Harrow Fair Archives | Folk Roots Radio

Folk Roots Radio Episode 560: Our Favourite Albums of 2020

Dec 27 2020

We’re getting close to the end of 2020, which means it’s time to announce our favourite albums of the year. After the challenging year we’ve all had, it’s tempting to just want to put 2020 behind us and move on to 2021 to what will, hopefully, be a much better year for everyone. And yet, despite everything, 2020 has actually been a great year for recorded music – especially for those us who tend to focus on music that artists release independently, or via small and boutique record labels. Many artists have actually been making excellent use of the lockdown time forced on them by the coronavirus pandemic to record some wonderful ‘Covid Tune’ singles, EPs and in some case, even full albums. We’ve had great fun sharing them with you this year. We’ve also been doing our best to keep up with regularly scheduled releases. It gives us great pleasure each year, once we have put holiday radio episodes to bed, to consider our favourite albums of the year. One of the best things about doing a radio show is getting loads of great music to listen to each week. One of the hardest things to do is to take all that fabulous music and narrow it down to your ten favourite recordings of the year. You can check out The Top 10 on Episode 560 of Folk Roots Radio. We’ll be playing more of our favourite albums on upcoming episodes of Folk Roots Radio. If you don’t see an album you really loved, that’s likely because it didn’t make it up on our radar because we didn’t receive a copy. Please consider sharing your favourite albums in the comments – we might even spin them on a future episode of the show. Listen to The Top 10 on this episode, and check out the full playlist and the rest of our long list below. Enjoy!

Jun 10 2020

Miranda Mulholland and Andrew Penner make music together as Harrow Fair, a fabulous Americana roots duo with a huge sound and exhilarating live show. Featuring Miranda on fiddle, and multi-instrumentalist Andrew on dobro, guitar and more; they have just released a great sophomore album “Sins We Made” – quite possibly the perfect recording for the current times. Harrow Fair should have been on tour in the UK and the US this spring, but because of the Covid-19 pandemic they are currently quarantined at home in Toronto. We caught up with Miranda and Andrew at home in self-isolation for a fun chat about the new recording, that reaches far beyond the album, to talk about what it feels like to put everything on hold and stay home while you are supposed to be out promoting and touring a great new release. For more information about the music of Harrow Fair, visit harrowfair.ca. Photo credit: Jen Squires. Music: Harrow Fair “Sins We Made”, “Rules Of Engagement”, “Loved You Enough” and “Dark Gets Close” from “Sins We Made” (2020, Roaring Girl Records) CDN.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 510: feat. Miranda Mulholland… In Conversation – By Appointment Or Chance

May 04 2020

Miranda Mulholland joins us on Episode 510 of Folk Roots Radio for a wonderful in-depth conversation about her second solo album, the JUNO-nominated “By Appointment or Chance”. Classically trained on violin and in voice, Miranda is also a member of the roots duo Harrow Fair with Andrew Penner from the Sun Parlour Players. Harrow Fair released their own second album “Sins We Made” a few weeks ago. Outside of her own musical creativity, Miranda Mulholland runs the record label Roaring Girl Records and the Muskoka Music Festival, and continues to travel the world advocating for fair remuneration for creators. Needless to say, there was a lot to talk about, which is why we’ve devoted the whole of this episode to an hour plus of Miranda Mulholland… In Conversation, on Folk Roots Radio. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 504: feat. Harrow Fair & More New Releases

Apr 11 2020

Miranda Mulholland and Andrew Penner make music together as Harrow Fair, a fabulous Americana roots duo with a huge sound and an exhilarating live show. They join us on Episode 504 of Folk Roots Radio, direct from their Covid-19 emergency self-isolation, for a fun chat about their music and their wonderful sophomore release “Sins We Made”. It’s an excellent interview which reaches far beyond the album, to talk about what it feels like to put everything on hold and stay home while you are supposed to be out touring a great new album. We wrap up the rest of the episode with more great new music from David Shurr, Rob Murphy, David Keenan, David Foley & Jack Smedley and The Rough & Tumble. Stay safe and well everyone! Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 497: International Women's Day

