Folk Roots Radio Episode 305: We’re All About The Music!

We’re all about the music on Episode 305 of Folk Roots Radio as we take a look at more of the latest new releases, including a first look at the new Blackie & The Rodeo Kings duet album “Kings & Kings”, a political single from Ernest Troost, a new gritty Lynne Hanson release and a great compilation from the Battlefield Band. You can check out the full playlist to Episode 305 below.

Show Notes

One of the hottest talents on the music scene, multi-instrumentalist Sarah Jarosz picked up Grammys for Best Folk Album and Best American Roots Performance for her beautiful and reflective fourth album “Undercurrent” out now on Sugar Hill Records. Undercurrent, her first release since graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music and moving to New York City, underscores the maturity she’s bringing to her music. “This is the first record I’ve made since being out on my own and experiencing a lot of changes, and I think that that’s reflected in the songs. It’s also the first record I’ve ever made that feels to me like a complete thought, with a beginning, a middle and an ending. It’s also the first time I’ve made an album that doesn’t have any covers on it. I wanted it to feel like the rollercoaster ride that is life, so I put a lot of thought into sequencing the songs. It was important for me to start with light, and then go through darker times, and stubbornness and strength and weakness, and then end up on a hopeful note.” For more information about Sarah Jarosz visit sarahjarosz.com.

Blackie & The Rodeo Kings have just played a very successful show at Massey Hall in Toronto to celebrate the release of their latest duet album “Kings & Kings”, which follows on from the “King & Queens”, album which showcased female vocalists. Joining Stephen Fearing, Colin Linden and Tom Wilson this time around are a great group of male vocalists including Rodney Crowell, Eric Church, Bruce Cockburn, Vince Gill, Nick Lowe on an album that reveals BARK at the peak of their powers.

Prince George BC based William Kuklis is just about to release his third solo album “Save Me”. Save Me took two years of intense focus to get it just right. According to Williams making the album was a  gruelling but ultimately satisfying experience, and characterized it as “a measured walk through longing, pain, and love – just not as depressing or as Danielle Steel as that sounds”. It’s turned out pretty well. You can learn more at williamkuklis.com.

One of our favourite singer/songwriters LA based Ernest Troost is getting ready to record his next album. Ernest’s last album “O Love” was one of our favourite albums of 2014. This month he’s put out a soulful teaser song, with let’s be honest, a clear political messsage – “It’s Gonna Happen Slow”. No prizes for guessing who that song is about. Check out our interview with Ernest Troost from 2014 HERE.

Canada’s self-styled Queen of Americana, Lynne Hanson will release her latest album, the gritty “Uneven Ground” in April. The new album is produced by Winnipeg’s Scott Nolan. A roots album with a real bluesy feel, Uneven Ground really feels like it’s going places, featuring thirteen tracks that reflect on life and the demons that drive us forward. For more information, visit lynnehanson.com.

Calgary based Locomotive Ghost are just about to release their fourth full-length album “Into the Glow”. Locomotive Ghost were formed by singer Mike Buckley and bassist Ben Nixon while they were attending Selkirk College’s music program in Nelson, BC. They added vocalist/pianist Laura Schoenberg and drummer James Bundy after they settled in Calgary, and have since developed a reputation for their pop sensibility and shared male/female vocal leads.

Ryanhood are Cameron Hood and Ryan Green, who started out as street-performers playing Boston’s Quincy Market over ten years ago, before striking out on a career as a duo. Their joyful mix of voices and guitars makes you think of a more pop version of the Milk Carton Kids. These days they’re back in their hometown of Tucson AZ, and have just released their sixth album “Yearbook”.

And that’s all we have time for this time around. Thanks to all the artists who share their music with us, and thank you for listening. We have a lot of great music and interviews to bring you on future shows. I hope you’ll join us!

Listen

You can listen to this episode again on Soundcloud by following the link below. You can also listen to episodes of Folk Roots Radio, on demand, via iTunes, Mixcloud, Stitcher and Tune-in Radio. (Click on the highlighted link to reach your chosen platform.)

Playlist

Nicolas & The Iceni (Theme)
Lucy She Rises (Demo)
Roll Right (Pre-release, self)

Sarah Jarosz
Early Morning Light
Undercurrent (2016, Sugar Hill Records)

Thom Ashworth
Crow On The Cradle
Everyone’s Gone To The Rapture (2017, Self)

Jessie Smith
Trouble
Like The Sun (2017, Self)

Blackie & The Rodeo Kings
Live By The Song (feat. Rodney Crowell)
Kings And Kings (2017, File: Under Music) CDN

Julian Lage & Chris Eldridge
Bone Collector
Mount Royal (2017, Free Dirt Records)

William Kuklis
Save Me
Save Me (2017, Self) CDN

The Pitmen Poets
Coughin’ Well / 1915-1972
More Black Diamonds (2016, Self)

Battlefield Band
Road Of Tears
The Producer’s Choice (2016, Temple Records)

Ernest Troost
It’s Gonna Happen Slow
(demo) (2017, Self)

Melanie Peterson
Sunshine (semi-acoustic)
(single) (2017, Self) CDN

John Craigie
I Am California
No Rain, No Rose (2016, Self)

Locomotive Ghost
Water And The Land
Into The Glow (2017, Self) CDN

Lynne Hanson
Every Honest Misstep
Uneven Ground (2017, Self) CDN

Ryanhood
Alright Tonight
Yearbook (2017, Four Miles Music)