April 2021 | Folk Roots Radio

Folk Roots Radio Episode 579: feat. Jeffery Straker – Just Before Sunrise & More New Releases

Folk Roots Radio Episode 579: feat. Jeffrey Straker - Just Before Sunrise & More New Releases

Apr 30 2021

Jeffery Straker joins us on Episode 579 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his great new album “Just Before Sunrise”. Jeffery landed on our radar last year, and since then we’ve played pretty much everything we’ve been sent. We’re definitely big fans of his piano driven songwriting. As always we wrap up the episode with more new releases, and this time around we’ve decided to stay in Canada as we bring you new music from Kristen Martell, Tania Joy, the august arrival, Last Birds, Grosse Isle, Rob Lutes, Kat Danser and William Kuklis. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 578: feat. Lizzy Plotkin & Natalie Spears - Just Over The Ridge & More New Releases

Apr 27 2021

We’re off to Colorado on Episode 578 of Folk Roots Radio to talk to fiddle and banjo duo Lizzy Plotkin & Natalie Spears about their six track EP “Just Over The Ridge” which has a wonderful Appalachian feel to it and a really nice groove. It’s a great conversation, and definitely worth checking out. We wrap up the episode with more new music we’ve received and this time around we hear from Tekla Waterfield & Jeff Fielder, Rosier, Sarah Burton, Alec Fraser Jr, Reid Jamieson, Allison Russell, Suzie Ungerleider (formerly Oh Susanna), Rachel Cribby and Peggy Seeger. Check out the full playlist below.

Brendan Scott Friel – Summer Moons – Folk Roots Radio

Apr 26 2021

Windsor ON based singer-songwriter Brendan Scott Friel joins us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about his sophomore release “Summer Moons”. Formerly the lead guitarist with the well-received but short-lived harmony rock combo The Brilliancy, Brendan first landed on our radar in 2017 with his excellent debut solo recording “Quiet Cars” followed by the 2019 single “Border City Town”. The follow-up Summer Moons was originally conceived as two EPs – one intimate and contemplative, the other more expansive before morphing into a single album that pushes the boundaries of modern folk with playful arrangements, and cinematic storytelling. It’s a recording that is sure to bring new fans to this talented singer-songwriter who is clearly on the rise.

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to be notified of all our upcoming livestream interviews HERE.

Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love, a full-time hobby. If you like what we do, please spread the word.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 577: feat. Loretta Hagen – Not Now & More New Releases

Apr 26 2021

Loretta Hagen is a wonderful singer-songwriter with a warm rich alto voice and the ability to write personal songs that tap into a lot of what we are all feeling. She released a fine fourth album, “Lucky Stars”, in 2017; a recording that takes you on a personal journey through loss and healing while leaving you with the promise of hope for better times ahead. In fact, it might be the perfect album to be listening to during Covid times. Loretta Hagen joins us on Episode 577 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about her music, and great new single “Not Now”, which was written during coronavirus lockdown. As usual, we wrap up the rest of the episode with more new releases, and this time around we hear from Lisa Jeanette, Brendan Scott Friel, Terri Clark, Mike Plume, Olivier Demers, Nelson Sobral, Rosemary Lawton, Rose Cousins and Jeffery Straker. Check out the full playlist below.

Sarah Smith – The Covid Times Interview – Folk Roots Radio

Apr 19 2021

One of our favourite people, pop-rock singer-songwriter Sarah Smith joins us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about her music, and the life of an artist in Covid Times. A brilliant live performer, Sarah Smith is never happier than when she is on stage – rocking out with her band or bringing it all down low for an inspirational ballad. A musician who usually plays more than 250 shows a year, the last year has been particularly hard on Sarah – like many touring artists. A lack of live shows during the coronavirus pandemic has really impacted her income. These days Sarah is engaging her adoring fanbase by livestream from her new home on Pender Island BC, after the big move from Southern Ontario. An artist with a strong commitment to social justice and one who loves to keep busy, Sarah has been using her time off the road to write and release some wonderful new songs – many using lyrics from her own fans.

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to be notified of all our upcoming livestream interviews HERE.

Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love, a full-time hobby. If you like what we do, please spread the word.

