Folk Roots Radio Episode 613: Peter Chapman in Conversation – Fallen Tree Records

Ever wondered what it takes to run a record label? Peter Chapman joins us on Episode 613 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about Fallen Tree Records, the fantastic Edmonton AB based boutique label he founded in 2018, who specialize in folk, roots and alternative music. We have been really impressed by the way Fallen Tree Records support their artists. It seemed only natural, therefore, that we find time to chat to the people behind the label. Join us as we learn how they pick the artists they sign, and how they go about promoting the music they release. Peter Chapman also talks about how they are coping – not just with life in Covid times, but also as part of an industry that, in just a short space of time, has moved so heavily into streaming as the primary way people listen to music. It’s a fascinating conversation and well worth checking out. We also include music from Fallen Tree Records artists T. Buckley, Joe Nolan, Jon Brooks, Vivienne Wilder, Bùmarang, Silent Winters and 100 mile house. Check out the full playlist below.

Interview

Peter Chapman trained in maths and computer science, and worked as a software engineer before his love of music drove him into the industry – first in retail at HMV, and then on to Canadian famed roots/blues label Stony Plain Records (where he spent twelve years), before leaving to start Fallen Tree Records in October 2018. The young Edmonton based label specializes in folk, roots and alternative music.

For more information about Fallen Tree Records, and to check out their full roster, visit fallentreerecords.com.

Notes About The Music We Played
We started out the interview with excerpts from two great Fallen Tree Records artists who have recently been on Folk Roots Radio; T. Buckley (“Holding My Place” from “Frame by Frame”) and Joe Nolan (“Whole Love” from “Scrapper”).

You can check out our great in-depth interviews with both artists, by following the links below.

LISTEN to our full interview with T. Buckley.

LISTEN to our full interview with Joe Nolan.

Regular listeners to this show will know that Jon Brooks is one of our favourite artists. In 2019, Fallen Tree Records released “Moth Nor Rust II”, the 10th Anniversary reimagining of his acclaimed solo album “Moth Nor Rust” with his band The Outskirts Of Approval who feature Neil Cruikshank (guitar, bass, organ), John Showman (fiddle) and Vivienne Wilder (bass, vocals).

Jon Brooks has joined us on Folk Roots Radio several times to chat about his music. You can check out our in-depth interview about Moth Nor Rust II HERE.

Fallen Tree Records have also re-released 2007’s “Ours And The Shepherds”, which reflects on the full cost of war and a digital version of Jon Brooks’ first album, his ode to Toronto, 2005’s “No Mean City”.

Vivienne Wilder also has her own singer-songwriter career, and, during this episode we play her new single, a remix of “Ricky”, her love letter to Ricky Lefleur from Trailer Park Boys which originally appeared on her 2020 EP, “postromantic”. “Ricky (Heart)” will appear on her next album, “I Don’t Believe” which is due in 2022.

“The new version of “Ricky (Heart)” came about because of a friendship Vivienne has with Ian Docherty, the bass player from the alternative rock band July Talk. He heard the original version and proposed some changes, and she was game – so they recorded it, with Docherty now producing, mixing and engineering. We’re using it as a bridge song between Vivienne’s postromantic EP (songs about relationships not working) to an upcoming project “I Don’t Believe” – an album about inner strength, with the message of don’t believe the evil – inspired by internet trolls who get off on having the power to hurt by being mean and evil. The alternate version of Ricky will close out the new album.”

Bùmarang are a Montreal based celtic inspired electro-folk power trio featuring David Gossage, Kate Bevan-Baker and Sarah Pagé). They released their debut album “Echo Land” earlier this year. On this episode we play the last two tracks from the album, the beautiful instrumental “Searching For Lambs” which merges into the mighty “Jock Brown’s 70th”.

“Christmas Morning” is the title track of Silent Winters (Olenka Bastian and Jonathan Chandler) intimate fireside folk holiday album “Christmas Morning”, which was produced by Jim Bryson, and came out in 2019.

Silent Winters have recently released an animated video of “Turn Out The Light” from 2019’s “The Duke Hotel” (which was also produced by Jim Bryson). They are currently working on a new album.

We wrapped things up with Peter Stone & Denise MacKay as 100 mile house and the title track from their 2020 album “Love and Leave You”. Released at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, when everyone was understandably pretty distracted, the album will get another push in 2022.

The title track of Love and Leave You has a special meaning for Peter Chapman.

“I lost my mum a week before this album came out (March 2020) right as the lockdowns were fully kicking in, and I still haven’t been back to the UK (travel restrictions and all) to say goodbye. I inevitably internalized some things around her passing, but the way I experienced this song was hooked to those emotions. Ultimately, I found it helped me through part of the grieving process. This speaks to the power of song, and what we hope to achieve with our (Fallen Tree Records) releases, I guess – relatable, mindful and heart-healing.”

For more information about Fallen Tree Records, visit fallentreerecords.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)

T. Buckley
Holding My Place
Frame by Frame (2021, Fallen Tree Records) CDN

Joe Nolan
Whole New Love
Scrapper (2021, Fallen Tree Records) CDN

Interview: Peter Chapman, founder of Fallen Tree Records.

Jon Brooks & The Outskirts Of Approval
When We Go
Moth Nor Rust II (2019, Fallen Tree Records) CDN

Vivienne Wilder
Ricky (Heart)
(single) (2021, Fallen Tree Records) CDN (album “Don’t Believe” due in 2022)

Bùmarang
Searching for Lambs
Echo Land (2021, Fallen Tree Records) CDN

Bùmarang
Jock Brown’s 70th
Echo Land (2021, Fallen Tree Records) CDN

Silent Winters
Christmas Morning
Christmas Morning (2019, Fallen Tree Records) CDN

100 mile house
Love and Leave You
Love and Leave You (2020, Fallen Tree Records) CDN