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Folk Roots Radio Episode 577: feat. Loretta Hagen – Not Now & More New Releases
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Sarah Smith – The Covid Times Interview – Folk Roots Radio
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Colm Gavin – The 1992 Tapes – Folk Roots Radio
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Folk Roots Radio Episode 576: Hillside Festival Girls & Guitars Songwriting Course 2021
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Jeffery Straker – Just Before Sunrise – Folk Roots Radio
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Moira Smiley – In Our Voices – Folk Roots Radio
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Folk Roots Radio Episode 575: We’re All About The Music! (Be Mindful Edition)
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2021 Hillside Festival Girls & Guitars Songwriting Course – Folk Roots Radio
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Barry James Payne (String Bone) In Conversation – Folk Roots Radio
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Karen Morand – Never Enough – Folk Roots Radio
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Folk Roots Radio Episode 574: feat. Philip Scott Poli – Live At The Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions & More New Releases
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Loretta Hagen – Not Now – Folk Roots Radio Interview
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Folk Roots Radio Episode 573: feat. Karen Morand – Never Enough & More New Releases
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Folk Roots Radio Episode 572: We’re All About The Music! (Hope Springs Edition)
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Folk Roots Radio Episode 571: feat. Justin Rutledge – Islands & More New Releases
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Sue Smith – Tonight We Sail – Folk Roots Radio Interview
17
Angie Nussey – I Have No Idea What I’m Doing – Folk Roots Radio Interview
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Justin Rutledge – Islands – Folk Roots Radio Interview
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Folk Roots Radio Episode 570: feat. Sue Smith – Tonight We Sail & More International Women’s Day
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Folk Roots Radio Episode 569: We’re All About The Music! (International Women’s Day)
21
Glen MacNeil – Self-Titled EP – Folk Roots Radio Interview
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Leah Barley – Bring Out Your Dead – Folk Roots Radio Interview
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Folk Roots Radio Episode 568: feat. Angie Nussey – I Have No Idea What I’m Doing & More New Releases
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Folk Roots Radio Episode 567: feat. Brad Ouellette – Live At The Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions & More New Releases
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Terra Spencer – Chasing Rabbits – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Folk Roots Radio Episode 577: feat. Loretta Hagen – Not Now & More New Releases

Loretta Hagen is a wonderful singer-songwriter with a warm rich alto voice and the ability to write personal songs that tap into a lot of what we are all feeling. She released a fine fourth album, “Lucky Stars”, in 2017; a recording that takes you on a personal journey through loss and healing while leaving you with the promise of hope for better times ahead. In fact, it might be the perfect album to be listening to during Covid times. Loretta Hagen joins us on Episode 577 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about her music, and great new single “Not Now”, which was written during coronavirus lockdown. As usual, we wrap up the rest of the episode with more new releases, and this time around we hear from Lisa Jeanette, Brendan Scott Friel, Terri Clark, Mike Plume, Olivier Demers, Nelson Sobral, Rosemary Lawton, Rose Cousins and Jeffery Straker. Check out the full playlist below.

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Sarah Smith – The Covid Times Interview – Folk Roots Radio

One of our favourite people, pop-rock singer-songwriter Sarah Smith joins us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about her music, and the life of an artist in Covid Times. A brilliant live performer, Sarah Smith is never happier than when she is on stage – rocking out with her band or bringing it all down low for an inspirational ballad. A musician who usually plays more than 250 shows a year, the last year has been particularly hard on Sarah – like many touring artists. A lack of live shows during the coronavirus pandemic has really impacted her income. These days Sarah is engaging her adoring fanbase by livestream from her new home on Pender Island BC, after the big move from Southern Ontario. An artist with a strong commitment to social justice and one who loves to keep busy, Sarah has been using her time off the road to write and release some wonderful new songs – many using lyrics from her own fans.

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Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love, a full-time hobby. If you like what we do, please spread the word.

Best 2020

Colm Gavin – The 1992 Tapes – Folk Roots Radio

Emerging Irish singer-songwriter Colm Gavin joins us on Folk Roots Radio Live to chat about his music and forthcoming EP “The 1992 Tapes”, which is set for a summer 2021 release and features five original songs performed solo with piano accompaniment. Colm Gavin is developing quite a name for himself. His first two solo releases “Your Endless Slumber EP” and “A Voice For The Urban Darlings” were both very well-received in his native Ireland. He’s now getting significant amounts of airplay in North America, and elsewhere. The two new piano-driven songs Colm shared with us are quite brilliant. A talented songwriter, it was great to talk to him about his music.

