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Kerri Powers – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Mar 03 2015

After years out of the spotlight to raise a family, New England based singer-songwriter Kerri Powers returned to the music scene in 2014 with her stunning self-titled album, “Kerri Powers”. A little bit country, a little bit bluesy and very rootsy it was one of our favourite albums of 2014. With too many highlights to single out, it’s no wonder that it found its way into so many ‘Best of the Year’ lists including our own. Kerri Powers joined us on Folk Roots Radio for a feature length conversation. Music: Kerri Powers, “A Little Light”, “Buttercup”, “To Love Somebody” and “I’ve Got Your Back” from Kerri Powers (2014, Self)

Playlist: Episode 185

Mar 01 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio features an excerpt of an interview with singer-songwriter and poet Miss Emily Brown recorded at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October. Emily lives on the beautiful Quadra Island off the eastern coast of Vancouver Island in B.C. Emily chats with us about her home and her music and sings a couple of new songs live accompanying herself on tenor guitar. You can listen to the full interview here. Like last week, the show also contains a lot of new music and, as usual, a new mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

Feb 24 2015

Emily Millard (formerly Miss Emily Brown) inhabits the space where poetry and song meet. Whether accompanied by auto harp or tenor guitar she sings with a beautiful ethereal quality that invites the listener into a world of wonder. Currently working on the follow up to her 2012 E.P., “Wire Wood Wind”, she stopped by our studio at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October to chat about her music and Emily chats with us about her home and her music and sings a couple of new songs live, accompanying herself on tenor guitar.. Photo credit: Kendall Green. For more information about Emily’s music, visit emilymillard.ca. Music: Emily Millard (Miss Emily Brown), “Back to the Woods” from “Wire Wood Wind E.P.” (2012, Self), Hunter (Live), Paradise (Live), “Man On Wire” from “Wire Wood Wind E.P.” (2012, Self)

Playlist: Episode 184

Feb 22 2015

There are no interviews on this week’s show just lots of great music. We’ve received some great new albums in the early part of this year and it only seemed right to make the music the focus of the show. As usual we found time for a new mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

Guelph Celtic Orchestra St Patrick's Day Extravaganza

Feb 21 2015

The Guelph Celtic Orchestra’s annual St. Patrick’s Family Extravaganza! takes place at the Italian Canadian Club, 135 Ferguson Street, Guelph on Saturday, March 14 2015 at 7:00 p.m. This year’s celebration of all things Irish features the orchestra alongside championship level Irish Dancers from the Butler Fearon O’Connor School of Irish Dance as well as members of the Guelph Pipe Band. The Orchestra performance will be followed by a ceilidh called by Colleen Mulvey O’Leary. Tickets are $20 (adults), $10 (children aged 6-16) and available through Janus Books, 10 Paisley St., Guelph and through the Guelph Celtic Orchestra website. For more information, visit www.guelphceltic.ca.

Jonathan Byrd & The Pickup Cowboys with Eliot Bronson

Feb 18 2015

Jonathan Byrd returns to Guelph on Friday March 20 for what is expected to be a sold out show at Silence. Joining Jonathan and his band “The Pickup Cowboys” this time around will be Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Eliot Bronson, one of the hottest new acts on the folk-roots scene. It promises to be a great night so get your tickets early!

Feb 16 2015

Kitchener based singer-songwriter Jesse Parent joined us in the studio on Valentine’s Day to chat about his music and play a few songs. Jesse and his band will be opening for Craig Cardiff at the Burns Howff in Cambridge on February 27 at 8:00 p.m. (doors 7:00 p.m.). Tickets are $15 in advance online HERE or $20 at door. Jesse’s latest album “About Time” is scheduled for a May release. Music: Jesse Parent, “Good To You” from “Jesse Parent EP” (2009); “By Your Side” (Live); “Something More” (Live); “My Last Love Song” (Live); “Bon Echo” (Live) “Blood Red Skies” from “The Uncertainty” (2012).

Playlist: Episode 183

Feb 13 2015

Folk Roots Radio on Valentine’s Day was all about the music, a lot of it new. Alongside a large number of love and heartbreak songs we also found room for sets celebrating Louis Riel Day and a new tribute album honouring the 1964 Johnny Cash album Bitter Tears – Ballads of the American Indian.

Feb 13 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured an interview with Ottawa area singer-songwriter Jim Bryson who chats about his music, his struggle with depression and upcoming album “The Depression Dance”, alongside a new mystery theme, guilty pleasure, and lots of new music.

Feb 10 2015

Jim Bryson is about to release his new album, “The Depression Dance”. Jim joined us for an interview and impromptu session at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October and talked openly about his music, his work as a sideman with Kathleen Edwards and Oh Susanna, and the new album as well as his own struggle with depression. We think it’s one of our best interviews ever and definitely worth checking out. Photo credit: Jamie Kronick. Music: Jim Bryson, “The Depression Dance” from “The Depression Dance” (demo), “Change In Scenery” (live), “Ontario” (Live), “Stuck In The Middle” (Live) and “Fire Watch” from “Where The Bungalows Roam” (2007, Kelp Records).

