Episodes

  • An introduction (Living through the songwriting process)
    Nov 10 2020

    In this introductory episode, Marco explains what the show is about, the reason it is called SONGBIRD and shares some hard luck stories behind the making of his debut album, Heaven Get Behind Me.

    Sneak previews of some of the songs are included.

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    18 mins
  • The story behind the song | Fellini Was Dying (drunk in the afternoon)
    Nov 14 2020

    In SONGBIRD's first "behind the song" episode, Marco explores the real life story that inspired the first track from Heaven Get Behind Me.

    We talk through the songwriting process, listen to the demo version, go deep into the technical choices and then we hear the final mastered version of the track.

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    24 mins
  • The story behind the song | Marfa
    Nov 21 2020

    In SONGBIRD's third episode, a stalker's email evolves into the song MARFA from Martin Ruby's debut album HEAVEN GET BEHIND ME. As usual, we talk through the specific challenges this track presented to the songwriting process.

    The demo as well as the final mastered version are included.

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    24 mins
  • The story behind the song | Long Tall Man
    Nov 27 2020

    In SONGBIRD's latest "behind the song" episode, we tackle the story behind Long Tall Man (track four from Heaven Get behind Me). Inspired by Ry Cooder's score for Paris, Texas (by way of a Blind Willie Johnson cover) and a documentary about Townes Van Zandt - this song is pure minimalism.

    We talk through the obstacles in the songwriting process, listen to the demo version, examine the technical choices, then we hear the final mastered version of the track.

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    25 mins
  • The story behind the song | California Divorce
    Dec 5 2020

    What is your favorite breakup song?

    In this SONGBIRD "behind the song" episode, we talk about divorce and other major life events - how they shape us, how we navigate them and somehow move on. "California Divorce" is at the center of this conversation, track five from Heaven Get Behind Me.

    We listen to the demo version as well as the final mastered version of the track.

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    22 mins
  • The story behind the song | The Letter Reader
    Dec 12 2020

    What does it take to break a person? Can they be saved? How does it feel to seek revenge on the world? These are the questions that inspired The Letter Reader, track 5 from Heaven Get Behind Me. In this "behind the song" episode we talk about prison, in its many forms. We also discuss the influence of filmmaker Robert Bresson on the themes and characters that inhabit this track.

    As always, we listen to the demo version as well as the final mastered version of the track.

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    25 mins
  • The story behind the song | Sebastapol
    Dec 17 2020

    What is the life of an expat? Can they ever really go home? These questions - along with a screenplay about the Book of Enoch - inspired "Sebastapol" (track 6 from Heaven Get Behind Me).

    In this latest "behind the song" episode we have our first interview, with Eve North who performed a guest vocal on this track. We talk about themes of loss, vocal styles, curated Spotify playlists and much more.

    As always, we listen to the demo version as well as the final mastered version of the track.

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    28 mins
  • The story behind the song | Way Up There (Don't Say a Word)
    Dec 25 2020

    Can a terrible person write a great song? Can they sing it? These questions - along with the search for an ancient instrument, a chance meeting with a Russian DJ, a crash course in the music of goth-rock legend David Eugene Edwards and a hilarious Ebay experience - inspired "Way Up There (Don't Say a Word)" track 7 from Heaven Get Behind Me.

    In this latest "behind the song" episode we talk about rewriting lullabies as well as the process of trying out different instruments and arrangements. This time we discuss two very different demo versions before we hear the final mastered version of the track.

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    25 mins