April 2019 | Folk Roots Radio

Folk Roots Radio Episode 443: feat. Reid Jamieson & More New Releases

Apr 25 2019

Vancouver based singer-songwriter Reid Jamieson has just released what may be the album of his career, “Me Daza”. Recorded in Ireland, with Kieran Kennedy, me daza is actually Cork Ireland slang for ‘most excellent’ or ‘awesome’, which this album most definitely is. Reid Jamieson and the other half of this music and life partnership, Carolyn Victoria Mill, join us on Episode 443 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about the making of the new album and upcoming tour dates. It’s a great interview – you won’t want to miss it. We also check out new music from Lydia Persaud, Michelle Rumball, Gillian Nicola, Sumaia Jackson and Richard Garvey. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 442: feat. Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage & More New Releases

Apr 25 2019

UK Americana/folk duo Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage released a beautiful album “Awake” in 2018. Their music is deceptively simple, intimate duets around a single microphone, that draw you in and open you up while accompanied by mountain dulcimer, dobro and guitar. They’ve just released a wonderful new single “Hidden Things” and they’re on tour in North America, with some Ontario dates this May. Hannah & Ben join us on Episode 442 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about their music, new single and upcoming tour. And as usual, we also take a look at more of the new releases we’ve received – and this time around we check out new music from Mary Ann Kennedy, Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, April Verch and Benjamin Dakota Rogers. It’s a great episode. we hope you’ll check it out. Check out the full playlist below.

David Newland - Northbound - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 24 2019

Canadian adventurer, writer and miner of song David Newland is getting ready to release his fifth album, “NORTHBOUND: The Northwest Passage in Story and Song”, a live collection of original songs based on his travels in the Northwest Passage with Adventure Canada. Recorded live at Trinity United Church in Cobourg, the album features Uncharted Waters, a group of musicians David Newland specifically assembled for this project, featuring Sam Allison (backing vocals, acoustic bass, jaw harp), Saskia Tomkins (nyckelharpa, fiddle, viola, cello), Steafan Hannigan (whistles, flutes, Uilleann pipes, percussion), and Oisin Hannigan (percussion), joined by Inuit throat singers Siqiniup Qilauta (Sunsdrum – Lynda Brown and Heidi Langille), fiddler Alex Cheung and jawharpist Lois Suluk and more. This album is sure to please and educate – a heartfelt, engaging, and authentic tribute to the people, places and culture of Nunavut and Greenland – what European Canadians have traditionally called the Northwest Passage. David Newland will be releasing Northbound on Friday, April 26 at Hugh’s Room Live in Toronto at 8:30 p.m. with his band Uncharted Waters, close collaborators Siqiniup Qilauta (Sunsdrum) and some very special guests including Alex Cheung and Drew Gonsalves. We caught up with David Newland at home in Cobourg to learn more about the project. For more information about upcoming shows, visit davidnewland.com. Photo: David Newland with Heidi Langille Lynda Brown (Siqiniup Qilauta / Sunsdrum). Music: David Newland & Uncharted Waters “No Way To Stay Warm”, “This Moment On The Sea”, “Musk Ox Stew” and “Under Forever Skies” from “NORTHBOUND” (2019, Self).

Reid Jamieson – Me Daza – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 22 2019

