September 2019 | Folk Roots Radio

Linda McRae – Going to The Well – Folk Roots Radio

Sep 23 2019

Linda McRae is getting ready to release a great new solo recording “Going to the Well” (October 1 release). The new album actually came out of house concert put on by fellow singer-songwriter Deni Gauthier in St Thomas ON, who suggested that Linda might like to record a few tracks in his studio. What followed is a new stripped down recording that’s really just Linda McRae singing with her guitar or banjo, alongside some great cameos from Gurf Morlix and Bill Kirchen on guitar and backing vocals, Deni Gauthier on guitar and duet vocal, and Shara Gustafson on backing vocals. The new album features solo versions of three Linda McRae songs from her 2015 “Shadow Trails” album, a new lovely Linda McRae and Kelly Kessler co-write, with a poignant political message, “Empty”, and some wonderful covers including solo banjo versions of David Bowie’s “Heroes” and “Ashes to Ashes”, Richard Thompson’s “Dimming of the Day”, Bill Kirchen’s “Man in the Bottom of the Well” and Willie P Bennett’s “Caney Fork River”. We caught up with Linda McRae at home in Nashville to chat about the new album. For more information about the music of Linda McRae and upcoming tour dates, visit lindamcrae.com. Music: Linda McRae “Ashes to Ashes”, “Empty”, “Man in the Bottom of the Well” and “Dimming of the Day” from “Going to the Well” (2019, 42 RPM).

Kae Shelby – Music & Motorcycles – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Sep 22 2019

Ottawa based singer-songwriter Kae Shelby‘s inspirational debut album “Music and Motorcycles” is the recording that she always wanted to make, and a life long dream. Kae describes the music on the album as a blend of Southern Rock Infused Canadiana Country that will reach inside and touch your soul. Produced by Anders Drerup and Steve Foley, the new album features eight tracks – six original songs and a couple of great covers; Brad Paisley’s “When I get Where I’m Goin'” recorded in memorium for her brother and a long time favourite, Melissa Etheridge’s “Late September Dogs”. Getting the album out there represents a sense of passage for Kae Shelby, who waited until she mostly wound down a career in policing before allowing her music to take flight. Folk Roots Radio caught up with Kae Shelby at home in Ottawa to learn more about the new album. For more information visit kaeshelby.ca. Music: Kae Shelby “Here I Am”, “Through the Reckless”, “Waiting For When” and “My High My Way” from “Music and Motorcycles” (2019, Willow Sound Records) CDN.

Fresh Breath – The Big Picture – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Sep 18 2019

Fresh Breath are a wonderful Cottam ON based duo, featuring Josh and Katie Pascoe, with a very positive attitude and a sound that they describe as folk-rock, blues, pop and country with a lot of heart and soul. Fresh Breath released their well-received full-length album “Us Against The World” in June 2017, and they’ve just released the follow-up, “The Big Picture”. Fresh Breath joined us in the Folk Roots Radio studio to chat about their music and the new album. For more information about the music of Fresh Breath, visit freshbreathband.com. Music: Fresh Breath “Jump In”, “One Liners”, “I Still Cry” and “I’m On A Roll” from “The Big Picture” (2019, Self) CDN.

VK & Legends Of THE DEEP – Charm – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Sep 17 2019

Marni and Steve Van Kessel, who make music together as VK, are back with a new album – album number three, and this time it’s a wonderful bluesy Americana folk-rock recording with their new band Legends of THE DEEP. After a very successful appearance at this spring’s Roots North Music Festival in support of their last album, “Terms and Conditions, VK released the new album “Charm” at this summer’s Mariposa Folk Festival. Joining Steve and Marni Van Kessel as Legends of THE DEEP on this recording are John Lebarr (guitar/vocals), Sean Murray (keyboards/vocals), Jamey Heidman (bass/vocals) and Roger Stanley (percussion). Folk Roots Radio caught up the Marni and Steve Van Kessel at home in Orillia to chat about the new album. For more information about the music of VK, visit 112records.com/vk. Photo credit: GH Thomson. Music: VK & Legends of THE DEEP “Letting Go”, “Love Me Baby” and “Someday, Someway” from “Charm” (2019, 112 Records) CDN.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 462: feat. David Francey & More New Releases

