Home | Folk Roots Radio

The Wailin’ Jennys at Harbourfront

Jun 17 2014

The Wailin’ Jennys play the Enwave Theatre at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto on Saturday June 21 2014. Tickets are $35 and are available online here.

When the Wailin’ Jennys started out they were just three solo singer-songwriters getting together for a one-time-only performance at a tiny guitar shop in Winnipeg. Since those humble beginnings they’ve grown into one of today’s most beloved international folk acts. Founding members Ruth Moody (vocals, guitar, accordion, banjo, bodhrán) and Nicky Mehta (vocals, guitar, harmonica, drums, ukulele) along with New York-based Heather Masse (vocals, upright bass) continue to create some of the most exciting and exquisite music on the folk-roots scene.

For more information check out thewailinjennys.com.

Episode 154: Sweet Alibi / Ian Foster

Jun 17 2014

Folk Roots Radio on June 14 2014 (Episode 154) featured interviews with Amber Quesnel from Winnipeg’s Sweet Alibi and St. John’s singer-songwriter Ian Foster. As usual, we wrapped it all up with lots of great music.

Jun 13 2014

Sweet Alibi are Jess Rae Ayre, Michelle Anderson and Amber Quesnel. They are in Guelph this week for two shows at Magnolia Café on Friday June 13 and Saturday June 14 2014 at 8 p.m. Tickets for both Guelph shows are just $10. Due to the intimate size of the venue, reservations are recommended. Call 519-766-4663 to book your place. We caught up with Amber Quesnel in Toronto. For more information about Sweet Alibi, visit sweetalibi.com.

Ian Reid CD Release Shows

Jun 12 2014

Rockwood singer-songwriter Ian Reid releases his latest CD, “Delivered On Delhi St” with two local shows in Rockwood on June 13 and in Guelph on June 21.

Jun 08 2014

Folk Roots Radio on June 7 2014 (Episode 153) featured the usual mix of great music – some new, some not so new, and a visit from Ian Reid, who joined us in the studio to chat and play a few songs from his new album “Delivered On Delhi Street”. Guelph area Delivered On Delhi Street CD release shows are scheduled for Waterside Park, Rockwood (June 13) and Magnolia Café, Guelph (June 21).

Ian Foster – The Great Wave Album Release

Jun 08 2014

St. John’s NF singer-songwriter Ian Foster visits Guelph on Thursday June 19 2014 as part of the CD release tour for his exciting new album “The Great Wave”. The show takes place at the ANAF Club, 32 Gordon Street, Guelph. Joining Ian on the bill will be Graydon James & Laura Spink from Toronto based folksters Graydon James and the Young Novelists. Showtime is 8 p.m. and tickets are just $10. For more information, visit ianfoster.ca.

2Rivers Festival 2014

Jun 06 2014

The 3rd annual 2Rivers Festival takes place in Guelph from June 7 – 15 2014. The festival pays tribute to Guelph’s most significant natural feature by bringing together more than 20 different community organizations to celebrate the city’s river system.

Mike Janzen Trio with Brad Woods

Jun 04 2014

Toronto based jazz pianist Mike Janzen brings his trio to the New Life Christian Reformed Church, 400 Victoria Road N, Guelph on Saturday June 7 2014. The show, a CD release for new album “Metronome”, will feature Mike joined by George Koller on bass and Larnell Lewis on drums. Local storyteller Brad Woods completes the bill for what promises to be a fun evening of jazz and stories. Tickets are $20 and can be ordered online here.

Mariposa 2014 – Full Line Up Announced

Jun 03 2014

The full line-up for this year’s Mariposa has been announced. The 54th edition takes place July 4-6, 2014, at Tudhope Park in Orillia. As always, we will be providing full-coverage of the festival before and after the event.

