2015 | Page 3 of 7 | Folk Roots Radio

Episode 212: Jennis & Jenny Ritter

Oct 09 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio is the first to be split into two separate hours – “Live and Local” focusing more on upcoming live shows in the Guelph – Erin Area and the “The New Music Special” – featuring a selection of the great new music out there. Live and Local this week featured two interviews – Dennis Gaumond and Jennifer Gillmor are the Guelph-Toronto based multi-instrumentalist musical duo responsible for the rootsy, bluesy and at times funky sound of Jennis. They came into the studio to chat about their Erin Roots show at The Busholme Inn in Erin on Saturday October 24. Jenny Ritter also joined us from Vancouver to talk about her her new album “Raised with Wolves” and her show at Silence in Guelph on Wednesday October 21.

Oct 09 2015

The second show of the Erin Roots live music series at The Busholme Inn in Erin takes place on Saturday October 24 at 7:30 p.m. and features the roots, bluesy, folky sound of Jen Gillmor and Dennis Gaumond as “Jennis” alongside the duelling banjos of the “Banjo Mechanics” Ian Pattison and Lewis Melville. Join us for an evening of fabulous live roots music that is sure to engage, delight and inspire. Each of the Erin Roots live shows will be taped for future broadcast on Erin Radio community radio station.

Erin Roots presents… Jennis and The Banjo Mechanics in Concert
The Busholme Inn, 156 Main St, Erin, Ontario N0B 1T0 Erin
Saturday October 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $15 (for advance tickets call 519-362-3383 or e-mail jan[at]folkrootsradio.com)

Oct 07 2015

Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Jenny Ritter is coming to Guelph for $10/PWYC show at Silence on October 21 at 8 p.m. with support from South-Western Ontario based The Oh Chays. Jenny spent a decade playing with roots outfit The Gruff, before striking out under her own name. She’s just released “Raised by Wolves”, the follow-up to her critically acclaimed album “Bright Mainland” (2012). “Raised By Wolves” is full of songs that tell stories from her “unconventional” upbringing deep in the woods on Vancouver Island featuring dreamy landscapes, pastoral imagery and some unusual people. When not touring, Jenny singlehandedly runs two rock choirs in East Vancouver. Music: Jenny Ritter “Wolf Wife”, “Turn Your Thoughts” and “Lost and Found” from “Raised By Wolves” (2015, Fiddlehead Records).

Episode 211: Glen MacNeil & Linda McRae

Oct 02 2015

Episode 211 of Folk Roots Radio features two interviews. South-western Ontario singer-songwriter Glen MacNeil joins us to chat about his debut album “Where The Heart Remains” and we also talk to Linda McRae about her latest release “Shadow Trails”. Linda’s in Guelph for a CD release show on October 9. Among the new music on this week’s show we take a look at a new tribute album to the godfather of the first British folk revival, Ewan McColl out now on Cooking Vinyl.

Oct 02 2015

A veteran of the South-Western Ontario music scene, singer-songwriter Glen MacNeil has just released his debut album “Where The Heart Remains”, a fine selection of beautifully-crafted songs focusing on relationships, family and life in general. The album, produced by John Law (of The Laws) features acoustic guitar and vocals from Glen, with John Law on guitar, resophonic guitar, mandolin, organ, and backing vocals from John & Michele Law. Guest musicians include J.P. Cormier on fiddle, Stuart Cameron (from The Heartbroken) on electric guitar and Philip Scott Poli on backing vocals. . We caught up with Glen at home near Windsor. Music: Glen MacNeil “I Wish I Was A Train”, “Up On High”, The Island Is Where The Heart Remains” from “Where The Heart Remains” (2015, Self).

Ian Foster – In The Studio

Sep 30 2015

St John’s Newfoundland singer-songwriter Ian Foster knows his way around a good song and loves to tell a good story. Ian joined us in the studio for an extended chat and a few songs while travelling through Ontario this summer. For more information about Ian Foster’s music, visit ianfoster.ca. Music: Ian Foster, “Man Out Of Time” from “The Great Wave” (2014, Self), “The House” (Live), “If The Weather Holds” (Live), “Open Letter To The Island” (Live), “Right Here” (Live), “Hannah” from “The Great Wave” (2014, Self).

Album of the Week – Glen MacNeil ‘Where The Heart Remains’

Sep 29 2015

Windsor-based singer-songwriter Glen MacNeil‘s debut album “Where The Heart Remains” is very much a personal testament to love and life. Ten fine songs, written or co-written by Glen, that focus on life, love and personal relationships, and his Cape Breton roots – The Island Where The Heart Remains; it is very much in the tradition of great Canadian singer-songwriters like Gordon Lightfoot and Dave Gunning. Featuring some fabulous musicianship, and beautifully understated production from John Law (of The Laws), the album is a joy for the ears, and one that once you start listening, you need to stay with to the end.