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to be notified of all our upcoming livestream interviews HERE.

Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love, a full-time hobby. If you like what we do, please spread the word.

Best 2020

Folk Roots Radio Episode 576: Hillside Festival Girls & Guitars Songwriting Course 2021

We’re giving over the whole of Episode 576 of Folk Roots Radio to the 2021 Hillside Festival Girls & Guitars Songwriting Course. We are joined by facilitators: Marie Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Hillside Festival and Guelph-based singer-songwriter Doris Folkens and three of their students: Halley McKeown, Missy Bauman, and Tania Joy who also share their songs with us. Girls & Guitars is a longstanding feature of Hillside Inside and part of an ongoing project designed to address the gender imbalance in the music industry and thus further Hillside’s mission of encouraging inclusion and equality. The songwriting course is a very special part of that initiative. This year because of Covid-19, the course was virtual and took place on four Friday evenings in January. Halley, Missy, and Tania also performed virtually at this year’s Hillside Inside. Check out the full playlist below.

Best 2020

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Jeffery Straker – Just Before Sunrise – Folk Roots Radio

Regina SK based singer-songwriter Jeffery Straker joins us on Folk Roots Radio Live to chat about “Just Before Sunrise”, his latest full length recording which is scheduled for release on May 7. Written and recorded in the wake of the sudden loss of his mother, the songs on this album speak to a life long need to dream, to belong and to matter. A clever lyricist with an energetic piano style, Jeffery Straker songs have been used in TV, film and theatre productions. Critical comparisons have been drawn to the likes of Harry Chapin, Kris Kristofferson and Carole King. We’re big fans of Jeffery Straker’s piano-driven songwriting. In fact, I think we’ve played everything we’ve been sent since he landed on our radar last year. For more information about the music of Jeffery Straker, visit jeffstraker.com.

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to be notified of all our upcoming livestream interviews HERE.

Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love, a full-time hobby. If you like what we do, please spread the word.

Best 2020

Moira Smiley – In Our Voices – Folk Roots Radio

Moira Smiley travels the world creating new works for voices, while accompanying her performances with banjo, accordion, piano, and percussive movement. When she’s not leading her own vocal group VOCO, Moira Smiley is recording and performing with the likes of Tune-Yards, Jayme Stone and Irish super-group SOLAS. She joins us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about “In Our Voices”, her wonderful new album with vocal group VOCO, who feature two Canadians, Dawn Pemberton and Karla Mundy alongside Long Beach based creators Gregory Fletcher and Jake Asaro. In Our Voices features twelve songs that predominantly utilize voice and body percussion to share a powerful anti-racist message. It’s a great album, and a wonderful conversation. For more information about the music of Moira Smiley, visit moirasmiley.com. Music: Moira Smiley and VOCO “How Can I Cry”, “Days of War” and “Oh Susannah” (feat. Dawn Pemberton) from “In Our Voices” (2021. Self).

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to be notified of all our upcoming livestream interviews HERE.

Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love, a full time hobby. If you like what we do, please spread the word.

Best 2020

Folk Roots Radio Episode 575: We’re All About The Music! (Be Mindful Edition)

We’re all about the music again on Episode 575 of Folk Roots Radio as we hold back the interviews to bring you another Covid Times edition of the show featuring a great selection of new releases, with some Covid tunes, and social justice songs added into the mix. Join us for music from Tiffany Williams, The Rainbow Snakes, Rocks & Salt, The Promise Is Hope, Jarkka Rissanen & Sons Of The Desert, Amythyst Kiah, Tony Joe White, Fox and Bones, Michael Menegon, Paul Hoffman, Susan & Ray, Charlie Barnett, Melanie Peterson, Chris Ronald, Craig Cardiff, Sue Smith with the Potion Kings. Check out the full playlist below.

