2016 | Page 3 of 6 | Folk Roots Radio

Ciaran Lavery at Silence – August 15

Jul 20 2016

Northern-Irish singer-songwriter Ciaran Lavery has been creating quite a bit of a buzz for his achingly beautiful songs and stellar songwriting, especially on his 2014 “Kosher” EP and “Not Nearly Dark” album, and top download tracks “Shame” and “Left for America”. Ciaran’s just released the very well received “Let Bad In” (2016, Believe Recordings) and he’ll be making his Canadian debut at Silence in Guelph on August 15 at 8 p.m. (doors 7:30pm). Tickets are $20 in advance/ $25 at the door and $12 for students and unwaged and available at Royal Cat Records in Guelph, Forch’s Record Store in Cambridge and online at dollartone.com. The show is a co-presentation of Guelph Roots, Hillside Festival and Dollartone and supported by Forch’s Record Store. For more information visit ciaranlaverymusic.com.

Amanda Rheaume – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Jul 19 2016

Ottawa-based Métis singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume won a 2014 Canadian Folk Music Award for Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year and was nominated for a Juno, for her 2014 album “Keep A Fire” which explored her Métis heritage. Her latest release “Holding Patterns” is a more personal record altogether, featuring folk-country-pop songs that reflect on aspects of her own life experience, alongside “Red Dress” (feat. vocals from Chantal Kreviazuk), a song to raise awareness about Canada’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. All proceeds from “Red Dress” will be donated to the Native Women’s Association of Canada. Amanda is heading to the UK on tour before returning to Canada for a show at the Bruce Wine Bar in Thornbury ON on August 5, and an appearance at this summer’s Kingsville Folk Music Festival. We caught up with Amanda at home to chat about the new album. Photo Credit: Jen Squires. For more information visit www.amandarheaume.com. Music: Amanda Rheaume “Get To The Part”, “Red Dress” and “Wolf Of Time” from “Holding Patterns” (2016, Self).

Episode 264: Mill Race Festival

Jul 16 2016

Brad McEwen, Artistic Director at the Mill Race Folk Society joins us on this episode to chat about this summer’s Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music taking place from July 29-31 in the historic downtown core of Galt in Cambridge, Ontario. And as always, we take a look at some new releases.

Jul 15 2016

Episode 263 of Folk Roots Radio is dedicated to the 33rd edition of the Hillside Festival taking place at beautiful Guelph Lake Conservation Area, just north of Guelph, on the weekend of July 22-24, and featuring music from some of the performers we’re looking forward to catching. And Sam Baijal, Artistic Director at the Hillside Festival also joins us to chat about the line-up and the artists he’s excited to bring to the festival. To learn more about Hillside and to pick up tickets – and, amazingly there are still some available, visit hillsidefestival.ca.

Jul 14 2016

The 33rd Hillside Festival takes place on the island in beautiful Guelph Lake Conservation Area, just north of Guelph, on the weekend of July 22 to 24. Consistently voted one of the best summer festivals in Canada, Hillside has developed a strong reputation for not just serving up a wonderful variety of music, but also producing festival highlights that are often not the artists you came to the festival to see. To learn more about this year’s festival we caught up with Artistic Director Sam Baijal. For more information about Hillside and to pick up tickets visit hillsidefestival.ca. Music: Buffy Sainte-Marie “It’s My Way” from “Power In The Blood” (2015, True North Records), Rose Cousins “Let The Light Come In” (single) (2015, Old Farm Pony Records/Makeout Music).

Mill Race Festival 2016 – The Interview

Jul 12 2016

The Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music takes place from July 29-31 in the historic downtown core of Galt in Cambridge, Ontario. Traditional forms of folk music and dance are the festival’s theme, with an emphasis on the various cultures present in Cambridge and the surrounding area. The festival itself is patterned after European festivals that feature events on outdoor stages in the town core. The festival runs Friday 7 – 11 p.m., Saturday 1 – 11 p.m., and Sunday 1 – 10 p.m. Admission is free. Brad McEwen, Artistic Director at the Mill Race Festival joined us to chat about this year’s programme. This year’s festival features Alex Cumming and Nicola Beazley, Alfie Smith and Nicole Christian, Bob MacLean, The Bilge Rats, The Boxcar Boys, Cihat Ozturk, Cupola:Ward, Discovery (Jeff & Elaine), Frog and Henry, Juneyt, Lederman/Bell, Martin and Shan Graebe, NUA, Relative Harmony, The Schotts, Shane Cook and The Woodchippers, Sweet Felons All, Tamar Ilana and Ventanas, Tellier, Somers and Nunn, Tethera Quintet, Tony Gouveia and Elizabete. For more information visit millracefolksociety.com. Music: The Boxcar Boys “Baby Don’t You Tear My Clothes” from “Cicada Ball” (2015, Self), Cupola Ward “Damped In His Groove” (Live).

