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Kaia Kater – The Sorrowbound Folk Roots Radio Interview

Jun 09 2015

Kaia Kater is one of the most promising young performers on the North American folk roots and old-time music scene. A banjo player and singer, she’s already carving out her own niche in Appalachian and Canadian traditional music. Originally from Québec, and now based in Toronto, Kaia self-released her first full-length album “Sorrow Bound”, produced by Chris Bartos in 2014. She’s since signed to Kingswood Records in the US. We caught up with Kaia at home in Toronto. Music: Kaia Kater, “When Sorrows Encompass Me Round”, “Moonshiner” and “Come and Rest” from “Sorrowbound” (2014, Self)

Episode 199: Pete Davies

Jun 08 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured an interview with North-East of England based singer-songwriter Pete Davies. Pete’s latest album “Long Way Home” is one of our favourite albums of the year so far. The fact that the album came to us out of the blue made receiving it all that more special. This week we included a special tribute to the sadly departed “Mother of Modern Folk Music” Jean Ritchie, alongside our mystery theme and some new music.

Pete Davies - Long Way Home - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Jun 06 2015

There is nothing better than getting a pleasant musical surprise in the mail. That happened when North-East of England based singer-songwriter Pete Davies sent me his 2014 release, “Long Way Home”, eleven songs with thoughtful and uplifting lyrics, and great hooks – sung with warmth and passion in a fine troubadour voice. That it came out of the blue made it all that more special – one of my favourite albums of the year so far. We tracked Pete down for a feature-length conversation while on vacation in Florida. For more information about Pete Davies visit petedaviesmusic.co.uk. Music: Pete Davies, “A Soldier’s Lullaby”, Rusted and “It’s A Long Way Home” from “Long Way Home” (2014, Home Routes Music)

Episode 198: Jon Brooks

Jun 03 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured an interview with singer-songwriter Jon Brooks who released his fifth record, an album of murder ballads, “The Smiling & Beautiful Countryside” late last year. Jon makes his first trip to Guelph for show at Silence on Friday June 5. And, as usual we have lots of new music alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

May 28 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured an interview with Hamilton-based singer-songwriter Sarah Beatty. Sarah Beatty describes herself as being both a musician and a scientist. While completing a Ph D in environmental science, she found time to release an off the floor debut album, the stripped down girl and a guitar “Black Gramophone” in 2012. Black Gramophone blurs the lines between rootsy blues and the singer-songwriter genre, while Sarah’s playful and imaginative lyrics and soulful and passionate vocal delivery draws comparisons with Regina Spektor, Ani DiFranco and Billie Holiday. Sarah is now hard at work on the follow-up. As usual, we found time to include some new music we’ve received alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

May 27 2015

Toronto singer-songwriter Jon Brooks makes his first visit to Guelph for a Folk Roots Radio presents… show at Silence on Friday June 5 at 8 p.m. For Jon Brooks, Kerrville New Folk Winner and a three-time “Songwriter of the Year” nominee at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, social commentary is as much a part of his being as is being a songwriter. His critically acclaimed 2012 album ”Delicate Cages” focused on themes of love and fear; and freedom and imprisonment. For his latest, “The Smiling and Beautiful Countryside”, Jon buried his trademark social commentary in an album of rural Canadian murder ballads that holds a mirror up to contemporary society and encourages the listener to reflect on what it all means. We caught up with Jon at home in Toronto. Music: Jon Brooks, “Gun Dealer”, “Highway 16” and “People Don’t Think Of Others” from “The Smiling & Beautiful Countryside” (2014, Borealis Records).

An Evening With Jon Brooks
Friday June 5 2015 at 8 p.m. (Doors 7:30 p.m.)
Silence, 46 Essex Street, Guelph, ON
Tickets $20 available online HERE ($25 at the door)

Jennis – In The Studio

May 24 2015

Jennis are a fabulous bluesy roots duo featuring Guelph-based bluesman Dennis Gaumond alongside veteran Toronto indie-scene multi-instrumentalist Jen Gillmor. Their unique blend of dobro and cello is augmented by didgeridoo, custom-tuned harmonicas, flute, wah-guitar, jaw harp and wazinator. Jennis released their debut album “The Current” in June 2014. Jennis will be appearing at Silence in Guelph with Hamilton singer-songwriter Sarah Beatty on Friday May 29. Buy tickets HERE. Dennis and Jen joined us for a very special session on Folk Roots Radio Overtime on May 23. For more information visit jennis.ca. Music: Jennis “Closer To Me” from “The Current” (2014, Self); Jennis “Eyes Wide Open” (Live); Jennis “Take Me Some Time (Live); Jennis “Weray Weray” (Live); Jennis “Get Up Stand Up” (Live) and Jennis “I’m Not Here” from “The Current” (2014, Self).