We’re Sailing on Cayamo…

Jan 13 2015

We’re sailing on the roots music cruise Cayamo from January 17-24. The plan is to enjoy a little R & R and respite from, let’s be honest, the (at times) brutal reality of a Canadian winter. We’ll be relaxing and enjoying amazing music from a bunch of great artists (I’m not going to name any of them so you’ll have to go and check them out here yourselves and possibly consider signing up for a future trip – it’s pretty cool!). Generally we will be recharging our batteries prior to coming back with a whole bunch of new music and interviews to share with you. In the meantime, why not check out all the great music and interviews we currently offer here. While we’re away we’ll be playing a couple of archive shows but that isn’t a bad thing. If you don’t believe me – check out our archives on Mixcloud. There’s lots of great stuff to keep you entertained until our return. See you with an all new show and interviews the weekend of January 31!

Tyler Wagler – CD Release

Jan 10 2015

Tyler Wagler has the official release of his latest E.P. “4 Songs” at the Delhi Street Bistro, 64 Delhi Street Guelph on January 15 2015 at 7 p.m. There is no cover. For this show, Tyler will be joined by Thom Hammerton on Keys. Tyler recently joined us in the studio for a feature length conversation about his music. You can listen to that interview again in full here.

Jan 09 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio (January 10 2015) featured an interview with Toronto-based singer-songwriter Shawna Caspi who recently released her third album, a beautiful slice of coffee house style folk entitled “Apartments for lovers” alongside a new mystery theme and guilty pleasure, and music from some of the major artists who will be appearing on the great roots music cruise Cayamo this year.

Jan 08 2015

Shawna Caspi describes herself as a guitar-picking, classically-trained folkie with a sweet-tooth for a good story, a sly lyrical wit, and a rich, powerful voice. She’s just released a great third album of coffee-house style folk, “Apartments for Lovers”. We caught up with Shawna at home in Toronto. Music: Shawna Caspi, “Anchor”, “I’m Trying To Leave” and “Not So Silent” from “Apartments For Lovers” (2014, Self)

Playlist: Episode 180

Dec 27 2014

This week’s show (December 20 2014) featured interviews and impromptu sessions recorded with Prince Edward Island based singer-songwriters Irish Mythen and Dennis Ellsworth recorded at the recent Folk Music Ontario conference. We also included some thought-provoking holiday songs alongside a new mystery theme and a guilty pleasure set celebrating Bill Withers election to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

Dec 17 2014

Dennis Ellsworth lives to write songs. The P.E.I based singer-songwriter released “Hazey Sunshine” in 2013, and (the limited release) “Love Knows Love” in 2014 and yet he’s already hard at work on a follow-up. Dennis joined us for a chat and a couple of live songs at the recent Folk Music Ontario conference. For more information visit dennisellsworth.com. Photo credit: Leigh Elliott. Music: Dennis Ellworth “Valentine” from “Love Knows Love” (2014, Busted Flat Records), “Beauty Is Sad” (Live), “Silver Tears” (Live) and “Perfect Storm” from “Dusk Dreams” (2012, Busted Flat Records).

Irish Mythen – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Dec 17 2014

Irish Mythen travelled the world as a singer-songwriter before settling in Canada and making Prince Edward Island her home. Irish, who is just about to release her new album – the self-titled “Irish Mythen”, joined us for an interview and impromptu session at the recent Folk Music Ontario conference. For more information visit irishmythen.com. Music: Irish Mythen “Gypsy Dancer” from “Irish Mythen” (2014, Self), “These Walls” (Live), “Their Waltz” (Live) and “Take Me To The River” from “Irish Mythen” (2014, Self).

Playlist: Episode 179

Dec 14 2014

This week’s Folk Roots Radio (Episode 179) featured our favourite albums of 2014. As you can imagine, it wasn’t easy to narrow down all the great albums we’ve played over the past year to just ten, but that’s what we’ve done. If you check out the post about The Best Albums of 2014 we’ve also included the next five as honourable mentions. As usual, there was lots of new music on offer including some original holiday tunes, as well as a new mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

Dec 12 2014

Acapella vocal group Ondine Chorus are gearing up for their traditional Winter Solstice concert tour. If you’ve not yet seen Ondine Chorus in concert, you really should check them out. Their performances are fantastic – featuring stunning original works, gorgeous reinterpretations of traditional songs and mesmerizing sonic thematic improvisations, it’s a magical journey of subtle and rich harmonies that will live long in the memory. Ondine released their debut E.P., “Towards A Little Light” earlier this year. The E.P. featuring two original compositions and three arrangements of traditional songs has been called “stunningly beautiful with an ancient and wise feel”, and “a beautiful and wondrous thing”. This time around Jeff Bird, Gary Diggins and Robert Kingsbury will be the featured special guests. Check out the event and ticket information below.