Episode 262: Danielle Miraglia

Jul 07 2016

Boston based singer/songwriter Danielle Miraglia is heading to this summer’s Kingsville Folk Music Festival, taking place in beautiful Lakeside Park, in Kingsville, on the shore of Lake Erie in South Western Ontario from August 12-14. We caught up with Danielle between gigs, and out on the road in Pennsylvania to chat about her music and latest album “Glory Junkies” (2015). We also include a tribute to the late great Ralph Stanley and take a look at some new releases.

Jul 06 2016

One of our favourite people, singer-songwriter and storyteller, Joanna Chapman-Smith joins us on this episode to chat about her forthcoming album of modern folk tales, “Elon & The City of Stone”. Joanna also plays three songs live for us. And, as always, we take a look at some of the latest new releases.

Jul 05 2016

Sheesham and Lotus & ‘Son are the fabulous old-time vehicle for the musical talents of Teilhard Frost (Sheesham Crow), Sam Allison (Lotus Wight) and Son Sanderson. Featuring fiddle, banjo and sousaphone alongside some musical contraptions of their own creation – the Sepia-phonic Monophone, and the Contrabass HarmoniPhoneum, their live show is a mix of old-time fiddle, depression era trad blues and some originals that takes you back to the 1920s heyday of the music they love, and it’s an experience that is not to be missed. Sheesham, Lotus and Son joined us at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about their roots, history, live show and upcoming album “78 rpm” which is based on material recorded using vintage 1938 record cutting equipment, courtesy of Lathe Revival. For more information visit sheeshamandlotus.com. Music: Sheesham and Lotus & ‘Son “Chinquapin”, “The Blackberry Blossom Into Wink The Other Eye” and “Swimming Blues” from “The High Stepping Music of Sheesham and Lotus & ‘Son” (2014, Sepiaphone Records).

Joanna Chapman-Smith at Folk Music Ontario

Jul 04 2016

There’s always magic in the room when singer-songwriter and storyteller Joanna Chapman-Smith joins us on Folk Roots Radio. Joanna stopped by the mobile studio at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about her latest project – an album of musical folk tales under the working title of “Elon and the City of Stone”. Joanna also played three songs live for us. As always, it was a great pleasure having Joanna in the studio. To learn about her music and storytelling, visit joannacs.com. Music: Joanna Chapman-Smith “Paris” (Live), “June” (Live), “Crystal Heart” (Live) and “Arbitrary Lines” from “Contraries” (Self, 2009).

Danielle Miraglia – The Interview

Jul 04 2016

Boston based singer/songwriter Danielle Miraglia‘s latest album, her third long player, “Glory Junkies”, is an album of lyrically rich songs that finds time to poke fun at both reality TV and selfie culture alongside more personal subject material. We caught up with Danielle on the road to her next show. For more information visit daniellem.com. Photo: Caroline Alden. Music: Danielle Miraglia, “Carmella” and “Glory Junky” from “Glory Junkies” (2015, Self).

Episode 260: Folk Music Ontario Youth Program 2015

Jun 09 2016

We’re giving Episode 260 of Folk Roots Radio over to the Youth Program at the 2015 Folk Music Ontario (FMO) Conference. The program is open to residents of Ontario and the National Capital Region, between ages 15 and 21, who are chosen for their interest, ability and experience. The selected youth members are paired with experienced mentors from the Ontario folk music community for the duration of the weekend conference, while developing a showcase performance and participating in professional development activities. This documentary features commentary and musical contributions from programme coordinator Treasa Levasseur; Mentors: Quique Escamilla, Rosina Kazi, Amélie Lefebvre, James Keelaghan and Julian Taylor and Youth: Sydney Delong, Jillian Kerr, Mira Meikle, Braden Phelan and Joelle Villeneuve. For more information about the Folk Music Ontario Youth Program visit folkmusicontario.ca. Photo credit: Mike Bourgeault. Music: Treasa Levasseur “Feel Good Time” from “Broad” (2011, Self), Amélie & Les Singes Bleus “La Rua Madureira” from “À l’étage des funambules” (Self, 2012), Joelle Villeneuve “En vert” (Demo), Quique Escamilla “Nuevo Dia, Hombre Libre” from “500 Years of Night” (2014, Lulaworld Records), Braden Phelan “With You” (with Vale Abbott) from “379 Evert Street” (2015, Self), Lal “Stand In My Way” from “Find Safety” (2016, Coax Records), Mira Meikle “Coming Home” from “Mira” (2015, Self), Julian Taylor Band “Just A Little Bit” from “Desert Star EP” (2015, Aporia Records), Sydney Delong “Cruel, Adore” from “My Vow To You EP” (2014, Self), James Keelaghan “Glory Bound” from “History: The First 25 Years” (2013, Borealis Records) and Jillian Kerr “Cold Winter” from “Dreams” (2015, Self).

