June 2015 | Folk Roots Radio

Episode 202: Lizzy Hoyt

Jun 30 2015

Episode 202 of Folk Roots Radio featured an interview with Alberta-based vocalist and songwriter Lizzy Hoyt who came into our mobile studio at the Folk Music Ontario Conference this past October to chat about her music and her latest album, the wonderful “New Lady On The Prairie”. Lizzy will be appearing at this year’s Kingsville Folk Festival from August 7-9 in Kingsville Ontario. As usual we also found time to include a good selection of new music alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

Jun 25 2015

Alberta-based vocalist and songwriter Lizzy Hoyt is an accomplished performer on guitar, mandolin, fiddle and harp and at home in both the celtic and folk traditions. She came into our mobile studio at the Folk Music Ontario Conference this past October to chat about her music and latest album, the wonderful “New Lady On The Prairie”. Lizzy will be appearing at this year’s Kingsville Folk Festival which takes place from August 7-9 2015. Music: Lizzy Hoyt “New Lady On The Prairie”, “V’La L’Bon Vent” and “Movement Never Lies” from New Lady On The Prairie (2014, Self).

Episode 201: Shawn William Clarke & The Young Novelists

Jun 24 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured interviews with both Shawn William Clarke and The Young Novelists who will be sharing the bill in Guelph for a double CD release at the wonderful listening venue Silence on June 26. We also included a fair selection of new music we’ve received alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

Jun 21 2015

Toronto’s Big Tobacco & The Pickers have been sharing their authentic old school country sound with Ontario audiences since 2008. Jamie Oliver, Blaine MacKenzie, Jason Blanchard and Anne Werbitsky from the band joined us in the studio at CFRU 93.3fm on June 20 for an in-depth conversation and a few songs from their great new album of (almost all) original songs, “The King Is Gone” – its title a tribute to the recently departed George Jones but an album that also feels the love for country greats Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard, among others. For more information about the band visit bigtobaccoandthepickers.com. Music: Big Tobacco & The Pickers “Freightliner Full of Sins” from “The King Is Gone” (2015, Self), “Put Your Hands Up” (Live), “In Willie We Trust” (Live), “The King Is Gone” (Live), “Last Look Back” (Live) and “Train Again” from “The King Is Gone” (2015, Self).

Shawn William Clarke – The Interview

Jun 19 2015

After spending time as a sideman for artists such as Olenka and the Autumn Lovers and Timber Timbre, Shawn William Clarke stepped into the limelight as a solo artist a few years ago. His sophomore album, “William” released in late 2014 has been praised by many, including Folk Roots Radio, for its playfulness, fine storytelling and understated warmth. Shawn will be in Guelph for a double CD release show with The Young Novelists at Silence on June 26. We reached Shawn at home in Toronto. Buy tickets for the Guelph show HERE. Music: Shawn William Clarke, “Tranzac Club” and “Ballad Of A Boorish Man” from “William” (2014, Self).

The Young Novelists – The Interview

Jun 18 2015

Toronto-based The Young Novelists have just released their sophomore album “Made Us Strangers”, a fine slice of mostly mellow roots rock featuring catchy tunes, thoughtful lyrics and gorgeous harmonies. Whether Graydon James & Laura Spink are performing as a duo or with a full band they put on a show that is definitely worth checking out. And guess what, they’re in Guelph for a double CD release show with Shawn William Clarke at Silence on June 26. We caught up with Graydon and Laura at home in Toronto. For more information, visit theyoungnovelists.com. Buy tickets for the Guelph show HERE. Music: The Young Novelists “Hear Your Voice”, “Always Make The Mistake” and “Brothers In The Garage” from “Made Us Strangers”.

Episode 200: Mariposa Folk Festival 2015

Jun 17 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio – our 200th edition featured an interview with Mike Hill, Artistic Director at the Mariposa Folk Festival which takes place from July 3-5 in beautiful Tudhope Park on the shores of Lake Couchiching in Orillia. We also talked to Sudbury ‘bloodgrass’ band Murder Murder – they’re an outlaw country bluegrass band that play murder ballads – about their new album “From The Stillhouse” and their upcoming show in Guelph on June 20. We also included a good selection of new music alongside our mystery theme and, as the folk world mourns the passing of Ronnie Gilbert, a special tribute to folk pioneers The Weavers.

