Folk Roots Radio Episode 534: Jayme Stone… In Conversation – AWake

We’re pleased to bring you a very special interview on Episode 534 of Folk Roots Radio. We’re giving over the whole of the episode to an in-depth conversation with Jayme Stone about his wonderful new recording “AWake”, an album written in the aftermath of the sudden and tragic loss of his brother, Michael. It’s quite the departure for the double Juno award winning artist, who has built some fabulous roots and world music albums around his banjo playing. This time around, Jayme sets down the banjo and embraces ambient electropop and sonic landscapes on a collection of songs that reflect on the experience of losing such an important part of his life. So, settle down and enjoy Jayme Stone… In Conversation on Folk Roots Radio. Check out the full playlist below.

Interview

Shape-shifting musician and composer Jayme Stone‘s new album “AWake” was born out of the sudden passing of his brother Michael Stone, a buddhist teacher and yoga instructor.

“Awake, awake, the light has come,” sings Jayme Stone in the title track of his new album; one of stargazing tales that sing from a white-hot core of love and loss. On AWake Stone breaks new ground: from folk musician and composer to experimental pop singer and producer. A unique tonal palette blends with deft storytelling and disarmingly honest lyrics to create a sonic world both eminently engaging and full of nuance and surprise.

The songs on AWake mark a new creative start for Stone, who is best-known for his banjo playing and world-wise roots albums like Africa to Appalachia, The Lomax Project, and Folklife. Now we hear Stone singing, playing guitar and OP 1 (a micro-synth, sampler and sequencer). He captures and sculpts sounds—felted piano, bass clarinet, analog synths and sequencers—until they’re hazy and unrecognizable.

The new album was recorded at Figure 8 in Brooklyn with long time co-producer David Travers-Smith, and features Jayme Stone on guitar, banjo (one track), OP-1 and vocals; Jason Lindner (piano, synths), Paul Fowler (keyboards), Shahzad Ismaily (synths, distorted guitar), David Travers-Smith (synths), Alec Spiegelman (Yamaha CS, bass clarinet), Andrew Ryan (bass, bass synth), Jason Burger (drums, drum programming) with Daniela Gesundheit (Snowblink) and Felicity Williams (Bahamas) on backing vocals.

“Jayme Stone’s new album AWake is a very comforting listen – from beginning to end, as the voices of Jayme Stone and his backing singers float over a beautiful sea of synths, guitar, bass clarinet, piano and more. It’s a joy for the ears.”

Jayme Stone is from Toronto, lives in Colorado and has released eight records (including Folklife, The Lomax Project and Africa to Appalachia). He’s won two Juno Awards and three Canadian Folk Music Awards. Stone has worked with Margaret Glaspy, Julian Lage, Tim O’Brien (to name a few) and tour highlights include Lincoln Centre (New York), Kennedy Center (DC), Celtic Connections (Glasgow), Bumbershoot, Vancouver Folk Festival, Savannah Music Festival, NPR All Things Considered, NPR Mountain Stage, and more.

Because of the on-going pandemic and a lack of in person album release activities, you can’t buy a physical copy of Jayme’s album just yet, but you can check out his awesome immersive website online here: awake.jaymestone.com. You can even download your own copy of the album. He’s currently giving the digital download of the album away for free, but I’m sure he’d appreciate a donation to support his musical endeavours during this challenging time for all artists and performers.

For more information, visit jaymestone.com.

That’s all we have time for. Thanks to all the artists who share their music with us, and thank you for listening. We have lots of great music and interviews to bring you on future episodes.

If you enjoy the music we play on this show and want to support the artists – many of whom aren’t able to play live at the moment because of the Covid-19 pandemic, don’t just stream their music – that earns them much less than a penny per play. Instead, buy their music – and really make a difference to their income. They’ll love you for it!

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

Playlist

Nicolas & The Iceni (Theme)
Lucy She Rises
Roll Right (2019, self)

Jayme Stone
Future Promise
AWake (2020, Self) CDN

Interview: Jayme Stone discussing new album “AWake”.

Jayme Stone
Awake Awake
AWake (2020, Self) CDN

Jayme Stone
Earthlight
AWake (2020, Self) CDN

Jayme Stone
Mouth The Words
AWake (2020, Self) CDN

Jayme Stone
Brotherless
AWake (2020, Self) CDN