Folk Roots Radio Episode 327: Mariposa Folk Festival 2017

We’re all about the 2017 Mariposa Folk Festival on Episode 327 of Folk Roots Radio. The Grande Dame of Canadian Folk Festivals 57th edition takes place the weekend of July 7, 8 and 9 in beautiful Tudhope Park in Orillia, on the shores of scenic Lake Couchiching. Mariposa artistic director, Mike Hill, joins us on this episode to chat about this year’s lineup and his new book “The Mariposa Folk Festival – A History”, out now on Dundurn Press. We also feature an excerpt from a great interview & live studio appearance by Coco Love Alcorn, recorded at the Folk Music Ontario conference, alongside music from other artists who’ll be heading to Mariposa this year. Listen to the episode and check out the playlist below.

This year, in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, the Mariposa programming is heavily weighted towards Canadian content with a very strong line-up designed to appeal to all tastes, and all ages.

The Barenaked Ladies will be headlining on Friday evening. Their latest album is a collaboration with legendary a cappella group The Persuasions, appropriately called “Ladies and Gentlemen: Barenaked Ladies & The Persuasions” (2017, Raisin’ Records). The new album features 14 tracks re-imagined from BNL’s award-winning catalogue alongside the classic “Good Times”. This album was recorded live off the floor last Fall in Toronto. Barenaked Ladies first played Mariposa in 1991, just before their career took off.

Also appearing on the main stage on Friday night are festival favourites Irish Mythen – her first appearance on the main stage after rave reviews for her performances in previous years, and Edmonton singer-songwriter Ruth B who shot to fame via internet video before she even had a chance to record a full album.

Saturday night sees Matt Andersen back on the main stage in support of his latest album “The Gift” (2016, Stubbyfingers). It’s hard to believe that Matt made his first appearance at Mariposa in 2007 when he was described as just an ‘up-and-comer’. Joining Matt on the main stage that night will be Canadian pop-rock supergroup The New Pornographers who’ve just released their latest album “Whiteout Conditions” and Whitehorse – that’s Luke Doucet with partner Melissa McClellan, who are about to release their new album “Panther In the Dollhouse” (2017, Six Shooter Records).

Check out this great stripped back video to “Die Alone” filmed, with just guitars and voices, on the main stage at the famed Massey Hall in Toronto as part of their Ghost Light Sessions.

Bruce Cockburn has made numerous appearances at Mariposa over the years, starting off with a 1968 appearance at Toronto Island. He’ll be on the main stage on Sunday evening followed by a special tribute to legendary Canadian-American roots rock combo The Band. The Last Waltz – A Musical Celebration of The Band LIVE celebrates one of the most famous concerts in popular music history, and features a 9-piece band and special guests, under the direction of Juno award winning producer and musical director, Lance Anderson.

You can check out the full line-up, learn about all of the performers and buy tickets HERE.

Coco Love Alcorn will be at Mariposa this summer, and, according to artistic director Mike Hill, something very special is planned. A singer renowned for a compelling vocal delivery, fantastic improvisation skills and an extraordinary ability to engage the audience, Coco released a fabulous album, “Wonderland” in 2016.

Wonderland is based around some of the music that came out of her “Spirit Sessions” non-denominational gospel songs project. Since releasing the album, Coco has been touring almost non-stop, sharing her music in workshops with organized and ad hoc choirs who get the chance to join her in performance.

Coco stopped by our mobile studio at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about the “Spirit Sessions”, and to play a couple of songs live, on her instrument of choice, the ukulele. Like everything that Coco gets involved in, the interview was a lot of fun, and very in the moment. We hope you enjoy it.

You can check out the full interview HERE.

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 Mixcloud by following the link below. You can also listen to episodes of Folk Roots Radio, on demand, via iTunes, Soundcloud, 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)

The Bombadils
Silver Linings
New Shoes (2016, Borealis Records) CDN

Joe Crookston
Seven Seconds
Joe Crookston (2017, Self)

The Young’uns
John Hill
Never Forget (2014, Hereteu Records)

De Temps Antan
Matin d’Hiver
Ce Monde Ici Bas (2013, L-A Be) CDN

Interview: Mike Hill, Artistic Director at the Mariposa Folk Festival.

Ruth B
Lost Boy
Safe Haven (2017, Columbia/Sony) CDN

Interview: Coco Love Alcorn recorded at the Folk Music Ontario conference.

Coco Love Alcorn
The River (Live)

Coco Love Alcorn
Wonderland (Live)

Barenaked Ladies & The Persuasions
Narrow Streets
Ladies and Gentlemen: Barenaked Ladies & The Persuasions (2017, Raisin’ Records) CDN

Whitehorse
Die Alone
Panther In the Dollhouse (2017, Six Shooter Records) CDN