Dave Gunning is back on tour in Ontario this April. Dave joined us to chat about the tour and his latest album (number eleven) “Lift”. For more information on Dave’s tour dates, visit davegunning.com. Music: Dave Gunning “I Robbed the Co. Store”, “They Don’t Do That No More” and “Sing It Louder” from “Lift” (2015, Wee House of Music).
Isabel Fryszberg is an occupational therapist, visual artist and musician from Toronto who produced a wonderful album of jazz tinged country-folk-pop, “Hearts & Arrows”, with her band Isabel & The Uncommons, in 2014. Her latest project, The Social Mystics, features music created by individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness and/or addictions at the Creative Works Studio at St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. The Social Mystics release their CD, “Coming Out Of Darkness” at the Tranzac Club in Toronto on March 8 at 7:30 p.m., Cover: PWYC, $10 suggested or $20 with a copy of the CD. Isabel and the Uncommons will be playing The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto on Tuesday on March 22 from 9 p.m. Isabel Fryszberg joined us to chat about her music at the Folk Music Ontario conference, this past October. For more information about the music of Isabel Fryszberg, visit isabel-music.com. Music: Isabel & The Uncommons, “New Love” from “Hearts & Arrows” (Self, 2014), Social Mystics “Coming Out Of Darkness” and “Chill In The Air” from “Coming Out Of Darkness” (2016, Self), and Isabel & The Uncommons, “Something Sacred” from “Hearts & Arrows” (Self, 2014).
Toronto-based singer-songwriter Mark Martyre is heading out on his “Bluebird” tour of Southern Ontario and Montreal this March, which includes shows at Silence (Guelph) on March 4, The Artbar (Hamilton) on March 5 and The Piston (Toronto) on March 13 among others. Check out all the tour dates HERE. Mark joined us at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about his music and play a couple of songs live. For more information, visit markmartyre.com. Music: Mark Martyre “I Know What It’s Like” from “Red Letters” (2014, Self), “Long Goodbye” (Live), “The Devil On Your Back” (Live) and “Oh Luna” from “Red Letters” (2014, Self).
If you’re a budding musician between the ages of 14-22 you definitely need to pay attention to this announcement… How would you like to play Summerfolk this year? Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival are inviting up and coming young performers to register to participate in the Road To Summerfolk 2016. Showcases will be held on Sundays in April ( April 3, 10, 17, 24) in Owen Sound, Paisley and Kitchener to select artists who will advance to the grand final in Owen Sound, where five acts will be selected to play the Friday night Discoveries concert and also participate in workshop sessions during the weekend. We caught up with Tara MacKenzie from the MacKenzie Blues Band, coordinator of the program in Owen Sound. Learn more about the Youth Discoveries program HERE. To learn more about Summerfolk visit summerfolk.org. Music: Ben Turcotte, “Orange Elephant” from In These Notes” (2013, Self), Jojo Worthington “Amadeus” from “7” (2015, Self).
“Down the Horseshoe Valley Road” is the latest release from Toronto-based singer-songwriter Anne Walker. The album, produced by Paul Mills, takes Anne back to her roots in the rural community of Coulson, a small hamlet located in the gentle rolling hills of central Ontario – the fourteen songs telling stories of the beauty of the area, her family roots, rural life and some of the characters she met along the way. The CD release show for the album takes place at the Acoustic Harvest Folk Club, Robinson Hall, St. Nicholas Anglican Church 1512 Kingston Rd., Toronto (one block east of Warden Ave.) on Saturday, March 5 at 8:00 p.m. (doors 7:30 p.m.). Tickets: $22 Advance/$25 Door. For more information about the CD release show, call 416-264-2235 or visit acousticharvest.ca. For more information about Anne Walker, visit annewalker.ca. Music: Anne Walker “Horseshoe Valley Road”, “Grandma Harris In Her Own Words” and “Cullybackey” from “Down the Horseshoe Valley Road” (2015, Self).
Songs of the Future is the latest collection of music curated for Guelph’s Bar Code Free Music by folk and roots musician Lewis Melville. Released under the name of the Tomorrow Collective, the album features 33 songs by 31 different artists and groups (there are two songs each from Tannis Slimmon and Lewis Melville), who were asked to reflect on Canada’s place in the world and their hopes for the future in the wake of the 42nd Canadian General Election that took place on October 19 2015. We caught up with Lewis Melville at home in Guelph to chat about the project. Music: Tannis Slimmon, “In The Future” and Lewis Melville “Give It A Whirl” from “Songs of the Future” (2015, Bar Code Free Music).
