April 2016 | Folk Roots Radio

Will Gillespie – Folk Roots Radio at FMO

Apr 24 2016

Hamilton ON singer-songwriter Will Gillespie truly has a sound of his own. A dynamic performer with a crooning cabaret style delivery, his diverse catalogue of original songs combine elements of folk, pop, rock & roll and jazz to create a unique sound he describes as jazzed-up folk-rock. Will sat down with us at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October to chat about his music. For more information about Will Gillespie, visit willgillespie.ca. Music: Will Gillespie, “Let The Money Keep You Warm” from “Chasing Shadows” (2015, Self), “Moving To Music” (Live), “Kings of the Summer” (Live) and “Ankle Deep” from “Chasing Shadows” (2015, Self).

Hillside Festival 2016 – The Line-up

Apr 24 2016

The musical lineup for the 33rd edition of the Hillside Festival has just been announced so it’s clear that summer can’t be too far away. A genre diverse musical delight, as always there is something for everyone. The festival runs from July 22 to 24 at Guelph Lake Conservation Area. Check out the artists scheduled to play below.

Apr 23 2016

On this episode we’re featuring an interview and live session with South Western Ontario singer-songwriter Glen McNeil and an excerpt from an interview with Toronto based children’s performer Andrew “Too Tall” Queen who also performs live for us, with a cameo from yours truly. Both interviews were recorded at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October. As always we added some new music we’ve received into the mix.

Apr 23 2016

This edition of Folk Roots Radio features an interview with roots-based singer-songwriter Ken Tizzard who sat down with us at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October to chat about his new album “No Dark No Light”. We also include a selection of music from artists who are on tour in Ontario this spring.

Apr 23 2016

Singer-songwriter Glen MacNeil produced one of our favourite albums of 2015, “Where The Heart Remains”. A veteran of the South West Ontario music scene, it was hard to believe that this was Glen’s debut solo album. Featuring a fine selection of beautifully-crafted songs focusing on relationships, family and life in general with some fabulous musicianship and beautifully understated production from John Law from The Laws – the album is truly a joy for the ears. Glen came into the Folk Roots Radio mobile studio at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October for a chat and a few live songs. Music: Glen MacNeil, “If I Could I Would” (Live), “The Island Is Where The Heart Remains” (Live), “Up On High” (Live) “I’m In Love” (Live).

Andrew “Too Tall” Queen – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 23 2016

Andrew Queen started out playing jug and washtub bass in celebrated Toronto bluegrass Canadiana jugband Jughead before forging a career as a children’s entertainer renowned for comic tales and a lively stage performance. Christened “Too Tall” because he’s a little taller than everyone else, Andrew was voted Children’s Artist of the Year at the 2011 Indies, and picked up Parent’s Choice Recommended Awards and Canadian Folk Music Award nominations for “Too Tall” (2010, Self) and “GROW” (2012, Self). Andrew joined us at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about his career and new shows with the Campfire Crew, featuring life partner and co-songwriter, Karen Stille. Music: Campfire Crew “Gingerbread Man” (2016, Self), Andrew “Too Tall” Queen: “Hansel & Gretel” (Live), “Goin’ On A Gator Hunt” (Live) and Andrew “Too Tall” Queen “Big Trouble For Little Red” from “Too Tall” (2010, Self).

Fred Eaglesmith on Tour

Apr 22 2016

One of our favourite live performers Fred Eaglesmith is taking his Travelling Steam Show back out on the road again this spring with stops in Niagara-on-the-Lake Legion Br 124 (April 23), The Horseshoe Tavern Toronto (April 28), Midland Legion Br. 80 (April 29), Elora Legion Br. 229 (April 30), Port Stanley Legion Br. 410 (May 12) and the Moose Lodge in Chatham on May 13. If you haven’t experienced Fred Eaglesmith live, you need to check him out. If you’re already familiar, you’ll be wanting another fix. You can also spend a weekend with Fred and some of his friends at this year’s Charity Picnic (the 22nd) which takes place the weekend August 19-21 in Aylmer. Check out all the details at fredeaglesmith.com.