Vancouver based singer-songwriter Reid Jamieson has just released his latest album “Me Daza”. The phrase me daza is actually Cork Ireland slang for ‘most excellent’ or ‘awesome’, though strictly speaking it actually means ‘I’m dying’. Dying because of brilliance, perhaps – because this recording really does feel like a special piece of work, and may be the best thing Reid Jamieson has done in his career so far. Recorded in Ireland with producer Kieran Kennedy (Maria Doyle Kennedy), the new album features seven fabulous new songs and a gorgeous instrumental, all written with music and life partner Carolyn Victoria Mill alongside a great cover “Don’t Go Down”, written by the late lamented Fergus O’Farrell (formerly of cult Irish band Interference) and Glen Hansard (Swell Season, The Frames). Reid Jamieson and Carolyn Victoria Mill will be on tour in Ontario in early May with shows in Dundas (Shawn & Ed Brewing Co, May 2), Guelph (eBar, May 3) and Toronto (Rivoli, May 5). For more information and full tour dates, visit reidjamieson.com. We caught up with Reid Jamieson and Carolyn Victoria Mill at home in Vancouver to learn more about the new album. Music: Reid Jamieson “Evergreen (Love Song For The Crone)”, “Perfect Storm”, “Don’t Go Down”, “She (#repealthe8th)” and “Lullaby For The Lost” from “Me Daza” (2019, Self).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 441: Hillside Festival Girls & Guitars Songwriting Course 2019

Apr 17 2019

We’re giving over the whole of Episode 441 of Folk Roots Radio to interviews with the participants and facilitators of the 2019 Hillside Festival Girls & Guitars Songwriting Course that took place in Guelph during the winter. The songwriting workshop is specifically designed to help aspiring female songwriters develop effective songwriting skills and strategies while gaining confidence in their own ability, and all within a supportive learning environment. As you will hear during these interviews, the music industry is currently skewed 70:30 in favour of men – not just in terms of performers, but also behind the scenes – in management, booking agents, tech crews, artistic directors, and critics. During the four-week course, participants worked on an original song that was eventually recorded by Nick Zubeck at Arthur North Studios in Guelph. The students also played their song live at a special event during the Hillside Inside winter festival this past February. It’s our privilege to share those songs with you again today. Check out the full playlist below.

Ariana Gillis - Roots North 2019 - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 16 2019

Ariana Gillis is a captivating live performer. She sings with such passion, with such a distinctive voice and vocal delivery, you really can’t take your eyes off her. And the songs? Well, they are always engrossing. Ariana will be appearing at the 2019 Roots North Music Festival which takes place in Downtown Orillia on Friday April 26 and Saturday April 27. She’ll be sharing the Friday night main stage with two other fabulous songwriters Ron Sexsmith and Rose Cousins. Ariana Gillis has produced two fabulous albums – 2009’s “To Make It Make Sense” and 2012’s “Forget Me Not”, and a 2017 E.P. “Headful Of Stars”. She’s recently been down in Nashville, recording a brilliant new album “The Maze” – live off the floor with the legendary Buddy Miller. The new album, that Buddy describes as pop-Americana, will be released this June. We caught up with Ariana Gillis at home in Niagara to chat about her Roots North 2019 appearance and the forthcoming album. For more information and upcoming tour dates visit arianagillis.com. Music: “Freedom” from “Headful Of Stars” E.P. (2017) and “The Maze” and “Dirt Gets Dirty” from “The Maze” (2019, Self).

Gillian Nicola – Dried Flowers – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 15 2019

Hamilton ON based singer-songwriter Gillian Nicola will be releasing her first full length album “Dried Flowers” in the spring of 2019. A classically trained vocalist, Gillian Nicola describes herself as a folk singer-songwriter with a textured and layered Americana sound that comes across as a bit of a mix of Kathleen Edwards and Neko Case. Dried Flowers is the follow up to her two E.P.s 2016’s “No Place to Call” and “Chasing the Wind” (2013). Her 2016 single “Oh Marie” was nominated for the 2017 Ontario Arts Council’s Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award, and the E.P. Chasing The Wind was nominated for two Hamilton Music Awards and a Toronto Independent Music Award. While working on the new project, Gillian spent the early 2018 at the Alberta’s Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity writing songs for the new album. The new album was recorded at Lincoln County Social Club in Toronto with John Dinsmore and features Gillian Nicola on vocals and guitar with support from Aaron Goldstein (pedal Steel), Gord Tough (electric guitars), Emily Rockarts (keyboards), Rosalyn Dennett (fiddle), Alison McNamara (backing vocals), Bruce Scavuzzo (bass/backing vocals), Justin Han (drums/percussion) and Drew Jureka (string arrangements). Gillian Nicola is also a community organizer, hosting Open Mic Nights and Songwriters Circles (including the Songwriters in the Round, which takes place on the last Wednesday of each month at The Painted Lady in Toronto), and lends her talents to various non-profit organizations, such as Girls Rock Camp Toronto. We caught up with Gillian Nicola at home in Hamilton to chat about the new album. For more information, visit Gillian Nicola online at gilliannicola.com. Music: Gillian Nicola “Night Comes To Call”, “She Stays Silent”, “Dried Flowers” and “Half Way” from “Dried Flowers” (2019, Self).