Sweet Alibi

Jun 03 2014

Jess Rae Ayre, Michelle Anderson and Amber Quesnel are Sweet Alibi. They write beautiful folk-pop songs with gorgeous harmonies and they’ll be in Guelph for two shows. Friday June 13 and Saturday June 14 2014 at Magnolia Café. Tickets are just $10. Due to the intimate size of the venue, reservations are recommended. Call 519-766-4663 to book your place. It promises to be a great night. Check out the video if you don’t believe us!

Episode 152: Young Running

Jun 02 2014

Folk Roots Radio on May 31 2014 (Episode 152) featured our usual mix of great music, and we also had an interview with James Moss from Toronto-based folk-roots band Young Running; they will be performing in Cambridge ON on Friday June 6.

May 30 2014

We have a copy of “The Current”, the new CD by Jennis to give away. Jennis is the new musical project by last week’s in-studio guest Dennis Gaumond. The Current is a great album and it could be yours if you can answer this very simple question: Please tell us the name of Dennis Gaumond’s musical collaborator in Jennis. Send your answer to us by Wednesday June 4 2014. We’ll pick a winner that day. If you include your street address, we’ll even mail the CD to you!

Don’t forget that can still catch Jennis’ Guelph area CD launch on June 6. You’ll find all the details here.

Good luck!

UPDATE: (June 6 2014). Congratulations to Rachael. Jen Gillmor is working with Dennis Gaumond in the Jennis project. A copy of their new CD The Current is now winging its way to you!

Guelph Dance Festival

May 29 2014

The Guelph Dance Festival runs May 29 – June 2 2014. Featuring stunning and edgy works from the sublime to the unexpected, the festival will transform parks, streets, and stages of Guelph. Ticketed events, $15- $30; Pay-what-you-can events, suggested donation $15. Buy tickets through the River Run Centre Box Office or by phone at 519-763-3000 | 877-520-2408, or in person. Full schedule and performance details on the Guelph Dance Festival website at guelphdance.ca.

May 29 2014

Guelph-based blues musician Dennis Gaumond (Gomo) joined us on Folk Roots Radio on May 24 2014 to chat about Jennis, his new project with Toronto based multi-instrumentalist Jen Gillmor. Jennis release their first album, “The Current”, in Toronto on May 30 and in Guelph (Eden Mills) on June 6. For more information visit jennis.ca.

Young Running

May 29 2014

Toronto-based indie, folk-roots band Young Running will be in Cambridge on June 6 2014 for a show at the Galt Club (2nd floor above Cafe 13), 13 Main St, Galt, Cambridge at 7 p.m. Young Running have already shared the stage with Ron Sexsmith, Colin James, Terri Clark and more. They recently released their second collection, an E.P. Coming Home. The show is part of the Vinyl Cafe House Concert Series. Cover is only $10. For more information about the band visit youngrunning.com.

Episode 151: Dennis Gaumond

May 25 2014

Folk Roots Radio on May 24 2014 (Episode 151) featured lots of great music and an in studio interview with Dennis Gaumond (Gomo) about his new project Jennis.

Guelph Celtic Orchestra St Patrick's Day Extravaganza

May 24 2014

The Guelph Celtic Orchestra hold their season finale performance and Ceilidh dance on May 31, 2014 at 7 p.m. at The Red Chevron, 34 Elizabeth Street in Guelph. The performance will feature their award-winning Stepdancers and will be followed by a Ceilidh called by Maureen Mulven O’Leary. The Guelph Celtic Orchestra are directed by Fiona McCairley. Tickets: Adults $15 advance/$20 at the door, Children 6 – 12 $10 advance /door. Advance tickets are available at Janus Books, 10 Paisley St., Guelph or via www.guelphceltic.ca. For more information, visit www.guelphceltic.ca

Jennis – The Current

May 23 2014

Jennis is the intriguing new project featuring bluesman Dennis Gaumond (Gomo) and cellist Jen Gillmor. They release their first album “Jennis” in Toronto on May 30 and in Guelph (Eden Mills) on June 6.

May 23 2014

Folk Roots Radio on May 10 2014 (Episode 150) featured lots of great music and interviews with singer-songwriters Sarah Jane Scouten and Craig Cardiff.