Ken Tizzard – The Interview

Apr 19 2016

Ken Tizzard was the bassist in top Canadian rock bands The Watchmen and Thornley (he is featured on six gold and platinum records) before developing a career as a roots-based singer-songwriter. His latest album “No Dark No Light” is Tizzard’s fifth solo recording since his 2006 debut, “Quiet Storey House… An Introduction” (2006, Audio Playground). Ken sat down with us at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October to chat about the new album, reinventing yourself in a changing music industry and touring with the late great Ron Hynes. For more information, visit kentizzard.com. Music: Ken Tizzard “Home” from “No Dark No Light” (2015, Storey House Records), Ken Tizzard “Fare The Well” (Live), “Waste Your Time” (Live), “1962” (Live), Ken Tizzard “Mud On My Boots” from “No Dark No Light” (2015, Storey House Records).

Episode 247: Leah Morise

Apr 18 2016

Singer-songwriter Leah Morise joined us at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about her music and latest album, “Live At The House Of Harmony”, which was released in 2015. I have to say that I really enjoyed this interview – quite lovely; it features some great conversation as well as three beautiful live songs. As usual, we also include some of the great new music we’ve received.

Apr 15 2016

We’re giving over the whole of this edition of Folk Roots Radio to the folky and bluesy UK Americana duo, Red Dirt Skinners from Sussex in England, who feature Sarah Skinner on soprano sax, with her multi-instrumentalist husband Rob on guitar and vocal. While on tour in Canada, Sarah and Rob joined us in the studio to chat about their music and their great new album “Behind the Wheel”. If you missed them on this tour, the good news is that they will be back in the fall. Photo: Emily Von. For more information visit reddirtskinners.com.

Apr 14 2016

Singer-songwriter Leah Morise released a lovely live album, “Live At The House Of Harmony” in 2015. The album, which crosses over from folk to contemporary to light jazz, features Leah’s warm voice on twelve songs that showcase her playful and charming lyrics. The album was recorded in the living room of her converted church home in Fingal, Ontario, The House of Harmony, which doubles as the perfect rehearsal space, recording studio and house concert venue. Leah joined us at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October to chat about the new album and play three songs live, two featuring trumpet from her side-man partner Mike Bourgeault. For more information, visit leahmorise.com. Music: Leah Morise “If Only He Had Known The Language” from “Live At The House Of Harmony”, “She’s A Hurricane” (Live), “Tiny Trailer” (Live), “Flowers In The Carpet” (Live) and “Two Dollar Bill” from “Live At The House Of Harmony”.

The Red Dirt Skinners – The Interview

Apr 13 2016

The Red Dirt Skinners have been taking the British roots scene by storm. The duo, featuring Sarah Skinner on soprano sax, and multi-instrumentalist Rob Skinner on guitar and vocals, became the first band to succeed at both the British Blues Awards and the British Country Music Awards, and they’ve also recently been nominated for an Americana award. Live, they are an intoxicating mix of high energy and divine harmonies, producing music that is original, unique and genre-defying as they effortlessly cross boundaries from blues, to country, to folk and all places in between. They’ve just released their fifth album “Behind the Wheel”. While on tour in Canada, Sarah and Rob joined us in the Folk Roots Radio studio to chat about the new record. For more information visit reddirtskinners.com. Music: Red Dirt Skinners “Behind The Wheel”, “Thoughts Of The Past”, “Eleanor Joan”, “Daybreak” and “Home Sweet Home” from “Behind The Wheel” (2016, Self)

Episode 245: Corin Raymond & Record Store Day

Apr 12 2016

This episode of Folk Roots Radio features a great interview with singer-songwriter Corin Raymond who joins us to chat about his latest album, the fabulous “Hobo Jungle Fever Dreams”. Corin’s on tour with Jonathan Byrd in Western Canada this April. We also talk to Paul Fortune from Forch’s Record Store in Cambridge ON about Record Store Day – that day, each year, when we celebrate the independent record store! And, as always we throw some new music into the mix.

