SOCAN presented a Songwriting Master Class with Grammy-nominated, multi-Platinum producer and songwriter Zale at the SOCAN-sponsored 2025 edition of IMSTA FESTA, a free, one-day music tech conference, presented by the International Music Software Trade Association (IMSTA), and held at Toronto Metropolitan University on Oct. 18, 2025.
Guided by mentors Boi-1da and Stephen “Koz” Kozmeniuk, Zale has co-created a catalogue that spans genres – from rap with Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, and Nicki Minaj; to R&B with Chris Brown and Partynextdoor; to country with Ernest; to pop-rock with The Beaches and Goldie Boutilier – Zale’s dynamic range and storytelling instinct have cemented him as a creative voice. Most recently, he co-wrote The Beaches’ single “Did I Say Too Much,” and produced and co-wrote their single “Lesbian of the Year.” Outside of music, Zale co-leads THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON PLANTS (TIYBOP), an independent fashion house transforming vintage clothing into statement pieces.
SOCAN Creative Executive Houtan Hodania moderated the conversation, as Zale talked extensively about honing your own unique sound, playing “Lesbian of the Year” as an example. He also discussed the importance of being a good person that people actually want to work with; being able to have skills such as playing live instruments in the age of AI; and the need to go out and live life, doing things outside of the studio in order to inspire yourself and prevent writer’s block.
353535lso during IMSTA-FESTA 2025, SOCAN Publisher Relations Lead Kristen Antunes offered an educational session, What You Need to Know About Publishing, that provided some essential information to help attendees seize the opportunity to take full advantage of the rights to their music.