Darren Eedens – In The Studio

Jun 07 2016

St Catherine’s born Darren Eedens plays both flat-picking banjo and guitar at such a frenetic pace that you can’t help but sit up and pay attention whenever he starts to play. His nasal percussive vocal delivery makes you think that you’ve stepped into some honky tonk saloon from a bygone era. Known as the Canadian Dirty Little Picker in Europe, Darren now calls Cardiff Wales, home. He joined us in the studio straight after a rousing and rambunctious performance at the 2015 Hillside Festival to chat about his latest album “Of My Word” (2014, Self) and play a few tunes live. For more information, visit darreneedens.bandcamp.com. Music: Darren Eedens “Oh Darlin” from “Of My Word” (2014, Self), “Mountain Dew” (Live), “On The Line (The Laundry Song)” (Live), “Rye Whiskey” (Live) and Darren Eedens “Movin’ On” from “Of My Word” (2014, Self).

Bob MacLean – In The Studio

Jun 06 2016

Bob MacLean is a celtic guitarist and folk singer with roots in Cape Breton and Quebec. He’s been playing guitar for as long as he can remember, and his passion for the instrument has only grown over the years. Bob plays solo guitar and also performs as part of a duo McCairley and MacLean with fiddler Fiona McCairley. Bob joined us in the studio at the farm in Hillsburgh last fall for a fabulous conversation about his music and a few live tunes. For more information about Bob’s music visit bobmaclean.ca. Music: Bob MacLean “Songbird” (Live), “Sweetness of Mary” (Live), “Permission to Dream” (Live), “Red-haired Boy” (Live), “Pipe on the Hob/Out on the Ocean” (Live), “Jack the Sailor” (Live), “Rose of Allendale” from “Permission to Dream” (2002, Self).

Episode 259: Shawna Caspi

Jun 03 2016

This episode features an interview and a couple of live songs from Toronto based singer-songwriter Shawna Caspi alongside tracks from some of the current new releases.

Jun 02 2016

Singer-songwriter and former member of Tamarack, James Gordon joins us on this episode to chat about “Sunny Jim”, his forty-something album over all, and seventh on Borealis Records. As always, we find time to include tracks from some of the fine new releases we’ve received.

May 31 2016

Guitar-picking, classically-trained folkie Shawna Caspi released a great album of coffee house folk in 2014, “Apartments For Lovers” – an album that not only contains Shawna’s songs, but is also adorned by her own art work. Shawna joined Folk Roots Radio at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about her music, and play a couple of songs live. For more information visit shawnacaspi.com. Photo: Roni Hoffman. Music: Shawna Caspi “Devil’s Rolling Pin” from “Apartments For Lovers” (2014, Self), “Take This Mountain” (Live), “Never Enough” (Live) and “Not So Silent” from “Apartments For Lovers” (2014, Self).

James Gordon – Sunny Jim

May 30 2016

James Gordon is just about to release “Sunny Jim”, his forty-something album over all, and seventh on Borealis Records. The title (and title track) alluding to the fact that we all have our down days, even someone as relentlessly upbeat and optimistic as James Gordon – singer-songwriter, community activist, and now city councillor in Guelph, Ontario. The album features James Gordon, accompanied by his musical sons Geordie and Evan, on 12 songs that, as expected, ooze social commentary on everything from politics and protest, to war and conflict and the environment, but, more personally, also reflect on love and loss. There’s also a very special a cappella version of what maybe his best known song “Frobisher Bay” – originally written for his former band Tamarack, it has been covered more than 100 times. Album release shows take place in Hamilton at The Pearl Company (June 11), Toronto, at Hugh’s Room (June 16), Guelph at Heritage Hall (June 17) and Collingwood (June 18) at Simcoe Street Theatre. We caught up with James at home in Guelph to chat about the new album. For more information and to BUY Tickets visit jamesgordon.ca.

Episode 257: Kaia Kater

May 27 2016

We’re giving the whole of this episode of Folk Roots Radio over to an interview with banjo player and rising star Kaia Kater who has just released her sophomore recording “Nine Pin”. Nine Pin is a concept album that takes as its inspiration the Black Lives Matter movement and Kaia’s own experience growing up as a person of colour in North America. And it’s an album that gives Kaia free reign to push her own boundaries using her old-time Appalachian banjo as the leaping off point for powerful lyrical songs that show maturity way beyond her years. It really is a terrific album, and it’s a great interview. I hope you enjoy it.