Apr 06 2016

Saturday April 16 is Record Store Day – that day each year when we celebrate the independent record store! Each year we showcase a local independent record store, and this year… it’s Forch’s Record Store in Cambridge, ON. Forch’s maintains a great section of new and previously enjoyed vinyl, CDs, videos and even cassettes alongside music mags and memorabilia. They also have a music preview lounge and occasionally host in-store live events. For more information, visit forchsrecordstore.ca. Paul Fortune from Forch’s joined us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about his store and Record Store Day. Check out all the participating stores in Canada at recordstoredaycanada.com. Music: J.D. Crowe and The New South “Some Old Day” from “J.D. Crowe and The New South” (1975, Rounder Records). Johnny Cash & Lynn Anderson “I’ve Been Everywhere” from “The Best Of The Johnny Cash TV Show” (2008, Sony BMG).

The Source of the Song – April 16

Apr 05 2016

The latest edition of the acoustic songwriters series Source of the Song takes place on Saturday April 16 from 2-5 pm in Glen Williams Town Hall, 1 Prince Street in Glen Williams and features Soozi Schlanger and David Storey alongside host Bruce Madole. Tickets are $20 and available in Glen Williams at Reeve and Clarke Fine Books, (open Thursday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m, at 521 Main Street in Glen Williams), or by contacting co-producers Bruce or Marlene Madole at 905-459-9753 (or via email HERE at [email protected]).

Apr 05 2016

April 16 is Record Store Day – that day each year when we celebrate the independent record store! Although many record stores have gone to the wall in challenging economic times in a rapidly changing industry, the ones that remain are thriving because they work hard to provide a knowledgeable customer service and a selection that doesn’t exist online or, dare I say it, Wal-Mart. You can also credit part of the success to the resurgence of vinyl, and an appreciation that it was, and probably still is, the best way to listen to recorded music.

Skydiggers – The Songs of Gene Clark

Apr 05 2016

Iconic Toronto folk-pop band Skydiggers are about to release their latest album, a tribute to Byrds songwriter Gene Clark, appropriately titled “Here Without You – The Songs of Gene Clark”. The album features eight songs written by the famed writer of such classics as “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better”, “She Don’t Care About Time”, “Set You Free This Time” and “Eight Miles High”, all delivered in the trademark, stark and intimate, Skydiggers style. The album, produced by Michael Timmins from the Cowboy Junkies, will be released on May 13 on Latent Recordings. The Skydiggers will be in Guelph for a show at the Guelph Little Theatre, 176 Morris St Guelph on Thursday May 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and available from Janus Books. Out of town tickets are available HERE. Check out the other Skydiggers dates HERE.

Corin Raymond – The Interview

Apr 04 2016

Corin Raymond is a singer-songwriter who loves a good lyric as much as a good melody. He’s just released a great new album “Hobo Jungle Fever Dreams”, which features ten songs, eight co-written with top drawer songwriters Jonathan Byrd, Sean Cotton and Rob Vaarmeyer, Rakhu Lokanathan and Jaxon Haldane alongside one Corin Raymond original, “Morning Glories” and the other, a cover of Doug Norquay‘s “Best Demented Cowgirl Face” (one of the best and most intriguing song titles out there). Hobo Jungle Fever Dreams is quintessential Corin Raymond, featuring some fabulous word craft, especially on the glorious “Morning Glories”, a standout track on an album full of standout tracks. Corin’s on tour this April in Western Canada with Jonathan Byrd, for an evening of music that should not be missed. Corin joined us from Toronto to chat about the new album. Check out all his upcoming tour dates at corinraymond.com. Photo: Justin Rutledge. Music: Corin Raymond “Morning Glories”, “The Law and the Lonesome”, “I Drink A Little” and “Two Miles Of Train” from “Hobo Jungle Fever Dreams” (2016, Local Rascal Records).