Interviews Archives | Page 17 of 19

David Sereda – The Interview

Oct 22 2014

David Sereda is a singer, songwriter, actor, pianist, composer, voice coach, producer and educator. He has written musicals, released CDs, and performed at many music festivals across Canada. And, he was one of the first openly gay recording artists in Canada, with his first release, “Chivalry Lives” coming out in 1981. His last CD, “The Blue Guide” (re-released in 1996) looked at love and loss, and the journey of a relationship from infatuation to devotion to the death of the beloved. His upcoming album, “Boyfriend”, is a collection of songs about finding a way to love, and live after a world-shaking loss. David will be playing a show in Guelph on Friday October 24 at Magnolia Café with Tyler Wagler on double bass, who will also perform an opening set. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $15 at the door. Magnolia Café is a licensed cafe and restaurant that also doubles as one of the area’s most intimate listening venues. Because of the size of the venue, reservations are highly recommendeded especially if you’d like to enjoy a meal before the show! We caught up with David at home in Port Dalhousie. Music: David Sereda, “Beyond The Shadow” (single), David Sereda & Echo Women’s Choir, “When The Tide Goes Out” (Live Demo) and David Sereda, “Beyoutiful” (Demo)

Shane Jacob Philips “Social Justice & Peace”

Oct 15 2014

Shane Jacob Philips releases his excellent new album, “Social Justice & Peace” with a show at The Cornerstone, Guelph on November 8 at 9 p.m. Social Justice and Peace features seven songs with a social conscience intended to provoke the listener to question the current direction we are moving in. As a committed social activist, Philips walks the talk, even if that means walking 102 km straight over 29 hours to deliver a message about water issues to the Ontario Minister of the Environment. Featuring Shane Philips trademark soulful vocals within laid-back folk-style arrangements that allow the lyrics to breath, it is not just a great album but also one where the lyrics deserve closer scrutiny. Music: Shane Jacob Philips, “Freedom” from “Social Justice & Peace” (2014, Self).

Nicole Ensing – The Interview

Oct 10 2014

Nicole Ensing is a Guelph Ontario-based pianist and vocalist. Classically-trained, in recent years she has also developed her folk side as pianist in the Celtic band The Wild Oats. Along with her love of jazz and pop, this combination of influences yields an appealing knack for catchy, well-crafted keyboard lines that draw freely on jazz stylings and folk charm. Nicole has just released her debut album based on the poetry of G.K. Chesterton “Riddles and Creeds” on Chanter Records. Backing Nicole are Sam Fitzpatrick on upright and electric bass, Brian Bork on guitar and Joel Sypkes on drums. On Riddles and Creeds, Nicole and producer Ross McKitrick have taken some of the vivid poems of English writer and poet G.K. Chesterton (29 May 1874 – 14 June 1936) , a formative influence on both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and created songs that explore themes of the magic of life, spiritual search, and friendship. The Riddles and Creeds CD release takes place on Sunday November 2 at The Albion (Upstairs) 49 Norfolk St, Guelph at 7:30 p.m., cover $10 at the door. Nicole Ensing and Ross McKitrick joined us in the studio for a feature length conversation about the new album. Music: Nicole Ensing Band, “Child Of The Snows”, “A Second Childhood”, “The Aristocrat”, “The Great Minimum” and “The Rolling English Road” from “Riddles & Creeds” (2014, Chanter Records)

Tyler Wagler – The Interview

Oct 09 2014

For over a decade Tyler Wagler has been a coveted sideman in Canadian folk, roots, reggae and rock music. He has been busy playing guitar, bass and mandolin with artists such as The Human Rights, David Sereda, Friendly Rich and The Lollipop People and many more. Since relocating to Guelph from Toronto, Wagler has performed with such prominent locals as Bry Webb, Tannis Slimmon, Alysha Brilla and Jessy Bell-Smith, as well as releasing two solo EPs and a full length disc with modern jazz trio Hammerton/Wagler/O’Neill. His latest EP, “4 Songs”, is an intimate, stripped down affair, framed by warm double bass, a creaking upright piano and contributions from some of the finest musicians in the folk and indie communities. Tyler Wagler will be appearing at Magnolia Café, 88 Yarmouth Street Guelph with David Sereda on Friday October 24. Tyler Wagler joined us in the studio to chat about his music. Music; Jessy Bell-Smith, “Deep Water” from The “Town” (2014, Self); Tyler Wagler, “Rooster” from “4 Songs EP” (2014, Self); Tyler Wagler, “Lines Written In Early Spring” from “Tyler Wagler EP” (2011, Self); David Sereda, “Beyond The Shadow” (Single) (2013, Self); Tyler Wagler, “Blazing Waters” from “4 Songs EP” (2014, Self); Tyler Wagler, “Enemy” from “4 Songs EP” (2014, Self)

