2015 | Page 4 of 7 | Folk Roots Radio

Album of the Week – Land of Hope & Fury

Sep 07 2015

The protest song lives on. Land of Hope & Fury is a new album of protest songs born out of what the project organizers describe as crushing disappointment with the results of the May 2015 UK general election. This cathartic release, out now on Union Music Store features 16 great songs from UK musicians in various stages of their career, that focus on issues such as inequality and disenfranchisement that are as relevant to life in 2015 in Canada and the US as they are to life in the UK. The album, featuring a who’s who from the UK folk and roots scene… is very strong, and very thoughtfully sequenced. I really didn’t appreciate any lagging across the 16 tracks on offer.

Sep 04 2015

The Sultans of String are bringing their latest release, “Subcontinental Drift”, a collaboration with sitar master Anwar Khurshid (Oscar winning Life of Pi, Love Guru) to the Registry Theatre in Kitchener on Saturday September 19.

Sultans of String are a fabulous live band and a must-see for anyone who loves folk, world and jazz rhythms put through a blender and delivered with panache by a kick-ass string band. This promises to be a great show! Check out all the details and some comments from the band below.

Sep 04 2015

Episode 207 of Folk Roots Radio features an excerpt from a live interview and session recorded with singer-songwriter Clela Errington for Folk Roots Radio Overtime. Clela will be part of Erin Roots, a new monthly live roots music series taking place in Erin ON. This week’s show also featured lots of new music including an extended set from a fabulous new album of protest songs from the UK, Land of Hope & Fury.

Sep 04 2015

“Erin Roots” is an exciting new monthly roots music series taking place at The Busholme Inn in Erin ON. Erin Roots, a collaboration between Erin Radio and Folk Roots Radio, aims to bring affordable great live roots music to Erin while, at the same time, recording the shows for future broadcast. The first Erin Roots show takes on Saturday September 12 and features two fabulous singer-songwriters, Tannis Slimmon and Clela Errington. Crossover roots duo Jennis and The Banjo Mechanics take to the stage on October 24 with more shows to come.

Aug 01 2015

Guelph-based singer-songwriter Rob Mitchell joined us in the studio at CFRU 93.3fm for Folk Roots Radio Overtime on August 1. Rob is releasing his latest album “Things Could Be Worse”, a reflection on the endless days and nights spent within hospital hallways dealing with his son’s recent diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes and reflecting on the loss of his Mother to cancer 10 years ago at Silence in Guelph on August 8 at 8:00 p.m. Cover: $10 (PWYC) Music: Rob Mitchell “St Paul” from “Things Could Be Worse” (2015, Self), “Shine Again” (Live), “Dylan’s Harp” (Live). “Ground Floor” from “Things Could Be Worse” (2015, Self), “Sweet Talking” (Live), “Canadian Love Song” (Live), “Pine Trees” (Live) and “Things Could Be Worse” from “Things Could Be Worse” (2015, Self).

Episode 206: Kingsville Folk Music Festival 2015

Jul 31 2015

John & Michelle Law, artistic directors at the Kingsville Folk Music Festival join us on this week’s show to talk about this year’s festival (year two) taking place from August 7-9 in beautiful Lakeside Park in Kingsville on the shores of Lake Erie. Later in the show, Southern Ontario roots songstress Allison Brown joins us to chat about her fabulous new album “Stitches and Incisions”. As usual, we also find time for our mystery theme and guilty pleasure alongside some great new releases.

Jul 28 2015

Southern Ontario roots songstress Allison Brown is just about to release her latest album “Stitches and Incisions”. Featuring five originals and three classics, “Stitches And Incisions” was recorded and co-produced by Andy Magoffin at the House Of Miracles in Preston, Ontario. Allison is just about to embark on a 95 day tour with mandolin accompanist, Uncle Dan Henshall that will take her from Ontario out to Newfoundland, before heading to Manitoba via Northern Ontario for a Home Routes house concert tour. Allison is in Guelph at The Cornerstone on Saturday August 8. We caught up with Allison at home in London. For more information visit www.allisonbrown.ca. Photo: Mike Beauchamp. Music: Allison Brown “Scavengers”, “Invisible Line” and “Please Send Me Someone To Love” from “Stitches And Incisions” (2015, Self).