Dec 11 2014

So here they are… my ten favourite albums of 2014. As you can imagine, it wasn’t easy to narrow this list down to the Top 10 which is why I’ve included the next five as honourable mentions. And to be honest, any of the albums in that group could easily have made it into my Best of 2014 on a different day. Indeed, I could easily have included another five after that… and another five after that, but I needed to draw a line somewhere which I duly did.

Dec 06 2014

This week’s episode of Folk Roots Radio featured an interview and impromptu session with Ottawa-based singer-songwriter Jill Zmud recorded at the recent Folk Music Ontario conference alongside a new mystery theme and an extended guilty pleasure segment as a tribute to a couple of great musicians who sadly passed away this week, keyboard player Ian McLagan and saxophonist Bobby Keys.

Dec 04 2014

Ottawa-based singer-songwriter Jill Zmud has just released her second album, the Canadian Folk Music Award nominated “Small Matters of Life & Death”. Jill joined us for an interview and impromptu session at the recent Folk Music Ontario conference. Photo credit: Marc Labreque. Music: Jill Zmud “Victoria Tucker” from “Small Matters Of Life & Death” (2014, Self), “Wishing Well” (Live), “Carry Me Home” (Live) and “Water In The Wine” (Live).

Playlist: Episode 177

Dec 03 2014

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured an interview about keeping music live and local with Al Robitaille from Georgetown Musictown and Mike Willis from Uncorked on Main, a new tapas & wine bar and music venue in Georgetown Ontario. Later in the show, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Shawn William Clarke joined us to chat about his latest album “William”. As usual we included lots of new music, as well as our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

Nov 29 2014

Phil Elsworthy and Ed Koenig are releasing The Crooked Path, an album of mostly Celtic and Appalachian tunes using guitar, fiddle, mandolin and tambourine at The Albion 2nd Floor in Guelph on Sunday November 30 at 7:30 p.m. There is no cover for this event. Phil Ellsworthy and Ed Koenig joined us in the studio for Folk Roots Radio Overtime on Saturday November 29.

Georgetown Musictown – Uncorked On Main

Nov 27 2014

Local groups supporting live music in their own community are springing up everywhere. Georgetown Musictown is another example of a trend that may change the way we all think about live music. Why head to the big city to see a major act in an airport hanger-sized sports arena with poor sound and terrible sightlines when you can get up close and personal with great music close to home at a fraction of the cost? Georgetown Musictown are a volunteer group founded in 2013 to promote and expand the amount of live music available within Georgetown, a rapidly growing community within southern Ontario. They maintain an online calendar and use a mailing list to inform people about opportunities to hear great live music locally. They also provide support to both venues and musicians to increase the number of opportunities for musicians to play within the community.

The latest restaurant to join the music scene in Georgetown is Uncorked on Main, a new tapas bar & restaurant in Georgetown that has made a commitment to present live music on a regular basis, and planned accordingly with a dedicated stage area and premium sound system. Uncorked on Main is a joint venture of local Georgetown restauranteurs Brady Davies (of The Cellar) and Mike Willis (of Bistro at Silvercreek). They describe the Uncorked on Main experience as mouth-watering tapas fare and romantic wines accompanied by amazingly-talented local musicians. Uncorked on Main’s celebratory opening takes place on Friday December 5, and Saturday December 6 from 6 p.m. Tickets for the opening are $75 and can be picked up at Bistro at Silvercreek, and the Cellar Steak and Seafood in Georgetown. Ticket price includes canapés all night long, a cheese buffet, a champagne toast, three drink tickets and dancing until 2 a.m. to Canadian crooner Monty Greig and his Jazz band.

We sat down with Al Robitaille from Georgetown Musictown and Mike Willis from Uncorked on Main earlier this week. For more information about Georgetown Musictown visit georgetownmusictown.com. For more information about Uncorked on Main, visit uncorkedonmain.ca. Music: Ablett & Cooper, “Angie” from “Changing Landscapes” (2008, Self); Second Wind, “Second Wind” from “Second Wind” (2010, Self).

Kerri Powers – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Playlist: Episode 185

Emily Millard – The Interview

Playlist: Episode 184

St. Patrick’s Family Extravaganza

Jonathan Byrd & The Pickup Cowboys with Eliot Bronson

Jesse Parent – In The Studio

Playlist: Episode 183

Playlist: Episode 182

Jim Bryson – Folk Roots Radio Interview

We’re Sailing on Cayamo…

Tyler Wagler – CD Release

Playlist: Episode 181

Shawna Caspi – The Interview

Playlist: Episode 180

Dennis Ellsworth – The Interview

Irish Mythen – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Playlist: Episode 179

Celebrate the Solstice with Ondine Chorus

Our Favourite Albums Of 2014

Playlist: Episode 178

Jill Zmud – The Interview

Playlist: Episode 177

Phil Elsworthy & Ed Koenig – In The Studio

Georgetown Musictown – Uncorked On Main