May 20 2014

The Skydiggers will be back in Guelph on May 30 2014 for a show at Dublin St United Church, 68 Suffolk Street W in Guelph. A year after their triumphant 25th anniversary tour, this visit will also be a bit special as founding member, Peter Cash will be touring with the band again.

May 17 2014

Craig Cardiff joined us on Folk Roots Radio on May 17 2014 to chat about his latest album, Love Is Louder (Than All This Noise). Craig will be in Cambridge on Friday May 23 2014 for a show at the Galt Club (2nd floor above Cafe 13), 13 Main St, Galt, Cambridge. Tickets are $15 online from www.craigcardiff.com or $20 at the door. The support act will be The Vaudevillian. Show starts at 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7 p.m.).

Roots Rock Revival Party

May 16 2014

The Funky Mamas, four great Guelph folk-roots musicians who focus on producing music for children, are part of a very special show at the ANAF club, Guelph on May 24 2014. And this time… they will be playing music for adults! The event billed as a Roots Rock Revival Party is a fundraiser for both the Guelph Children’s Festival and the Seed Community Food Hub. Also on the bill are Chesterfield and the Sofa Kings and Monk-E Zoot. The event kicks off at 9 p.m. Admission is only $5 (PWYC) which sounds like a great deal for a great cause!

Folk Roots Radio

May 16 2014

We’ve just completed 100 posts on our new website. We hope you are enjoying it. As always we’d love some feedback – whether it is a suggestion for music to play, artists to invite into the studio or a Guilty Pleasure – that song you still love although you think others will find it unfashionable. Take it from me, there are a lot of people out there who will enjoy hearing your Guilty Pleasure, and learning why you still like it. We’ll catch up with you on Saturday morning, bright and early with a new mystery theme, a couple of interesting interviews and lots of great music. You won’t want to miss it!

Sarah Jane Scouten

May 16 2014

Sarah Jane Scouten will be in Guelph for a show at Magnolia Café on Thursday May 22 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Sarah has just released her second album “The Cape”. Joining Sarah for this show will be her Brilliant String Band featuring Sarah Frank on fiddle, Luke Fraser on mandolin and Mathieu Lacombe on bass. Tickets are $10. Due to the intimate size of the venue, reservations are recommended. Call 519-766-4663 to reserve your place.

For more information, visit sarahjanescouten.com.

The Bombadils – In The Studio

May 10 2014

Montreal-based progressive celtic/bluegrass band The Bombadils joined us in the studio on May 10 2014. Their music draws from Québecois, Irish, and bluegrass folk influences but as a whole it’s pure Bombadils; a decidedly contemporary sound that combines soaring melodic lines, tight rhythmic energy, and virtuosity.

Formed in 2009 at McGill University, the band has performed regularly since then around Montreal in pubs and cafés while completing their studies in jazz and classical music. They released their debut CD “Fill Your Boots!” in 2012 and will release their new album, tentatively called Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet (after a Yeats poem that forms that basis for a song on the new album) later this year.

For more information, visit thebombadils.com.

The Wailin’ Jennys at Harbourfront

Episode 154: Sweet Alibi / Ian Foster

Sweet Alibi – The Interview

Ian Reid CD Release Shows

Episode 153: Ian Reid

Ian Foster – The Great Wave Album Release

2Rivers Festival 2014

Mike Janzen Trio with Brad Woods

Mariposa 2014 – Full Line Up Announced

Sweet Alibi

Episode 152: Young Running

Win a Jennis CD!

Guelph Dance Festival

Dennis Gaumond and Jennis

Young Running

Episode 151: Dennis Gaumond

Guelph Celtic Orchestra

Jennis – The Current

Episode 150: Sarah Jane Scouten / Craig Cardiff

Skydiggers

Craig Cardiff

Roots Rock Revival Party

Folk Roots Radio

Sarah Jane Scouten

The Bombadils – In The Studio