Mar 05 2020

We’re celebrating International Women’s Day on Episode 497 of Folk Roots Radio with an hour of special programming featuring female artists. Join us for new music from Sarah Harmer, Claudia Nygaard, Sarah Morris, Frazey Ford, Natalie MacMaster, Grace Morrison, Moira & Claire, The Pairs, Rory Block, Katie Dahl, Heather Pierson, 100 Mile House, The Lone Canary, Harrow Fair and The Small Glories. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 491: feat. Mister K & More New Releases

Jan 24 2020

On Episode 491 of Folk Roots Radio we chat to Kevin Roy from Manitoba about his new music project as cosmic balladeer Mister K, and upcoming album “In Event of Moon Disaster” – a musical journey through the highs and lows of a mental health struggle. In Event of Moon Disaster is a wonderful album and this is a great interview. We wrap up the hour with more of the new music that we’ve received, and this time around we hear from The Marrieds, William Kuklis, Harrow Fair, Simon Mayor and Jay Aymar. We also include a special tribute to the fabulous Nashville songwriter David Olney, who passed away suddenly last week during an in the round live performance at a showcasing event in Florida. Check out the full playlist below.

Home County Folk Festival 2018 - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Jun 16 2018

The 2018 Home County Music & Art Festival takes place the weekend of July 20-22 in the beautiful confines of Victoria Park in London ON. Celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, it’s an important part of the Southern Ontario folk calendar. Home County features more than 40 musical acts on 7 stages, over 120 juried Canadian craft artisans, over 30 food vendors serving a variety of international cuisines, craft demonstrations, a community/open stage, and an interactive family area. Main stage headliners this year are Jim Cuddy from Blue Rodeo, Harrow Fair and Irish Mythen. Also on the bill this year are Tom Wilson, Valdy, Donovan Woods, Rose Cousins, Kris + Dee, Alysha Brilla, Sultans of String, Russell deCarle and many more. Home County is proud to present a number of local acts throughout the festival, including Broomsticks & Hammers, The Rizdales, New Cumberland, The Cedar Sisters and Ken Yates (now based in Toronto). The Emerging Artist Stage returns for its second year and will feature more local musicians, such as Jessica Allosery, John Muirhead, Chad Price, Fraser Teeple, Willow Switch and Yess Woah. Admission to the festival is by donation, and because the festival is held in a downtown London park, it is, also, totally accessible. Alongside a great musical line-up, the festival also features some great art and craft vendors. To learn more about this year’s festival we caught up with artistic director Darin Addison. For more information, visit homecounty.ca. Music: Jim Cuddy “While I Was Waiting” from “Constellation” (2018, 5 Corners Productions); Harrow Fair “Told A Lie to My Heart” from “Call To Arms” (2017, Roaring Girl Records).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 349: Jabbour & More New Releases

Folk Root Radio Episode 349 - Jabbour & New Releases

Nov 17 2017

Fun bilingual Quebec roots trio Jabbour join us at the Folk Music Ontario conference on Episode 349 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about their music and play three songs live. We also check out more of the latest new releases including new music from Ashley Condon, Dennis Johnson, The Lifers and Harrow Fair with a fabulous version of The Rankin Family classic song “Fare Thee Well”. Check out the full playlist below.

Dec 17 2016

Peter Stone from 100 Mile House joins us on this episode to chat about “Hiraeth”, their fabulous new album of deeply personal and introspective songs about life, love, loss and the meaning of home. Recorded in Edmonton AB, with partner Denise MacKay, and Peter in the producer’s chair, the album features some fine musical arrangements – including some gorgeous use of both violin and cello, alongside some fabulous harmonies. We also take a look at some of the best of the latest new releases.

Oct 30 2016

This edition of Folk Roots Radio is all about the 2016 Folk Music Ontario conference that recently took place in Ottawa. We play music from some of the great artists we saw play official showcases at the conference and chat with two of our favourite bands, The Young Novelists and The Bombadils.