February 2017 | Folk Roots Radio

Amanda Lynn Stubley – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Amanda Lynn Stubley - The Folk Roots Radio Interview

Feb 28 2017

Folklorist and London ON Folk DJ Amanda Lynn Stubley is about to release “Gem”, a six track album of old time music recorded live off-the-floor with producer Deni Gauthier. The album features Amanda Lynn on banjo, guitar and vocals alongside her partner Martin Horak on fiddle, guitar and vocals. The album features six songs, three Amanda Lynn Stubbly originals, alongside a Martin Horak original and versions of both The Carter Family’s “Lonesome Pine Special” and Merle Haggard’s “Mama’s Hungry Eyes”. We caught up with Amanda Lynn at home in London ON to chat about the new album. The album release for Gem takes place on Sunday March 5 at 3 p.m. at the SoHo Bar And Grill, 466 South St, London (formerly known as the Victoria Tavern). Cover $5 ($10 with a copy of the CD). Amanda Lynn Stubley and Martin Horak are also members of London’s Heartaches Stringband with James Cummins on mandolin and multi-instrumentalist Uncle Dan Henshall on upright bass. For more information about Amanda Lynn, visit theheartachesmusic.com/amanda-lynn. Music: Amanda Lynn Stubley “Trouble Light”, “Christmas at the Brunswick Hotel” and “Lonesome Pine Special” from “Gem” (2016, self).

Roots North Music Festival: April 21-22 2017

Feb 27 2017

Danny Michel, fresh from a very successful launch of his new album “Khlebnikov”, recorded while traversing the arctic ocean on a Russian icebreaker and phenomenal live act Digging Roots, featuring the wonderful husband and wife duo Raven Kanetakta and Shoshona Kish, are the headliners at this year’s Roots North Music Festival taking place in Downtown Orillia from April 21-22. Also on the main stage bill this year are Jim Bryson, Birds of Bellwoods, Kaia Kater & Cassie Dasilva. The main stage shows take place in the beautifully restored St Paul’s Centre in Downtown Orillia. A late night programme will also take place at the Geneva Event Centre. Further shows are planned for other performance spaces within Orillia. We caught up with Amy Mangan, one of the organizers of the festival to chat about the 2017 line-up. Stay tuned for more artist announcements. For more information about the Roots North Music Festival and to pick up tickets, visit rootsnorthmusic.ca.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 304: Julian Taylor Interview & More New Releases

Feb 25 2017

Episode 304 of Folk Roots Radio features an interview with Julian Taylor, leader of self-described “pilgrims of funk, soul ‘n’ roll” – the Julian Taylor Band, recorded at the Folk Music Ontario conference. We also feature music from the band’s great 2016 double album “Desert Star”. And, as always, we take a look at some of the latest new releases. Check out the full playlist online at https://folkrootsradio.com.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 303: Sarah Beatty Interview & More Music

Feb 17 2017

On Episode 303 of Folk Roots Radio we talk to singer/songwriter and scientist Sarah Beatty about the soundtrack to her life, her great new second album, “Bandit Queen” – a sassy, rootsy and bluesy delight. And, as usual, we take a look at some of the latest new releases.

Feb 16 2017

Another hour of Folk Roots Radio that’s all about the music as we take a look at more of the latest new releases. Among the new releases on this episode, we check out “Khlebnikov”, the latest from Danny Michel – which was recorded far above the arctic circle, while aboard the Russian icebreaker Capitan Khlebnikov, in the middle of the arctic ocean. We also take a first listen to “Folklife”, Jayme Stone‘s follow up to the fabulous Lomax Project, a new Battlefield Band compilation, and the latest from folk great Tom Paxton.

Jan Hall chats to Julian Taylor for Folk Roots Radio

Feb 13 2017

Self-described “pilgrims of funk, soul ‘n’ roll”, the fabulous Julian Taylor Band are heading out on an eleven date tour of Southern Ontario in support of their double vinyl release “Desert Star” (2016, Aporia Records) during February and March. Desert Star – one of our favourite albums of 2016, was originally released on four E.P.s before the vinyl version made its appearance last fall. If you love the sound of a funk, soul and rock n’roll band, with some folk, blues, jazz, reggae and calypso thrown into the mix, you definitely need to check them out – they’re wonderful live. The tour starts in Windsor at The Rondo on March 16, they’re at Aeolian Hall in London ON on March 25, with a Hamilton date at The Casbah on April 2. You can check out all the tour dates online at juliantaylorband.com. Julian Taylor sat down with us at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October to chat about his music, and the new album. Music: Julian Taylor Band “Just A Little Bit”, “One Time”, Get Loud” and “Set Me Free” from “Desert Star” (2016, Aporia Records).

