Folk Roots Radio Episode 303: Sarah Beatty Interview & More New Releases

On Episode 303 of Folk Roots Radio we talk to singer/songwriter and scientist Sarah Beatty about the soundtrack to her life, her great new second album, “Bandit Queen” – a sassy, rootsy and bluesy delight. And, as usual, we take a look at some of the latest new releases.

The Interview

Hamilton ON’s Sarah Beatty describes her sophomore release “Bandit Queen” as a modern folk fable with spaghetti western movie stylings. An album that features joyous horn-filled grooves and playful lyrics, and works on several levels.

Recorded at home in Hamilton with a great set of musicians under the watchful eye of Joe Lapinski, Bandit Queen is an album that’s all about transitions, for an artist who took time away from her music last year, to graduate with a Ph D in environmental science. Featuring personal songs about relationships, discovering your life purpose, energy extraction/fracking and the notorious American female outlaw Belle Starr, there is much to explore.

Show Notes

Edmonton AB’s Ann Vriend is putting out some wonderful singles at the moment. Currently on tour in Australia, Ann just released the wonderfully catchy “Real Love”, to accompany “All That I Can” (which we played on Episode 297 of Folk Roots Radio) and won the Cobalt Prize for songwriting at the Toronto Blues Society’s Maple Blues Awards. We’re looking forward to seeing how the album turns out.

Julian Lage & Chris Eldridge has just released their second album of virtuoso guitar “Mount Royal”. Produced by Eldridge’s fellow Punch Brother Gabe Witcher, the album features eight originals alongside several reimagined old bluegrass songs and moves effortlessly from jazz into old-time, gospel, and bluegrass.

We’re really enjoying John Craigie from Portland OR’s wonderful down to earth album “No Rain, No Rose”. The title No Rain, No Rose comes from a buddhist saying “No Mud, No Lotus” which basically means that you may have to experience something you don’t want to create something special.

Featuring some really well crafted songs, John’s insights on songwriting are much appreciated. “It is the job of the folksinger to present someone to the audience that is relatable. To dissolve the wall between performer and listener as much as possible. People want to hear your story, that in turn, is their story too. Music is not about making you feel better. It’s about making you feel that you’re not alone.”

Jessie Smith from Nashville has a great voice and has been writing some great bluesy soul-infused swampy roots rock songs. On this episode we play the great “Junkyard God” with will appear on her new album “Like The Sun”, due March 24.

We wrapped the hour, with the title track from harmonica virtuoso Jon Gindick‘s debut folk blues album “When We Die, We All Come Back As Music”, recorded with multi-instrumentalist Ralph Carter which seems like a comforting thought for those of us wondering what happens next after we leave this place (this life, not my home studio – I’m heading back upstairs to maker a cup of tea!).

And that’s all we have time for this time around. Thanks to all the artists who share their music with us, and thank you for listening. We have a lot of great music and interviews to bring you on future shows. I hope you’ll join us!

You can listen to this episode again on Mixcloud by following the link below. You can also listen to episodes of Folk Roots Radio, on demand, via iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher and Tune-in Radio. (Click on the highlighted link to reach your chosen platform.)

Playlist

Nicolas & The Iceni (Theme)
Lucy She Rises (Demo)
Roll Right (expected 2016)

Jessie Smith
Junkyard God
Like The Sun (2017, Self)

Rose Cousins
Freedom
Natural Conclusion (2017, Outside Music) CDN

John Craigie
Rough Johns
No Rain, No Rose (2016, Self)

Chicago Farmer
Umbrella
Midwest Side Stories (2016, Self)

Julian Lage & Chris Eldridge
Greener Grass
Mount Royal (2017, Free Dirt Records)

Sarah Beatty
Slaves & Kings
Bandit Queen (2017, King of the Road) CDN

Interview: Sarah Beatty joins us to chat about new album “Bandit Queen”.

Sarah Beatty
We Will Never Be The Same
Bandit Queen (2017, King of the Road) CDN

Sarah Beatty
Bandit Queen” (Acoustic)
Bandit Queen (2017, King of the Road) CDN

Ann Vriend
Real Love
(single) (2017, Aporia Records) CDN

Jon Gindick
When We Die, We All Come Back As Music
We All Come Back As Music (2016, Self)