Guelph Celtic Orchestra

May 18 2015

The Guelph Celtic Orchestra Season Finale takes place on Friday May 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Red Chevron, 34 Elizabeth Street, Guelph. The performance (directed by Fiona McCairley) will also feature the orchestra’s award winning step dancers, and, as usual, it will be followed by a ceilidh dance, called by Maureen Mulvey O’Leary. Tickets: Adults $15 advance ($20 at the door), Children 6 – 16 $10. Advance tickets are available at Janus Books (cash only please) or through the Guelph Celtic Orchestra website at guelphceltic.ca.

Sarah Beatty – The Interview

May 18 2015

Hamilton-based singer-songwiter Sarah Beatty describes herself as being both a musician and a scientist. While completing a Ph D in environmental science, she found time to release an off the floor debut album, the stripped down girl and a guitar “Black Gramophone” in 2012. Black Gramophone blurs the lines between rootsy blues and the singer-songwriter genre, while Sarah’s playful and imaginative lyrics and soulful and passionate vocal delivery draws comparisons with Regina Spektor, Ani DiFranco and Billie Holiday. Sarah is now hard at work on the follow-up to Black Gramophone. Sarah Beatty plays Silence, 46 Essex St, Guelph with Jennis on Friday May 29. Buy tickets HERE. Photo: Lauren Garbutt Photography. Music: Sarah Beatty “To Be”, “Finer Things” and “The Right Shoes” from Black Gramophone (2014, Self).

Episode 196: Suzie Vinnick

May 18 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured another great interview recorded at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October. Blues and roots songstress Suzie Vinnick joined us to chat about her music and played a couple of songs live. She also gave us a great primer on kick-starting your folk-roots career. You can find the interview here. As usual we included lots of new music alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

May 16 2015

Folk Roots Radio Overtime on May 16 focused on the Starlight Series at this year’s Elora Festival which runs from July 10-26 2015. The Starlight Series of late night jazz, blues and roots shows takes place in the Heritage Barn at the Wellington Museum & Archives and features jazz with the Mike Janzen Trio on July 11, jug band roots, blues and jazz from Frog & Henry on July 18 and roots, blues and jazz from Glenn Buhr & The Button Factory Band on July 25. Festival marketing coordinator Jared Davison joined us in the studio to chat about the festival alongside music from the performers and interviews with Mike Janzen and Glenn Buhr. For more information about this year’s festival, visit elorafestival.ca. Music: Frog & Henry “You Rascal You” from “Frog & Henry” (2014, Self), Mike Janzen Trio “Metronome” from “Metronome” (2014, Self), Mike Janzen Trio “The Summer That Winter Was” from “Metronome” (2014, Self), Frog & Henry “Sitting In The Chimney Jamb” from “Frog & Henry” (2014, Self), Glenn Buhr & The Button Factory Band “The Circus Lie” (2014, Demo), Glenn Buhr & The Button Factory Band “While Babies Sleep” (2014, Demo) and Mike Janzen Trio “Long Journey Home” from “Metronome” (2014, Self).

Suzie Vinnick – The Interview

May 14 2015

Blues-roots songstress Suzie Vinnick is one of those performers who sounds as good live as on disc. In 2011, Suzie recorded her first solo acoustic blues album, “Me ‘n’ Mabel” accompanied by her parlour guitar “Mabel”. Sending a copy of that album to Bill Wax, lead Suzie to recording a session live off the floor in Nashville that became her most recent release, the stellar “Live at Bluesville” (2012). Over her career, Suzie has won 10 Maple Blues Awards and been nominated for three Junos. Suzie joined us in the studio at the Folk Music Ontario conference for a feature length conversation and a few live songs. For more information about Suzie Vinnick visit suzievinnick.com. Music: Suzie Vinnick “Calling Out Your Name” from “Live At Bluesville” (Self, 2012); Suzie Vinnick “Beautiful Little Fool” (Live); Suzie Vinnick “Drift Away” (Live) and Suzie Vinnick “Oreo Cookie Blues” from “Me ‘n’ Mabel” (2011, self).

