Folk Roots Radio Episode 451: feat. Lydia Persaud & More New Releases

May 23 2019

Episode 451 of Folk Roots Radio features an interview with Toronto’s Lydia Persaud who joins us to chat about her first full-length solo album “Let Me Show You”. A member of both the wonderful Toronto female vocal trio The O’Pears and renowned cover band, Dwayne Gretzky, you’ll be able to catch Lydia Persaud live this summer at both the Hillside Festival (July 12-14) at Guelph Lake ON and the Home County Music & Arts Festival (July 19-21) in London ON. It’s a great interview – well worth sticking around for. We also check out new music from Bob Sumner, Leaf Rapids, Kevin Breit, David Grier, Dwayne Gretzky, Midnight Shine and Del Barber. Check out the full playlist below.

Interview

Lydia Persaud is a musician who is as comfortable exploring R&B and soul, as she is in both folk and jazz. Her new album Let Me Show You was recorded in Toronto with producer Robbie Grunwald, and features some great musicians including Dean Droulliard (Guitar), James Robertson (Guitar), Mike Ardagh (Drums), Josh Van Tassel (Drums), Joanna Mohammed (Bg vox), Claire Doyle (Bg vox), Anh Phung (Flute) and Drew Jureka (Strings).

The new album explores many themes including romance, social activism and anger. “The songs shift from being based in love and heartbreak to my personal encounters with race and gender issues. The album conveys a full spectrum.” .

Lydia Persaud was part of the rigorous jazz program at Humber School of Music, where she won the Oscar Peterson Jazz Award and connected with fellow members of the folk trio The O’Pears, whom she has been collaborating with for the past seven years. Working in different styles has allowed Lydia to develop a sophisticated vocal and harmony blend, that has lead her to become an in-demand vocalist. Lydia has supported such icons as Gordon Lightfoot, David Crosby, and Lee Fields, as well as opened for Serena Ryder, Sarah Harmer, and Joey Landreth. She is also a member of renowned cover band, Dwayne Gretzky.

For more information, visit lydiapersaud.com.

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, Stitcher and Tune-in Radio. (Click on the highlighted link to reach your chosen platform.)