The 14th Annnual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival takes place on the Danforth in Toronto from February 12-14 2016. Featuring some of the best blues and roots artists on the Canadian music scene, playing on five stages in four venues, it promises to be a fabulous weekend of live music. This year’s featured performers include Old Man Luedecke, Nashville’s Mean Mary, David Storey (of Corner Gas fame), Sudbury bloodgrass band Murder Murder, Toronto soul rockers Julian Taylor and blues great Jack De Keyzer, among many others. We caught up with Festival Director Brian Gladstone in Toronto to chat about this year’s festival. Buy tickets online HERE. For more information about Winterfolk, visit winterfolk.com. Music: Old Man Luedecke “The Early Days” from “Domestic Eccentric” (2015, High Romance/True North) and Jack de Keyzer “Electric Love” from “Electric Love” (2012, Self).
Guelph-based roots musician Richard Garvey is another in a long line of folkies using their music to try and inspire social change. His latest E.P. of upbeat acoustic folk, “I Found A Box of Beer In The Snow”, was recorded live off the floor with the Ever-Lovin’ Jug Band. He’s heading out on tour in Ontario to showcase the new E.P., and has a CD release show at The Bookshelf e-bar on Quebec St in Guelph on February 4. We caught up with Richard at home to chat about the new album. Music: Richard Garvey, “Singing Don’t Pay The Bills No More” and “I Found a Box Of Beer In The Show” from “I Found a Box Of Beer In The Show” E.P. (2016, Self).
Lotus Wight, banjo player with rag-timers Sheesham, Lotus and ‘Son released a solo album of banjo-driven tunes, the rather appropriately-titled “Ode to the Banjo” late in 2015. “Ode to the Banjo” itself is not a musical track, but a 23-stanza poem about the history of the banjo written by Lotus Wight. A musical version of the poem may appear on a future recording. Lotus Wight plays all the instruments on the 13 tracks (12 traditional, one self-composition) on the album, and alongside a variety of banjos, also plays the kalimba and his own invention, the Contrabass Harmoniphoneum. Lotus stopped by our mobile studio at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about the new album. For more information about Lotus Wight, visit lotuswight.com. Music: Lotus Wight “Skillet” and “Roustabout” from “Ode to the Banjo” (2015, Self).
Bassist and multi-instrumentalist David Woodhead is taking his side project Confabulation out on tour in Ontario during January. A world-renowned bass player, David has played on over 200 different albums, and toured with Stan Rogers, Loreena McKennitt, Valdy and James Keelaghan among others. Confabulation is an ever-evolving genre-defying showcase for some of Toronto’s most accomplished performers. Over the years its featured more than 20 different top drawer performers including Jaron Freeman-Fox, Rich Brown, Anne Lindsay and the Shuffle Demons’ Richard Underhill. The current line-up features keyboardist Doug Wilde, drummer Rich Greenspoon, reeds player Colleen Allen and guitarist Bob Cohen. Confabulation visits The Moonshine Café, Oakville (8:30 p.m.; $10) on Thursday, January 21, The Pearl Company, Hamilton on Friday January 22 ($20, advance/student/senior – $15), Silence, Guelph on Sunday January 24 – (8 p.m. ; $10) and the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Club, Kingston Sunday, January 31 (2 p.m.; $15). Prepare to be enchanted by a sonic musical experience unlike any other. We caught up with David Woodhead in Toronto to learn more about the tour. For more information, visit davidwoodhead.com. Music: David Woodhead’s Confabulation “Bozeny Parasy” from “Confabulation” (2010, Self) and “Windy Apples” (Demo) (2015, Self).
Guelph-based storyteller Brad Woods is the featured performer for Fourth Friday at the Guelph Civic Museum on Friday January 22. As on every Fourth Friday, general admission to the museum is free after 5 p.m. and the free show runs from 7-9 p.m. Brad has just released his latest storytelling album “The Woods”, dedicated to his parents and featuring his brother Greg on percussion. The album was recorded live at a house concert in Guelph by Phil Cottrell and Tim Alberts. We caught up with Brad at home in Guelph to chat about the new album. Photo credit: Ken Meats RBP. Story: Brad Woods, “His City” from “The Woods” (2015, Self).