Episode 195: Sarah Jane Scouten

May 10 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured interviews with both Gordie Tentrees and Sarah Jane Scouten. Yukon-based Gordie took time out from touring in Alberta for an in-depth conversation about his new album “Less Is More”. And, Sarah Jane Scouten is bringing her unique blend of roots music back to Guelph on Saturday May 23 for a show at Silence, Guelph’s premier listening venue with support from bluegrass band The Chesterfield Trio. You can purchase advance tickets here. As usual we also found time to include a lot of new music alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

May 10 2015

Singer-Songwriter Peter Boyer joined us on Folk Roots Radio on May 9 for an an in-depth conversation about the new Same Latitude As Rome album, “Early Days”, a collection of songs that pays homage to Canada’s earliest history. A CD release for the album takes place at the Acoustic Cafe at the Elora Centre for the Arts on June 12. We’re also giving away a copy of the new CD to the person who can tell us the name of the Father of Confederation mentioned in song on the album. Send us an e-mail or contact us via the website and we’ll be mailing that CD right off to you! Music: Same Latitude As Rome “Early Days”, “Song for David Thompson”, “Song for Louis Riel”, “The Wild McLean Boys”, “The Assassination of Thomas D’Arcy McGee”, “The Great Rendezvous Polka” and “Robbin’ Trains” from “Early Days” (2015, Self).

Sarah Jane Scouten at Silence on May 23

May 08 2015

Sarah Jane Scouten brings her unique blend of roots music back to Guelph on Saturday May 23 for a Folk Roots Radio presents… show at Silence, Guelph’s premier listening venue. For this show Sarah will be joined by Alan Mackie (from The Bombadils and Jaron Freeman Fox and the Opposite of Everything) on stand-up bass. The opening act for the evening will be Guelph’s own bluegrass band The Chesterfield Trio, the abbreviated version of Chester Field and The Sofa Kings. It promises to be a great night so get your tickets early! We caught up with Sarah at home in Toronto to chat about the Guelph show, and her most recent album, “The Cape” which was nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards. Music: Sarah Jane Scouten, “The Cape” from “The Cape” (2014, Self).

Sarah Jane Scouten w/ The Chesterfield Trio
Saturday May 23 at 8 p.m. (Doors 7:30 p.m.)
Silence, 46 Essex Street, Guelph, ON
Tickets $15 ($20 at the door).
Purchase advance tickets HERE.

Gordie Tentrees – The Interview

May 06 2015

Yukon-based singer-songwriter Gordie Tentrees has just released his latest album “Less Is More”, a stellar collection of folk, roots and blues, featuring songs of true Canadiana alongside others that tackle current events and issues head on, and often in a deep and personal way. The album produced by Juno award winner Bob Hamilton features 11 new compositions including a Gordie Tentrees version of Mary Gauthier’s “Camelot Hotel”. Tentrees plays dobro, guitar and harmonica with stellar accompaniment from Aiden Tentrees on upright bass & Fabian Brook on guitar and fiddle. The album also includes guest appearances from Bob Hamilton, Patrick Hamilton, Annie Avery, Lonnie Powell and the harmony vocals from 2015 Juno Award winner Catherine MacLellan. We caught up with Gordie on the road in Alberta. Music: Gordie Tentrees “Less Is More”, “Somebody’s Child” and “Love In Ink” from “Less Is more” (2015, Buckaroo Records).

Poor Angus at The Fergus Grand Theatre

May 05 2015

Hamilton-based celtic folksters Poor Angus are bringing their infectious blend of Scots, Irish and East Coast music to the Fergus Grand Theatre on Friday May 22. Opening the show will be local favourites, Poverty’s Arse, known for their vast array of tunes and infectious East Coast style.

May 04 2015

Episode 194 of Folk Roots Radio featured another interview recorded at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October. Winnipeg’s JD Edwards joined us for an impromptu session and an opportunity to chat about his music with both The JD Edwards Band and his new project with former Wailin’ Jenny Cara Luft – The Small Glories. You can listen to the full interview here. As usual, we made room for some new music, alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

May 04 2015

Winnipeg’s JD Edwards joined us for an impromptu session and interview at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October. During our wide-ranging conversation, we discussed JD’s involvement with both The JD Edwards Band and his exciting new project, The Small Glories, a duo with Cara Luft, formerly of The Wailin’ Jennys and now forging a successful solo career. The Small Glories expect to release their first album this summer. Music: JD Edwards Band “This House Will Stand” from “Roads & Roads” (2011, Self); JD Edwards “The Stranger” (Live); JD Edwards, “Had I Paid” (Live); JD Edwards “Spirit Dog” (Live) and JD Edwards Band “Singing All The Way Home” from “Roads & Roads” (2011, Self).

Clela Errington – Live On Folk Roots Radio

May 03 2015

Toronto-based singer-songwriter Clela Errington joined us in the CFRU 93.3fm studio in Guelph for an in-depth interview and some live songs on Folk Roots Radio . Clela released “More Love & Happiness” in 2014, one of our favourite albums of the year. This is what we said about the album at the time: “The freshness of the songwriting, beautiful harmonies (with daughter Jocelyn Barth), tasteful production from Alec Fraser Jr and the varied musical styles makes it a joy for the ears. That we were unfamiliar with Clela’s work made it all that much more special to share her musical talent on air. Her music deserves to be heard and savoured.” Clela and I had a great conversation, and the live songs we’re just fabulous. Enjoy. Music: Clela Errington, “More Love & Happiness” from “More Love & Happiness” (2014, Self), “Home On High” (Live), “Shoulder To Lean On” (Live), “White Dove” from “More Love & Happiness” (2014, Self), “Country Squall” (Willie P. Bennett) (Live), “Got To Make A Change Blues” (Memphis Minnie) (Live), “Angels on the Radio” (Band Mix) from “More Love & Happiness” (2014, Self).