Lynne Hanson – The Interview

Oct 03 2014

If you like your Americana rough around the edges you’ll love Ottawa-based singer-songwriter Lynne Hanson‘s new roots album “River Of Sand”. River Of Sand, produced by fellow singer-songwriter Lynn Miles, was four years in the making, and contains some very personal songs, that speak to the challenges we all face on this road called life. As a live artist, Lynne Hanson has been gaining rave reviews for her polished performances whether playing solo or with her band The Good Intentions. We caught up with Lynne at home in Ottawa. Music: Lynne Hanson, “River of Sand”, “Heaven and Hell” and “Trading in my Lonesome” from “River of Sand” (Continental Sound City, 2014)

Ernest Troost – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Oct 02 2014

“If the Carter Family, Robbie Robertson and Alfred Hitchcock had written songs together, they might sound like this.” That’s how L.A. based Ernest Troost introduces himself in concert. What makes him so remarkable is that he’s a late arrival on the folk scene. After studying jazz guitar and classical music at Berklee College of Music, Ernest built a career as an award-winning TV and Film composer in Hollywood, working on the cult classic Tremors, HBO’s A Lesson Before Dying, many Hallmark Hall of Fame specials and, more recently, the Campbell Scott indie film Crashing, which features the title track from Troost’s album “All the Boats Are Gonna Rise”. Along the way he composed, arranged and produced two albums of lullabies for Judy Collins. Ernest started making a name for himself as a singer-songwriter when he picked up the guitar in 2004; and in 2009 he was named a New Folk Winner at the famed Kerrville Folk Festival. His latest album, “O Love”, is already creating quite a buzz within the folk community. An album of real Americana, it features widescreen story songs alongside beautiful and heartfelt love songs. Showcasing a variety of styles from Piedmont blues through waltzes and the odd bit of rock n’roll, O Love is an album that will surely feature in many people’s best of the year. We tracked him down for an interview, at home in California. Music: Ernest Troost, “Old Screen Door”, “Harlan County Boys” and “The Last Lullaby” from “O Love”. (Travelling Shoes Records, 2014)

Factory City – CD Release

Sep 23 2014

Cambridge ON based three piece folk/rock alternative band Factory City have a CD release on Saturday September 27 at The Burns Howff Scottish Pub, 95 Saginaw pkwy, Cambridge. The cover is $5 or free with CD purchase! Factory City have been together since 2013, although all of members are stalwarts of the local scene. They feature guitarist/vocalist Mike Meacher, Fyl Bennett on stand-up bass and drummer Mat Bowman. Stylistically they describe their music as blurring the lines between folk music and rock alternative with songs that tell stories of love, tragedy, grief and hope. For more information visit factorymusic.com. Music: Factory City, For You from Factory City (2014, Self)

Stephen Fearing – Fearing & White Interview

Sep 15 2014

Fearing & White are back on tour in Ontario and Alberta. Stephen Fearing & Andy White released their second album as a duo, “Tea & Confidences” earlier this year. We caught up with Andy White prior to their barnstorming appearance at the 2014 Hillside Festival. You can check out that interview on the website HERE. As it seemed only fair that we check in with the other half of this pair of wandering minstrels, we caught up with Stephen Fearing at home while on a short touring break. During our fun and wide-ranging conversation we tackled such topics as balancing solo and band commitments, recording and touring “Tea & Confidences”, why Gary Craig is such a great drummer, music as a business for independent artists 101 and the ‘Manzer guitar / Air Canada incident’. It’s a great interview and well worth checking out. Music: Fearing & White, “Emigrant Song”, “Tomorrow Takes A Long Time”, “We Came Together” and “To The Great Unknown” from “Tea & Confidences” (2014, Lowdenproud).