Sep 13 2019

Three-time Juno award winning singer-songwriter David Francey‘s musical world fell apart when he was told by his doctors that he must rest his voice. At the time, he was all set to head out on an extensive tour to promote his 2018 album “The Broken Heart Of Everything”, which had also been nominated for a Juno. David Francey joins us on Episode 462 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about having to take a break from singing, and how with a bit of help from his other creative outlet – his visual art, he was able to get through it. The good news is that David Francey will be back on the road this fall, though taking it a little easier as far as his touring schedule is concerned. It’s a great interview – we hope you’ll stay with us to check it out. We also take a look at more of the new music we’ve received, and this time around we hear from Dale Boyle, Ariana Gillis, Den Of Ashes, Jon Brooks, Sussex, Emily Mure and Jessica Rhaye and the Ramshackle Parade. Check out the full playlist below.

Tim Moxam - Stop Gap On Tour - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Sep 12 2019

Toronto full-time musician and carpenter Tim Moxam is putting all his skills to good use as he heads out on a tour with a difference, delivering StopGap wooden accessibility ramps to inaccessible music venues he visits along the way. Tim is coordinating the StopGap On Tour initiative, a program that partners musicians who possess a skilled trade (like Tim, and Broken Social Scene’s Jason Collett) with Toronto’s StopGap Foundation, a Canadian charity that is raising awareness about the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and a barrier-free society. Through StopGap’s Community Ramp Project, businesses with single step entryways are able to receive a custom built access ramp, drawing attention to the issue of accessibility, while at the same time creating an entrance that is accessible to everyone. Tim Moxam released the excellent “Marlborough Hall” earlier this year, the follow-up to his very well-received debut “Soft Summer” from 2016. Tim regards Marlborough Hall as a substantial development in his career as a musician. “Soft Summer was about loss and heartbreak, about being traumatized by love and relationships. Marlborough Hall is about maturity and confidence. It’s about coming to terms with who I am and owning that. It’s about honesty.” Marlborough Hall features nine new songs and was produced by Chris Stringer (Megan Bonnell, Timber Timbre, The Wooden Sky) at Toronto’s Union Sound Company with support from multi-instrumentalist Adrian Cook (guitars, keys, synths, woodwinds), Joshua Van Tassell (drums, percussion), Charles James (bass) and Ivy Mairi (vocals). We caught up with Tim Moxam on tour in Eastern Canada to chat about his music and the Stop Gap on Tour initiative. For more information about the music of Tim Moxam and upcoming tour dates, visit timmoxam.com. Check out the video about the Stop Gap on Tour initiative HERE. Music: Tim Moxam “Honesty”, “All I Feel”, “Marlborough Hall” and “Goodbye Already” from “Marlborough Hall” (2019, Roaring Girl Records) CDN.

Jon Brooks – Moth Nor Rust II – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Sep 11 2019

