December 2021 | Folk Roots Radio

Folk Roots Radio Episode 614: Christa Couture In Conversation – To Us

Dec 31 2021

We have another wonderful interview to share with you on Episode 614 of Folk Roots Radio. Award-winning singer-songwriter, writer and broadcaster Christa Couture joins us for an in-depth conversation about her career. An artist who describes herself as queer, disabled and proudly indigenous (she’s mixed Cree and Scandinavian), Christa Couture has experienced more loss than most people can ever imagine: childhood cancer that led to the amputation of her left leg plus a second bout of cancer – this time of the thyroid (later in life). She’s also lived with the tragedies of abortion and the deaths of two sons in infancy, followed by divorce. Her life experience informed her very well-received memoir “How To Lose Everything” which came out in 2020, and has helped many, many people deal with loss and grief. Christa Couture continues to make great art in both music and literature, with a willingness to share her story and inspiring attitude to life through broadcasting, public speaking and now film. We wrap things up with her uplifting new single “To Us”, a song she describes as ‘a toast to resilience and survival’, with the hope that things will get better as we move into 2022. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 613: Peter Chapman in Conversation - Fallen Tree Records

Dec 29 2021

Ever wondered what it takes to run a record label? Peter Chapman joins us on Episode 613 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about Fallen Tree Records, the fantastic Edmonton AB based boutique label he founded in 2018, who specialize in folk, roots and alternative music. We have been really impressed by the way Fallen Tree Records support their artists. It seemed only natural, therefore, that we find time to chat to the people behind the label. Join us as we learn how they pick the artists they sign, and how they go about promoting the music they release. Peter Chapman also talks about how they are coping – not just with life in Covid times, but also as part of an industry that, in just a short space of time, has moved so heavily into streaming as the primary way people listen to music. It’s a fascinating conversation and well worth checking out. We also include music from Fallen Tree Records artists T. Buckley, Joe Nolan, Jon Brooks, Vivienne Wilder, Bùmarang, Silent Winters and 100 mile house. Check out the full playlist below.

Frame By Frame - T. Buckley - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Dec 29 2021

“Frame By Frame” is the second solo recording from Calgary AB singer-songwriter T. Buckley and the follow up to 2018’s “Miles We Put Behind” which was nominated for a 2020 Canadian Folk Music Award in the New/Emerging Artist Of The Year category. Frame By Frame takes as its focus a series of moments, stories about family, relationships and community – gorgeous songs that draw you in and hold your attention from the first note to the last. It was recorded at Studio Bell in Calgary’s National Music Centre with producer/engineer Jeff Kynoch and features T. Buckley (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica), Stephen Fletcher (Hammond organ, Wurlitzer, piano, synths), Mitch Jay (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, pedal steel, mandolin, dobro, banjo), Jesse Dollimont (vocals, mandolin, acoustic guitar, piano, tambourine, Jeff Kynoch (Omnichord, percussion, high-strung guitar, synths, mellotron), Keith Rempel (bass, vocals) and Dan Stadnicki (drums, percussion). “The players were stellar and I was working with a team that I was close with on a musical and personal level. Everyone was really invested in the project and cared about the tunes and the stories behind them, and I think that comes through when listening back to the body of work.” For more information about the music of T. Buckley, visit tbuckley.ca. Music: T. Buckley “Frame By Frame”, “Father’s Child” and “Before I Get To Turn Around” from “Frame By Frame” (2021, Fallen Tree Records) CDN

Joe Nolan – Scrapper – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Dec 29 2021

In March 2020, Joe Nolan was coming off a fantastic year in music – a very well deserved nomination for a Canadian Folk Music Award for his album “Drifters” (2020) and he’d played something like 170 shows, to great acclaim. In fact, it really seemed like his career was taking off. Of course, then the pandemic hit and Joe found himself back at home in Edmonton, in lockdown and almost feeling like he was starting over again. Joe didn’t let Covid times hold him back – starting out with the release of an EP, the wonderful “Cry Baby: B Sides” in the fall of 2020 – four songs left over from the session for his excellent 2018 album “Cry Baby”. He followed that with a couple of excellent stand alone singles “Lowlight” and “River Bends” earlier this year – two songs that he felt fit in more with 2020’s “Drifters”, than the songs he was getting ready to record. He has now released another new album ,”Scrapper”, a recording he made during the pandemic and one he describes as having a bit more edge than his previous work. Great songs, beautifully delivered – it’s fabulous! For more information about the music of Joe Nolan, visit joenolanmusic.com. Music: Joe Nolan, “Here’s To Hoping”, “New To The Neighbourhood” and “All Love Is Lit” from “Scrapper” (2021, Fallen Tree Records) CDN.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 612: We’re All About The Music! (Find Your Place Edition)