Jane Lewis – Stay With Me

Sep 12 2014

Guelph-based singer songwriter Jane Lewis releases her first solo album, “Stay With Me” on September 26, 2014 at Dublin St United Church in Guelph. The show starts at 8 p.m. Stay With Me is a piano-based folk-pop-roots album that blends engaging melodies and well-crafted lyrics, with gorgeous production that allows the vocals to stand up against the beautifully well-balanced musical accompaniment. The album features Jane Lewis on piano joined by a stellar core band of Sam Turton (guitar), Jesse Turton (bass) and Adam Bowman (drums & percussion). Special guests on the album include Jason Fowler, Eve Goldberg, Katherine Wheatley, Tannis Slimmon and Doug Wilde among others. The album was produced by Sam Turton and engineered by Nik Tjelios. The release show promises to be a very special night. You can buy tickets online here. Jane Lewis joined us in the studio to chat and play tracks from the album. For more information, visit janelewis.ca.

Pharis & Jason – The Interview

Sep 05 2014

Pharis & Jason Romero bring their beautiful harmonies and old-time banjo and guitar tunes to Kitchener on Friday September 12 for a show hosted by Folkway Music at the Registry Theatre, Kitchener. They released their recent album, “Long Gone Out West Blues”, in early 2013 to critical acclaim, the album garnering several awards while making it into the top 10 of many end of year ‘Best of’ lists. Long Gone Out West Blues features an array of songs that blend old and new, while telling stories about ageless characters, hard lives, love and loss. Tickets for the Registry show are $22.60 (includes HST) and available through Eventbrite, or in person at Folkway Music, 22 Dupont Street East, Waterloo ON N2J 2G9, 519-772-0424 (1-855-772-0424). Tickets will also be available at the Door $25 (cash only). The shows starts at 8:00 p.m. (Doors 7:30 p.m.). For more information: pharisandjason.com. Music: “Long Gone Out West Blues” and ‘I Want To Get Lucky” from “Long Gone Out West Blues” (2013, Lula Records).

Hannah Shira Naiman – The Interview

Sep 05 2014

Hannah Shira Naiman will be at the Magnolia Café in Guelph on Thursday September 11 as part of a tour supporting her 2013 album release “Tether My Heart”. Tether My Heart is a gorgeous album of banjo-driven songs, inspired by Ola Belle Reid and Hazel Dickens, with an Appalachian Old-time feel and English / Irish folk ballad stylings thrown into the mix. Hannah’s music has already been critically acclaimed, drawing favourable comparisons with the work of both Gillian Welch and The Be Good Tanyas. At Magnolia, Hannah will be performing with fiddle player Rosalyn Dennett (formerly of Oh My Darling). The show starts at 8:00 p.m. and the cover is just $10. Due to the intimate size of the venue, reservations are recommended. Call 519-766-4663 to reserve. For more information visit hannahshiranaiman.com. Music: Hannah Shira Naiman “Looking For My True Love” and “Little Fox” from “Tether My Heart” (2013, Merriweather Records)

Lynn Jackson – The Interview

Sep 04 2014

Kitchener-based singer-songwriter Lynn Jackson releases her new album (with Chris Boyne), “The Acoustic Sessions” at The Jane Bond in Waterloo on September 7 2014. The show starts at 9:00 p.m. (doors at 8:00 p.m.) and admission is just $10 which also gets you copy of the CD – which is an amazing deal! Lynn will also be in Brantford at the Train Station Coffee House on September 6 and at Borealis in Guelph on September 18. After that she is off on a western tour. We caught up with Lynn at home in Kitchener. Music: “Wintersong” and “Mark The Spot” from “The Acoustic Sessions” (2014, Busted Flat Records)

For more details on the tour dates, check out lynnjackson.net.

Plumhall – Thundercloud – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Sep 01 2014

Plumhall are Michelle Plum and Nick Hall. They come from West Yorkshire in England and they’ve just released a great debut album of moody British Americana entitled “Thundercloud”.

Michelle is a former member of Chumbawamba, Waking the Witch and The Accidental Tourists. Nick has been a member of the Hall Brothers band nearly all his life. Together as Plumhall they have supported Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls of The Wonderstuff, as well as State Of The Union, Andy White and Henry Priestman. They also recently performed with multi-instrumentalist, and former member of Bob Dylan’s tour band, Larry Campbell at the BBC Radio 2 award-winning folk club The Black Swan in York England. We caught up with them at home in Bradford. For more information visit: plumhall.co.uk. Music: Plumhall, “Let Me Sleep” and “Exit From The Light” from Thundercloud (2014, Proper Distribution).

