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Steve Poltz – August 30
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John & Michele Law – Kingsville Folk Music Festival 2015
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Summerfolk 2015
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Ian Foster & David Ross MacDonald – July 30
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Kingsville Folk Music Festival 2015
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Brad McEwen – Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music 2015
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Folk Roots Radio Episode 204: Hillside Festival 2015
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Nonie & Friends – July 25
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Mill Race Festival 2015
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Sam Baijal – Hillside 2015
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Sultans Of String – The Interview
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Hillside Festival 2015
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Episode 203: Rebecca Lappa
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Rebecca Lappa – The Interview
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Episode 202: Lizzy Hoyt
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Lizzy Hoyt – The Interview
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Episode 201: Shawn William Clarke & The Young Novelists
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Big Tobacco & The Pickers – In The Studio
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Shawn William Clarke – The Interview
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The Young Novelists – The Interview
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Episode 200: Mariposa Folk Festival 2015
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Mike Hill – Mariposa Folk Festival 2015
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Mariposa Folk Festival 2015
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Murder Murder – The Interview
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Murder Murder at Silence – June 20

Steve Poltz – August 30

Folk Roots Radio presents… is pleased to bring the fabulous singer-songwriter Steve Poltz to Guelph, for the very first time, for an early evening show at Silence on Sunday August 30 at 7:00 p.m. (please note the Date and Time). Steve is one of the most-engaging performers you are ever, ever likely to see. Once you’ve been to a Steve Poltz show, you’ll be asking when he’s coming back.

An Evening with Steve Poltz
Sunday August 30 2015 at 7 p.m. (Doors 6:30 p.m.)
Silence, 46 Essex Street, Guelph ON
Tickets: $20 Early Bird (No Booking Fee!). BUY NOW.
At the Door: $25

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John & Michele Law – Kingsville Folk Music Festival 2015

The second Kingsville Folk Music Festival takes place from August 7-9 in beautiful Lakeside Park in Kingsville on the shores of Lake Erie. We had an absolute blast at last year’s festival – we’re sure that this year’s festival will be just as much fun! With that in mind, we decided it was time to check in with artistic directors John & Michele Law to find out how plans for this year’s festival are coming along. For more information visit www.kingsvillefolkfest.org. Photo credit: Kim & Michael Dick. Music: Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy “St Nicks” from “One” (2015, DLL/MacMaster Music), Guy Davis, “Love Looks Good On You” from Juba Dance (2013, Red House Records), Linda McRae “I’ll Watch Your Lovelight Shine” from “Fifty Shades Of Red” (2014, Borealis Records) and James Hill “If Wishes Were Horses” from “The Old Silo” (2014, Borealis Records).

Summerfolk 2015

Summerfolk runs from August 20-23 in Kelso Park on the shores of Georgian Bay in Owen Sound. This year they are celebrating their 40th anniversary with a bumper edition, and kicking it all off with a birthday blues bash featuring Matt Andersen and MonkeyJunk on Thursday August 20 from 7 p.m. The festival features more than 40 musical acts including Trout Fishing in America, David Francey, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, Whitehorse, Joel Plaskett and Claire Lynch (International Bluegrass Music Association Vocalist of the Year).

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Ian Foster & David Ross MacDonald – July 30

For those of you looking for some great music to fill the post Hillside void, our next Folk Roots Radio presents… show at Silence in Guelph features two fabulous singer-songwriters, Ian Foster from St. Johns NF and Australian (but no stranger to Guelph), David Ross MacDonald. They’ll be sharing the stage, and swopping songs and stories on Thursday July 30 at 8 p.m. It promises to be a great night. We hope you’ll consider joining us!

Bridging the Miles: Ian Foster & David Ross MacDonald in Concert
July 30 2015 at 8 p.m. (Doors 7:30 p.m.)
Silence, 46 Essex Street, Guelph ON
Tickets: $15 Early Bird (No Booking Fee). BUY NOW
At the Door: $20

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Kingsville Folk Music Festival 2015

We had an absolute blast at the inaugural Kingsville Folk Music Festival in 2014. Their second festival from August 7-9 promises to be just as magical as the first. The festival is held in beautiful Lakeside Park in Kingsville on the shores of Lake Erie, in wine country and close to Pelee Island and the Jack Minor Bird Sanctuary. Join us for a fabulous weekend of folk music with the proceeds supporting the MayFund (Music and Arts for the area Youth). The festival comes complete with numerous children’s activities, fabulous local food and an artisan village. For more information visit: www.kingsvillefolkfestival.org. Check out the line-up below.