Sep 29 2015

The Guelph Celtic Orchestra open their 2015/16 season with an encore performance from Canadian Folk Music Award nominees Shane Cook and Jake Charron. The show takes place on Saturday, November 7 2015 at 7:30 p.m. at the Guelph Little Theatre, 176 Morris Street, Guelph. Advance tickets are $20 ($30 at the door) for adults and $10 for Children 6-10 and are available from [email protected] and in person at Janus Books, 10 Paisley Street, Royal Plaza.

Sep 25 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio features interviews with two artists who have produced wonderful new albums, Brenda McMorrow joins us to chat about her latest western folk meets Kirtan (Indian devotional music) album “My Heart Bows Down To You” and we talk to Ange Hardy, direct from Somerset England, about “Esteesee”, her great new album inspired by the life and work of English romantic poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge. As usual we include a selection of the new music we’ve received and continue our on-going feature on the nominees for the 2015 Canadian Folk Music Awards. I really enjoyed putting this show together. I hope you enjoy it.

Sep 24 2015

Ange Hardy has just released her latest album, “Esteesee” (pronounced Ess-Tee-See), an album inspired by the life and work of English romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (the S.T.C in the album’s title). It’s a fabulous album that really brings Coleridge to life. Ange joined us for a feature-length interview direct from her home in Somerset, England. Check out our review of the album HERE. Music: Ange Hardy “Esteesee”, “My Captain”, Might Is In The Mind” and “Along The Coleridge Way” (2015, Story Records).

Linda McRae – The Interview

Sep 23 2015

Linda McRae has just released her latest album, the Steve Dawson produced “Shadow Trails”, an album of songs inspired by workshops that she and her partner – retired rancher turned poet, James Whitmire have been doing with at risk youth. The album features Linda McRae on guitar, banjo and vocals with Steve Dawson (guitar, additional banjo and backing vocals), Steve O’Connor (keyboards) and a rhythm section of John Dymond (bass) and Gary Craig (drums) alongside a group of special guests that includes Ray Bonneville (harmonica) and Fats Kaplin (fiddle). The album is chock full of raw, honest reflections on hardship delivered in her own inimitable rough-hewn style. Linda brings the new album to Silence in Guelph on Friday October 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance (no booking fee), $25 at the door. BUY TICKETS. We caught up with Linda on the road in the US. Music: Linda McRae “Long Shadow Trail”, “My Man” and “Jesus Or Jail” from “Shadow Trails” (2015, Borealis Records). Photo: Doug Lang.

Album Of The Week – Ange Hardy ‘Esteesee’

Sep 22 2015

Somerset, England based singer-songwriter Ange Hardy has just released “Esteesee” (2015, Story Records), a great new album of songs inspired by the life and work of English romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (21 October 1772 – 25 July 1834) – the ‘Esteesee’ in the title (pronounced Ess-Tee-See), or as he preferred to refer to himself S.T.C. A follow up to the critically-acclaimed “The Lament of the Black Sheep” (2014, Story Records), Esteesee finds Ange Hardy stretching herself by taking on specific source material but coming up trumps with a stellar set of wonderfully arranged songs.

Sep 21 2015

Brenda McMorrow has just released her latest album “My Heart Bows Down To You”, a fabulous blend of western folk music, world rhythms and Indian devotional music (Kirtan). Brenda celebrates the release of the album with a Guelph show at Sukha Yoga Centre, 42 Wyndham St North #101C on Saturday September 26 at 7:30 p.m., featuring Morgan Doctor (percussion) and Chris Gartner (bass), with backing vocals from Shannon Kingsbury & Tannis Slimmon. We caught up with Brenda at home in Guelph. Music: Brenda McMorrow, “My Heart Bows Down To You/ Maha Mantra” and I Open My Arms To Love/ Jai Radhe (2015, White Swan Records).