James Keelaghan is widely-regarded as being one of Canada’s finest songwriters. With a career spanning nearly a quarter century, he’s been called the poet laureate of the folk and roots world – a song craftsman who brings passion, intensity and curiosity to his work alongside an insatiable desire to find the next unique story to inspire another big song. He’s also the Artistic Director of the Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival. James Keelaghan will be in Guelph on Friday January 15 for a Borealis Music Series show in the Co-operators Hall at the River Run Centre at 8 p.m. Tickets are $28.00 Adult, $26.00 Senior and available online HERE. We have THREE pairs of tickets to give away for this show. If you’d like to get in the draw, send an e-mail to jan[at]folkrootsradio.com. Music: James Keelaghan “Glory Bound” and “Kiri’s Piano” from “History: The First 25 Years” (2013, Borealis Records).
Sue Massek is a musician, folklorist and social activist from Kentucky who’s been making music for nearly forty years, both solo and as the banjo player in the Reel World String Band. Sue released one of our favourite albums of 2015 – “Precious Memories”, a companion cast album to a Si Kahn original play about the life and work of songwriter and Kentucky coal camp activist Sarah Ogan Gunning – and brought to life, in a one woman show, by Sue Massek. We caught up with Sue at home in Kentucky to chat about the project. Music: Sue Massek “Precious Memories”, “Come All You Coal Miners”, “I’m Going To Organize”, “The Lonesome Death of Harry Simms” (feat. Si Kahn), “Dreadful Memories”, “Down On The Picket Line” and “Girl Of Constant Sorrow” from “Precious Memories” (2015, Strictly Country Records).
Barnstorming bluegrass and old time band, the legendary Foggy Hogtown Boys are heading out on tour in January as they celebrate the music of The Carter Family and Johnny Cash. They’ll be making stops in Toronto and Peterborough before arriving in Guelph for a show at the ANAF Club 344, 32 Gordon St on January 9 at 8 p.m. Advance tickets for the Guelph show are $20 and available online HERE. The Foggy Hogtown Boys are a Canadian bluegrass and roots music institution that’s been together for over 17 years – since the start of their famed “Lonesome Wednesdays” residency at the Silver Dollar Room in Toronto, with a membership that reads like a who’s who of Canadian roots music. Chris Coole (banjo/acoustic guitar), John Showman (fiddle), Andrew Collins (mandolin/fiddle), Chris Quinn (banjo, rhythm guitar) have all been with the band from the start while Max Heineman (bass) joined the band eight years ago. Discovered in 1927 at the legendary “Bristol Sessions” in Bristol TN, the music of The Carter Family has been a huge influence on the development of American music, in particular, in the bluegrass, country, folk and Gospel genres. Johnny Cash, of course, needs no introduction – and when he tied the knot with June Carter in 1968, he married into this “First Family of Country Music”. The rest, as they say is history. To learn more about the Foggys mini-tour we caught up with Chris Coole at home in Toronto. Photo: Mark Somerfeld. Music: The Foggy Hogtown Boys “Kitten & The Cat” and “John Henry” from “Animals Insects & People” (2014, Self).
The Mill Race Folk Society has a couple of great events that take place each year during the holiday season. Pub Carolling with the Orange Peel Carollers and Village Band takes place on Sunday, December 13 from 3-6 pm at the Brownestone Gastropub, 39 Queen St. E. in Cambridge ON. It’s a free event, though donations for the musicians are gratefully accepted – and lots of fun! And Twelfth Night: An Ancient Midwinter Celebration takes place on Saturday, January 9 at The United Kingdom Club of Cambridge, 35 International Village Dr., Cambridge ON. Advance tickets $15 ($20 at the door). Artistic Director Brad McEwen joined us to chat about the upcoming festivities. For more information visit millracefolksociety.com. Music: Coope, Boyes & Simpson & Fraser, Freya, Boyes “Bodmin Wassail” and “While Shepherds Were Watching” from “Voices At The Door – Midwinter Songs & Carols” (2006, No Masters).
