April 2017 | Folk Roots Radio

Scott Shea – Folk Roots Radio at FMO

Apr 27 2017

Singer-songwriter Scott Shea started out in music in the 90s, singing songs with his brother in Toronto, before giving it up in favour of a successful career building custom homes. In 2008, Scott found himself re-evaluating his life choices when his father, Red Shea, former lead guitarist for Gordon Lightfoot passed away. Relocating to Vancouver Island with his family, Scott returned to songwriting in 2013. Since then, he has released two albums – “Let It Storm” (2015), recorded in Austin, and his latest, 2016’s “Pendulum” which was recorded in both LA and Toronto with producer Bill Bell, and a band featuring Kenny Aronoff (drums), James “Hutch” Hutchinson (Bass) and Chris Joyner (Keys). Pendulum features some great songs about life and relationships, that while at times introspective and reflective, also have an optimistic feel for the future. It’s also a perfect companion for the long car ride. With a music career that’s now firmly based on giving back, all the proceeds from sales of Pendulum go to support Scott’s favoured charity, SOS Children’s Villages. Scott Shea joined us at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about his music. For more information visit scottsheasongs.com. Music: Scott Shea “Crazy Love” from “Pendulum” (2016, Self), “Shine” (Live), “Vanity” (Live), “Scattering Crows” (Live) and “(Gone) Too Young” from “Pendulum” (2016, Self).

Mike McKenna Jr. – Folk Roots Radio at FMO

Apr 25 2017

Growing up in Cape Breton, you’d expect Mike McKenna Jr. to have celtic music coursing through his veins. Indeed he has – his first instrument was a fiddle, but he also fell in love with the storytelling aspect of being a troubadour singer-songwriter with east coast grit in his voice. After leaving Cape Breton for a new home base in Montreal, Mike released his first E.P., “Travelin Man” in 2016. He’s currently readying his first full length album, “Pacific Northwest Bound”, for release in May 2017. Mike joined us in the studio at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about his music, and play three songs live. For more information about Mike McKenna Jr., visit mikemckennajr.com. Music: Mike McKenna Jr. “Travelin Man” from “Travelin Man” (2016, Self), “The Highway” (Live), “Little Things” (Live), “Die In The West” (Live) and “Take Me Home” from “Travelin Man” (2016, Self).

Bobby Dove – Folk Roots Radio at FMO

Apr 24 2017

Montreal based troubadour singer-songwriter Bobby Dove released her debut full length album “Thunderchild” in October 2016. Recorded in Peterborough, Ontario with producer James McKenty (Blue Rodeo, Gordon Lightfoot), the album harks back to the golden age of country music, and features a mix of broody ballads, honky-tonkin two steps and reflections on the what-ifs of life. Bobby joined us in the studio at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about her music and to play a couple of songs live for us. For more information about Bobby’s music, visit bobbydove.com. Music: Bobby Dove, “Thunderchild” from “Thunderchild” (2016, Self), “Gridlock” (Live), “Another Doggone Day” (Live), “Too Late To Go Home” from “Thunderchild” (2016, Self).

Greenbank – Folk Roots Radio at FMO

Apr 22 2017

At first glance you might think they’d just stepped out of a time machine… Clad in denim and bellowing in three-part harmony, Thunder Bay ON’s Greenbank produce a sound that appears to come straight out of Laurel Canyon circa 1968. Equipped with smiling faces, socially conscious lyrics and some great stories from the road, these northern troubadours deliver a performance you won’t want to miss! Featuring mainstays Jimmy Breslin (guitar, vocals) and Craig Smyth (keyboards, vocals) with support from Jean Paul De Roover, and Alex Cummins and Chad Kirvan (when the gig calls for a five piece), they put on a superb live show. Jimmy, Craig and Jean-Paul joined us in the Folk Roots Radio mobile studio at the 2016 Folk Music Ontario conference for a fun conversation about their music, and a few live tunes. Greenbank released their first long player “Money Machine” in 2015. They are now working on the follow-up, “Glory Days”. For more information, visit greenbankband.com. Music: Greenbank “Live Off The Land” from “Money Machine” (2015, Self), “Far Away” (Live), “The Long Ride To Nowhere” (Live), “The Captain” (Live) and “Money Machine” and “Money Machine” (2015, Self).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 317: Carly Dow Interview & More New Releases

Episode 317: Carly Dow & More New Releases

Apr 22 2017

Manitoba singer-songwriter Carly Dow is as comfortable on the banjo as the guitar, and playing solo as much as playing with a band. Carly joined us at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about her music and to play three songs live – including two that are yet to be recorded. We also take a look at some of the best of the latest new releases. Check out the playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 316: Shawn William Clarke & More New Releases

Apr 20 2017

Episode 316 of Folk Roots Radio features an interview with Toronto singer-songwriter Shawn William Clarke recorded at the Folk Music Ontario conference. Shawn also plays three songs live for us, including two songs that are yet to be recorded. As always, we take a look at some of the latest new releases. Check out the full playlist below.