Toronto singer-songwriter Jon Brooks is getting ready to release his seventh album, “Moth Nor Rust II”- a re-imagining of his 2009 solo album “Moth Nor Rust”, and this time around, he brings his band ‘The Outskirts Of Approval’ along for the ride. The Outskirts of Approval feature Neil Cruickshank (guitars, bass, organ), John Showman (fiddle) and Vivienne Wilder (bass, vocals). Moth Nor Rust II was produced by the original engineer, Jason LaPrade with Neil Cruickshank. A Kerrville New Folk winner (2010), Jon Brooks has been nominated for English Songwriter of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards more times than any other artist. He says that he writes songs to calm those who’ve looked into and seen what is in their hearts; he also writes songs to terrify those who’ve not. That’s pretty accurate as far as we’re concerned – his lyrics deserve to be poured over, as no word is EVER wasted. He’s an artist who pushes you to reflect on what you’re listening to, and in the case of Moth Nor Rust to ask what it means to be human. When Jon Brooks decides it’s time to revisit an album to reflect on his own artistic maturity and with a new band in tow, then it’s definitely time for another conversation. Jon Brooks joined us on Folk Roots Radio for an in-depth interview about his music and the new album. A must-see performer, Jon Brooks will be releasing the new album at The Moonshine Cafe, Oakville (September 12) and The Dakota Tavern, Toronto (September 13). For more information about Jon brooks and upcoming tour dates, visit jonbrooks.ca. Photo: Kevin Kelly. Music: “When We Go, “What’s Within Us”, “The Crying of the Times #3” and “There Is Only Love” from “Moth Nor Rust II” (2019, Fallen Tree Records) CDN.

David Francey – The Broken Heart Of Everything – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Sep 10 2019

Three-time Juno award winning singer-songwriter David Francey released “The Broken Heart Of Everything” in 2018, another beautiful and timeless collection, that was again nominated for a Juno. Unfortunately, around the time he was due to head out on some extensive touring, to promote the new album, David found had to take time off from performing to rest his voice. Although the enforced break seriously impacted his musical plans, it did allow him to focus more on his other creative pursuit – visual art, leading to the development of an art tour of Canada that visited many of the places he had planned to tour with his music. David Francey is back on the road this fall with Ontario dates in Newmarket (September 21), Waterloo (October 5), Toronto (Hugh’s Room Live) (October 6), Uxbridge (November 16) and an appearance at the Deep Roots Festival in Wolfville NS (September 27-28). Later in the fall, he will be heading to Ireland on his Irish Bus Tour and then off to Alberta and Saskatchewan for dates in Edmonton (November 2), Hinton (November 3), Saskatoon (November 5), Regina (November 6) and Calgary (November 9). David Francey joined us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about this music, his visual art and getting back on the road again. For more information and upcoming shows, visit davidfrancey.com. Music: David Francey “Walking In Jerusalem”, “The Flower of Colonsay” and “Lonely Road” from “The Broken Heart of Everything” (2019, Laker Music) CDN.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 461: feat. Jon Brooks & More New Releases

Sep 06 2019

Toronto singer-songwriter Jon Brooks joins us on Episode 461 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his seventh album “Moth Not Rust II” – a reimagining of his 2009 solo album of the same name, but this time around, with his band ‘The Outskirts of Approval’. Jon Brooks is one of those performers that is a must see – and an artist who pushes you to reflect on what you’re listening to, and in the case of Moth Nor Rust – to ask what it means to be human. I know we’re biased, but it’s a fabulous interview with an artist who really brings out the fan in me. Rounding out the episode this time around, we also check our new music from The New Customs, Nelson Sobral, Lloyd Spiegel, Bruce Cockburn, Sharon Goldman and Emily Mure. Check out the full playlist below.

Leela Gilday - North Star Calling - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Sep 06 2019

Yellowknife based indigenous singer-songwriter Leela Gilday has just released her fifth album “North Star Calling”. Inspired by self empowerment, and as Leela puts it facing your fears, standing your ground, and living with courage, boldness and joy, the album, which was produced by Hill Kourkoutis, also explores two themes that are often found in Leela Gilday’s songwriting – a deep connection to the land, and the beauty and draw of the north. It’s also an album about healing. According to Leela, true healing is not about just the absence of pain or addictions, although those are significant- it is about celebration, it is complicated, it is about weaving the fabric of the years of your own life into a beautiful blanket to hold you and ground you. It is about letting go of expectation and opening new eyes on the world around you. Lela Gilday joined us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about the new album. For more information and upcoming tour dates, visit leelagilday.com. Music: Leela Gilday “Keintah Naste Ju”, “Space”, “Hard Ground” and “Falling Stars” from “North Star Calling” (2019, Self) CDN.