Episode 209: Stephen Fearing & The Once

Sep 18 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio features two interviews – Stephen Fearing joins us to chat about his songwriting workshop and concert, taking place on Friday September 25 in Waterloo ON. And later, we catch up with Newfoundland band The Once at this summer’s Hillside Festival. As always, there’s a lot of new music on the show, and we continue our run down of the nominations for the 2015 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

Sep 18 2015

Brenda McMorrow celebrates the release of her latest album “My Heart Bows Down to You” with a Guelph show at Sukha Yoga Centre, 42 Wyndham St North #101C on Saturday September 26 at 7:30 p.m. Brenda’s unique blend of folk melodies, world rhythms and sacred Indian devotional music (Kirtan) has found an enthusiastic worldwide audience. Her tuneful, uplifting interpretations of traditional Sanskrit mantras lovingly melded with her own original lyrics and excerpts of poems by the Sufi mystic Rumi has produced music that is uplifting, inspiring and ultimately transformational. Ram Dass describes Brenda as having “a gift” – a gift to bring deeply spiritual but very accessible music to listeners worldwide. Joining Brenda for her Guelph CD release show will be Morgan Doctor (percussion) and Chris Gartner (bass) with backing vocals from Shannon Kingsbury & Tannis Slimmon.

Sep 17 2015

The Once are Geraldine Hollett, Phil Churchill and Andrew Dale. They’ve been making quite the name for themselves for their live shows and their recorded work. Their latest album – their third, and first on Nettwerk is “Departures”, and quite a departure it is, featuring much more of their own original songwriting alongside some choice covers. The album has garnered some rave reviews, and they’ve just come off a world tour with Passenger (English folk-rock singer-songwriter Michael David Rosenberg). Its clear that this band are going places. We caught up with Geraldine, Phil and Andrew shortly after they came off the Lake Stage at this summer’s Hillside Festival. The Once will be touring Canada again this fall. Check out all the dates HERE. Photo: Chris Ledrew. Music: The Once “Into The Life” and “We Are All Running” from “Departures” (2014, Nettwerk).

Anne Lindsay at Alton Mill

Sep 16 2015

Genre-defying fiddler Anne Lindsay will be bringing her new album “Soloworks” to the Paul Morin Gallery at the Alton Mill Arts Centre on September 24. The gallery has fabulous acoustics and a view to die for, looking out over the mill pond. Anne Lindsay is a session player extraordinaire, having played the fiddle for Led Zeppelin, Blue Rodeo, James Taylor and The Chieftains to name just a few. Her new solo album “Soloworks” is fabulous and crosses many borders, featuring songs and tunes composed by Anne for violin, nyckelharpa (a Swedish keyed violin – you learn something new every day), piano and voice, and a cello tune played by Amy Laing. This should be a fabulous evening. Photo: Kevin Kelly.

Stephen Fearing in Waterloo - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Sep 15 2015

Renowned Canadian singer-songwriter Stephen Fearing will be in Waterloo ON on Friday September 25 2015 for a day-long songwriting workshop and a solo evening concert. The songwriting workshop takes place at The Button Factory, 25 Regina St. S.in Waterloo. The evening concert takes place at First United Church, 16 William St. W., Waterloo at 8:00 pm. We caught up with Stephen at his new home in B.C. to chat about his music and this special opportunity to catch him live. Music: Stephen Fearing “The Golden Days” and “As The Crow Flies” from “Between Hurricanes” (2013, Lowdenproud). Photo: Jason MacNamara.

Perch Creek – The Interview

Sep 12 2015

Perch Creek are an Australian five-piece multi-instrumental, harmony-driven roots group featuring four siblings who put on an amazing live show and are quite clearly lots of fun in their off-stage life, too. They were on tour in Canada this summer while promoting their new single “Mama Sings”. The band features Christi Hodgkins – harmonica, trombone, saw, vocals, Lear Hodgkins – drums, washboard, vocals, Eileen Hodgkins – guitar, banjo-uke, tap dancing, vocals, Camilla Hodgkins – keys, banjo, vocals and the only non-Hodgkins (or perhaps, now an honorary Hodgkins) James Chandler on double bass, electric bass, vocals. Perch Creek got together as the Perch Creek Family Jugband in 2006, recording two full-length albums “Tall Tales” (2011) and “Jumping on the Highwire” (2014), which was nominated for Best Independent Country Album for the Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards). They’ve since moved to Melbourne and will be working on a new album in the near future. Perch Creek have toured extensively across Australia, Europe, the UK and now Canada and deliver unforgettable, high-energy live performances. Christi, Eileen, Camilla and James from the band joined us for a chat and a live song just prior to this year’s Hillside Festival. For more information, visit perchcreek.com. Music: Perch Creek “Mama Sings” (Single) (2015, MGM Distribution), Perch Creek “Where You Been” from “Jumping On The High Wire” (2014, Self) and “Something In The Valley” (Live).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 208: Perch Creek

Sep 11 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio features an interview with Australian roots band Perch Creek recorded just before this summer’s Hillside festival. Perch Creek are great fun, and put on a fabulous live show. It’s a great interview, and definitely worthing checking out – they even pulled out their instruments to play a song for us in their hotel room! As always we found time for a lot of new music we’ve received and kicked off a new weekly feature on the 2015 Canadian Folk Music Awards, taking place in Edmonton from November 6-8 2015.