Jennis with Sarah Beatty

Apr 27 2015

Jennis, the ‘difficult to categorize but sounds great’ roots combo featuring Dennis Gaumond on dobro and Jen Gillmor on cello are coming back to Guelph for a show at Silence on May 29 with support from Hamilton-based singer-songwriter Sarah Beatty. They’re also playing together in Hamilton at the Artword Artbar on May 16. I’m not sure if you’ve been to a Jennis show before but for a duo they have an amazingly full live sound. Expect to be regaled by some original songs augmented by early American jazz, reggae, funk, R&B and blues classics re-interpreted in the inimitable Jennis style!

Apr 27 2015

Sarah Jane Scouten brings her unique blend of roots music back to Guelph for a Folk Roots Radio presents… show at Silence on Saturday May 23 at 8 p.m. For this show she will be joined by Alan Mackie (from The Bombadils and Jaron Freeman Fox and the Opposite of Everything) on stand-up bass. The opening act for the evening will be Guelph’s own bluegrass band The Chesterfield Trio, the abbreviated version of Chester Field and The Sofa Kings. It promises to be a great night so get your tickets early!

Apr 27 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured another interview recorded at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October. On this episode we talk to Owen Sound based folk, pop and jazz singer Coco Love Alcorn about her music and forthcoming album ‘The Spirit Sessions’. It was a fantastic interview, and as expected, lots of fun. You can listen to the interview on the website here. As usual, there was lots of new music on the show, alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

Apr 26 2015

Episode 17 of Folk Roots Radio Overtime, our extra helping of Folk Roots Radio on CFRU 93.3fm, featured an in-depth conversation and session with singer-songwriter Dana Sipos. Dana spent her formative years in Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories before heading out for a life on the open road in pursuit of her art. Her third album, the hauntingly beautiful and ethereal “Roll Up The Night Sky” is released on April 30 on Muddy Roots Records. Music: Dana Sipos, “A Coronary Tale” from “Roll Up The Night Sky” (2015, Muddy Roots Records); Dana Sipos (Yet to be titled demo) (Live); Dana Sipos “Morningside” (Live); Dana Sipos “Shadows” from “Roll Up The Night Sky” (2015, Muddy Roots Records); Dana Sipos “Road To Michigan” (Live); Dana Sipos “Portraits” (Live); Dana Sipos “My Beloved” from “Roll Up The Night Sky” (2015, Muddy Roots Records).

Same Latitude As Rome… CD Giveaway

Apr 24 2015

Peter Boyer from Same Latitude as Rome will be joining us on Folk Roots Radio Overtime on CFRU 93.3fm on Saturday May 9 from 10-11 a.m. to play tracks and chat about his new album, the JK Gulley produced ‘Early Days’. And, guess what, we also have a couple of copies of the album to give away. On this week’s Folk Roots Radio (Episode 193) we’re playing Peter’s song ‘Union Man’ about the birth of the Canadian labour movement. All you need to do is tell us the name of one of the two big labour strikes in Canada that were pivotal to the development of organized labour in Canada, and were mentioned in that song. Easy. Send us an e-mail or contact us via the website and we’ll be mailing that CD right off to you!

Kaia Kater – The Sorrowbound Folk Roots Radio Interview

Episode 199: Pete Davies

Pete Davies – Long Way Home – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Episode 198: Jon Brooks

Episode 197: Sarah Beatty

Jon Brooks – The Interview

Jennis – In The Studio

Guelph Celtic Orchestra

Sarah Beatty – The Interview

Episode 196: Suzie Vinnick

Elora Festival Starlight Series Jazz Roots & Blues

Suzie Vinnick – The Interview

Episode 195: Sarah Jane Scouten

Peter Boyer – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Sarah Jane Scouten at Silence on May 23

Gordie Tentrees – The Interview

Poor Angus at The Fergus Grand Theatre

Folk Roots Radio Episode 194: feat. JD Edwards

JD Edwards – The Interview

Clela Errington – Live On Folk Roots Radio

Jennis with Sarah Beatty

Folk Roots Radio presents… Sarah Jane Scouten

Episode 193: Coco Love Alcorn

Dana Sipos – In The Studio

Same Latitude As Rome… CD Giveaway