Colm Gavin – The 1992 Tapes – Folk Roots Radio

Apr 18 2021

Emerging Irish singer-songwriter Colm Gavin joins us on Folk Roots Radio Live to chat about his music and forthcoming EP “The 1992 Tapes”, which is set for a summer 2021 release and features five original songs performed solo with piano accompaniment. Colm Gavin is developing quite a name for himself. His first two solo releases “Your Endless Slumber EP” and “A Voice For The Urban Darlings” were both very well-received in his native Ireland. He’s now getting significant amounts of airplay in North America, and elsewhere. The two new piano-driven songs Colm shared with us are quite brilliant. A talented songwriter, it was great to talk to him about his music.

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to be notified of all our upcoming livestream interviews HERE.

Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love, a full-time hobby. If you like what we do, please spread the word.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 576: Hillside Festival Girls & Guitars Songwriting Course 2021

Apr 16 2021

We’re giving over the whole of Episode 576 of Folk Roots Radio to the 2021 Hillside Festival Girls & Guitars Songwriting Course. We are joined by facilitators: Marie Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Hillside Festival and Guelph-based singer-songwriter Doris Folkens and three of their students: Halley McKeown, Missy Bauman, and Tania Joy who also share their songs with us. Girls & Guitars is a longstanding feature of Hillside Inside and part of an ongoing project designed to address the gender imbalance in the music industry and thus further Hillside’s mission of encouraging inclusion and equality. The songwriting course is a very special part of that initiative. This year because of Covid-19, the course was virtual and took place on four Friday evenings in January. Halley, Missy, and Tania also performed virtually at this year’s Hillside Inside. Check out the full playlist below.

Jeffery Straker – Just Before Sunrise – Folk Roots Radio

Apr 12 2021

Regina SK based singer-songwriter Jeffery Straker joins us on Folk Roots Radio Live to chat about “Just Before Sunrise”, his latest full length recording which is scheduled for release on May 7. Written and recorded in the wake of the sudden loss of his mother, the songs on this album speak to a life long need to dream, to belong and to matter. A clever lyricist with an energetic piano style, Jeffery Straker songs have been used in TV, film and theatre productions. Critical comparisons have been drawn to the likes of Harry Chapin, Kris Kristofferson and Carole King. We’re big fans of Jeffery Straker’s piano-driven songwriting. In fact, I think we’ve played everything we’ve been sent since he landed on our radar last year. For more information about the music of Jeffery Straker, visit jeffstraker.com.

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to be notified of all our upcoming livestream interviews HERE.

Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love, a full-time hobby. If you like what we do, please spread the word.

Moira Smiley – In Our Voices – Folk Roots Radio

Apr 12 2021

Moira Smiley travels the world creating new works for voices, while accompanying her performances with banjo, accordion, piano, and percussive movement. When she’s not leading her own vocal group VOCO, Moira Smiley is recording and performing with the likes of Tune-Yards, Jayme Stone and Irish super-group SOLAS. She joins us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about “In Our Voices”, her wonderful new album with vocal group VOCO, who feature two Canadians, Dawn Pemberton and Karla Mundy alongside Long Beach based creators Gregory Fletcher and Jake Asaro. In Our Voices features twelve songs that predominantly utilize voice and body percussion to share a powerful anti-racist message. It’s a great album, and a wonderful conversation. For more information about the music of Moira Smiley, visit moirasmiley.com. Music: Moira Smiley and VOCO “How Can I Cry”, “Days of War” and “Oh Susannah” (feat. Dawn Pemberton) from “In Our Voices” (2021. Self).

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to be notified of all our upcoming livestream interviews HERE.

Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love, a full time hobby. If you like what we do, please spread the word.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 575: We’re All About The Music! (Be Mindful Edition)

Apr 11 2021

We’re all about the music again on Episode 575 of Folk Roots Radio as we hold back the interviews to bring you another Covid Times edition of the show featuring a great selection of new releases, with some Covid tunes, and social justice songs added into the mix. Join us for music from Tiffany Williams, The Rainbow Snakes, Rocks & Salt, The Promise Is Hope, Jarkka Rissanen & Sons Of The Desert, Amythyst Kiah, Tony Joe White, Fox and Bones, Michael Menegon, Paul Hoffman, Susan & Ray, Charlie Barnett, Melanie Peterson, Chris Ronald, Craig Cardiff, Sue Smith with the Potion Kings. Check out the full playlist below.