VK – Terms & Conditions – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 12 2019

Orillia ON based husband and wife Steve and Marni Van Kessel make music together as VK. Steve is the songwriter behind a project that they describe as a bit of a cross between Blue Rodeo and the Tragically Hip – Canadian style Americana based around strong tunes and inspirational lyrics. Their first album (from 2014) “Doin’ Just Fine” was more of a band project and credited to VK and The Narrows. Their latest, “Terms & Conditions” is a wonderful slab of Canadian tinged roots Americana and very much a duo album, with support from an excellent group of session musicians. They are already hard at work on their next project, which will be another band album, this time credited to VK and the Legends of THE DEEP. VK will be playing the 2019 Roots North Music Festival on Saturday April 27. We caught up with Steve & Marni at home in Orillia to chat about their music. VK have just released a NEW Video for their song “Radiate & Glow”. You can find it online HERE. Steve and Marni also run their own record label, 112 Records. You can visit VK online at 112records.com/vk. Music: VK “Terms & Conditions”, “Edge Of The World” and “Radiate & Glow” from “Terms & Conditions” (2017, 112 Records).

The 2019 Roots North Music Festival takes place across Downtown Orillia on Friday April 26 and Saturday April 27. Ron Sexsmith will be sharing the Friday night main stage with two other fabulous songwriters, Rose Cousins and Ariana Gillis, while rising star The Weather Station will be joined on Saturday evening by inspirational world music performer Alysha Brilla and Orillia based Americana duo VK. There will also be a full day of free performances throughout the day on the Saturday, at a variety of downtown venues. Check out the full schedule for the Roots North Music Festival, on their website at rootsnorthmusic.ca. Weekend passes can be picked up at Alleycats Music in Orillia or online via the website for $55.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 440: In Conversation with… Ron Sexsmith

Folk Roots Radio Episode 440: Ron Sexsmith In Conversation

Apr 11 2019

We’re giving over the whole of Episode 440 of Folk Roots Radio to an in-depth conversation with one of Canada’s finest songwriters, Ron Sexsmith. During our wide-ranging conversation, Ron Sexsmith chats about songwriting, and becoming a published author with the release of his grown-up fairy tale Deer Life, which, now, may also become a musical. He also talks about live performance – both solo and with his band, and a new album for release in 2020. Ron Sexsmith will be performing an intimate solo show at the 2019 Roots North Music Festival, at the St. Paul’s Centre in Orillia ON on Friday April 26. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 439: Saffron A In Conversation

Apr 11 2019

*TRIGGER WARNING | Episode 439 of Folk Roots Radio features an in-depth conversation with Saffron A, a Toronto and Brantford based alt.folk musician and poet who describes her music as sitting where emotion and intellect intersect. Distinct from every other young musician who starts out on guitar or piano, Saffron A creates her music on octave mandolin, mandocello and other members of the mandolin family. Saffron A is just about to release a very powerful E.P., “Resilience”, which documents the emotional fallout from a sexual assault that occurred last summer. Check out the full playlist below.

*TRIGGER WARNING: We are pleased to support this project knowing that sexual assault is an important societal topic that needs our attention and public discussion. However, we also appreciate that some listeners may be triggered by such conversations.

