Folk Roots Radio Episode 334: Joe Jencks Interview & More New Releases

Chicago based singer-songwriter Joe Jencks joins us on Episode 334 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his great new album “Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers”. Our wide-ranging conversation covers the making of the new album, songwriting and live performances, including those with his compadres Pat Wictor and Greg Greenway in harmony folk supergroup Brother Sun, who will be going on indefinite hiatus at the end of 2017 to allow all three members to focus on new projects and collaborations. It’s a really great interview, and definitely worth checking out. And, as always, we take a look at more of the latest new releases on the folk and roots scene. Check out the full playlist below.

Interview

Joe Jencks has built his music career around a fabulous baritone voice and a reputation for well-crafted songs that speak to a human experience fraught with challenge, and injustice, yet, also offering hope for a brighter future. “Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers” includes 11 original songs about such topics as prison ships, veterans and PTSD, solstice renewal and the testimony of Pete Seeger before the Un-American Activities Committee in 1955, alongside some well-chosen covers that include a lesser known Phil Ochs song and a Jon Brooks classic, “Mercy”.

Joe Jencks is also a member of harmony trio Brother Sun, (with fellow singer-songwriters Pat Wictor and Greg Greenway). Brother Sun will be going on hiatus at the end of 2017. If you want to catch the group performance one last time, you can check out their dates at brothersun.com.

We were only able to play an excerpt from our interview with Joe Jencks on this episode of Folk Roots Radio. You can check out the full interview HERE.

Show Notes

Notes about some of the new music on our radar that made it into Episode 334 of Folk Roots Radio.

Thunder Bay’s Arley Hughes has just released her debut recording “Parts of Me”, an album that includes some of her earliest songs alongside newer material that ranges from a mellow folky sound through to to a heavier soulful blues influence.

In recording her debut album, Hughes states that she became a much better songwriter in discipline and practice.

“I’ve been honing my skills at writing and storytelling and now feel confident about making music a career choice instead of just a hobby. Spending time with these songs has allowed me to work out kinks with an open mind and heart allowing the songs to develop organically, taking on breath and a life of their own”.

“Ian Mcleod of Backlanes Audio has been great to work with, creating an environment rich with care and integrity. He even played on several of the tracks, which really helped me get the most out of songs like “Spark My Flame” and “Even if I Want To”. On tracks like “Stay Close to Home” and “Daddy Dreamer”, we were able to take a more relaxed approach allowing them to remain true to my live performance – intimate, sultry and sweet”.

Visit Arley Hughes online at arleyhughes.com.

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)

Rachel Baiman
Something To Lose
Shame (2017, Free Dirt Records)

Robbie Bankes
Alice
Foothills (2016, Self) CDN

Scott Cook
Alberta, You’re Breaking My Heart
Further Down the Line (2017, Self) CDN

Harpeth Rising
Love Child
Against All Tides (2017, Midwest Records)

Russ Rentler
Le Petite Voix
Escaped The Tide (2017, Self)

Joe Jencks
Let Me Sing You A Song
Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers (2017, Turtle Bear Music)

Interview: Joe Jencks discussing his new album “Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers”.

Joe Jencks
One Piece At A Time
Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers (2017, Turtle Bear Music)

Joe Jencks
Going Home
Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers (2017, Turtle Bear Music)

Arley Hughes
Rescue Me
Parts Of Me (2017, Self) CDN