Rob Mitchell at Silence – August 8

Jul 28 2015

Guelph-based singer-songwriter Rob Mitchell joins us live in the studio on Folk Roots Radio Overtime on August 1 from 10-11 a.m. on CFRU 93.3fm. His latest album, “Things Could Be Worse”, is a reflection on the endless days and nights spent within hospital hallways dealing with his son’s recent diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes and reflecting on the loss of his Mother to cancer 10 years ago. His previous album “Parking Lot Sunset” featured songs that had been hanging around in his notebook like a drunken co-worker at the office party – a collection of moments in an ever-changing life. His intimate debut “On With The Show” took personal experiences of love, loss and starting over to create an album of melodic and reflective songs that allows the listener to make connections of their own. Rob has a show at Silence in Guelph on August 8 at 8:00 p.m. Cover: $10 (PWYC)

Episode 205: Ian Foster & David Ross MacDonald

Jul 27 2015

Episode 205 of Folk Roots Radio features interviews with two fabulous singer-songwriters – Ian Foster from St. Johns NF and Australian (but no stranger to Guelph), David Ross MacDonald. They’ll be sharing the stage, and swopping songs and stories at the great Guelph listening venue Silence on Thursday July 30. It promises to be a great night. I hope you’ll consider joining us! BUY TICKETS. As usual we also found time for our mystery theme, guilty pleasure and lots of new music.

Jul 22 2015

The 26th EagleWood Folk Festival takes place on the weekend of August 29 in Beautiful Pefferlaw ON. After being forced to leave its long-time home, the festival reinvented itself last year at the beautiful Living Landscapes on Homestead Rd in Pefferlaw. The new country garden setting is perfect for one of the more intimate festivals in the summer calendar and remains true to it’s philosophy of providing outstanding entertainment for a reasonable price. “Fresh Air, Good Vibes, Great Music” will always remain at the heart of the EagleWood Folk Festival! For more information and to buy tickets, visit their new website at ewfolk.ca. Check out the line-up below.

Jul 22 2015

Folk Roots Radio presents… is pleased to bring the fabulous singer-songwriter Steve Poltz to Guelph, for the very first time, for an early evening show at Silence on Sunday August 30 at 7:00 p.m. (please note the Date and Time). Steve is one of the most-engaging performers you are ever, ever likely to see. Once you’ve been to a Steve Poltz show, you’ll be asking when he’s coming back.

An Evening with Steve Poltz
Sunday August 30 2015 at 7 p.m. (Doors 6:30 p.m.)
Silence, 46 Essex Street, Guelph ON
Tickets: $20 Early Bird (No Booking Fee!). BUY NOW.
At the Door: $25

Jul 20 2015

The second Kingsville Folk Music Festival takes place from August 7-9 in beautiful Lakeside Park in Kingsville on the shores of Lake Erie. We had an absolute blast at last year’s festival – we’re sure that this year’s festival will be just as much fun! With that in mind, we decided it was time to check in with artistic directors John & Michele Law to find out how plans for this year’s festival are coming along. For more information visit www.kingsvillefolkfest.org. Photo credit: Kim & Michael Dick. Music: Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy “St Nicks” from “One” (2015, DLL/MacMaster Music), Guy Davis, “Love Looks Good On You” from Juba Dance (2013, Red House Records), Linda McRae “I’ll Watch Your Lovelight Shine” from “Fifty Shades Of Red” (2014, Borealis Records) and James Hill “If Wishes Were Horses” from “The Old Silo” (2014, Borealis Records).

Summerfolk 2015

Jul 20 2015

Summerfolk runs from August 20-23 in Kelso Park on the shores of Georgian Bay in Owen Sound. This year they are celebrating their 40th anniversary with a bumper edition, and kicking it all off with a birthday blues bash featuring Matt Andersen and MonkeyJunk on Thursday August 20 from 7 p.m. The festival features more than 40 musical acts including Trout Fishing in America, David Francey, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, Whitehorse, Joel Plaskett and Claire Lynch (International Bluegrass Music Association Vocalist of the Year).

Jul 20 2015

For those of you looking for some great music to fill the post Hillside void, our next Folk Roots Radio presents… show at Silence in Guelph features two fabulous singer-songwriters, Ian Foster from St. Johns NF and Australian (but no stranger to Guelph), David Ross MacDonald. They’ll be sharing the stage, and swopping songs and stories on Thursday July 30 at 8 p.m. It promises to be a great night. We hope you’ll consider joining us!