The Weather Station - Roots North 2019 - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 11 2019

Tamara Lindeman has received rave reviews for her music, and the quality of her songwriting. If you don’t recognize the name, it’s probably because, on stage, she goes by the name The Weather Station. A fabulous songwriter, Tamara Lindeman has received rave reviews for her music. On the acclaimed “All Of It Was Mine” (2011), and follow-up “What Am I Going To Do With Everything I Know” (2014), (both for You’ve Changed Records), Lindeman established herself as a songwriter’s songwriter, earning accolades for her delicate, careful wordplay, filled with double meanings, complex metaphors, and rich details of the everyday. Her third album “Loyalty”, recorded at La Frette Studios in France in the winter of 2014 with Afie Jurvanen (Bahamas) and Robbie Lackritz (Feist) was nominated for the Polaris Prize, while her most recent album, 2017’s self-produced The Weather Station was also critically acclaimed. Tamara Lindeman will be heading back into the studio this April to start work on the follow-up, which could end up being two different musical projects. The Weather Station will be performing at the 2019 Roots North Music Festival in Orillia on Saturday April 27. We caught up with Tamara Lindeman at home in Toronto to chat about her music. For more information visit theweatherstation.net. Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez. Music: The Weather Station “Thirty”, “Complicit” and “Impossible” from “The Weather Station” (2017, Outside Music).

Pete Eastmure – Keep Your Love Steady – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 10 2019

Toronto’s Pete Eastmure has just released his latest album “Keep Your Love Steady”, a pedal steel drenched vintage Americana recording with a wonderful Texas swing that is sure to bring a smile to your face and get your toes tapping. Featuring some of Toronto’s top session players on ten new songs, the new recording is not afraid to show its influences… Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Willie Nelson and Stompin’ Tom Connors. Recorded at Revolution Studio in Toronto, and produced by Pete Eastmure with Burke Carroll and James Paul, the album features a final selection of players: Pete Eastmure (acoustic, electric, Nashville high string guitars and vocals), Burke Carroll (pedal steel and dobro), Kyle Charron (fiddle, mandolin), Denis Keldie (accordions), Eva Marie McCann (background vocals, vocals), James Paul (electric bass, acoustic bass, mission organ, broom, sleigh bells) and Adam Warner (drums, suitcase, percussion). We caught up with Pete Eastmure at home in Toronto to chat about the new album. Pete Eastmure has a residency at the Cameron House in Toronto on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. during May. For more information, visit peteeastmure.com. Music: Pete Eastmure “Standing By A Hole”, “Suga’ Bush” and “Tee-Tot’s Blues” from “Keep Your Love Steady” (2019, Self).

Wild Rivers – Moving Target – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 09 2019

Wild Rivers are a band that’s really starting to happen. They started life as harmonizing folk pop duo Devan & Khaild, featuring Devan Glover (vocals) and Khalid Yassein (vocals, guitar), while at Queen’s University in Kingston, before morphing into the four piece ‘Wild Rivers’ with the addition of Andrew Oliver (guitar, bass) and Julien Laferriere (drums). After two album releases and a couple of singles, the Toronto-based band are really gaining traction on streaming services, and have already developed a loyal fan base. They’re just back from their Far Departed tour of the North Eastern US, Ontario and Quebec. Before that, they opened for Australian band The Paper Kites on the North American leg of the “Where You Live” tour. In April they will be touring Western Canada with Matt Andersen and his band. We caught up with Khalid Yassein in Toronto to chat about their music. For more information, visit wildriversmusic.com. Photo credit: Aika Lau. Music: Wild Rivers ““Moving Target” (single) (2019, Self), “Howling” and “I Won’t Be Back” from “Eighty Eight” (2018, Self)