Green Sky Project – The Interview

Aug 06 2014

Bulgarian-born, classically-trained guitarist Anton Apostolov will be bringing his Green Sky Project to the first Kingsville Folk Festival taking place in in Lakeside Park, Kingsville from August 8-10 2014. Featuring Apostolov alongside Naghmeh Farahmand on percussion, Jacek Karlowski on tamboura, Hasheel Lodhia on bansuri and Sunjun Park on piano, the Green Sky Project fuse together folk, classical and jazz themes using Balkan, Iranian and Indian traditional music as their primary source of inspiration. The sound they produce together is beautiful, especially on the fabulous Star In A Jar. We caught up with Anton Apostolov at home in Toronto. For more information, visit greenskyproject.com. Music: Green Sky Project “Connection” and “Star In A Jar” from “Star In A Jar” (2013, Self).

Tia McGraff – In The Studio

Aug 04 2014

Port Dover based singer-songwriter Tia McGraff has been described as having a voice stolen from angels. The internationally-renowned recording artist shares her passion for music with her stage (and life) partner Colorado native, Tommy Parham. Together, they engage their audiences with an electrifying, yet honest and heart-moving, musical experience. Tia will be gracing the stage at the first Kingsville Folk Music Festival, August 8-10 2014. Tia McGraff joined us for a chat and a few songs with musical partner Tommy Parham on August 2 2014. For more information visit tiamcgraff.com

Tia McGraff, Break These Chains from Break These Chains (2014, Bandana Records) CDN
Tia McGraff with Tommy Parham, Abigail (Live in the Studio)
Tia McGraff, Reckonin’ from Break These Chains (2014, Bandana Records) CDN
Tia McGraff with Tommy Parham, Move The Smoke Away (Live in the Studio)
Tia McGraff, Between The Bed And The Door from Break These Chains (2014, Bandana Records) CDN

Same Latitude As Rome – The Interview

Jul 31 2014

Southern Ontario based folk group Same Latitude As Rome released “1812”, their most ambitious project to date, a suite of original songs to commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, in 2012. They are now getting set to release its follow-up “Early Days” – which is expected this Fall. And, they will also be performing at the inaugural Kingsville Folk Festival, August 8-10 2014. The current line-up features Peter Boyer on acoustic guitar and vocals, Anneke McCabe on percussion and vocals) with JK Gulley (guitar/mandolin) and Besnik Yzeiri (violin). For more information, visit samelatitudeasrome.com. We caught up with Peter Boyer at home in Fergus. Music: Same Latitude As Rome, “Better Days Will Come” and “Song For Louis Riel” from forthcoming album “Early Days”.

Lauren Mann And The Fairly Odd Folk

Jul 28 2014

Lauren Mann has been delighting audiences with her folk-pop since 2008. After making the decision that gigging as much as possible was the thing to do, she formed a band with some fellow travellers and hit the open road. Lauren Mann And The Fairly Odd Folk released their second album “Over Land and Sea” in 2013. They gained national attention this year as winners of the very popular CBC Searchlight competition. They will be in the Guelph area on August 2 2014 for a show at the Eden Mills Community Hall. Tickets are $30 for adults, and $10 for students and available at the Bookshelf in Guelph or by contacting Kathie Lamie at 519-501-3550. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. (doors at 7:30 p.m.). We caught up with Lauren Mann on the road between Thunder Bay and Sault Set Marie. For more information visit laurenmannmusic.com. Music: Lauren Mann And The Fairly Odd Folk, “I Lost Myself” and “Over Land And Sea” from “Over Land and Sea” (2012, Wanderer)

Dennis Johnson – The Interview

Jul 24 2014

Slide guitarist Dennis Johnson is creating quite the stir with his second album “Slide Avenue”, the follow up to “Slide Show”. Slide Avenue moves effortlessly between genres, from Blues to New Orleans Jazz to Rock to Swing, as it takes you on a ride that stays with you long after the album has finished. Featuring three Robert Johnson reinterpretations alongside a slew of Dennis Johnson originals it’s an album with so many standout tracks its hard to pick one though “She Looks Good”, featuring some outstanding fiddle from Joe Craven, deserves special mention. California based Johnson has a mission to take the slide guitar to points unknown; we’ve no doubt he’ll get there – Slide Avenue definitely delivers. We reached Dennis Johnson at home in California. Music: Dennis Johnson, “She’s So Good” and “Phonograph Blues” from “Slide Avenue” (2014, Self).

