Folk Music Canada Archives | Folk Roots Radio

Folk Roots Radio Episode 382: The Young’Uns & New Releases

May 22 2018

Highly entertaining English vocal trio The Young’Uns join us on Episode 382 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about their music and latest album “Strangers”. It’s a great interview – one you’ll definitely want to stick around for. We’re also staying in the UK for the rest of the episode as we check out new music from The Mellowship (feat. Maureen Dewdney, Lukas Drinkwater & Ciaran Algar), Molly-Anne, Kete Bowers, Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita, Sarah McQuaid and Gerry Hallom. Check out the full playlist below.

Jay Gilday - Folk Roots Radio at Folk North

May 06 2018

Jay Gilday grew up in a very musical family in Yellowknife before relocating to Edmonton AB and immersing himself in its vibrant music scene. Whether playing solo or with his power trio, Jay Gilday is a captivating live performer. As a songwriter, he weaves together aspects of his own ancestral traditions: Dene spirituals, Irish ballads, and Canadian folk and rock to produce a sound that is very much his own. His latest album 2016’s “Faster The Light” features ten songs, wrapped up in a harmonic electric blues rock mix. The album earned Jay Gilday the Indigenous Artist of the Year at the 2017 Western Canadian Music Awards alongside Singer-Songwriter of the Year of the Year, and a nod as one of the Artists to Watch at the 2017 Edmonton Music Awards. Jay is currently working on a solo folk recording, expected in 2018. Jay Gilday sat down with Jan Hall from Folk Roots Radio at the Folk North export showcase to chat about his music. Check out Jay Gilday online at jaygilday.com. Music: Jay Gilday “Alleys & Rocks”, “City Slide” and “Dream Your Dreams” from “Faster Than Light” (2016, Self).

Steve Poltz – Folk Roots Radio at Folk North

May 02 2018

Steve Poltz is one of the most engaging live performers you are ever likely to see – a storytelling folk singer who loves to crowd-surf at festivals, he’s one of those artists that once you catch a show, you can’t wait to do it again. Steve Poltz’ first brush with fame was being the co-writer of Jewel’s biggest hit, “You Were Meant For Me”, however since that time he’s built a great career as the archetypal troubadour singer-songwriter – playing more than 200 shows a year, and a favourite on the festival scene. Born in Nova Scotia, raised in San Diego, where he lived for over thirty years – he’s now a resident of East Nashville, one of the coolest places to live if you’re a singer-songwriter. Steve Poltz sat down with Folk Roots Radio at the Folk North export showcase to talk about his music. Check out Steve Poltz online at poltz.com. Music: Steve Poltz “Silver Lining” from “One Left Shoe” (1998, UMG Recordings), “Mother Russia” and “Folk Singer” from “Folk Singer” (2015, 98 Pounder Records).

The Young’Uns – Folk Roots Radio at Folk North

Apr 25 2018

Sean Cooney, David Eagle and Michael Hughes career in music started when they decided that rather than going to the local pub for a night out, they’d check out their local folk club, in Stockton on Teeside, England in the UK. Taking their turn to sing some traditional songs in three part harmony, and, often a cappella, lead to them being affectionately christened The Young’Uns – as they were distinctly not in the same age group as the other people who attended the folk club on a regular basis. Well, the name stuck, and a desire to share their own socially conscious message in song, has lead to critical praise for their recorded work and live performances, and being named as Best Group at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards two years running (2015 and 2016) and picking up Best Album in 2018 for their latest, “Strangers” (2017, Hereteu Records). Sean, David and Michael sat down with Jan Hall from Folk Roots Radio at the Folk North export showcase in Toronto to chat about their music, and latest album, “Strangers” (2017, Hereteu Records). Check out The Young’Uns online at younguns.co.uk. Music: The Young’Uns “Ghafoor’s Bus”, “Be The Man” and “Bob Cooney’s Miracle” from “Strangers” (2017, Hereteu Records).

Laura Cortese – Folk Roots Radio at Folk North

Apr 02 2018

Laura Cortese gave up a life in California to attend the famed Berklee College of Music, before deciding to stay in Boston and immerse herself in the city’s vibrant roots scene as a side player. Returning to front her own band, Laura came together with the Dance Cards as an all girl band, featuring four string players – two fiddles (Laura Cortese and Jenna Moynihan), with Valerie Thompson on cello and Natalie Bohrn from Manitoba on standup bass. All of the band members share vocals. Their debut album as a four piece, “California Calling”, features 11 songs, most written by Laura Cortese but with arrangements that reflect the full band’s influences and exploring rhythms and sonic textures that take their music way beyond what you’d typically expect from a folk roots stringband. An inspirational songwriter, and engaging interview, Laura Cortese sat down with Folk Roots Radio at the Folk Music Canada export showcase Folk North to chat about her music and high energy live show. For more information about Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards, visit thisislauracortese.com. Photo: Natalie Champa-Jennings. Music: Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards “The Low Hum”, “Stockholm” and “California Calling” from “California Calling” (2017, Compass Records).

Leela Gilday – Folk Roots Radio at Folk North

Mar 06 2018

Leela Gilday is a singer-songwriter based in Yellowknife renowned for her passionate songwriting and soulful performance. A member of the Dene Nation, Leela actually trained as an opera singer, before creating her own stories in song as a way to share her heritage and northern Canadian life experience. Her latest album is 2014’s “Heart Of The People”. A new album is expected in the fall of 2018. Leela Gilday sat down with Jan Hall from Folk Roots Radio at Folk Music Canada’s boutique export event Folk North to chat about her music. Check out Leela Gilday online at leelagilday.com. Photo: Shawna McLeod. Music: Leela Gilday “Cold Wind” & “Bella” from “Heart Of The People” (2014, Self) and “One Drum” from “Sedze” (2007, Self).