Video

1
Sultans of String – Covid Times Edition – Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions
2
Big Little Lions – Covid Times Edition – Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions
3
Steve Poltz – Covid Times Edition – Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions
4
Fresh Breath – Covid Times Edition – Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions
5
Sweet Alibi – Crawling Back To You
6
Skydiggers – The Songs of Gene Clark
7
Jen Lane – Movin’ On
8
Trevor Gordon Hall “Mind Heart Fingers”
9
Kingsville Folk Music Festival 2014
10
Bry Webb – Prove Me Wrong
11
Trevor Gordon Hall
12
The Imbayacunas
13
Tannis Slimmon and Lewis Melville
14
The Wailin’ Jennys at Harbourfront
15
The Bombadils
16
Craig Cardiff
17
Kerri Powers
18
Drew McIvor – 45s and 33s
19
David Celia
20
Bob MacLean
21
Samantha Scott & Tereza Tomek
22
Jesse Winchester
23
Fundraiser for Mary Anne Epp
24
Birds Of Chicago
25
Sweet and Sunny South

Sultans of String – Covid Times Edition – Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions

Sultans of String, released a fabulous new recording “Refuge” earlier this year – an album that highlights the extraordinary contributions that indigenous people, immigrants and refugees make to culture and life in North America. Refuge features collaborations with over 30 musicians including Béla Fleck, Robi Botos, Ifrah Mansour, Demetrios Petsalakis, Imad Al Taha, Amir Amiri, Duke Redbird and Twin Flames. Sultans of String were supposed to be out on tour across both North America and the UK this year but because of the on-going pandemic none of that has been able to happen. Chris McKhool violinist and leader of the band joins us on a very special Covid Times edition of our video sister show, the Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions to chat about the new album, and how the band has been impacted by the on-going emergency while sharing some of the fabulous videos they have prepared to support what is truly a fantastic project. Unfortunately because of the ongoing pandemic, we haven’t been able to record any more video sessions, so we’ve switched to a socially distanced interview format similar to Folk Roots Radio. Since we started the Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions, we’ve had 50 different artists/bands join us in the studio. Check them out online at sunparloursessions.com. Enjoy!.

Big Little Lions – Covid Times Edition – Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions

Helen Austin and Paul Otten are two fabulous songwriters who make music together as Big Little Lions. They were on tour as the coronavirus pandemic hit, and despite having to head home and into lockdown, they have continued to make great music – including the release of a pandemic inspired album “Are We there Yet?”. They join us on a special ‘Covid Times’ edition of our video sister show, the Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions, for a fun in-depth conversation about how their lives and their music have been changed by the on-going emergency, while sharing some of the great videos they have been producing in lockdown.  Unfortunately because of the ongoing pandemic, we haven’t been able to record any more video sessions, so we’ve switched to a socially distanced interview format similar to Folk Roots Radio. Since we started the Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions, we’ve had 50 different artists/bands join us in the studio. Check them out online at sunparloursessions.com. Enjoy!.

Steve Poltz – Covid Times Edition – Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions

Singer-songwriter and humorist Steve Poltz joins us on a special ‘Covid Times’ edition of our video sister show, the Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions, to chat about how he has been spending his time off the road during these strange, strange times – including the release of a wonderful lockdown single, appropriately entitled “Quarantine Blues”. Unfortunately because of the ongoing pandemic, we haven’t been able to record any more video sessions, so we’ve switched to a socially distanced interview format similar to Folk Roots Radio. Since we started the Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions, we’ve had 50 different artists/bands join us in the studio. Check them out online at sunparloursessions.com. Enjoy!

Fresh Breath – Covid Times Edition – Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions

Fresh Breath‘s Josh & Katie Pascoe are probably two of the most positive people you’ll ever meet. In fact, they really walk the talk – proudly describing themselves as artists whose attitude is gratitude. They join us on a special ‘Covid Times’ edition of our video sister show, the Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions, to chat about the great singles, with accompanying videos, they recorded during Covid-19 lockdown. Unfortunately because of the ongoing pandemic, we haven’t been able to record any more video sessions, so we’ve switched to a socially distanced interview format similar to Folk Roots Radio. Since we started the Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions, we’ve had 50 different artists/bands join us in the studio. Check them out online at sunparloursessions.com. Enjoy!