Ron Sexsmith – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 08 2019

One of Canada’s finest songwriters, Ron Sexsmith will be performing an intimate solo show at the 2019 Roots North Music Festival, at the St. Paul’s Centre in Orillia ON on Friday April 26. The songwriter’s songwriter, Ron Sexsmith has released fifteen full-length albums since his debut “Grand Opera Lane” in 1991. His most recent album, “The Last Rider” was released in 2017, shortly after making the decision to leave Toronto for Stratford. Ron is now also a published author after the release of his grown-up fairy tale “Deer Life”. Ron Sexsmith joined us on Folk Roots Radio for an in-depth conversation about his music, a possible musical version of Deer Life and a new album of original songs slated for 2020. For more information about the music of Ron Sexsmith, visit ronsexsmith.com. Music: Ron Sexsmith “Worried Song”, “The Man At The Gate (1913)” and “Who We Are Right Now” from “The Last Rider” (2017, Ronboy Rhymes) and “Love Shines” from “Long Player Late Bloomer” (2011, Ronboy Rhymes).

The 2019 Roots North Music Festival takes place across Downtown Orillia on Friday April 26 and Saturday April 27. Ron Sexsmith will be sharing the Friday night main stage with two other fabulous songwriters, Rose Cousins and Ariana Gillis. Alt. folk rising star The Weather Station headlines the main stage on the Saturday evening with support from inspirational world music performer Alysha Brilla who blends folk, jazz and world rhythms together and Americana duo VK. There will also be a full day of free performances throughout the day on the Saturday, at a variety of downtown venues. Check out the full schedule for the Roots North Music Festival, on their website at rootsnorthmusic.ca. Weekend passes can be picked up at Alleycats Music in Orillia or online via the website. The early bird price is currently just $45! (weekend passes go up to $55 on April 12. Don’t miss out!)

Folk Roots Radio Episode 438: feat. Ariana Gillis & More New Releases

Apr 05 2019

Ariana Gillis joins us on Episode 438 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about her upcoming appearance at the 2019 Roots North Music Festival which takes place in Downtown Orillia on Friday April 26 and Saturday April 27. A captivating live performer, Ariana will be sharing the Friday night main stage with two other fabulous songwriters Ron Sexsmith and Rose Cousins. She is also getting ready to release “The Maze”, her third full-length album, recorded in Nashville with Buddy Miller. We also check out new music from Tariq, Gabrielle Papillon, The Maes , Safe As Houses, Còig, Zachary Lucky, Benjamin Dakota Rogers and Fresh Breath. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 437: feat. VK & More New Releases

Apr 05 2019

Orillia ON based husband and wife Steve and Marni Van Kessel make music together as VK. They join us on Episode 437 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about their heartfelt brand of old-school rock and roll and Canadian style Americana, and their second album “Terms & Conditions”. VK will be playing the 2019 Roots North Music Festival on Saturday April 27. It’s a great interview and definitely worth checking out. And, as always, we take a look at more of the new releases we’ve received – and this time around we check out new music from Cary Morin, Graham Nicholas, Michael McDermott, Sumaia Jackson, Michael Martyn and Hugh Christopher Brown. Check out the full playlist below.

Dave McEathron - Abandoned Companions - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 01 2019

Hamilton based multi-instrumentalist Dave McEathron, the former frontman and principal songwriter of Toronto roots rockers, the much loved and sadly departed The Warped 45s, is back with a wonderful full-length solo album “Abandoned Companions” which is accompanied by a band E.P., appropriately entitled “The Abandoned Companions Companion Piece”. The new albums were mostly produced with Brian Pickett who has worked with both The Strumbellas and Ashley Condon (two tracks “The Other Side and “Luck” were produced by Hill Kourkoutis. “Luck” is a co-write with David Francey). A lovingly recorded project, both of the albums are presented in a hand crafted leather sleeve, made by Dave himself, that comes hand-stamped with the album’s logo. A songbook with lyrics and chord shapes is also included. We caught up with Dave at his cottage in the Ottawa Valley to chat about the new project. For more information about the music of Dave McEathron visit davemceathron.com. Music: Dave McEathron “His Mother Named Him Angel” and “No Better Teacher Than Time” from “Abandoned Companions” (2018, Self), “Midnight For Leadbelly” and “Hell To The Heavens” from “Abandoned Companions Companion Piece” (2018, Self).