Dec 20 2021

We have another hour of great new music to share with you on Episode 612 of Folk Roots Radio. 2021 has been a banner year for music. There is loads of wonderful new music out there and much of it from independent artists, who rarely get the exposure they deserve. It’s our absolute privilege to be able to share more of it with you on this episode. Join us on this episode as we hear from Over The Moon, Jessica Pearson & The East Wind, Jonathan Byrd , Moria Smiley & Tonality, Dave Clarke, Amanda Rheaume, Mick Flannery and Susan O’Neill, Geordie Gordon, Andrea Ramoloo, Michael Logen and Jennifer Hanson, Ane Brun, Brandi Carlile, Rose Cousins with Tim Baker, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Bruce T Carroll and The Ebbs. Remember, if you like what you hear on Folk Roots Radio… and want to support the artists… don’t just stream their music, BUY their music and then you’ll really make a difference to their income during this difficult time, when it’s really hard to find live show opportunities. Check out the full playlist below.

Kay Howl - Pink Trees - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Dec 20 2021

Kay Howl first landed on our radar as the driving force behind the South Western Ontario duo The Oh Chays, who also featured Mike Sugar Authier on guitar, percussion and backing vocals. Known for their upbeat and fun songs, powerful vocals and playful stage banter, the duo were finalists in the 2014 Toronto Blues Society Talent Search and represented Toronto Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2015. The Oh Chays may be no more, but the dynamic vocal delivery and fun stage presence lives on as Kay Howl. “Pink Trees”, which was produced with Marty Bak at SLR studios in Windsor ON is a personal and powerful statement – a coming out record, and very much a ‘this is who I am’ recording. Featuring 11 tracks, it packs quite a punch, and a recording that Kay feels is best appreciated in full album format. For more information visit Kay Howl on Bandcamp. Music: Kay Howl “Whatever”, “High On A Woman”, “Natural Disaster” and It Must Have Been Love (Roxette cover) from “Pink Trees” (2021, Self) CDN.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 611: Bruce Cockburn in Conversation – Greatest Hits 1970-2020

Dec 11 2021

Bruce Cockburn joins us on Episode 611 of Folk Roots Radio for a wonderful in-depth conversation about his new career spanning retrospective, “Greatest Hits 1970-2020”, a double CD set featuring 30 songs he has released as singles. After 34 albums, 13 Junos, thousands of shows across the world and numerous other awards, it’s been quite the career. The good news is that Bruce Cockburn is still going strong, still working on new songs, and still playing shows. In fact, this month he sets out on his 50th Anniversary tour. It’s actually Take 2 – because COVID put paid to the first version last year. There was a lot to talk about which is why we’ve given over the whole of this episode to the interview. So settle down and enjoy Bruce Cockburn… in Conversation on Folk Roots Radio.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 610: A Good Lovelies Christmas & A Happy Hanukkah!

Dec 04 2021

It’s getting close to ‘that time of year’. We know that because wonderful vocal trio Good Lovelies, that’s Caroline Brooks, Kerry Ough and Sue Passmore are about to hit the road on their 16th Christmas tour. After appearing virtually last year because of the COVID pandemic, this time around they’ll be taking their songs, harmonies and a kick ass band around Ontario for some in person shows. They join us on Episode 610 of Folk Roots Radio to talk about the tour, and some interesting future plans – and spoiler alert, it sounds like they are already hard at work on a new album. Although it feels a little too early to go into full holiday mode, we also include some wintery songs and Hanukkah songs to ease you into the holiday season, and feature music from Joni Mitchell, Bruce Cockburn, Garth Hudson with Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle, The McDades, Haley K Turner, Rachael Sage, Deborah Holland and Catherine MacLellan. Check out the full playlist below.