Sweet Alibi – Crawling Back To You

Winnipeg roots/pop vocal group Sweet Alibi, who feature the beautiful harmonies of Amber Rose, Jessica Rae Ayre and Michelle Anderson, have just released a new single – and a great new video. It’s their version of Tom Petty’s “Crawling Back To You” – and a fabulous job they do, too. The song is part of a new playlist “Canada Covers Tom Petty”, curated by Jadea Kelly, who supplies her own cover of “Wildflowers”, alongside covers by Matt Mays and Terra Lightfoot (“Learning to Fly”), Royal Wood (“Don’t Come Around Here No More”), Matt Epp and Christina Martin (“Stop Dragging My Heart Around”) and many more. Sweet Alibi are playing some dates in Ontario this fall and will be bringing their great live show to the Mary Webb Centre in Highgate on Saturday November 3 at 8 p.m. Visit Sweet alibi online at sweetalibi.com.

Skydiggers – The Songs of Gene Clark

Iconic Toronto folk-pop band Skydiggers are about to release their latest album, a tribute to Byrds songwriter Gene Clark, appropriately titled “Here Without You – The Songs of Gene Clark”. The album features eight songs written by the famed writer of such classics as “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better”, “She Don’t Care About Time”, “Set You Free This Time” and “Eight Miles High”, all delivered in the trademark, stark and intimate, Skydiggers style. The album, produced by Michael Timmins from the Cowboy Junkies, will be released on May 13 on Latent Recordings. The Skydiggers will be in Guelph for a show at the Guelph Little Theatre, 176 Morris St Guelph on Thursday May 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and available from Janus Books. Out of town tickets are available HERE. Check out the other Skydiggers dates HERE.

Jen Lane – Movin’ On

Saskatoon singer-songwriter Jen Lane has just released “Movin’ On”, the second single and video from her new album “This Life Of Mine” (2016, Self). Jen joined us in the studio with sideman, life partner and manager John Antoniuk, last fall, to chat about the new project. You can find the interview HERE. Jen will be on tour across Canada and the Eastern US in support of “This Life of Mine”, including showcasing at Canadian Music Week, in May. For more information, visit jenlane.com.

Trevor Gordon Hall “Mind Heart Fingers”

Trevor Gordon Hall has just released “Mind Heart Fingers”, the follow up to 2011’s “Entelechy”. We had a chance to chat with Trevor shortly before his appearance at this past summer’s Mariposa Folk Festival. If you love rich, creative guitar music with a twist, you’ll love Mind Heart Fingers. Check out the video of Trevor playing acoustic guitar on the beautiful “The Blue Hour”. I’ll admit that my knowledge of acoustic guitar tunings is rudimentary – however, for guitar aficionados, this song is apparently played in Nashville or high strung tuning (using only octave strings from a 12 string pack). This beautiful instrumental album was recorded during the summer of 2014 by Grammy Winning Producer Will Ackerman. You can find it in all of the usual places, including, for a physical copy, on CDBaby. For more information: visit trevorgordonhall.com.

Kingsville Folk Music Festival 2014

There’s a new kid on the folk festival circuit – Kingsville. The first Kingsville Folk Music Festival takes place from August 8-10 2014 in Lakeside Park, Kingsville. The festival will feature four day-time stages, a dedicated children’s area “The Family Stomping Ground” and an evening main stage. With a broad mandate to feature acoustic roots music of all types and 50% Canadian content, it promises to be a great weekend for anyone who loves folk music. Check out the accompanying video to see the stellar line-up they’ve pulled together for their inaugural year. For more information visit kingsvillefolkfest.org.

Bry Webb – Prove Me Wrong

Bry Webb – “Prove Me Wrong” (Official Video) from Idée Fixe Records on Vimeo.

Bry Webb has just released the latest video from his new album, Free Will. The song, “Prove Me Wrong”, is coupled with a very nice video by Colin Medley filmed at The Donkey Sanctuary near Guelph, Ontario. The sanctuary is a refuge for donkeys who have been neglected or abused, or who can no longer be cared for by their owners. The animals are provided a welcome and often life-saving peaceful haven after years of suffering and neglect. Webb describes it as “one of the most serene places I’ve ever been.”