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Brad McEwen – Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music 2015

Brad McEwen, Artistic Director with the Mill Race Folk Society joined us in the studio as we went Overtime on Folk Roots Radio on CFRU 93.3fm on July 18 to talk about the upcoming Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music taking place from July 31 – August 2 in the historic downtown core of Galt in Cambridge, Ontario. The festival is patterned after European festivals whereby the day’s events are held on numerous outdoor stages in the town core. Traditional forms of folk music and dance are the festival’s theme, with emphasis placed upon the various cultures present in Cambridge and surrounding area. The festival runs Friday 7 – 11 p.m., Saturday 1 – 11 p.m., and Sunday 1 – 10 p.m. Admission is free. For more information visit millracefolksociety.com. Music: Mary Humphreys & Anahata “John Barleycorn” from “Baker’s Dozen” (2012, Treewind Music), The Ever Lovin’ Jug Band “The Booglie-ooglie-oo” from “Tri-City Stomp” (2013, Self), Trio Dhoore “The Offbeat Jig/Keep Dreaming” and “Parachute” from “Parachute” (2015, Appel Rekords), Silk Road Duo (Autumn Cloud), “Rumba Calabria” from “Journey With Her Pipa” (2006, Silk Road Music), Sheesham & Lotus & ‘Son “Frankie & Johnny” from “1929” (2012, Sepiaphone Records), Frog & Henry “Sitting On The Chimney Jamb” from “Frog & Henry” (2014, Self) and The Young’Uns “John Ball” from “Never Forget” (2014, Navigator).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 204: Hillside Festival 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio focuses on the upcoming Hillside Festival, taking place from July 24-26 at Guelph Lake. The show features interviews with Hillside Artistic Director Sam Baijal and Chris McKhool, the leader of the Hillside-bound Sultans of String. Hillside has something for everyone – a great mix of music, fabulous community workshops, a dedicated children’s area, an artisan village and great food… and there are still some weekend and day passes available. To learn more about the festival, visit hillsidefestival.ca – one of the best and most informative festival websites out there. Yet another thing that the Hillside Festival does very well indeed!

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Nonie & Friends – July 25

Singer-songwriter Nonie Thompson (formerly Crete) is bringing her band to Kitchener for a show at The Registry on July 25. Nonie is a musical and storytelling force to be reckoned with. From heady blues, Irish balladry, to Cajun and French Canadian hues, Nonie effortlessly weaves genres together to create memorable songs. To date she has produced seven albums, with another two in preparation with her musical partner, multi-instrumentalist Eugene Rea.

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Mill Race Festival 2015

The 23rd Annual Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music takes place July 31 – August 2 2015, in the historic downtown core of Galt in Cambridge, Ontario. This free festival is patterned after European festivals whereby the day’s events are held on numerous outdoor stages in the town core. Traditional forms of folk music and dance are the festival’s theme, with emphasis placed upon the various cultures present in Cambridge and surrounding area. The festival runs Friday 7 – 11 p.m., Saturday 1 – 11 p.m., and Sunday 1 – 10 p.m. Admission is free. Check out the line-up below.

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Sam Baijal – Hillside 2015

The 32nd Hillside Festival takes place from July 24-26 at beautiful Guelph Lake. As usual, the festival has something for everyone – a great mix of music, fabulous community workshops, a dedicated children’s area, an artisan village and great food… and there are still some weekend and day passes available. Buy Tickets HERE. To learn more about this year’s festival, we caught up with Artistic Director Sam Baijal. For more information, visit hillsidefestival.ca. Music: Michael Franti & Spearhead “Life Is Better” (Acoustic) from “All People” (2013, Boo Boo Wax), Great Lake Swimmers “Don’t Leave Me Hanging” from “A Forest Of Arms” (2015, Network), David Francey “So Say We All” from “So Say We All” (2014, Red House) and The Good Lovelies “Watching TV” from “Burn The Plan” (2015, Six Shooter Records).