Sep 11 2015

The Sultans of String are about to release their latest album, “Subcontinental Drift”, a collaboration with sitar master Anwar Khurshid. To celebrate the release, Folk Roots Radio has been given two amazing prize packs to give away. Included in the prize pack are two tickets for the Saturday September 19 show at the Registry Theatre in Kitchener and a Sultans of String four-CD pack.

Want to get in on the draw to win this fabulous prize? Get in touch via the website, social media or an e-mail to jan[at]folkrootsradio.com. Good luck!

Sep 11 2015

The Mill Race Society’s biweekly traditional music sessions take place on the 2nd and 4th Sunday from 2–4pm through the winter and spring. The pub sessions are informal gatherings for musicians who enjoy playing traditional jigs, hornpipes etc! The repertoire is primarily English music, although some tunes are shared with the Irish, Scottish, Canadian, and American traditions. Sounds like lots of fun. Musicians (and non-musicians) are welcome.

2nd Sunday: Brownstone Gastro Pub
39 Queen St. E., Hespeler Village, Cambridge
2015 dates: Sep. 13, Nov. 8. (No session Oct. 11)

4th Sunday: Argyle Arms
210 King St. East, Preston, Cambridge
2015 dates: Sep. 27, Oct. 18, Nov. 22

For more information visit millracefolksociety.com.

Canadian Folk Music Awards 2015

Sep 11 2015

The nominations for the 2015 Canadian Folk Music Awards have been announced. Pharis and Jason Romero lead the pack with four nominations for their album “A Wanderer I’ll Stay”. Their nominations include Traditional Album of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Traditional Singer of the Year (Pharis Romero), and Producer of the Year (Pharis and Jason Romero with David Travers-Smith). Amelia Curran (St John’s, NL), Fortunate Ones (St John’s, NL), Jenn Grant (Lake Echo, NS), Whitehorse (Toronto, ON) and Catherine MacLellan (Charlottetown, PEI) each received three nominations.

This year’s youngest nominee is nine year old Vancouver Island artist Stella Swanson for the album “I’m Not A Bunny” in the Children’s Album of the Year category. Inspired by Stella’s pet bunny Romeo, the album was produced by Comox’s Helen Austin, a previous Canadian Folk Music Award and Juno Award recipient and a nominee this year with her group Big Little Lions.

Check out the full list of nominees here. We’ll be previewing the nominees on upcoming editions of Folk Roots Radio.

Sep 09 2015

Linda McRae brings her solo show to Silence on Friday October 9 in support of her new album, “Shadow Trails”. Linda is perhaps most widely known for her time with Spirit of the West, and prominent involvement on two of their most enduring songs, “Home for a Rest” and “If Venice is Sinking”. Since leaving the band in 1996, however she has developed a very successful solo album culminating in the release of an excellent solo compilation, and a fabulous introduction to her music, “Fifty Shades of Red” in 2014.

Sep 08 2015

Gathering Sparks, the graceful collision between Eve Goldberg and Jane Lewis, open the 2015-2016 Home Routes Guelph season on Thursday September 17 at 8 p.m. Musical friends who bonded over finely tuned harmonies and the craft of songwriting, their inclusive approach embraces folk, pop, blues and gospel influences tastefully played on acoustic guitar, piano, accordion, ukulele, and banjo.

Archive - 2015

Episode 212: Jennis & Jenny Ritter

Erin Roots… Jennis & The Banjo Mechanics

Jenny Ritter at Silence – October 21

Episode 211: Glen MacNeil & Linda McRae

Glen MacNeil – The Interview

Ian Foster – In The Studio

Album of the Week – Glen MacNeil ‘Where The Heart Remains’

Guelph Celtic Orchestra with Shane Cook and Jake Charron

Episode 210: Brenda McMorrow & Ange Hardy

Ange Hardy – The Interview

Linda McRae – The Interview

Album Of The Week – Ange Hardy ‘Esteesee’

Brenda McMorrow – The Interview

Episode 209: Stephen Fearing & The Once

Brenda McMorrow: CD Release

The Once at Hillside

Anne Lindsay at Alton Mill

Stephen Fearing in Waterloo – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Perch Creek – The Interview

Folk Roots Radio Episode 208: Perch Creek

Sultans of String Ticket & CD Giveaway

The Mill Race Society British Isles Pub Sessions

Canadian Folk Music Awards 2015

Linda McRae – October 9

Home Routes Guelph 2015/2016