Sarah Beatty – Bandit Queen – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Sarah Beatty joins us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about new album "Bandit Queen".

Feb 12 2017

Hamilton based singer-songwriter and scientist Sarah Beatty has just released her second album “Bandit Queen”, an album she describes as the soundtrack to her life – a modern folk fable with spaghetti western movie stylings. It’s an album that because of its sassy rootsy, bluesy and jazzy joyously horn-filled groove and playful lyrics, works on several levels. The album was recorded at home in Hamilton with a great set of musicians under the watchful eye of Joe Lapinski. Bandit Queen is an album that’s all about transitions, for an artist who took time away from her music last year, to graduate with a Ph D in environmental science – and now juggles two careers. Featuring personal songs about relationships, discovering your life purpose, energy extraction/fracking and the notorious American female outlaw Belle Starr, there is much to explore. We caught up with Sarah while on tour in Europe to get the lowdown on the new album, and her interesting career choices. For more information, visit sarahbeatty.ca. Music: Sarah Beatty “Slaves & Kings”, “Holy Smokes”, “We Will Never Be The Same” and “Bandit Queen” (Acoustic) from “Bandit Queen” (2017, King of the Road).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 301: Corin Raymond Interview & More New Releases

Episode 300 of Folk Roots Radio featuring Corin Raymond

Feb 08 2017

On this edition of Folk Roots Radio, we talk to singer/songwriter Corin Raymond who has just received a Juno Award nomination for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year for his wonderful album “Hobo Jungle Fever Dreams”, which just happened to be our favourite recording of 2016. Corin joined us in the mobile studio at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October for a wide-ranging conversation that covered his songwriting, the joys of collaboration, his 100 Book Blog, and, of course, the making of “Hobo Jungle Fever Dreams”. We also get to play some tracks from the album we haven’t yet played on the show. And, as always, we fill up the rest of the hour with a look at more of the latest new releases.

We're all about the music, on Episode 300 of Folk Roots Radio

Feb 08 2017

We’ve finally made it to three hundred episodes of Folk Roots Radio! Actually, truth be told, we’re way past 300, as this show previously existed under a different name – but it still sounds good to say that. For this episode, we’re bringing you another great selection of new releases, including our first play of the new albums from Rose Cousins, Richard Laviolette, Portland’s John Craigie and another track the great Bill & Joel Plaskett collaboration “Solidarity”. I hope you’ll check it out.
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Hillside Inside – February 9-12 in Guelph

Feb 03 2017

The Hillside Festival is getting ready to bring Hillside Inside. The summer festival’s wintery cousin, will delight music lovers at a variety of venues in Downtown Guelph. They’re celebrating ten years of winter programming, and, as usual, they’ve put together a wonderfully diverse programme. Concerts, workshops and community activities, there is something for everyone.
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Folk Roots Radio Episode 299: Gary & Whit Interview & More New Releases

Feb 03 2017

On this edition of Folk Roots Radio we head out to Corner Brook in Newfoundland to talk to folk-pop duo Gary & Whit, about “Matches”, an album of beautiful songs, with engaging lyrics and gorgeous harmonies that really connects with the listener – and another of our favourite albums of 2016. And as always, we take a look at some of the latest new releases. For more information about the music of Gary & Whit, visit garyandwhit.com. Photography: Candace Cunning and Dru Kennedy.

Feb 03 2017

There are no interviews in this hour of Folk Roots Radio, as we play catch up on some of the best of the new music we’ve received over the past few months. There’s lots of great music out there, and as we’re all about the music, we’re pleased to do our bit to share it with you.

Guelph Celtic Orchestra St Patrick's Day Extravaganza

Feb 03 2017

Guelph Celtic Orchestra are getting ready for their St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza. This year’s event takes place at the Italian Canadian Club, 135 Ferguson Street, Guelph on Saturday March 18 2017 at 7:30 p.m. (Doors 7 p.m.). This year’s concert also features the Guelph Pipe Band and the orchestra’s award winning step dancers. The performance will be followed by a ceilidh dance. Tickets are $20 advance ($25 at the door), $10 (children aged 6-16) and are available through Janus Books, 10 Paisley St., Guelph and their website at guelphceltic.ca.