Tannis Slimmon, Jude Vadala and Katherine Wheatley come together each Christmas as Boreal to put on a series of concerts “Songs For The Snowy Season”. They’ll be paying their annual visit to Guelph on December 5 (number nine if you’re counting!). They also have trips to the Victoria Jubilee Hall in Walkerton (December 4) and Hugh’s Room in Toronto (December 16). This year’s Guelph show, in collaboration with Folkway Music, takes place at Guelph Little Theatre, 176 Morris St, Guelph on Saturday, December 5 at 8:30 p.m. (Doors, 8:00 p.m.). Tickets $22.60 (includes HST) / $25 at the door and available from Folkway Music by phone at 1-855-772-0424, email claire[at]folkwaymusic.com or in person (22 Dupont Street East, Waterloo); The Bookshelf (41 Quebec Street, Guelph) and online through Event Brite HERE. We caught up with Jude Vadala at home in Guelph. For more information about Boreal, visit borealsongs.ca. Music: Boreal “So Much Snow” and “Shovelling Snow” from “Winter’s Welcome” (2014, self)
Gregory Hoskins and Kevin Breit will be sharing the stage for several shows across Southern Ontario this December. They’ll be in Guelph (December 4), Elora (December 5), Oakville (December 10), Stratford (December 11) and Toronto (December 13), with support for individual shows from Geoff Arsenault on drums and Russ Boswell on bass. Don Rooke leader of The Henrys will be a special guest for the Oakville and Stratford shows. The Guelph show will be at Dublin St United Church on Friday December 4. Advance tickets are $22.50 and available online HERE. Check out the shows and buy tickets HERE. Gregory Hoskins and Kevin Breit joined us in the studio to chat about the project. Music: Gregory Hoskins “Carry Me” from “Pleasure & Relief” (2008, Gripworks), The Henrys “A Weaker One” from “Quiet Industry” (2015, Self) and Kevin Breit “Seven Silver Buttons” and “Murderous Dimitri” from “Ernesto & Delilah” (2015, Poverty Playlist).
Kitchener-based Singer-songwriter Lynn Jackson has just released her eighth album “Songs Of Rain, Snow and Remembering”, out now on Busted Flat Records. As with her last record, “The Acoustic Sessions”, the new album was co-produced by Norman Blake from Teenage Fanclub. “Songs of Rain, Snow and Remembering” is an album that sees her broadening her musical palette with the addition of piano and cello to add texture to her acoustic guitar driven songs. The coming year will see Lynn embark on a tour of Western Canada in the spring, and head back to Eastern Canada later in the year. We caught up with Lynn at home in Kitchener to chat about the new album. For more information visit lynnjackson.net. Music: Lynn Jackson, “Sky Looks Like Rain”, “Water & Glass” and “Riding Out The Storm” (2015, Busted Flat Records).
Hamilton-based singer-songwriter Duane Rutter has just released his third recording “Crazy Things”, an album of bluesy country-roots songs which playfully mixes in some occasional psychedelic flourishes. The album features a stellar group of musicians including Andrew Aldridge (electric guitar), Carrie Ashworth (bass), Nick Burson (drums) and Steve ‘Honeyboy’ Wood (pedal steel) and JB Reed (vocals) among others, with cameos from The Band’s Garth Hudson and his wife “Sister” Maud Hudson. We caught up with Duane in Hamilton to chat about the new album. For more information visit duanerutter.com. Music: Duane Rutter “Who Found Who”, “Crazy Things” and “Take That Water” from “Crazy Things” (2015, Busted Flat Records).
Jay Aymar has just released his seventh album, a live album “The Chicken Came First”. This album is a little different though, it comes as part of a book “The Chicken Came First (And Other Half-Truths From My Life as a Touring Songwriter)”, a collection of short stories culled from his popular blog, the twelve songs on the live CD bookending the twelve chapters in the book. Jay wraps his summer tour with a show at Hugh’s Room on Thursday November 26 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance online HERE and $22:50 at the door. Joining Jay for the Hugh’s Room show will be Sahra Featherstone (violin, harp), Joe Ernewein (guitar, piano), Vivienne Wilder (upright bass) and Justin Rappel (drums). Richard Flohill, a Toronto-based publicist well-known in the folk community, will read a chapter from Jay’s new book while Jenie Thai will be bringing along her piano-based folk and blues to open the show. We caught up with Jay Aymar at home in Toronto. For more information, visit jayaymar.com. Music: Jay Aymar “Crow,” “Always in Her Dreams” (feat. Jadea Kelly) and “Walls are Pages” from “The Chicken Came First” (Self, 2015).