Bridging the Miles: Ian Foster & David Ross MacDonald in Concert
July 30 2015 at 8 p.m. (Doors 7:30 p.m.)
Silence, 46 Essex Street, Guelph ON
Tickets: $15 Early Bird (No Booking Fee). BUY NOW
At the Door: $20

Jul 20 2015

We had an absolute blast at the inaugural Kingsville Folk Music Festival in 2014. Their second festival from August 7-9 promises to be just as magical as the first. The festival is held in beautiful Lakeside Park in Kingsville on the shores of Lake Erie, in wine country and close to Pelee Island and the Jack Minor Bird Sanctuary. Join us for a fabulous weekend of folk music with the proceeds supporting the MayFund (Music and Arts for the area Youth). The festival comes complete with numerous children’s activities, fabulous local food and an artisan village. For more information visit: www.kingsvillefolkfestival.org. Check out the line-up below.

Jul 18 2015

Brad McEwen, Artistic Director with the Mill Race Folk Society joined us in the studio as we went Overtime on Folk Roots Radio on CFRU 93.3fm on July 18 to talk about the upcoming Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music taking place from July 31 – August 2 in the historic downtown core of Galt in Cambridge, Ontario. The festival is patterned after European festivals whereby the day’s events are held on numerous outdoor stages in the town core. Traditional forms of folk music and dance are the festival’s theme, with emphasis placed upon the various cultures present in Cambridge and surrounding area. The festival runs Friday 7 – 11 p.m., Saturday 1 – 11 p.m., and Sunday 1 – 10 p.m. Admission is free. For more information visit millracefolksociety.com. Music: Mary Humphreys & Anahata “John Barleycorn” from “Baker’s Dozen” (2012, Treewind Music), The Ever Lovin’ Jug Band “The Booglie-ooglie-oo” from “Tri-City Stomp” (2013, Self), Trio Dhoore “The Offbeat Jig/Keep Dreaming” and “Parachute” from “Parachute” (2015, Appel Rekords), Silk Road Duo (Autumn Cloud), “Rumba Calabria” from “Journey With Her Pipa” (2006, Silk Road Music), Sheesham & Lotus & ‘Son “Frankie & Johnny” from “1929” (2012, Sepiaphone Records), Frog & Henry “Sitting On The Chimney Jamb” from “Frog & Henry” (2014, Self) and The Young’Uns “John Ball” from “Never Forget” (2014, Navigator).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 204: Hillside Festival 2015

Jul 17 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio focuses on the upcoming Hillside Festival, taking place from July 24-26 at Guelph Lake. The show features interviews with Hillside Artistic Director Sam Baijal and Chris McKhool, the leader of the Hillside-bound Sultans of String. Hillside has something for everyone – a great mix of music, fabulous community workshops, a dedicated children’s area, an artisan village and great food… and there are still some weekend and day passes available. To learn more about the festival, visit hillsidefestival.ca – one of the best and most informative festival websites out there. Yet another thing that the Hillside Festival does very well indeed!

Jul 17 2015

Singer-songwriter Nonie Thompson (formerly Crete) is bringing her band to Kitchener for a show at The Registry on July 25. Nonie is a musical and storytelling force to be reckoned with. From heady blues, Irish balladry, to Cajun and French Canadian hues, Nonie effortlessly weaves genres together to create memorable songs. To date she has produced seven albums, with another two in preparation with her musical partner, multi-instrumentalist Eugene Rea.

Jul 17 2015

The 23rd Annual Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music takes place July 31 – August 2 2015, in the historic downtown core of Galt in Cambridge, Ontario. This free festival is patterned after European festivals whereby the day’s events are held on numerous outdoor stages in the town core. Traditional forms of folk music and dance are the festival’s theme, with emphasis placed upon the various cultures present in Cambridge and surrounding area. The festival runs Friday 7 – 11 p.m., Saturday 1 – 11 p.m., and Sunday 1 – 10 p.m. Admission is free. Check out the line-up below.

Jul 16 2015

The 32nd Hillside Festival takes place from July 24-26 at beautiful Guelph Lake. As usual, the festival has something for everyone – a great mix of music, fabulous community workshops, a dedicated children’s area, an artisan village and great food… and there are still some weekend and day passes available. Buy Tickets HERE. To learn more about this year’s festival, we caught up with Artistic Director Sam Baijal. For more information, visit hillsidefestival.ca. Music: Michael Franti & Spearhead “Life Is Better” (Acoustic) from “All People” (2013, Boo Boo Wax), Great Lake Swimmers “Don’t Leave Me Hanging” from “A Forest Of Arms” (2015, Network), David Francey “So Say We All” from “So Say We All” (2014, Red House) and The Good Lovelies “Watching TV” from “Burn The Plan” (2015, Six Shooter Records).