May 27 2016

This episode of Folk Roots Radio features two interviews. Banjo and fiddle playing singer-songwriter Hannah Shira Naiman joined us at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about her music, her new project involving shadow puppetry, and play a couple of songs live. We also check in with Gordie Tentrees who will be appearing at this year’s Kingsville Folk Music Festival which takes place in the beautiful confines of Lakeside Park in Kingsville from August 12-14. And as always, we include some of the best of the new releases we’ve received.

May 24 2016

Kaia Kater has just released her sophomore recording “Nine Pin”. Recorded in just one day in Toronto, with Chris Bartos, the producer of Kaia’s debut album “Sorrow Bound”, Nine Pin is a concept album that takes as its inspiration the Black Lives Matter movement and Kaia’s own experience growing up as a person of colour in North America – but also touches on more personal source material such as love and loss. And it’s an album that gives Kaia free reign to push her own boundaries using her old-time Appalachian banjo as the leaping off point for powerful lyrical songs that show maturity way beyond her years. We caught up with Kaia at home in Toronto to chat about the new album. Kaia has a CD release concert in Toronto at the Burdock on June 12. She’ll also be appearing at the Kingsville Folk Music Festival, August 12-14. For more information, visit kaiakater.com. Music: Kaia Kater “Rising Down”, “Harlem’s Little Blackbird”, “Paradise Fell” and “Nine Pin” from “Nine Pin” (2016, Self).

Gordie Tentrees – Kingsville Folk Music Festival

May 24 2016

Gordie Tentrees is no stranger to Folk Roots Radio. We’ve interviewed him a couple of times before, and I think the last time was around the release of his great 2015 album “Less Is More”. Well, Gordie will be bringing what he describes as his ‘storytelling-based folk, country, blues thing‘ to this year’s Kingsville Folk Music Festival with support from Jaxon Haldane (who will be performing in his own right at the festival). This year’s festival takes place from August 12-14 2016 in the beautiful confines of Lakeside Park in Kingsville. Get your tickets HERE. We reached Gordie at home in the Yukon to chat about what’s new with his music and this year’s festival. Music: Gordie Tentrees “Somebody’s Child” from “Less Is more” (2015, Buckaroo Records).

Hannah Shira Naiman – The Interview

May 23 2016

Banjo and fiddle playing singer-songwriter Hannah Shira Naiman is just about to head into the studio to record the follow-up to “Tether My Heart”, her very well received 2013 album on Merriweather Records. Hannah joined us at Folk Music Ontario to chat about her music and Shadow Puppet Theatre, her collaboration with shadow puppeteer Christopher Godziuk of Panadream Theatre. Using Hannah’s lyrics for inspiration, Christopher creates a shadow puppet world to complement the musical performance. Check out their video for Hannah’s song “Tether My Heart” HERE. Hannah also played a couple of new songs live for us. For more information visit hannahshiranaiman.com. Music: Hannah Shira Naiman “Little Fox” from “Tether My Heart” (2013, Merriweather Records), “Ruby Kee” (Live), “The Blue House (Live) and “Tekakwitha” from “Tether My Heart” (2013, Merriweather Records).

Episode 255: Dale Butler

May 20 2016

We’re giving over the whole of this episode of Folk Roots Radio to the music of Leamington Ontario singer-songwriter Dale Butler. As well as his own career as a full-time musician, Dale also hosts a coffee house that helps nurture the careers of new performers. Dale joined us in the Folk Roots Radio studio to chat about his music and play a few songs live.

May 20 2016

This episode of Folk Roots Radio is all about banjos… well, not quite, but mostly. Arnie Naiman joins us to chat about his latest album “Our Lucky Stars”. We also play tracks from the new albums of fellow banjo enthusiasts Chris Coole and Kaia Kater. And, as always, we also share some of the non-banjo related music we’ve received recently.

Archive - 2016

Ciaran Lavery at Silence – August 15

Amanda Rheaume – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Episode 264: Mill Race Festival

Episode 263: Hillside Festival 2016

Hillside 2016 – The Interview

Mill Race Festival 2016 – The Interview

Episode 262: Danielle Miraglia

Episode 261: Joanna Chapman-Smith

Sheesham & Lotus & ‘Son – The Interview

Joanna Chapman-Smith at Folk Music Ontario

Danielle Miraglia – The Interview

Episode 260: Folk Music Ontario Youth Program 2015

Darren Eedens – In The Studio

Bob MacLean – In The Studio

Episode 259: Shawna Caspi

Episode 258: James Gordon

Shawna Caspi – The Interview

James Gordon – Sunny Jim

Episode 257: Kaia Kater

Episode 256: Hannah Shira Naiman

Kaia Kater – The Nine Pin Folk Roots Radio Interview

Gordie Tentrees – Kingsville Folk Music Festival

Hannah Shira Naiman – The Interview

Episode 255: Dale Butler

Episode 254: Arnie Naiman