“My friend Gavin was working there, organizing their yearly Donkey Day Festival. I hadn’t been playing much, but Gavin asked if I’d do some songs as part of the day. I had recently started making music with Mike Brooks (pedal steel) and Rich Burnett (lap steel), so we decided to work out arrangements of some old and new songs for the event. It was one of the first shows I had played since the Constantines stopped. When Colin had the idea to make a music video there, it seemed perfect. Music video making can often be an undignified process for musicians – I’m not really inclined to lip sync my own songs – but putting one of the songs to Maya Bankovic and Colin’s wonderful slow motion shots of these incredibly dignified animals has made me very happy.”

Bry is currently on tour and will be appearing at both the Home County Music and Art Festival (July 18-20) and Hillside Festival (July 25-27).

Trevor Gordon Hall

Trevor Gordon Hall is bringing his Kalimbatar to this summer’s Mariposa Folk Festival. His what, I hear you say? His kalimbatar. It’s his own invention, an acoustic guitar with a kalimba – an African thumb piano (and common in sub-Saharan Africa), attached to the side of it. It’s pretty nifty and produces an incredibly full and beautiful sound, that is almost mesmeric in quality. Check out the attached video of Trevor playing the kalimbatar. You can find other videos on his website at trevorgordonhall.com. We’re impressed – so much so that we’re working on an interview. In case you don’t know, the Mariposa Folk festival runs from July 4-6 2014 in beautiful Tudhope Park up in Orillia. To check out all the details and pick up tickets, visit mariposa folk.com. It promises to be a great weekend!

The Imbayacunas

The Imbayakunas mix the traditional sound of the Andes with a variety of latin and european influences to create worldbeat music that is so intoxicating that you’ll find it hard to enjoy without getting up to dance. Featuring traditional andean instruments such as the rondador (and other pan flutes), charango, ronrocco (similar to a lute) and cajas (drum) as well as fiddle and electric guitar they create quite the party. This summer they’ll be at the Mariposa Folk festival, July 4-6 2014. Mariposa, summer, danceable music… bring it on! For more information about the Mariposa Folk Festival and to buy tickets, visit mariposa folk.com.

The Imbayakunas are also Nominees in the category of Best International Indigenous Artist Release at the Aboriginal People Choice Music Awards. You can vote for them HERE.

Tannis Slimmon and Lewis Melville

Tannis Slimmon, the Guelph-based singer-songwriter with the golden voice, tunes up for her BC tour with a special concert with her long time musical collaborator Lewis Melville at the Music In The Wood, 122 Main Street South, Rockwood on June 28 2014 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. To reserve, call (519) 856-9266 or email [email protected]. For more information visit tannis.ca.

The Wailin’ Jennys at Harbourfront

The Wailin’ Jennys play the Enwave Theatre at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto on Saturday June 21 2014. Tickets are $35 and are available online here.

When the Wailin’ Jennys started out they were just three solo singer-songwriters getting together for a one-time-only performance at a tiny guitar shop in Winnipeg. Since those humble beginnings they’ve grown into one of today’s most beloved international folk acts. Founding members Ruth Moody (vocals, guitar, accordion, banjo, bodhrán) and Nicky Mehta (vocals, guitar, harmonica, drums, ukulele) along with New York-based Heather Masse (vocals, upright bass) continue to create some of the most exciting and exquisite music on the folk-roots scene.

For more information check out thewailinjennys.com.

The Bombadils

Montreal-based progressive Celtic/bluegrass band The Bombadils bring their 2014 Ontario and the North-Eastern States tour to Guelph for a show at Magnolia Café on Saturday May 10 2014 at 8 p.m.

The Bombadils describe themselves as a charismatic bunch of kind-hearted rascals. They write and perform tunes that blend their strong musical conviction, drawing from Québecois, Irish, and bluegrass folk styles. It’s a decidedly contemporary sound that combines soaring melodic lines, tight rhythmic energy, and virtuosity.

Formed in 2009 at McGill University, the band has performed regularly since then around Montreal in pubs and cafés while completing their studies in jazz and classical music. The Bombadils released their debut CD “Fill Your Boots!” in 2012.

Tickets are $12. Due to the intimate size of the venue, reservations are recommended. Call 519-766-4663 to book your place.

For more information, visit thebombadils.com.