Sultans Of String – The Interview

Jul 16 2015

The Sultans of String brilliantly blend together Spanish Flamenco, Arabic folk, Cuban rhythms, and French Manouche Gypsy-jazz musical influences to create a wonderfully rich cinematic sound that is almost intoxicating. The band is lead by 6-string violinist Chris McKhool who grew up in a Lebanese-Egyptian (Makhoul) family and guitarist Kevin Laliberté who write much of the material. Always pushing boundaries, their latest album “Symphony” (2013, Sony/Red) was recorded with a full orchestra while their new release, “Subcontinental Drift” (due in September) will feature sitar virtuoso Anwar Khurshid. Whether playing as a duo, five piece or with a full orchestra, their live show is something to behold – a fiery violin dances with a rumba-flamenco guitar while a bass lays down a funky unstoppable world rhythm groove that can’t help but bring a smile to your face as an irresistible urge forces you to get involved whether that is by clapping along or getting up to dance. They’re out on the festival circuit this summer including a visit to the Hillside Festival on July 26. We caught up with Chris McKhool at home in Toronto. For more information visit sultansofstring.com. Music: Sultans of String “Road to Kfarmishki”, “Josie” (excerpt), “Luna” (excerpt) and “Monti’s Revenge” (excerpt) from “Symphony” (2013, Sony/Red).

Hillside Festival 2015

Jul 12 2015

The 32nd Hillside Festival takes place July 24-26 at Guelph Lake, rain or shine. As usual, they have a very eclectic line-up featuring something for every musical taste, alongside some very interesting spoken word programmming, Drum and Dance, community workshops, a great children’s area, great artisans and fabulous food. The full schedule has been announced. Check it out HERE. There are still some tickets available including weekend passes. Buy Tickets HERE. Check out the full line-up below.

Jul 12 2015

Episode 203 of Folk Roots Radio featured an interview and impromptu session with Edmonton Alberta’s Rebecca Lappa recorded at the Folk Music Ontario Conference this past October. Though still just a teenager, Rebecca is already a prolific songwriter, having written over 200 songs in her career so far. All four of the albums she has released to date have been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award for “Young Performer of the Year”. Her most recent album, 2014’s “Ode to Tennyson” uses as its source material, the collected works of English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Rebecca shows amazing drive for someone so young. It’s a great interview and definitely worth checking out. As usual, we also included a good selection of new music alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

Jul 10 2015

Although still a teenager, Rebecca Lappa is already a prolific songwriter, having written over 200 songs in her career so far. All four of the albums she has released to date have been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award for “Young Performer of the Year”. Her most recent album, 2014’s “Ode to Tennyson” uses as its source material, the collected works of English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Rebecca joined us for an interview and impromptu session at the Folk Music Ontario Conference this past October. Rebecca shows amazing drive for someone so young. It’s a great interview and definitely worth checking out. For more information visit rebeccalappa.com. Music: Rebecca Lappa,”Field of Dishonour” from “Ode to Tennyson” (2104, self), “Anchor Tattoo” (Live), “Queen Of The May” (Live), “The Lotus Eaters” (Live), “Kraken” from “Ode to Tennyson” (2104, self).

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.

Archive - 2015

Album of the Week – Land of Hope & Fury

Sultans of String at The Registry

Folk Roots Radio Episode 207: feat. Peter Boyer & Clela Errington

Erin Roots – Clela Errington & Tannis Slimmon

Rob Mitchell – In The Studio

Episode 206: Kingsville Folk Music Festival 2015

Allison Brown – Stitches and Incisions

Rob Mitchell at Silence – August 8

Episode 205: Ian Foster & David Ross MacDonald

Eaglewood Folk Festival 2015

Steve Poltz – August 30

John & Michele Law – Kingsville Folk Music Festival 2015

Summerfolk 2015

Ian Foster & David Ross MacDonald – July 30

Kingsville Folk Music Festival 2015

Brad McEwen – Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music 2015

Folk Roots Radio Episode 204: Hillside Festival 2015

Nonie & Friends – July 25

Mill Race Festival 2015

Sam Baijal – Hillside 2015

Sultans Of String – The Interview

Hillside Festival 2015

Episode 203: Rebecca Lappa

Rebecca Lappa – The Interview

Episode 202: Lizzy Hoyt