Best 2020

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2021 Hillside Festival Girls & Guitars Songwriting Course – Folk Roots Radio

We’re pleased to showcase the 2021 Hillside Festival Girls & Guitars songwriting course on Folk Roots Radio Live. We are joined by facilitators Marie Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Hillside Festival and Guelph based singer-songwriter Doris Folkens, and three of their students: Halley McKeown, Missy Bauman and Tania Joy who will also share their songs with us. Girls & Guitars is a longstanding feature of the summer festival winter counterpart, Hillside Inside, and part of a 10+-year-old project designed to address a gender imbalance in the music industry, furthering the festival’s mission of encouraging inclusion and equality. The songwriting course is a very special part of that initiative. This year because of Covid-19, the course was virtual, and took place on four Friday evenings in January. Halley, Missy and Tania also performed at this year’s Hillside Inside.

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to be notified of all our upcoming livestream interviews HERE.

Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love, a full time hobby. If you like what we do, please spread the word.

Best 2020

Barry James Payne (String Bone) In Conversation – Folk Roots Radio

Southern Ontario singer-songwriter Barry James Payne is the architect behind String Bone, his solo project who play a mix of Americana and Canadiana. That’s rootsy folk & country with a bit of blues & rock thrown into the mix. He is also a member of Celtic, traditional and world music ensemble Rant Maggie Rant. One of the most thoughtful musicians out there, Barry James Payne joins us on Folk Roots Radio Live for a wide ranging conversation about his music career, the impact of music streaming on artistic income and a musician’s life in Covid Times. He also plays a couple of songs live for us. For more information about the music of Barry James Payne (String Bone) visit stringbone.ca. For more information about the music of Barry James Payne, visit stringbone.ca. Music: String Bone “I’m Riding Again” from “Love & Highways” (Self, 2016), “Ain’t Life A Brook” (Live, Ferron cover), “Where Do You Go” (Live) from “Love & Highways” (Self, 2016) and String Bone “Come On Train” (Live at Revival House, Willie P Bennett cover).

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to be notified of all our upcoming livestream interviews HERE.

Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love, a full time hobby. If you like what we do, please spread the word.

Best 2020

Karen Morand – Never Enough – Folk Roots Radio

Karen Morand‘s latest single “Never Enough’ was actually written for a songwriting challenge, yet as the coronavirus pandemic has unfolded, it has taken on a much greater significance. “One more scroll, one more mouthful, one more guilty pleasure – there are things we do to deal with the hard parts of life. It becomes a problem when “just one more” isn’t enough. Never Enough is a love song. It reaches into the heart of addictions and calls out the true soul of a person.” Never Enough will appear on Karen’s next album, “Ghost Hotel”, which is due in early 2022. The single was recorded at Sound Foundry Studios, Kingsville ON, with production by Karen and studio owner, Brett Humber. Joining Karen (vocals, B3 organ) in the studio were her regular side players, the Bosco Boys – that’s Aaron Verhulst on guitar and Benny Santoro on drums. Brett Humber also added some electric guitar (and harmony vocals) alongside a moonlighting Max Marshall on bass. For more information about the music of Karen Morand, visit karenmorand.com. Music: Karen Morand “Never Enough” (2021, Self) CDN.

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to be notified of all our upcoming livestream interviews HERE.

Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love, a full time hobby. If you like what we do, please spread the word.

Best 2020

Folk Roots Radio Episode 574: feat. Philip Scott Poli – Live At The Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions & More New Releases

We have another great performance from our sister video show – The Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions to bring you on Episode 574 of Folk Roots Radio. This time around we’re joined by Windsor ON based singer-songwriter Philip Scott Poli. Actually, we should say songwriter Philip Scott Poli because Phil is adamant that songwriting is what he loves to do and that he’s not that much of a singer or performer – but we’re going to let you be the judge of that. Phil gave us a great session late last year, and we’re pleased to bring part of that to you on this episode. As always, we also take a look at more of the latest new releases and this time around – it’s all by Canadian artists, as we hear from Bùmarang, Jean-Paul De Roover, Susan Ellenton, Craig Cardiff, Stéafán & Saskia, Scott MacKayShane Pendergast, Emmet MacLellan and David LaFleche. Check out the full playlist below.

