2015 | Page 5 of 7 | Folk Roots Radio

Lizzy Hoyt – The Interview

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.

May 28 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured an interview with Hamilton-based singer-songwriter Sarah Beatty. Sarah Beatty describes herself as being both a musician and a scientist. While completing a Ph D in environmental science, she found time to release an off the floor debut album, the stripped down girl and a guitar “Black Gramophone” in 2012. Black Gramophone blurs the lines between rootsy blues and the singer-songwriter genre, while Sarah’s playful and imaginative lyrics and soulful and passionate vocal delivery draws comparisons with Regina Spektor, Ani DiFranco and Billie Holiday. Sarah is now hard at work on the follow-up. As usual, we found time to include some new music we’ve received alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

May 27 2015

Toronto singer-songwriter Jon Brooks makes his first visit to Guelph for a Folk Roots Radio presents… show at Silence on Friday June 5 at 8 p.m. For Jon Brooks, Kerrville New Folk Winner and a three-time “Songwriter of the Year” nominee at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, social commentary is as much a part of his being as is being a songwriter. His critically acclaimed 2012 album ”Delicate Cages” focused on themes of love and fear; and freedom and imprisonment. For his latest, “The Smiling and Beautiful Countryside”, Jon buried his trademark social commentary in an album of rural Canadian murder ballads that holds a mirror up to contemporary society and encourages the listener to reflect on what it all means. We caught up with Jon at home in Toronto. Music: Jon Brooks, “Gun Dealer”, “Highway 16” and “People Don’t Think Of Others” from “The Smiling & Beautiful Countryside” (2014, Borealis Records).

An Evening With Jon Brooks
Friday June 5 2015 at 8 p.m. (Doors 7:30 p.m.)
Silence, 46 Essex Street, Guelph, ON
Tickets $20 available online HERE ($25 at the door)

Jennis – In The Studio

May 24 2015

Jennis are a fabulous bluesy roots duo featuring Guelph-based bluesman Dennis Gaumond alongside veteran Toronto indie-scene multi-instrumentalist Jen Gillmor. Their unique blend of dobro and cello is augmented by didgeridoo, custom-tuned harmonicas, flute, wah-guitar, jaw harp and wazinator. Jennis released their debut album “The Current” in June 2014. Jennis will be appearing at Silence in Guelph with Hamilton singer-songwriter Sarah Beatty on Friday May 29. Buy tickets HERE. Dennis and Jen joined us for a very special session on Folk Roots Radio Overtime on May 23. For more information visit jennis.ca. Music: Jennis “Closer To Me” from “The Current” (2014, Self); Jennis “Eyes Wide Open” (Live); Jennis “Take Me Some Time (Live); Jennis “Weray Weray” (Live); Jennis “Get Up Stand Up” (Live) and Jennis “I’m Not Here” from “The Current” (2014, Self).

Guelph Celtic Orchestra

May 18 2015

The Guelph Celtic Orchestra Season Finale takes place on Friday May 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Red Chevron, 34 Elizabeth Street, Guelph. The performance (directed by Fiona McCairley) will also feature the orchestra’s award winning step dancers, and, as usual, it will be followed by a ceilidh dance, called by Maureen Mulvey O’Leary. Tickets: Adults $15 advance ($20 at the door), Children 6 – 16 $10. Advance tickets are available at Janus Books (cash only please) or through the Guelph Celtic Orchestra website at guelphceltic.ca.

Sarah Beatty – The Interview

May 18 2015

Hamilton-based singer-songwiter Sarah Beatty describes herself as being both a musician and a scientist. While completing a Ph D in environmental science, she found time to release an off the floor debut album, the stripped down girl and a guitar “Black Gramophone” in 2012. Black Gramophone blurs the lines between rootsy blues and the singer-songwriter genre, while Sarah’s playful and imaginative lyrics and soulful and passionate vocal delivery draws comparisons with Regina Spektor, Ani DiFranco and Billie Holiday. Sarah is now hard at work on the follow-up to Black Gramophone. Sarah Beatty plays Silence, 46 Essex St, Guelph with Jennis on Friday May 29. Buy tickets HERE. Photo: Lauren Garbutt Photography. Music: Sarah Beatty “To Be”, “Finer Things” and “The Right Shoes” from Black Gramophone (2014, Self).

Episode 196: Suzie Vinnick

May 18 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured another great interview recorded at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October. Blues and roots songstress Suzie Vinnick joined us to chat about her music and played a couple of songs live. She also gave us a great primer on kick-starting your folk-roots career. You can find the interview here. As usual we included lots of new music alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

May 16 2015

Folk Roots Radio Overtime on May 16 focused on the Starlight Series at this year’s Elora Festival which runs from July 10-26 2015. The Starlight Series of late night jazz, blues and roots shows takes place in the Heritage Barn at the Wellington Museum & Archives and features jazz with the Mike Janzen Trio on July 11, jug band roots, blues and jazz from Frog & Henry on July 18 and roots, blues and jazz from Glenn Buhr & The Button Factory Band on July 25. Festival marketing coordinator Jared Davison joined us in the studio to chat about the festival alongside music from the performers and interviews with Mike Janzen and Glenn Buhr. For more information about this year’s festival, visit elorafestival.ca. Music: Frog & Henry “You Rascal You” from “Frog & Henry” (2014, Self), Mike Janzen Trio “Metronome” from “Metronome” (2014, Self), Mike Janzen Trio “The Summer That Winter Was” from “Metronome” (2014, Self), Frog & Henry “Sitting In The Chimney Jamb” from “Frog & Henry” (2014, Self), Glenn Buhr & The Button Factory Band “The Circus Lie” (2014, Demo), Glenn Buhr & The Button Factory Band “While Babies Sleep” (2014, Demo) and Mike Janzen Trio “Long Journey Home” from “Metronome” (2014, Self).

