Folk Roots Radio Episode 581: feat. Sarah Smith – The Covid Times Interview & More New Releases

We’re pleased to bring you another great Covid Times interview on Episode 581 of Folk Roots Radio. One of our favourite performers, pop/rock singer-songwriter Sarah Smith joins us to chat about how, like many musicians, her life and career have been turned completely upside down by the ongoing health crisis. Despite the loss of her live work, Sarah has been keeping herself busy engaging her fans by Livestream and working on new songs. She’s also settling into a new home on Pender Island in British Columbia. It’s a really insightful interview – we hope you’ll stay with us to check it out. As always, we wrap up the episode with new music, and this time around it’s all by female artists and female lead bands. Join us for new releases from Sarah Jarosz, Allison Russell, For Lua, Amythyst Kiah, Katie McNally Trio, Geneviève Racette, AV (Ann Vriend), Annabelle Chvostek and Good Lovelies. Check out the full playlist below.

Interview

A brilliant live performer, Sarah Smith is never happier than when she is on stage – rocking out with her band or bringing it all down low for an inspirational ballad.

A musician who usually plays more than 250 shows a year, the last year has been particularly hard on Sarah – like many touring artists. A lack of live shows during the coronavirus pandemic has really impacted her income. These days, Sarah is engaging her adoring fan base by Livestream from her new home on Pender Island BC, after the big move from Southern Ontario.

An artist with a strong commitment to social justice and one who loves to keep busy, Sarah has been using her time off the road to write and release some wonderful new songs – many using lyrics from her own fans.

On this episode, we feature two songs Sarah wrote during the pandemic with her fans.

“When I Get Here” features lyrics from Joceyln Brock (with music by Sarah Smith – vocals and acoustic guitar) with support from Jim Tone (electric guitar) and Joe Reain (bass, drums). Video & audio production was by Ken Kokko & Jim Tone.

“More Than Love” features lyrics by Leamington ON’s Bakhus Saba (with music by Sarah Smith – vocals and acoustic guitar) and support from John Law (electric guitar, percussion, production) and John Moran (bass). The video was produced by the Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions video director Gary Glass.

Sarah Smith hopes to be back on the road again this fall with European dates set for September. She is also scheduled to be on The Melissa Etheridge Cruise which departs Miami FL on November 12.

For more information about the music of Sarah Smith and all upcoming tour dates, visit sarahsmithmusic.com.

Photo Credit: Connie Kiefer

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)

Sarah Jarosz
Morning
Blue Heron Suite (2021, Rounder Records)

Allison Russell
Persephone
Outside Child (2021, Fantasy Records)

For Lua
Let It Rain
(single) (2021, Self)

Amythyst Kiah
Wild Turkey
Wary + Strange (2021, Rounder Records)

Katie McNally Trio
Fletch Taylor/Marcel Aucoin/Matthew Robinson’s
Now More Than Ever (2020, Self)

Sarah Smith
When I Get Here
(single) (2021, Self) CDN

Interview: Sarah Smith discussing her life and career in Covid Times.

Sarah Smith
More Than Love
(single) (2021, Self) CDN

Geneviève Racette
Maybe
(single) (2021, Self) CDN

AV (Ann Vriend)
Everybody Matters
(single) (2021, Self) CDN

Annabelle Chvostek
Baby Baby Baby
String Of Pearls (2021, MQGV) CDN

Good Lovelies
Life On The Road
B-Sides (2021, Self/Fontana North) CDN