The Talk Music Podcast

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. 

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! 

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.

Hi and welcome to another episode of The Talk Music Podcast!What does it take to build a global rock career—from underground scenes to arena stages? This episode dives deep with WALLY VAN MIDDENDORP a powerhouse music executive whose fingerprints are all over the international rock and alternative landscape. Now based in London and working with In De Goot Management as Senior Vice President, International, with a roster that includes Shinedown, Halestorm, Black Stone Cherry, GWAR, and Canadians Theory of a Deadman, Wally shares insight into international strategy, bridging U.S. and European operations and the growing success of artists selling merch and physical goods.But his story goes far beyond management. Wally has held top roles across the industry—from SVP International at Roadrunner Records working closely with founder Cees Wessels to General Manager of Sony Music Netherlands, as well as GM of the prestigious PIAS label AKA Play It Again Sam in the Benelux where we actually met when I signed Voivod to the label for European distribution. Our chat includes his early beginnings—when, in his teenage years, he was president of the David Bowie fan club—and his time as an artist himself, fronting the pioneering Dutch post-punk band MINNY POPS who opened for Slash and Joy Division. We also touch on his time spent with Lars Ulrich and working with acts such as Ricky Martin, Julio Iglesias, Mötley Crüe, Alterbridge and many others.From leading European operations to shaping global marketing strategies, his career is a masterclass in how music moves across borders and audiences. If you’re a fan of great music stories, this episode is packed with them.Enjoy!

Hi everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Talk Music Podcast!In this episode, my guest is founding member MATTHEW GILSENAN as we take a deep dive into one of Ireland’s most remarkable musical exports — The CELTIC TENORS. For over 25 years, The CELTIC TENORS have been blending classical technique, Celtic tradition and contemporary repertoire, appealing to audiences far beyond the traditional classical world. With more than one million albums sold worldwide and chart success across Ireland, the UK, Germany, North America, and Australia, their journey began with a multi-album deal with EMI Classics, and a debut release that became a bona fide international hit.Along the way, they’ve earned prestigious honours including Germany’s Echo Award, performed in renowned concert halls and festivals around the globe, and sung for world leaders and international audiences alike.Now, for the first time ever, they’re releasing a live album, recorded at the EMPIRE theatre in Belleville and currently being broadcast on the PBS network. Capturing the emotion, humour, and musical connection fans have cherished for decades, the album features traditional Irish favourites alongside classical and crossover covers — including “Perfect Symphony,” their take on Perfect by Ed Sheeran. Currently on tour — with Ontario dates coming up and a return this November and December — I absolutely loved chatting with Matthew about the band’s beginnings, how their unique sound evolved, and what it takes to sustain a career at this level for over two decades. ENJOY! 

Hi everyone, welcome back to another season of THE TALK MUSIC Podcast!I’m thrilled to announce my first guest is Ben Wells from global rock powerhouse, Black Stone Cherry. Born in the backwoods of Edmonton, Kentucky, Black Stone Cherry have spent over two decades reinventing Southern rock with a vicious breed of melodic-heavy riffs and soulful grit. Formed in 2001, this four-piece brotherhood has remained remarkably consistent, only recently welcoming new bassist Steve Jewell Jr. in 2021.The band have released eight studio albums, dominated the UK Rock Charts with six consecutive #1 debuts, earned gold-certified albums, and headlined sold-out arena tours. In the U.S., they’ve had 17 singles hit the Mainstream Rock charts.With a new EP titled CELEBRATE coming soon, our chat goes deep into how the songs came together, including the title track Celebrate, which, as vocalist Chris Robertson explains, serves as a reminder to acknowledge survival, small victories, and the importance of celebrating the simple act of getting through another day.The EP also includes a powerful cover of the classic Simple Minds song “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” featuring Tyler Connolly of Theory of a Deadman.We then dive into how the songs were produced and recorded, along with an overview of the band’s incredible career so far. Enjoy!

This week on The Talk Music Podcast, my guest is the enchanting CANDICE NIGHT— the radiant voice and creative force behind Blackmore’s Night, the internationally beloved Renaissance-folk-rock project she co-founded with her husband, legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (yes — that Ritchie Blackmore, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame icon who when with Deep Purple wrote one of the most famous guitar riffs in history: “Smoke on the Water”).For more than two decades, Candice has helped shape the band’s unmistakable sound — a mesmerizing blend of medieval melodies, acoustic charm, and mystical storytelling. Her crystalline vocals and poetic lyricism are at the heart of Blackmore’s Night. But Candice’s artistry extends far beyond the band as she’s also stepped into her own creative spotlight with a solo career. Her most recent album, Sea Glass, is a deeply personal and beautifully textured work featuring introspective, uplifting and cinematic songs proving she’s a remarkable artist in her own right.In this episode, we dive into her creative world and how she brings ancient stories to life and we explore the many inspirations that shaped Sea Glass. We also go deep on how she met Ritchie when he was in Deep Purple and became a co-writer and part of his band Rainbow before the evolution of Blackmore’s Night’s signature sound.This is Candice Night fully expressive, sharing the stories behind the songs of Blackmore’s Night and her wonderful solo career - music that continues to captivate fans around the world. Enjoy! 

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!