Apr 17 2017

As a touring artist, Manitoba roots singer-songwriter Carly Dow is as comfortable on the banjo as the guitar, and playing solo as much as playing with a band. Carly arrived on the solo scene with her 2015 debut “Ingrained”. With a songwriting style that’s not afraid to tackle important issues – without sounding preachy, her music has been likened to that of Neko Case, with some Gillian Welch added into the mix. Carly Dow stopped by our mobile studio at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October to chat about her music and play three songs live, including a couple of songs that are yet to be recorded. This summer, Carly Dow will be playing the Hillside Festival (July 14-16 2017) at Guelph Lake in Ontario. For more information about her music, visit carlydowmusic.com. Music: Carly Dow “Soil To Dust” from “Ingrained” (2015, Self), “Too Much To Go Back” (Live), “Something Lost” (Live), “The Coyote Song (working title)” (Live) and “Down This Road” from “Ingrained” (2015, Self).

Shawn William Clarke – Folk Roots Radio at FMO

Apr 16 2017

Shawn William Clarke released his most recent album “William” in 2015. A lovely recording, it features some great songs with engaging lyrics and quirky titles, with Shawn’s gentle voice and harmonies resting over an understated musical accompaniment, including some fine finger picked guitar, pedal steel, accordion and some very nice use of brass. A sonic delight, it became one of our favourite albums of 2015. Since then, Shawn has been working on an ambient project Will Moor with fellow Toronto singer-songwriter David F Gluck (2016), and is now working on the follow-up to William at the Currie Brothers studio, Currie Music & Antiques, in Gravenhurst. Shawn stopped by the Folk Roots Radio mobile studio at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October for a fun and engaging conversation, and to play three songs live – including two that have yet to make it on to disc. Music: Shawn William Clarke “I Blame The Loyalist Ghost” (Live), “Untitled” (new song about stage anxiety) (Live) and “Autumn in New Brunswick” (Live).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 315: Gina Horswood Interview & More New Releases

Apr 15 2017

Australian country blues powerhouse Gina Horswood joins us on Episode 315 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about her music and upcoming “Saints & Sinners” tour of Southern Ontario with fellow singer-songwriter Karen Morand. We also check out more of the latest new releases on the folk – roots scene. Check out the full playlist below.

Richard Laviolette - The Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 14 2017

Richard Laviolette is a songwriter who really puts his life and personal passions into his music. His new country roots album, “Taking The Long Way Home” (2017, You’ve Changed Records) is all about remaining resilient in the face of life’s challenges whether they relate to personal issues, family, health – whatever – basically everything we all deal with on a daily basis. It’s also an album that emphasizes how much it helps to take the daily ups and downs with as much of a sense of humour as you can manage. With some lovely warm production from Andy Magoffin from the House of Miracles studio in Cambridge Ontario, and some really talented roots players who know how to play with a light touch – it’s a joy to listen to. Joining Richard on the album are Lisa Bozikovic on piano, Matt Reeves on lead guitar, Jessy Bell Smith (Skydiggers) on vocal harmonies, Julia Narveson (Ever Lovin’ Jug Band) on fiddle and double bass, Aaron Goldstein on pedal steel, Heather Kirby (Ohbijou) on electric bass, and Aaron Curtis on drums. We caught up with Richard Laviolette at home in Guelph to chat about the new album. Music: Richard Laviolette, “Grey Rain”, “Someone Tell My Story When I’m Gone”, “You’ve Really Got Me On The Run” and “Taking The Long Way Home” from “Taking The Long Way Home” (2017, You’ve Changed Records)

