Folk Roots Radio Episode 552: feat. Glen MacNeil – Self Titled EP & More New Releases

Tecumseh ON singer-songwriter Glen MacNeil joins us on Episode 552 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his new self-titled EP, the follow up to the wonderful “Where The Heart Remains” from 2015 – one of our favourite albums of that year. The new EP, most of which was recorded in Covid lockdown, is also an excellent album. As always, we wrap up the episode with more of the latest new releases and this time around we hear from Leah Barley, Sophia Clark, Terra Spencer, Grace Pettis, Redi Hasa, Steve Conn and VISSIA. Check out the full playlist below.

Interview

The recording of Glen MacNeil‘s new self-titled EP started during the winter of 2020 when Glen hooked up with Belfast Northern Ireland based producer Peter McVeigh – and then continued into the coronavirus lockdown. Alongside Glen MacNeil on voice and guitar, the EP also features John McCullough on keys and Dale Rivard on pedal steel and dobro.

“The pandemic forced me to be home so I decided to focus on writing and recording some new music and this EP is the result. Like everyone else in the world, I was unable to go anywhere, including a recording studio – so I sharpened up my recording skills at home and recorded all my vocals and guitar in my home studio. I worked with a great producer I met online – Peter McVeigh from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Two songs on the EP, “Flying So High” and “Straight To My Heart” pushed me out of my comfort zone a bit but it was exciting to explore new avenues of writing, recording and production with these songs.”

“Music has once again seen me through some dark days and I am grateful for it every day. This EP has sparked a creative fire in me and I’m already writing and recording songs for the next album.”

Bio:
Glen MacNeil grew up in the land of salt air and kitchen parties and his passion for music evolved from deeply rooted musical traditions inherent in Canada’s Maritimes. The MacNeil home in tiny Glencoe Station on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia was host to infamous musical shindigs involving his family as well as some of the country’s most celebrated fiddlers and songwriters, including John Allan Cameron.

Check out a session we recorded with Glen MacNeil at the 2015 Folk Music Ontario conference HERE.

Visit Glen MacNeil online at glenmacneil.bandcamp.com.

Image: Courtesy of Windsor Folk.

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)

Leah Barley
Rise
Bring Out Your Dead (2020, Self) CDN

Sophia Clark
Apricot Eyelids
Minimalist (2020, Self) CDN

Terra Spencer
Feels Like Home
Chasing Rabbits (2020, Self) CDN

Grace Pettis
White Noise
(single) (2020, Mpress Records)

Redi Hasa
Dajti Mountain
The Stolen Cello (2020, Decca)

Glen MacNeil
Car Window
Glen MacNeil E.P. (2020, Self) CDN

Interview: Glen MacNeil discussing his latest album – the Glen MacNeil self-title EP.

Glen MacNeil
The Quiet
Glen MacNeil E.P. (2020, Self) CDN

Glen MacNeil
Just A Memory
Glen MacNeil E.P. (2020, Self) CDN

Steve Conn
Love Always Wins
(single) (2020, Self)

VISSIA
Walk Me Home
(single) (2020, Hurry Hard Records) CDN