Sultans Of String – The Interview

The Sultans of String brilliantly blend together Spanish Flamenco, Arabic folk, Cuban rhythms, and French Manouche Gypsy-jazz musical influences to create a wonderfully rich cinematic sound that is almost intoxicating. The band is lead by 6-string violinist Chris McKhool who grew up in a Lebanese-Egyptian (Makhoul) family and guitarist Kevin Laliberté who write much of the material. Always pushing boundaries, their latest album “Symphony” (2013, Sony/Red) was recorded with a full orchestra while their new release, “Subcontinental Drift” (due in September) will feature sitar virtuoso Anwar Khurshid. Whether playing as a duo, five piece or with a full orchestra, their live show is something to behold – a fiery violin dances with a rumba-flamenco guitar while a bass lays down a funky unstoppable world rhythm groove that can’t help but bring a smile to your face as an irresistible urge forces you to get involved whether that is by clapping along or getting up to dance. They’re out on the festival circuit this summer including a visit to the Hillside Festival on July 26. We caught up with Chris McKhool at home in Toronto. For more information visit sultansofstring.com. Music: Sultans of String “Road to Kfarmishki”, “Josie” (excerpt), “Luna” (excerpt) and “Monti’s Revenge” (excerpt) from “Symphony” (2013, Sony/Red).

Hillside Festival 2015

The 32nd Hillside Festival takes place July 24-26 at Guelph Lake, rain or shine. As usual, they have a very eclectic line-up featuring something for every musical taste, alongside some very interesting spoken word programmming, Drum and Dance, community workshops, a great children’s area, great artisans and fabulous food. The full schedule has been announced. Check it out HERE. There are still some tickets available including weekend passes. Buy Tickets HERE. Check out the full line-up below.

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Episode 203: Rebecca Lappa

Episode 203 of Folk Roots Radio featured an interview and impromptu session with Edmonton Alberta’s Rebecca Lappa recorded at the Folk Music Ontario Conference this past October. Though still just a teenager, Rebecca is already a prolific songwriter, having written over 200 songs in her career so far. All four of the albums she has released to date have been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award for “Young Performer of the Year”. Her most recent album, 2014’s  “Ode to Tennyson” uses as its source material, the collected works of English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson.  Rebecca shows amazing drive for someone so young. It’s a great interview and definitely worth checking out. As usual, we also included a good selection of new music alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

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Rebecca Lappa – The Interview

Although still a teenager, Rebecca Lappa is already a prolific songwriter, having written over 200 songs in her career so far. All four of the albums she has released to date have been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award for “Young Performer of the Year”. Her most recent album, 2014’s  “Ode to Tennyson” uses as its source material, the collected works of English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Rebecca joined us for an interview and impromptu session at the Folk Music Ontario Conference this past October. Rebecca shows amazing drive for someone so young. It’s a great interview and definitely worth checking out. For more information visit rebeccalappa.com. Music: Rebecca Lappa,”Field of Dishonour” from “Ode to Tennyson” (2104, self), “Anchor Tattoo” (Live), “Queen Of The May” (Live), “The Lotus Eaters” (Live), “Kraken” from “Ode to Tennyson” (2104, self).

Episode 202: Lizzy Hoyt

Episode 202 of Folk Roots Radio featured an interview with Alberta-based vocalist and songwriter Lizzy Hoyt who came into our mobile studio at the Folk Music Ontario Conference this past October to chat about her music and her latest album, the wonderful “New Lady On The Prairie”. Lizzy will be appearing at this year’s Kingsville Folk Festival from August 7-9 in Kingsville Ontario. As usual we also found time to include a good selection of new music alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

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Lizzy Hoyt – The Interview

Alberta-based vocalist and songwriter Lizzy Hoyt is an accomplished performer on guitar, mandolin, fiddle and harp and at home in both the celtic and folk traditions. She came into our mobile studio at the Folk Music Ontario Conference this past October to chat about her music and latest album, the wonderful “New Lady On The Prairie”. Lizzy will be appearing at this year’s Kingsville Folk Festival which takes place from August 7-9 2015. Music: Lizzy Hoyt “New Lady On The Prairie”, “V’La L’Bon Vent” and “Movement Never Lies” from New Lady On The Prairie (2014, Self).

Episode 201: Shawn William Clarke & The Young Novelists

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured interviews with both Shawn William Clarke and The Young Novelists who will be sharing the bill in Guelph for a double CD release at the wonderful listening venue Silence on June 26. We also included a fair selection of new music we’ve received alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

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Big Tobacco & The Pickers – In The Studio

Toronto’s Big Tobacco & The Pickers have been sharing their authentic old school country sound with Ontario audiences since 2008. Jamie Oliver, Blaine MacKenzie, Jason Blanchard and Anne Werbitsky from the band joined us in the studio at CFRU 93.3fm on June 20 for an in-depth conversation and a few songs from their great new album of (almost all) original songs, “The King Is Gone” – its title a tribute to the recently departed George Jones but an album that also feels the love for country greats Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard, among others. For more information about the band visit bigtobaccoandthepickers.com. Music: Big Tobacco & The Pickers “Freightliner Full of Sins” from “The King Is Gone” (2015, Self), “Put Your Hands Up” (Live), “In Willie We Trust” (Live), “The King Is Gone” (Live), “Last Look Back” (Live) and “Train Again” from “The King Is Gone” (2015, Self).

