns from the UK. After opening for KISS on their European tour and getting heavy video rotation on MTV for the song “HEAVY METAL LOVE” from the album NO REST FOR THE WICKED, the band started to blow up worldwide. Their signature song Gimme an R, Gimme a O…..  what ya got “ROCK YOU” from the album WALKING THE RAZOR’S EDGE also received tons of play on MTV.

I LOVED all my times working closely with HELIX, so this long entertaining chat with BRIAN will be my first interview in TWO PARTS. In Part ONE, we cover what HELIX is up to currently, Brian’s early music beginnings, his mentors, the formation of HELIX, how he attracted Bill Seip (a booking agent at the time) to become his manager and some banter about how the song ROCK YOU came about.

HELIX are still going as strong as ever and approaching their 50th Anniversary as a band! Kudos to them! 

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On this week’s podcast, I’m stoked to chat with David Diamond and Mister Zero from the band THE KINGS, who in 2020 celebrated the 40th anniversary of the release of their debut album, The Kings Are Here. On the album was a massive hit song called “This Beat Goes On/Switching to Glide” that exploded in Canada and the US and earned them an induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. That song and the album was produced by legendary producer BOB EZRIN, whose incredible portfolio includes such masterpieces as Pink Floyd's the Wall, Peter Gabriel’s solo album, Alice Cooper and many more. Listen in as we chat about the band's career, how Bob got involved, his production ideas, and how the band ended up on the biggest TV show of that era, Dick Clark's AMERICAN BANDSTAND. We also chat about what they are up to currently, the release of their brand new single “Always Off The Deep End” and much more!

The Talk Music Podcast features host Tom Treumuth, a Multi-Platinum music producer/manager/entrepreneur. The focus is on both Canadian and Global music commentary.

Over his 40 year music career, Tom Treumuth has worked across all aspects of the music industry, including as a talent scout for RCA New York and producing over 60 albums, with 8 achieving Gold and Platinum status (Honeymoon Suite, Helix, Big Sugar). His Hypnotic label released over 100 albums across all genres via A&M/Universal including artists such as Big Sugar, Anvil, Voivod, Figgy Duff, the Look People, Grimskunk, Chris Spedding and many others. 

Tom also owned and ran a recording studio, was a booking agent and was signed as a songwriter to RCA Publishing in New York. Tom loved artist management and during his career managed Honeymoon Suite, Lee Aaron, Platinum US rock group Steelheart and Hamilton born Kazzer (Pedal to the Metal) who Tom signed to Columbia Records in New York. Tom also managed and Co produced rock act Gypsy Rose whom he signed to RCA in New York where he worked closely with Gene Simmons. More recently, Tom was Co-Managing Director of indie label Frostbyte (Universal) where he was involved in signing the Headstones and Matt Good. Tom also co-founded Latitude 44, a tech conference in Toronto and was Artistic Director for Estonian Music Week. Tom’s career started as a keyboard musician in True Myth, who recorded the world's 1st digital rock album on Warner Music.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

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For this week's THE TALK MUSIC podcast, I’m beyond excited to feature my interview with ESTONIAN folk sensation MARI KALKUN. Her music is rooted in deep, ancient ESTONIAN traditions that I believe will resonate with new listeners, as will her singing voice which seems to speak directly from the heart of the ESTONIAN forest. Her new album titled STORIES OF STONIA, just released on PETER GABRIEL’S Real World Records. It's a MUST listen!

During our chat, we talk about her inspirations in making the album, along with her recent performance in front of 100,000 people in Tallinn at the YOUTH and SONG festival where they also featured one of her original compositions, SATA -SATA, which I feature before the start of our interview. We also chat about her background growing up in rural Estonia, her studio in the woods, her previous albums and musical influences, and more!

“Kalkun is a musician whose work is a jewel in the crown of the rich ESTONIAN scene.” – Fiona Talkington, Songlines,

The Talk Music Podcast features host Tom Treumuth, a Multi-Platinum music producer/manager/entrepreneur. The focus is on both Canadian and Global music commentary.

Over his 40 year music career, Tom Treumuth has worked across all aspects of the music industry, including as a talent scout for RCA New York and producing over 60 albums, with 8 achieving Gold and Platinum status (Honeymoon Suite, Helix, Big Sugar). His Hypnotic label released over 100 albums across all genres via A&M/Universal including artists such as Big Sugar, Anvil, Voivod, Figgy Duff, the Look People, Grimskunk, Chris Spedding and many others. 

Tom also owned and ran a recording studio, was a booking agent and was signed as a songwriter to RCA Publishing in New York. Tom loved artist management and during his career managed Honeymoon Suite, Lee Aaron, Platinum US rock group Steelheart and Hamilton born Kazzer (Pedal to the Metal) who Tom signed to Columbia Records in New York. Tom also managed and Co produced rock act Gypsy Rose whom he signed to RCA in New York where he worked closely with Gene Simmons. More recently, Tom was Co-Managing Director of indie label Frostbyte (Universal) where he was involved in signing the Headstones and Matt Good. Tom also co-founded Latitude 44, a tech conference in Toronto and was Artistic Director for Estonian Music Week. Tom’s career started as a keyboard musician in True Myth, who recorded the world's 1st digital rock album on Warner Music.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.