Folk Roots Radio Episode 311: Benjamin Dakota Rogers Interview & More New Releases

Multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter and composer Benjamin Dakota Rogers joins us on Episode 311 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his latest album “Whisky & Pine”. He also plays three songs live for us – including a new song that’s yet to be recorded. And, as always, we take a look at some of the latest new releases. Check out the full playlist below.

The Interview

Benjamin Dakota Rogers is pushing the boundaries of traditional folk with each album release. Combining fiddle, guitar and mandolin with his unique voice and strong lyrics, he creates music that demands your attention. Benjamin has picked up Canadian Folk Music Awards nominations for each of his three releases; the “Wayfarer” E.P. from 2014, 2015’s “The Strong Man’s Address to the Circus Crowd” and his latest, “Whiskey & Pine”. Whiskey & Pine features 11 songs that showcase Benjamin’s strong vocals, powerful guitar and fiddle. The album features support from Chris Rait on stand-up bass, guitar and djembe. Benjamin joined us in the mobile studio at the recent Folk Music Ontario conference. For more information about his music visit benjaminrogersmusic.com.

Show Notes

Notes about some of the new music on our radar that made it into this episode.

Singer/songwriter Gregger Botting, from Petrolia Ontario, was a finalist in the Canada South Songwriting Competition at the 2016 Kingsville Folk Music Festival. He’s just released his debut album “Never Saw A Thing Coming”. Likened to a young John Prine, the recording features 11 original songs about life, loss and a nostalgia for the way things used to be. The album was produced in Sarnia ON, with Adam Miner from DNA Media.

Toronto based singer-songwriter and guitarist Cris Cuddy returned to Nashville to record his latest roots rock release “Jerry Lee & Elvis” with George “Tonechap” Bradfute and multi-instrumentalist Fats Kaplin (2017, Vanishing Castle Recordings) at Tone Chapparal Studio. Like much of his latest work, “Jerry Lee & Elvis” wanders all over the musical genre map taking in rockabilly, reggae, country and rock and even Mariachi. On this episode we feature “I’m Alone Again”, a portrait of life and love in the digital age. For more information about Cris Cuddy visit criscuddy.com

St Johns based old time country troubadour Peter Willie Youngtree is back on tour across Eastern Canada. He released his debut album “Country Hymns” in 2015. Check out our interview with Peter Willie Youngtree HERE. Check out all the tour dates at pwyoungtree.com.

Andrew McPherson – producer, leader of Jazz fusion project Eccodek and singer/songwriter from Guelph ON is getting set to release his fourth solo album “Bardo”. Bardo features eleven tracks that use a palette of folk, prog, ambient and art pop to tell stories about loss, life, war, madness and more. Joining Andrew’s rich baritone on the album are Kevin Breit (Norah Jones, KD Lang), Jeff Bird (Cowboy Junkies, Natalie Merchant), Morgan Doctor (Kevin Drew, Andy Kim), Adam Bowman (Alysha Brilla, Ember Swift) and Marc De Vos (Eccodek, Liquidates). The release party for Bardo takes place in Guelph at the eBar on April 13. Opening the show will be special guest Nick Zebeck and his band. Admission is $20. For more information visit andrewmcpherson.ca.

Songwriting trips to Nashville are paying off for Toronto based singer-songwriter Luke Nicholson. His radio friendly new single “All Your Dresses” is getting lots of airplay. Luke Nicholson’s third album “Shape & Sound” is out now through Fontana North.

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)

Gregger Botting
Never Saw A Thing Coming
Never Saw a Thing Coming (2017, Self) CDN

Andrea Ramolo
Coming Out
Da Sola (2017, Fontana North) CDN

Cris Cuddy
I’m Alone Again
Jerry Lee & Elvis (2017, Vanishing Castle Recordings) CDN

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

Moore & McGregor
If Ever You Were Mine
Dream With Me (2017, Self) CDN

Peter Willie Youngtree
Oh, My Companion
Country Hymns (2015, Self) CDN

Benjamin Dakota Rogers
Whiskey For Blood (Live)

Interview: Benjamin Dakota Rogers recorded at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October.

Benjamin Dakota Rogers
Mr. Robot (Live)

Benjamin Dakota Rogers
Come Home (Live)

Andrew McPherson
Strong At My Back
Bardo (2017, Self) CDN

Amelia Curran
Stranger Things Have Happened
Watershed (2017, Six Shooter Records) CDN

Luke Nicholson
All Your Dresses (Extended Version)
Shape & Sound (2017, Self/Fontana North) CDN

Laurenn Marchand
Ghosts in the Garden
Ghosts in the Garden E.P. (2015, Self) CDN