Songwriting For Songwriters

Ian Gillan (Deep Purple)

Ian Gillan (Deep Purple) shares his songwriting secrets.Joining =ELIJAH= today for the first episode of season 4 is an absolute musical icon. Songwriter and front man of the legendary and influential rock band Deep Purple Mr Ian Gillan.Ian Gillan is one of rock music’s most unmistakable voices—a singer, lyricist, and storyteller whose work helped define the sound of hard rock and heavy metal. Best known as the iconic frontman of Deep Purple, Gillan’s soaring vocals and myth-laden lyrics powered classics like “Child in Time” and “Smoke on the Water,” setting a benchmark for vocal intensity and range that still echoes through generations of singers. Beyond Purple, his career spans ambitious solo projects, the operatic rock epic Jesus Christ Superstar, and a restless creative spirit that never settled for repetition. As a songwriter, Gillan blends raw emotion, wit, and imagination, proving that great rock lyrics can be both visceral and thoughtful—and that longevity comes from curiosity as much as talent.With a brand new Deep Purple on the horizon, Ian speaks with =ELIJAH= about his songwriting, his influences, Ian offers a unique insight into the writing process within Deep Purple, offers songwriting advice,picks the song he wishes he'd written and more.https://www.facebook.com/iangillanofficialhttps://deeppurple.com/Grab a copy of =ELIJAH='s book The Songwriters' Handbook packed with 52 songwriting themes to help you find a seed or a spark for your new song whether you're a pro, hobbyist or a first time songwriter https://amzn.eu/d/ghIBicjHear this seasons theme tune 'Wake Of The Dawn' taken from the album 'The Wildlight' by The Gravity Drive on CD: http://www.thegravitydrive.com or stream from all streaming sites: https://open.spotify.com/track/7wJY7qStRo934us4Cklyr6?si=3a78315905ba425a

Cole Stacey (India Electric Co)

Hailing from a small Devonshire village that is tricky to pronounce, Cole Stacey is a visceral and lyrical songwriter, singer and musician who has roamed the highest echelons of British folk, 80s pop, spoken word and ambient electronics. From The Royal Albert Hall to The Westfalenhalle Arena, 700-year-old castles in Gdansk to Glastonbury Festival.“Soft, pop-aware voice describing a life alive with motion” – The IndependentAs one half of alt-folk duo India Electric Company alongside Joseph O’Keefe, Cole has recently been found on prime-time live sessions for BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music live sessions, at Glastonbury Festival and they’ve enjoyed BBC Introducing’s backing with KLOF declaring them “one of the truly pioneering acts in folk music”.

“A magnificent sound” – Patrick Kielty, BBC Radio 5 LiveSince 2015 Cole has been accompanying legendary pop icon Midge Ure on everything from mandolin to bass guitar, analogue synthesizers to vocals, across sold-out tours of Australia, New Zealand, UK, Scandinavia and Germany. Shows with Human League at Hammersmith Apollo and headline concerts at The Royal Albert Hall have been plentiful in recent years.“Cole’s soaring vocals were a highlight of an electrifying performance, nothing short of mesmerizing” – Scottish Music NetworkWith explorations into traditional songwriting in his blood, Cole released his extraordinarily honest debut album Postcards From Lost Places in early 2025 to audiences far beyond his Dartmoorian horizons. At its heart is a symbiosis of ‘lost’ places and forgotten words, stretching as far back as the 13th century, paired with Cole’s distinctive lyrical songwriting and remarkable soundscapes. For someone so well traveled of late, this album finally brings Cole Stacey home.“Cole’s voice and songwriting are something else — rich, haunting, and full of heart. It’s a real pleasure sharing stages with him” – Midge UreLinks: https://colestacey.nethttps://indiaelectricco.com/

George Earwicker

George Earwicker is a writer-director based in Dorset, England. He is drawn to reimagining genres and making films that explore the complexity of morality, power structures and interpersonal relationships.He taught himself the practicals of filmmaking by making one feature length home movie a year with no budget and a crew of family and friends since he was 15. George and Elijah speak about George's new film 'It's Always The End Of The World', his production team 'The Sandbagos', the use of music in film, Tarantino, sound design for film and more.Find George's work and help fund the film by following these links:The Sandbagos: https://thesandbagos.com/about/Help Fund: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/it-s-always-the-end-of-the-world-post-production

Andy Platts (Young Gun Silver Fox/Mama's Gun)

Andy Platts (Young Gun Silver Fox/Mama's Gun)Andy Platts is a British songwriter and vocalist known primarily through his work with bands Mamas Gun and Young Gun Silver Fox, but also through his songwriting for solo artists, most notably in South East Asia. Platts’ sound draws heavily from the musical melting pot of the 1970s, encompassing classic melodic songwriting, soulful vocals and sophisticated chord harmony.https://www.andyplatts.co.uk/https://www.younggunsilverfox.com/https://www.mamasgun.co.uk/

Neale Donald Walsch

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Neale Donald WalschThis week Elijah speaks with one of his influences best selling author Neale Donald Walsch who wrote the ‘Conversations With God’ series of books. Neale spent the majority of his life thriving professionally, yet searching for spiritual meaning before experiencing his now famous conversation with God. The Conversations with God series of books that emerged from those encounters has been translated into 37 languages, touching millions and inspiring important changes in their day-to-day lives.Neale has written 40 books on spirituality and its practical application in everyday life. Titles in the With God series include: Conversations with God, Books 1-3; Friendship with God; Communion with God; The New Revelations; Tomorrow’s God; What God Wants; and Home with God. Seven of the books in that series reached the New York Times Bestseller List, CWG-Book 1 occupying that list for over two-and-a-half years. His most recent books are When Everything Changes Change Everything (2010), The Storm Before the Calm (2011), The Only Thing That Matters (2012), What God Said (2013), GOD'S MESSAGE TO THE WORLD: You've Got Me All Wrong (2014), Conversations with God: Awaken the Species (Book 4) (2017), and The God Solution (2020).His newest book is GodTalk, published in 2023 by Sacred Stories Publishing.http://www.nealedonaldwalsch.com/Abou...