Best 2020

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Loretta Hagen – Not Now – Folk Roots Radio Interview

New Jersey based singer-songwriter Loretta Hagen has built a great reputation for the quality of her songwriting, and the warm rich alto voice she brings to her delivery. Loretta released a fine fourth album in 2017, “Lucky Stars”, a recording that takes you on a personal journey through loss and healing while leaving you with the promise of hope for better times ahead. It might be the perfect album to be listening to during Covid times. Loretta has just followed up the album with a wonderful new single that reflects on the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has been having on individuals, families and communities – and like much of her songwriting, includes a strong message of hope. “Each day I would hear news stations report the heartbreaking stories of people alone in hospitals around the world fighting for their lives without a loved one at their side. I can only imagine the terror for them. So many stories of loss: loss of life, loss of jobs, homes, loneliness. Normal life simply gone. But in all of that overwhelming despair and loss, there were also stories of survival.” Loretta Hagen joined us on Folk Roots Radio chat about her music and the new single. For more information about her music, visit lorettahagen.com. Photo: Jake Jacobson. Music: Loretta Hagen “Lucky Stars” from “Lucky Stars” (2017, Bearfort), “Not Now” (single) (2021, Bearfort), “Hello Mountain (Ode to Bearfort Mountain)” from “Sundown Till Dawn” (2008, Bearfort) and “Welcome Spring” from “Lucky Stars” (2017, Bearfort).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 573: feat. Karen Morand – Never Enough & More New Releases

Windsor ON based singer-songwriter Karen Morand joins us on Episode 573 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about a musician’s life during during Covid Times. The pandemic has hit artists very hard as pretty much all live work has dried up. Fortunately it hasn’t stopped them being creative. Karen Morand has been spending her time in lockdown working on new music with a new album slated for release early next year. She joins us on this episode to talk about the project and the wonderful lead-off single “Never Enough”. As always we wrap up the hour with more new music, and this time around we hear from Bonnie Light Horseman, Peach & Quiet, Sarah McQuaid, Stella Prince, Katie McNally Trio, Sunflower Thieves, Jerry Leger and Spencer Burton. Check out the full playlist below.

Best 2020

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Folk Roots Radio Episode 572: We’re All About The Music! (Hope Springs Edition)

We’re all about the music on Episode 572 of Folk Roots Radio, as we hold back the interviews to bring you another Covid times edition of the show with some excellent Covid Tunes and social justice songs thrown into the mix. Join us for new releases from Moira Smiley and VOCO, Crys Matthews, Ellen Bukstel, Tim Grimm, Lizzy Plotkin & Natalie Spears, Dan Hill, Eliot Bronson, Tara MacLean (with Tim Chaisson, Hubert Francis, Gilbert Sark and Dennis Ellsworth), Paul Weber, Big Little Lions, Cootes Paradise, Forest Sun, Calico and Dan Cimaglio. Check out the full playlist below.

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Folk Roots Radio Episode 571: feat. Justin Rutledge – Islands & More New Releases

Juno Award winning singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge joins us on Episode 571 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his new compilation “Islands”. A retrospective with a difference, all of the songs chosen for the project were re-recorded in the way they were originally conceived – that’s pretty much solo voice and guitar with minimal accompaniment, which leaves the listener feeling like they’re listening to the songs for the first time. It’s a beautiful album, and if you’re not familiar with the music of Justin Rutledge, it’s a wonderful way to get acquainted with a great songwriter. We hope you’ll stay with us to check it out. As always, we check out more of the latest releases, and this time around we hear from Lizzy Plotkin & Natalie Spears, Anya Hinkle, Tim Grimm, Chairmen Of The Boards, Spencer Burton and Glass Cabin. Check out the full playlist below.

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Sue Smith – Tonight We Sail – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Guelph singer-songwriter Sue Smith has just released a wonderful new album with the Potion Kings, “Tonight We Sail”, a gorgeous blend of rock, jazz, blues and roots. The new recording features nine Sue Smith original songs plus a song each by Tom Petty (“Swingin'”) and Robbie Robertson (“Ophelia”). Recorded live off the floor at Scott Merritt’s studio, The Cottage in Guelph ON, it features Sue Smith (vocals, organ on several tracks) with the Potion Kings – Jeff Bird on bass, Kevin Breit on guitar, Randall Coryell on drums and Howie Southwood on percussion. Vocalists Nick Craine and Gwen Swick also guest on the recording, which was produced by Sue Smith with partner Jeff Bird. To say we love this album is a bit of an understatement… great songs, amazing musicians and a fantastic groove. It’s sure to figure in our favourite albums of 2021! Sue Smith & the Potion Kings will be playing a FREE live-streamed performance direct from the River Run Centre​ in Guelph ON on Friday March 26 at 8 p.m…. with special guest Gwen Swick. If you’d like to register for the livestream (all you need to do is sign up for the River Run Centre Spotlight newsletter) you can do that HERE. They’ll send you you the link on the day of the show. For more information about the music of Sue Smith, visit suesmith.ca. Photo credit: Dean Palmer. Music: Sue Smith and the Potion Kings “Night Skies”, “1 Step, 2 Step”, “If I am Sleeping” and “Met Him On A Train” from “Tonight We Sail” (2021, Self) CDN.