Andy White – Fearing & White Interview

Jul 17 2014

Singer-songwriters Stephen Fearing and Andy White will both be playing the Hillside Festival this year. This year’s visit will be a bit different from previous appearances because they will be playing together as Fearing & White, the project they started with a self-titled album in 2011. They’ve just released its follow-up, “Tea & Confidences” and we talked with Andy White from Edmonton. For more information on Fearing & White visit fearingandwhite.com. Music: Fearing & White, “We Came Together” and “Think Of Me Like Summer” from “Tea & Confidences” (2014, Lowdenproud Records)

Matt Andersen – The Interview

Jul 17 2014

Canadian powerhouse blues performer Matt Andersen returns to the Hillside Festival this year. Matt released his latest album “Weightless” this past February. Matt is currently on the summer festival circuit in North America, and before heading to Europe for a tour of the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands this fall, we caught up with him at his home in New Brunswick. For more information, visit www.stubbyfingers.ca. Music: Matt Andersen, “Weightless” and “Let You Down” from “Weightless” (2014, True North Records).

Union Duke – The Interview

Jul 15 2014

Rowdy folksters Union Duke made a big splash at the Mariposa Folk Festival in 2013, this despite having to go through the audition showcase process. That they were invited back in 2014 speaks volumes to the quality of the music and their outstanding live performances. Anyone who saw them lift the roof off the Mariposa Pub Tent in 2014 would know that this band is heading for bigger things – Catch them while you can. Thoughtful lyrics, soaring harmonies, and a foot stomping beat; you might just be checking out Canada’s version of Mumford and Sons! They’ve just released their second album, “Cash and Carry”, the follow-up to 2013’s “Bandits and Bridges”. We caught up with Ethan Smith and Matt Warry-Smith after the pub tent performance. For more information, visit unionduke.com. Music: Union Duke, “That Old Feeling” and “A Little More” from Cash & Carry (2014, Self)

Elephant Revival – The Interview

Jul 15 2014

Colorado’s Elephant Revival were one of the highlights of this year’s Mariposa Folk Festival. Their music has been described as transcendental folk because of the way they take elements of celtic folk, traditional folk, bluegrass / country, and occasionally reggae, hip-hop and jazz to create something entirely unique. Good words to describe their performances would be hypnotic and mesmerizing. Accomplished performers all, they should be a must see at the upcoming Hillside Festival. You do not want to miss this band! Their latest album is “These Changing Skies”. We caught up with Daniel Rodriguez and Bridget Law after a workshop at Mariposa. For more information, visit elephantrevival.com. Music: Elephant Revival, “Remembering A Beginning” and “Birds And Stars” from “These Changing Skies” (2013, Itz Evolving Records)

Graydon James – The Interview

Jul 11 2014

Toronto based band Graydon James and the Young Novelists will be bringing their folk-rock stylings to Guelph on July 18 2014 for a noon hour concert in St George’s Square. Formed in 2011 their first E.P., “A Small Town Eulogy” was released to critical acclaim. They followed that with a live album recorded at Dublin St United Church in Guelph and their first full length long player “In The Year You Were Born”. They are about to head into the studio to start work on their latest release. We caught up with Graydon James in Toronto. For more information, visit www.theyoungnovelists.com. Music: Graydon James and the Young Novelists, “Small Town Hymns” from “In The Year You Were Born” (2012, Self); Graydon James and the Young Novelists, “Hear Your Voice” (Single) (2013, Self)

The Marrieds – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Jul 09 2014

Jane Carmichael and Kevin Kennedy are The Marrieds. They’ll be bringing their beautiful melodies and sweet harmonies to Guelph in July for a Thursday night residency at Magnolia Café. Sharing the stage with them will be Shannon Kingsbury (July 10), Vanessa Tignanelli (July 17), Ian Reid (July 24) and Peter Light (July 31). All the shows are Pay What You Can events and they start at 8:00 p.m. We caught up with Jane Carmichael and Kevin Kennedy at home in London ON. For more information visit www.themarrieds.ca. Music: “Come To Bed” and “The Rest Of My Days” from The Marrieds’ 2013 album “Saving Hope”.

Trevor Gordon Hall – The Interview

Jul 01 2014

Philadelphia based acoustic instrumentalist Trevor Gordon Hall is heading to this year’s Mariposa Folk Festival. With two successful acoustic albums under his belt, Trevor’s musical creative aspirations were upsized by the birth of the Kalimbatar, an innovative acoustic guitar that features the Kalimba, a sub-Saharan thumb piano. Trevor’s most recent album is Entelechy (2011). We caught up with him this week at home. For more information on Trevor Gordon Hall, visit trevorgordonhall.com. Music: Trevor Gordon Hall, Missing You and Kalimbatar from Entelechy (2011, Candy Rat Records).