Singer-songwriter David Storey spent 25 years working as a video director and TV director/producer (including developing and directing the hit comedy series “Corner Gas”) before returning to his first love – music. His latest album appropriately titled “Coming Home” was released earlier this year and features nine semi-biographical songs about life, relationships, ‘the big picture’ and the challenges we all face – all delivered with empathy and a wry humour. Produced with Darryl Neurdorf (Blue Rodeo, Niko Case), the album features musical support from members of bluegrass band Traditionally Wound with Bazil Donovan (Blue Rodeo) on bass and a guest appearance from Anne Lindsay on fiddle and backing vocals. David joined us in the studio for an in-depth conversation and a few live songs. For more information about David Storey visit davidstoreymusic.com. Music: David Storey, “Last Loon on the Lake” from “Coming Home” (2015, Self), “Saint Adelaide” (Live), “I Can’t Complain” (Live), “We Are The Greatest from “Coming Home” (2015, Self), “Crusty” (Live), “She’s My Girl” (Live) and “I’m Coming Home” from “Coming Home” (2015, Self).
Saskatoon singer-songwriter Jen Lane has just released her new single “Shoe”, a teaser for her next album, “This Life of Mine”, which is scheduled for release in March 2016. Shoe, a song written when Jen was housebound with a foot in a cast last winter, is a little bit country, a little bit rootsy, with a twang of bluegrass thrown in to the mix for good measure. While on tour in Ontario, Jen Lane stopped by with her sideman, life partner and manager John Antoniuk to chat about the single, its great new video, her upcoming album, and to play a couple of songs live for us. For more information about Jen Lane’s music visit jenlane.com. Music: Jen Lane “Shoe” (single) (2015, Self), “Waiting For You” (Live), “Grey Skies” (Live) and “Tough Love” from “For The Night” (2010, Self).
The East Pointers – banjoist Koady Chaisson, fiddler Tim Chaisson, and guitarist Jake Charron, all have strong musical careers in the own right yet they’ve come together as a trio to bring a contemporary spin to traditional maritime folk, with an exhilarating live sound that can’t help but get the audience clapping, stomping and bouncing along. They’ve just released their debut album “Secret Victory” (2015, Self) which features ten original tunes and songs, and are about to head out on their CD release tour. We caught up with Koady, Tim and Jake at the Folk Music Ontario conference. For more information visit eastpointers.ca. Music: East Pointers, “Secret Victory”, “Cold” and “Woodfordia” from “Secret Victory” (2015, Self).
Cambridge Live Music recently announced the release of “Vol 1 – Sounds of Cambridge”, a compilation album featuring 19 tracks by local artists selected by a panel of independent judges. The album layout features three pieces of artwork by local artist Jennifer Depencier, which represent Preston, Hespeler and Galt alongside an eight page booklet with a detailed track listing. The album will be available through local retailers and digitally via iTunes and other services. You can also order it online HERE. Cambridge Live Music is offering free delivery anywhere in Waterloo Region with $5 shipping and handling elsewhere in Canada. CDs and download cards will also be for sale during every Cambridge Live Music event. A CD release show is planned for early to mid 2016. Ted Ferris joined us to talk about the album. For more information on the album, visit soundsofcambridge.com. For more information about the work of Cambridge Live Music, visit cambridgelivemusic.com. Music: Jesse Parent “Let It Go” and Mo’ Kauffey “Scramble” from “Vol 1 – Sounds of Cambridge” (2015, Self).
The Lifers are a London – Toronto based duo featuring sisters Liv and Anita Cazzola, who were born and raised in Guelph. Long time listeners to this radio show will probably recognize them under their former name Detour. Lifers songs feature beautifully articulated, honest and compelling lyrics wrapped in a warm musical accompaniment by acoustic guitar, ukulele, accordion, glockenspiel and more. Their debut E.P. “Set the Sails” was recorded and released in the summer of 2014. The Lifers will be joining Ottawa-based singer-songwriter Lynne Hanson for a show at Silence on Friday November 20. Advance tickets are $15 and can be purchased online HERE (no booking fee!). We caught up with Liv and Anita at their family home in Guelph. For more information visit thelifersmusic.com. Music: Lifers “Home for the Weekend” single (2014, Self) and “Lego” from “Set The Sails” E.P. (2014, Self).
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