Best 2020

Angie Nussey – I Have No Idea What I’m Doing – Folk Roots Radio Interview

In 2007, Ontario singer-songwriter Angie Nussey experienced an emotional breakdown, which lead to a re-evaluation of her life in music, and a shift in approach to one that focused on maintaining a strong spiritual balance. Her beautiful new album “I Have No Idea What I’m Doing” grew out of that intense focus. Mostly piano driven, the new album took two and a half years to complete – recording at home with musical friends. In 2014, Angie gave a wonderful Tedx talk on music and spirituality in Sudbury which is an excellent introduction to both her music and spirituality. As well as her solo career, Angie is also a member of songwriting trio Boreal, with fellow singer-songwriters Tannis Slimmon and Katherine Wheatley. The trio tours ‘Songs For The Snowy Season’ annually each December. Angie is currently releasing a song and story from I Have No Idea What I’m Doing on a monthly basis. For more information about her music, visit angienussey.com. Music: Angie Nussey “All Your Courage”, “Forgotten Names”, “Former Me” and “Count Me Out” from “I Have No Idea What I’m Doing” (2020, Self) CDN.

Justin Rutledge – Islands – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Juno award winning singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge‘s ninth album “Islands” was not only a chance to look back at twenty years as a working musician, but an opportunity to revisit some of the songs in his catalogue, strip them back to their essence and deliver them in the way they were originally created – just voice and guitar, with lots of space and minimal accompaniment. For the listener that means that you get an aural experience that feels very much like it would if you were sitting in the room with the songwriter during a late night writing session. Very much a solo project, the album was recorded with regular collaborator Chris Stringer at Union Sound with the only additions being a little electric guitar from Tom Juhas and piano from Aaron Comeau. For more information about the music of Justin Rutledge, visit justinrutledge.com. Music: Justin Rutledge “Good Man”, “Out Of the Woods”, “Federal Mail” and “Jellybean” (2021, Outside Music).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 570: feat. Sue Smith – Tonight We Sail & More International Women’s Day

Guelph ON based singer-songwriter Sue Smith joins us on Episode 570 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about “Tonight We Sail”, her wonderful new album with the Potion Kings. A fabulous recording, it features a gorgeous blend of rock, jazz, blues and roots. It’s sure to figure in our favourite albums of 2021. We wrap up the rest of the episode with more music from female artists as we continue to celebrate International Women’s Day, and this time around we feature Tekla Waterfield & Jeff Fielder, Cinder Well, Loryn Taggart, Laura Mulcahy, Sarah McQuaid and Sloan Wainwright. Check out the full playlist below.

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Folk Roots Radio Episode 569: We’re All About The Music! (International Women’s Day)

We’re celebrating International Women’s Day on Episode 569 of Folk Roots Radio with an hour of great new music by female artists. Join us for new releases from The Weather Station, Rosier, Brigid O’Neill, Becky Buller, Katie McNally Trio, Lyn Koonce, Sara Thomsen, Colleen Kattau, Allison Russell, La Légende de Calamity Jane, Bobby Dove, Lisa Jeanette, Jaspar Lepak, Susan Ellenton and Liz Simmons. Check out the full playlist below.

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Glen MacNeil – Self-Titled EP – Folk Roots Radio Interview

It’s been a while since Tecumseh ON Glen MacNeil has put out an album, which is why the arrival of his wonderful self-titled EP in 2020 was such a pleasant surprise. Glen is a fabulous songwriter. Indeed, his last album, 2015’s “Where The Heart Remains” was included in our favourite albums of that year. Work on the new EP started during the early days of 2020 when Glen hooked up with Belfast Northern Ireland based producer Peter McVeigh – and then continued into the coronavirus lockdown. Alongside Glen MacNeil on voice and guitar, the EP also features John McCullough on keys and Dale Rivard on pedal steel and dobro. Glen MacNeil joined us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about the new recording. Visit Glen MacNeil online at glenmacneil.bandcamp.com. Music: Glen MacNeil “Car Window”, “The Quiet” and “Just A Memory” from the “Glen MacNeil E.P.” (2020, Self).