Gina Horswood – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 12 2017

Country blues powerhouse Gina Horswood swopped her native Australia for North America in 2011 – just in time to head to Nashville to work on her 2013 album, the “Nashville Sessions EP”. After relocating to Canada, she released “Porcelain”, the album that put her firmly on the North American musical map, in 2016. Produced with Andre Wahl (Luke Doucet, Hawksley Workman, Amy Sky, Shania Twain) and placing Gina’s soulful vocals front and centre, Porcelain is a warm, bluesy experience with more than a hint of gospel and jazz. It’s the perfect introduction to an artist who at times can sound like a young Mavis Staples, Bessie Smith or Billie Holiday. With support from Tom & Sly Juhas (Banners, Jadea Kelly), Rich Levesque (Blue Rodeo, Jason McCoy/The Road Hammers, Melissa McClelland) and Robbie Grunwald (Jill Barber, Coco Love Alcorn), Porcelain is a tour de force from an artist who really deserves to be checked out on disc – and live. This spring, Gina Horswood is heading out on the “Saints & Sinners” tour of Southern Ontario with fellow singer-songwriter Karen Morand – starting off with a show at The Bank Theatre in Leamington on Saturday April 22 2017. GET TICKETS. We caught up with Gina at home to chat about her music. For more information, visit ginahorswood.com. Music: Gina Horswood “Come Hell Or High Water”, “Caged” and “Why Should I Wait?” from “Porcelain” (2016, Self).

Jayme Stone’s Folklife – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 11 2017

Banjoist Jayme Stone has just released “Jayme Stone’s Folklife”, the follow up to The Lomax Project album. Inspired by further exploration of songs catalogued by noted folklorist Alan Lomax and other folklorists, Jayme Stone’s Folklife is a beautiful collection of Sea Island spirituals, Creole calypsos and Appalachian dance tunes dusted off and re-imagined for modern ears. Joining Jayme this time around are American folk singer extraordinaire Moira Smiley, Sumaia Jackson (fiddle, voice), and Joe Phillips (bass, voice) alongside special guests singer Felicity Williams (Bahamas), Dom Flemons (Carolina Chocolate Drops) and cornetist Ron Miles from Bill Frisell’s band. Jayme Stone’s Folklife is another great Jayme Stone album. I’ve already gone on record to say that I’m sure it will feature somewhere in my best of the year at the end of 2017. It’s that good! Jayme Stone joined us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about the album. Music: Jayme Stone “There Is More Love Somewhere”. “Buttermilk”, “Drunken Hiccups” and “Candy Gal” from “Jayme Stone’s Folklife” (2017, Borealis Records)

Folk Roots Radio Episode 314: The Rough & Tumble Interview & More New Releases

Apr 07 2017

Playful Americana-folk duo The Rough & Tumble, join us on Episode 314 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about their music and first tour of Southern Ontario. Originally from Nashville – that’s now just where they collect their mail, since they gave up the home base in favour of the open road, and life in a sixteen foot camper van, with only their dogs for company. As always, we also take a look at more of the best of the latest new releases. Check out the full playlist below.

The Rough & Tumble - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 03 2017

Playful Americana-folk duo The Rough & Tumble feature the close harmonies, versatile instrumentation and engaging songwriting of Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler. They’re new on our radar, and peaked our interest when they sent us a link to a very adorable video for their song “Teeny Tiny Folk Band”. You can check it out HERE. The Rough & Tumble used to tell people they were from Nashville TN, before deciding they preferred to be permanently on the road, in their sixteen foot camper van, with their dogs for company. They’ll be in Southern Ontario on tour this April, including two shows in Toronto and a visit to The Cornerstone in Guelph on April 13 2017. We caught up with Mallory and Scott, live from the road, to learn more about their music. Visit The Rough & Tumble online at theroughandtumble.com. Music: The Rough & Tumble “Teeny Tiny Folk Band” and “Take Me With You” from “Cardboard & Christmas Lights” (2017, Rock Candy Recordings), “Pieces by Pieces” from “Pieces by Pieces” (2016, Rock Candy Recordings).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 313: Karen Morand Interview & More New Releases

Apr 03 2017

Windsor-based singer-songwriter Karen Morand joins us on Episode 313 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about her great new album with band Bosco, “Junkyard Heart”. We also take a look at more of the latest new releases. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 312 - Danny Michel Interview & More New Releases

Apr 01 2017

Singer/songwriter Danny Michel recorded his latest album “Khlebnikov” on board a Russian icebreaker in the middle of the Arctic Ocean. Danny joins us on this episode to chat about the new album, his webcast Dan’s Space Van and his live performances. And, as usual we also take a look at some of the latest new releases. Check out the full playlist below.