Jun 13 2015

This year’s Mariposa Folk Festival takes place from July 3-5 2015, at Tudhope Park in Orillia. To learn more about this year’s festival, we caught up with Artistic Director, Mike Hill at work in Orillia. Buy Tickets online HERE. Music: Cheryl Wheeler “Blessed” from “Defying Gravity” (2010, Rounder Records), Lucinda Williams “Walk On” from “Down Where The Spirit Meets The Bone” (2014, Highway 20 / Thirty Tigers).

Mariposa Folk Festival 2015

Jun 13 2015

The 55th edition of the Mariposa Folk Festival takes place from July 3-5 2015, at Tudhope Park in Orillia. With fifty Canadian and internationally renowned roots artists and more than a hundred performances over a three-day period, this year’s festival has something for every musical taste. Check out the full line-up below.

Jun 13 2015

Murder Murder are a six piece band from Sudbury Ontario that play bloodgrass – that’s ‘outlaw country bluegrass murder ballads’ exclusively. They’re been described as the heaviest bluegrass band you’re ever likely to hear which from their debut “Murder Murder Murder” and new album “From The Stillhouse” sounds pretty accurate. Featuring banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dobro and guitar, and driven along by a suitcase kick drum, they’re bringing their wonderful live roots music to Guelph for a Folk Roots Radio presents… show at Silence on June 20. Buy tickets HERE. We caught up with the band at home in Sudbury. Music: Murder Murder, “Jon & Mary”, “When The Lord Calls Your Name” and “Movin’ On” from “From The Stillhouse” (2015, Self).

Murder Murder at Silence – June 20

Jun 13 2015

Murder Murder are bringing their wonderful and rousing ‘bloodgrass’ (bluegrass outlaw country playing exclusively murder ballads) live roots music to Guelph for a Folk Roots Radio presents… “From The Stillhouse” album release show at Silence on June 20 for an 8 p.m. show (doors 7:30 p.m.). The support act will be Kitchener’s Ever-Lovin’ Jug Band. Come and join Murder Murder as they bring their tales of death back to life with a kick of the suitcase, saw of the fiddle, and roll of the banjo. It promises to be a great night! Advance tickets are $20 ($25 at the door). Buy tickets HERE.

Jun 09 2015

Kaia Kater is one of the most promising young performers on the North American folk roots and old-time music scene. A banjo player and singer, she’s already carving out her own niche in Appalachian and Canadian traditional music. Originally from Québec, and now based in Toronto, Kaia self-released her first full-length album “Sorrow Bound”, produced by Chris Bartos in 2014. She’s since signed to Kingswood Records in the US. We caught up with Kaia at home in Toronto. Music: Kaia Kater, “When Sorrows Encompass Me Round”, “Moonshiner” and “Come and Rest” from “Sorrowbound” (2014, Self)

Episode 199: Pete Davies

Jun 08 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured an interview with North-East of England based singer-songwriter Pete Davies. Pete’s latest album “Long Way Home” is one of our favourite albums of the year so far. The fact that the album came to us out of the blue made receiving it all that more special. This week we included a special tribute to the sadly departed “Mother of Modern Folk Music” Jean Ritchie, alongside our mystery theme and some new music.

Pete Davies - Long Way Home - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Jun 06 2015

There is nothing better than getting a pleasant musical surprise in the mail. That happened when North-East of England based singer-songwriter Pete Davies sent me his 2014 release, “Long Way Home”, eleven songs with thoughtful and uplifting lyrics, and great hooks – sung with warmth and passion in a fine troubadour voice. That it came out of the blue made it all that more special – one of my favourite albums of the year so far. We tracked Pete down for a feature-length conversation while on vacation in Florida. For more information about Pete Davies visit petedaviesmusic.co.uk. Music: Pete Davies, “A Soldier’s Lullaby”, Rusted and “It’s A Long Way Home” from “Long Way Home” (2014, Home Routes Music)

Episode 198: Jon Brooks

Jun 03 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured an interview with singer-songwriter Jon Brooks who released his fifth record, an album of murder ballads, “The Smiling & Beautiful Countryside” late last year. Jon makes his first trip to Guelph for show at Silence on Friday June 5. And, as usual we have lots of new music alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.