Leah Barley – Bring Out Your Dead – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Vancouver based singer-songwriter Leah Barley‘s first full-length recording “Bring Out Your Dead” is an album of light and dark that feels right at home within the folk genre. The eight original songs on the album, which were written for both guitar and banjo, range from rousing boot stompers like “I Wish” and “Drinkin’” to the chill-inducing “Rise” and “The Doctor” (which recounts a recent period of severe illness, from which she has thankfully recovered). An accomplished self-taught banjo player, as well as guitarist, Leah Barley is joined on the album by a full band featuring her longtime collaborators violist John Kastelic and multi-instrumentalist Ross Christopher Fairbairn. Because of the on-going coronavirus pandemic, Leah has not been able to tour the new album, or even play a real release show. She hopes that she will be able to remedy that in 2021. Leah Barley joined us on Folk Roots Radio for an in-depth conversation about the project. For more information about the music of Leah Barley, visit leahbarleymusic.com. Music: Leah Barley, “Mountains”, “Bring Out Your Dead”, “The Doctor” and “Hush” from “Bring Out Your Dead” (2020, self).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 568: feat. Angie Nussey – I Have No Idea What I’m Doing & More New Releases

Ontario singer-songwriter and motivational speaker Angie Nussey joins us on Episode 568 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about her latest recording “I Have No Idea What I’m Doing”, an album that grew out of an intense focus on her own spiritual well-being. It’s a really engaging project with loads of jumping off points into a wonderful conversation. As always, we also check out more of the new music we’ve received and this time around we hear from Rachel Walker, Jeffery Straker, Sarah McQuaid, Kim Richey with Linda McRae & Doug Cox and Julie Title. Check out the full playlist below.

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Folk Roots Radio Episode 567: feat. Brad Ouellette – Live At The Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions & More New Releases

We’re pleased to bring you another performance from our sister video show – The Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions on Episode 567 of Folk Roots Radio. Cottam ON singer-songwriter Brad Ouellette joined us in the studio for a session late last year. We have four songs and a short interview to share with you. We also check out more of the latest new releases and this time around we hear from Lizzy Plotkin & Natalie Spears, Maria Dunn, Wes Weddell & Ailisa Newhall, Bet Smith, François Couture & Quatuor 4-30 sous, Richard Garvey, Born On A Wednesday, Norrie MacIver & The Glasgow Barons and Ontarians. Check out the full playlist below.

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Terra Spencer – Chasing Rabbits – Folk Roots Radio Interview

We included part of our excellent interview with Terra Spencer, discussing her fabulous new album “Chasing Rabbits”, in Episode 557 of Folk Roots Radio. We’re now very pleased to make the full interview available. Enjoy!

Nova Scotian singer-songwriter Terra Spencer had built a career as a funeral director before she ever thought about a parallel life in music. That all changed after she met singer-songwriter and country crooner Ryan Cook at the Kempt Shore Music Festival and was invited to audition as a backing singer for an upcoming tour. After touring and recording with Ryan, Terra released her very well received debut album “Other People’s Lives”, a collection of songs about complicated relationships in 2019. “Chasing Rabbits”, the follow-up, has a lovely storytelling feel to it, and reflects on life, relationships, travel, going away to college and above all… the joy of getting to come home again. The album was recorded during the early part of the coronavirus pandemic at The Sonic Temple in Halifax under the watchful eye of co-producer studio engineer/owner Lil Thomas. Joining Terra Spencer (guitar, piano) on the new recording are The Bombadils Sarah Frank (harmony vocals & fiddle), Luke Fraser (harmony vocals & mandolin), Adam Fine (double bass, electric bass), Lil Thomas (electric guitar), David Campbell (pedal steel), Jordi Comstock (drums), Scott Ferguson (djembe), Kimm Kent (deer spirit drum) and The Kasprzaks (home choir). Terra Spencer joined Jan Hall on Folk Roots Radio for an in-depth conversation about the new album. For more information about the music of Terra Spencer visit terraspencer.ca. Music: Terra Spencer “In The City”, “Lunenburg Moon”, “Chasing Rabbits” and “Melt” from “Chasing Rabbits” (2020, Self).

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