Livestreams Archives | Folk Roots Radio

Alec Fraser Jr – On The Wings Of The Wind – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Alec Fraser Jr is a renowned bass player and producer/engineer, and half of dynamic roots duo Fraser/Daley. He’s now added singer-songwriter to the resume and joins us live on Folk Roots Radio for an in-depth conversation about his career in music and first solo album “On The Wings Of The Wind” which was recorded while in pandemic lockdown with support from some fine musicians including Chris Bartos (violin/fiddle), and Jimmy Bowskill (mandolin). As a bassist, Alec Fraser Jr has toured internationally and worked with many world-class artists, playing with everyone from Bo Diddley, Ben E. King and The Drifters to Jeff Healey, Jack de Keyser, Ron Hynes and Ron Sexsmith. As a producer, he’s worked with some of our favourite artists… people like Rick Fines, John Brooks, Clela Errington. He’s also produced several albums that have made it on to our annual ‘best of the year’ list. Alec Fraser Jr is also the inventor of ‘the circus bass’, seven drums attached to an upright bass that allows him to play both bass and drums at the same time – using a brush held between his fingers. A lot to talk about – needless to say it was a fabulous conversation. We hope you’ll check it out. For more information about the music of Alec Fraser Jr, visit alecfraserjr.com.

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

Oct 22 2021

Mattie Leon – In Natural Light – Folk Roots Radio

Sep 19 2021

Mattie Leon returns to Folk Roots Radio to chat about his latest album “In Natural Light”. Mattie has a catchy and soulful folk/pop style, and the most amazing singing voice – one that he describes as… a bit like Paul Simon, solo Paul McCartney or James Taylor – but just a little higher! No stranger to Folk Roots Radio, Mattie joined us in the studio in 2019 for a fun chat and some great live songs. You can check out that interview HERE. Recently signed by Inside Pocket Music, In Natural Light was recorded at Noble St Studios in Toronto with JUNO-award winning producer, Gavin Brown (Sarah Harmer, Metric, Barenaked Ladies). For more information about the music of Mattie Leon, visit mattieleon.com.

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

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.

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

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.

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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.

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

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.

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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).

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

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.

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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).

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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.

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