Shawn William Clarke – The Interview

After spending time as a sideman for artists such as Olenka and the Autumn Lovers and Timber Timbre, Shawn William Clarke stepped into the limelight as a solo artist a few years ago. His sophomore album, “William” released in late 2014 has been praised by many, including Folk Roots Radio, for its playfulness, fine storytelling and understated warmth. Shawn will be in Guelph for a double CD release show with The Young Novelists at Silence on June 26. We reached Shawn at home in Toronto. Buy tickets for the Guelph show HERE. Music: Shawn William Clarke, “Tranzac Club” and “Ballad Of A Boorish Man” from “William” (2014, Self).

The Young Novelists – The Interview

Toronto-based The Young Novelists have just released their sophomore album “Made Us Strangers”, a fine slice of mostly mellow roots rock featuring catchy tunes, thoughtful lyrics and gorgeous harmonies. Whether Graydon James & Laura Spink are performing as a duo or with a full band they put on a show that is definitely worth checking out. And guess what, they’re in Guelph for a double CD release show with Shawn William Clarke at Silence on June 26. We caught up with Graydon and Laura at home in Toronto. For more information, visit theyoungnovelists.com. Buy tickets for the Guelph show HERE. Music: The Young Novelists “Hear Your Voice”, “Always Make The Mistake” and “Brothers In The Garage” from “Made Us Strangers”.

Episode 200: Mariposa Folk Festival 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio – our 200th edition featured an interview with Mike Hill, Artistic Director at the Mariposa Folk Festival which takes place from July 3-5 in beautiful Tudhope Park on the shores of Lake Couchiching in Orillia. We also talked to Sudbury ‘bloodgrass’ band Murder Murder – they’re an outlaw country bluegrass band that play murder ballads – about their new album “From The Stillhouse” and their upcoming show in Guelph on June 20. We also included a good selection of new music alongside our mystery theme and, as the folk world mourns the passing of Ronnie Gilbert, a special tribute to folk pioneers The Weavers.

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Mike Hill – Mariposa Folk Festival 2015

This year’s Mariposa Folk Festival takes place from July 3-5 2015, at Tudhope Park in Orillia. To learn more about this year’s festival, we caught up with Artistic Director, Mike Hill at work in Orillia. Buy Tickets online HERE. Music: Cheryl Wheeler “Blessed” from “Defying Gravity” (2010, Rounder Records), Lucinda Williams “Walk On” from “Down Where The Spirit Meets The Bone” (2014, Highway 20 / Thirty Tigers).

Mariposa Folk Festival 2015

The 55th edition of the Mariposa Folk Festival takes place from July 3-5 2015, at Tudhope Park in Orillia. With fifty Canadian and internationally renowned roots artists and more than a hundred performances over a three-day period, this year’s festival has something for every musical taste. Check out the full line-up below.

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Murder Murder – The Interview

Murder Murder are a six piece band from Sudbury Ontario that play bloodgrass – that’s ‘outlaw country bluegrass murder ballads’ exclusively. They’re been described as the heaviest bluegrass band you’re ever likely to hear which from their debut “Murder Murder Murder” and new album “From The Stillhouse” sounds pretty accurate. Featuring banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dobro and guitar, and driven along by a suitcase kick drum, they’re bringing their wonderful live roots music to Guelph for a Folk Roots Radio presents… show at Silence on June 20. Buy tickets HERE. We caught up with the band at home in Sudbury. Music: Murder Murder, “Jon & Mary”, “When The Lord Calls Your Name” and “Movin’ On” from “From The Stillhouse” (2015, Self).

Murder Murder at Silence – June 20

Murder Murder are bringing their wonderful and rousing ‘bloodgrass’ (bluegrass outlaw country playing exclusively murder ballads) live roots music to Guelph for a Folk Roots Radio presents… “From The Stillhouse” album release show at Silence on June 20 for an 8 p.m. show (doors 7:30 p.m.). The support act will be Kitchener’s Ever-Lovin’ Jug Band. Come and join Murder Murder as they bring their tales of death back to life with a kick of the suitcase, saw of the fiddle, and roll of the banjo. It promises to be a great night! Advance tickets are $20 ($25 at the door). Buy tickets HERE.

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