The Bombadils will be our special guests during the second hour (9-10 a.m.) of Folk Roots Radio, Saturday May 10 on CFRU 93.3fm.

Craig Cardiff

Craig Cardiff will be in Cambridge on Friday May 23 2014 for a show at the Galt Club (2nd floor above Cafe 13), 13 Main St, Galt, Cambridge. Tickets are $15 online from www.craigcardiff.com or $20 at the door. The support act will be The Vaudevillian. Show starts at 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7 p.m.). Promises to be a great night.

Kerri Powers

We’ve just discovered fabulous Americana – Blues songstress Kerri Powers who hails from Connecticut. Check out some beautiful slide guitar on “Buttercup” from her new self-titled album “Kerri Powers”. We’ll be playing more music from Kerri on Folk Roots Radio. For more information on Kerri Powers visit kerripowers.com.

Drew McIvor – 45s and 33s

Drew McIvor has made it into the regional semi-finals of the CBC Searchlight contest with “45s and 33s”, a slice of nostalgia with an upbeat rocksteady / R&B groove that’s the perfect song to soundtrack your summer. He also has a great video to go with it! Vote for Drew here. Drew will be releasing his latest album in May. We’ve been promised a studio visit. Stay tuned.

David Celia

David Celia will be bringing his own brand of folk to Magnolia Café, 88 Yarmouth St in Guelph on Thursday April 24. The support act will be Guelph’s own Tricia Brubacher. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 (or PWYC). Due to the intimate size of the venue, reservations are recommended. Call 519-766-4663 to book your place. The perfect idea for date night!

Bob MacLean

Renowned fingerstyle guitarist Bob MacLean will be bringing a whole selection of guitars and mandolins  to Magnolia Café on Saturday April 26 2014 for an intimate evening of trad tunes, songs & finger style guitar. The show kicks off at 8:00 p.m. and the price of admission is just $10. Due to the intimate size of the venue, reservations are recommended. Call 519-766-4663 to book your place.

Samantha Scott & Tereza Tomek

Vancouver based roots duo Samantha Scott & Tereza Tomek will be appearing at Magnolia Café, 88 Yarmouth Street in Guelph on Thursday April 17 2014 at 8:00 p.m. The bill also features the foot stomping roots music of Townsend Ontario’s Jay Pollmann.

Jesse Winchester

Let’s all raise a “Little Glass of Wine” to Jesse Winchester. Rest In Peace, Jesse Winchester (1944 – 2014).

Fundraiser for Mary Anne Epp

Our good friend Jack Cooper from BerLen Music will be joining us on Folk Roots Radio on April 5 2014 to chat about a special fundraiser for singer-songwriter Mary Anne Epp taking place at the ANAF in Guelph on April 12 at 8:00 p.m. A minimum donation of $10 is suggested and you can register online here. Mary-Anne’s song, “Rhoda” was written about an encounter with a homeless woman. Little did she know that she herself would end up homeless one day. Mary-Anne has written many great songs and hopefully this fundraiser will help Mary-Anne get back on her feet. To learn more about Mary-Anne’s story, read this article in Chateleine. There, but for the grace of God…

Birds Of Chicago

Birds of Chicago (featuring JT Nero and Ally Russell) will be at Mariposa Folk Festival (July 4, 5, 6) this summer. There latest album is the live set Live From Space. Birds of Chicago are an amazing live band. Definitely check them out, when they come to your town. You’ll not be disappointed.

JT Nero and Ally Russell joined us in the studio in October. Check out their visit here.

For more on Birds of Chicago visit birdsofchicago.com.

Sweet and Sunny South

This is a nice video to a beautiful song, the thought-provoking “Sweet and Sunny South”, by New Orleans based singer-songwriter Gina Forsyth (of The Malvinas) . It’s a song that speaks to the culture of the deep south of the United States. It really has great cross over potential for folk and politics; perfect for those who enjoy what we do here at Folk Roots Radio but also take in the humorous political commentary and interviews on our sister show Beyond the Ballot Box. Thanks to uber-humour-folkie Christine Lavin for the heads-up and the video.

For more on The Malvinas: visit www.themalvinas.com
For more on Gina Forsyth: visit www.ginaforsyth.com
For more on Christine Lavin: visit www.christinelavin.com

Copyright © 2019. Designed by Susan Wheeler of SuzyWeb