Suzie Vinnick – The Interview

May 14 2015

Blues-roots songstress Suzie Vinnick is one of those performers who sounds as good live as on disc. In 2011, Suzie recorded her first solo acoustic blues album, “Me ‘n’ Mabel” accompanied by her parlour guitar “Mabel”. Sending a copy of that album to Bill Wax, lead Suzie to recording a session live off the floor in Nashville that became her most recent release, the stellar “Live at Bluesville” (2012). Over her career, Suzie has won 10 Maple Blues Awards and been nominated for three Junos. Suzie joined us in the studio at the Folk Music Ontario conference for a feature length conversation and a few live songs. For more information about Suzie Vinnick visit suzievinnick.com. Music: Suzie Vinnick “Calling Out Your Name” from “Live At Bluesville” (Self, 2012); Suzie Vinnick “Beautiful Little Fool” (Live); Suzie Vinnick “Drift Away” (Live) and Suzie Vinnick “Oreo Cookie Blues” from “Me ‘n’ Mabel” (2011, self).

Episode 195: Sarah Jane Scouten

May 10 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured interviews with both Gordie Tentrees and Sarah Jane Scouten. Yukon-based Gordie took time out from touring in Alberta for an in-depth conversation about his new album “Less Is More”. And, Sarah Jane Scouten is bringing her unique blend of roots music back to Guelph on Saturday May 23 for a show at Silence, Guelph’s premier listening venue with support from bluegrass band The Chesterfield Trio. You can purchase advance tickets here. As usual we also found time to include a lot of new music alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

May 10 2015

Singer-Songwriter Peter Boyer joined us on Folk Roots Radio on May 9 for an an in-depth conversation about the new Same Latitude As Rome album, “Early Days”, a collection of songs that pays homage to Canada’s earliest history. A CD release for the album takes place at the Acoustic Cafe at the Elora Centre for the Arts on June 12. We’re also giving away a copy of the new CD to the person who can tell us the name of the Father of Confederation mentioned in song on the album. Send us an e-mail or contact us via the website and we’ll be mailing that CD right off to you! Music: Same Latitude As Rome “Early Days”, “Song for David Thompson”, “Song for Louis Riel”, “The Wild McLean Boys”, “The Assassination of Thomas D’Arcy McGee”, “The Great Rendezvous Polka” and “Robbin’ Trains” from “Early Days” (2015, Self).

Sarah Jane Scouten at Silence on May 23

May 08 2015

Sarah Jane Scouten brings her unique blend of roots music back to Guelph on Saturday May 23 for a Folk Roots Radio presents… show at Silence, Guelph’s premier listening venue. For this show Sarah will be joined by Alan Mackie (from The Bombadils and Jaron Freeman Fox and the Opposite of Everything) on stand-up bass. The opening act for the evening will be Guelph’s own bluegrass band The Chesterfield Trio, the abbreviated version of Chester Field and The Sofa Kings. It promises to be a great night so get your tickets early! We caught up with Sarah at home in Toronto to chat about the Guelph show, and her most recent album, “The Cape” which was nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards. Music: Sarah Jane Scouten, “The Cape” from “The Cape” (2014, Self).

Sarah Jane Scouten w/ The Chesterfield Trio
Saturday May 23 at 8 p.m. (Doors 7:30 p.m.)
Silence, 46 Essex Street, Guelph, ON
Tickets $15 ($20 at the door).
Purchase advance tickets HERE.

Archive - 2015

Lizzy Hoyt – The Interview

Episode 201: Shawn William Clarke & The Young Novelists

Big Tobacco & The Pickers – In The Studio

Shawn William Clarke – The Interview

The Young Novelists – The Interview

Episode 200: Mariposa Folk Festival 2015

Mike Hill – Mariposa Folk Festival 2015

Mariposa Folk Festival 2015

Murder Murder – The Interview

Murder Murder at Silence – June 20

Kaia Kater – The Sorrowbound Folk Roots Radio Interview

Episode 199: Pete Davies

Pete Davies – Long Way Home – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Episode 198: Jon Brooks

Episode 197: Sarah Beatty

Jon Brooks – The Interview

Jennis – In The Studio

Guelph Celtic Orchestra

Sarah Beatty – The Interview

Episode 196: Suzie Vinnick

Elora Festival Starlight Series Jazz Roots & Blues

Suzie Vinnick – The Interview

Episode 195: Sarah Jane Scouten

Peter Boyer – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Sarah Jane Scouten at Silence on May 23