Songwriting For Songwriters

Graham Fellows

Graham Fellows 'Do what you like or don't bother' Graham Fellows is an English comedian, musician, actor, and song writer whose career uniquely blends sharp character comedy with expertly crafted pop songwriting. He first found chart success with the 1978 punk-inflected hit Jilted John, a UK Top 5 single released under the persona of Jilted John Fellows later went on to create his most enduring alter ego, John Shuttleworth, the earnest Sheffield singer-songwriter whose gentle satire and lo-fi organ ballads have become a beloved fixture of British comedy. Across television, radio, stage and music, Fellows has built a distinctive body of work that combines humour with heart, using character to explore ambition, vulnerability, and the quiet drama of everyday life. https://grahamfellowsmusic.com/

Rick Witter (Shed Seven)

Rick Witter (Shed Seven) 'Never Give Up, Never Give In, Anything Could Happen'Get ready to turn up the volume, because we are joined by a true Britpop powerhouse and one of the most enduring voices in British guitar music: the legendary Rick Witter! As the charismatic frontman of Shed Seven, Rick has spent over three decades crafting the anthems that defined an era, recently defying the odds to clinch two massive UK Number 1 albums in 2024. From the swagger of "Going for Gold" to the cinematic depth of their latest hits, Rick brings a masterclass in longevity, grit, and the art of writing songs that resonate with thousands. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a budding songwriter, his journey from York schoolboy to indie icon is a high-octane reminder that great music—and great songwriters—only get better with timeShed Seven Website: https://www.shedseven.com/Rick Witter Website: https://www.rick-witter.co.uk/about/

Crispian Mills (Kula Shaker)

Crispian Mills (Kula Shaker) 'It's something to do with control and chaos' Crispian Mills is best known as the songwriter, singer, and guitarist behind Kula Shaker, and his writing stands out for how boldly it blends classic pop craft with spiritual curiosity. At a time when Britpop leaned heavily on irony and everyday realism, Mills zigged toward mysticism—pulling from Indian philosophy, psychedelic rock, and ’60s melodies, sometimes even weaving Sanskrit lyrics into radio-friendly songs. Crispian Mills is a great example of a songwriter who fully committed to his inner obsessions—and in doing so, carved out a sound and lyrical identity that still feels singular. Kula Shaker existed in an alternate reality. Emerging in the midst of Britpop’s lad-culture swagger and retrograde cool, they appeared like a luminous anomaly — flooded with Sanskrit and sitar-drenched feedback as they became one of Britain’s most exhilarating live bands. Fronted by the spiritually restless Crispian Mills, the band carved out their own mystical counter-narrative, fusing British psychedelia and eastern mysticism that felt less like a gimmick and more like an invocation. Phenomenal success soon followed. How many other artists can claim to have actually headlined Glastonbury twice in the same weekend? Scored one of the fastest selling double-Platinum debuts of all time, a run of Top 10 singles, and opened for Oasis at their era-defining Knebworth shows? Now Kula Shaker are set to prove that they're back at the top of their creative game with their eighth album WORMSLAYER . Still consisting of their original line-up - best friends Crispian Mills (vocals/guitar), Alonza Bevan (bass), Paul Winterhart (drums) and Jay Darlington (Hammond organ) Website: https://kulashaker.os.fan/ Elijah's book - The Songwriters Handbook: https://amzn.eu/d/02CYvGRC Theme music 'Wake Of The Dawn' by The Gravity Drive: http://www.thegravitydrive.com

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 Independent As 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 Live Since 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 Network With 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 Ure Links: https://colestacey.net https://indiaelectricco.com/