2021 Hillside Festival Girls & Guitars Songwriting Course – Folk Roots Radio

Apr 10 2021

We’re pleased to showcase the 2021 Hillside Festival Girls & Guitars songwriting course on Folk Roots Radio Live. We are joined by facilitators Marie Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Hillside Festival and Guelph based singer-songwriter Doris Folkens, and three of their students: Halley McKeown, Missy Bauman and Tania Joy who will also share their songs with us. Girls & Guitars is a longstanding feature of the summer festival winter counterpart, Hillside Inside, and part of a 10+-year-old project designed to address a gender imbalance in the music industry, furthering the festival’s mission of encouraging inclusion and equality. The songwriting course is a very special part of that initiative. This year because of Covid-19, the course was virtual, and took place on four Friday evenings in January. Halley, Missy and Tania also performed at this year’s Hillside Inside.

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to be notified of all our upcoming livestream interviews HERE.

Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love, a full time hobby. If you like what we do, please spread the word.

Barry James Payne (String Bone) In Conversation – Folk Roots Radio

Apr 09 2021

Southern Ontario singer-songwriter Barry James Payne is the architect behind String Bone, his solo project who play a mix of Americana and Canadiana. That’s rootsy folk & country with a bit of blues & rock thrown into the mix. He is also a member of Celtic, traditional and world music ensemble Rant Maggie Rant. One of the most thoughtful musicians out there, Barry James Payne joins us on Folk Roots Radio Live for a wide ranging conversation about his music career, the impact of music streaming on artistic income and a musician’s life in Covid Times. He also plays a couple of songs live for us. For more information about the music of Barry James Payne (String Bone) visit stringbone.ca. For more information about the music of Barry James Payne, visit stringbone.ca. Music: String Bone “I’m Riding Again” from “Love & Highways” (Self, 2016), “Ain’t Life A Brook” (Live, Ferron cover), “Where Do You Go” (Live) from “Love & Highways” (Self, 2016) and String Bone “Come On Train” (Live at Revival House, Willie P Bennett cover).

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to be notified of all our upcoming livestream interviews HERE.

Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love, a full time hobby. If you like what we do, please spread the word.

Karen Morand – Never Enough – Folk Roots Radio

Apr 07 2021

Karen Morand‘s latest single “Never Enough’ was actually written for a songwriting challenge, yet as the coronavirus pandemic has unfolded, it has taken on a much greater significance. “One more scroll, one more mouthful, one more guilty pleasure – there are things we do to deal with the hard parts of life. It becomes a problem when “just one more” isn’t enough. Never Enough is a love song. It reaches into the heart of addictions and calls out the true soul of a person.” Never Enough will appear on Karen’s next album, “Ghost Hotel”, which is due in early 2022. The single was recorded at Sound Foundry Studios, Kingsville ON, with production by Karen and studio owner, Brett Humber. Joining Karen (vocals, B3 organ) in the studio were her regular side players, the Bosco Boys – that’s Aaron Verhulst on guitar and Benny Santoro on drums. Brett Humber also added some electric guitar (and harmony vocals) alongside a moonlighting Max Marshall on bass. For more information about the music of Karen Morand, visit karenmorand.com. Music: Karen Morand “Never Enough” (2021, Self) CDN.

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to be notified of all our upcoming livestream interviews HERE.

Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love, a full time hobby. If you like what we do, please spread the word.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 574: feat. Philip Scott Poli – Live At The Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions & More New Releases

Apr 05 2021

We have another great performance from our sister video show – The Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions to bring you on Episode 574 of Folk Roots Radio. This time around we’re joined by Windsor ON based singer-songwriter Philip Scott Poli. Actually, we should say songwriter Philip Scott Poli because Phil is adamant that songwriting is what he loves to do and that he’s not that much of a singer or performer – but we’re going to let you be the judge of that. Phil gave us a great session late last year, and we’re pleased to bring part of that to you on this episode. As always, we also take a look at more of the latest new releases and this time around – it’s all by Canadian artists, as we hear from Bùmarang, Jean-Paul De Roover, Susan Ellenton, Craig Cardiff, Stéafán & Saskia, Scott MacKay, Shane Pendergast, Emmet MacLellan and David LaFleche. Check out the full playlist below.