Jan Hall Archives | Page 25 of 27

Sheesham & Lotus & ‘Son – The Interview

Jul 05 2016

Sheesham and Lotus & ‘Son are the fabulous old-time vehicle for the musical talents of Teilhard Frost (Sheesham Crow), Sam Allison (Lotus Wight) and Son Sanderson. Featuring fiddle, banjo and sousaphone alongside some musical contraptions of their own creation – the Sepia-phonic Monophone, and the Contrabass HarmoniPhoneum, their live show is a mix of old-time fiddle, depression era trad blues and some originals that takes you back to the 1920s heyday of the music they love, and it’s an experience that is not to be missed. Sheesham, Lotus and Son joined us at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about their roots, history, live show and upcoming album “78 rpm” which is based on material recorded using vintage 1938 record cutting equipment, courtesy of Lathe Revival. For more information visit sheeshamandlotus.com. Music: Sheesham and Lotus & ‘Son “Chinquapin”, “The Blackberry Blossom Into Wink The Other Eye” and “Swimming Blues” from “The High Stepping Music of Sheesham and Lotus & ‘Son” (2014, Sepiaphone Records).

Darren Eedens – In The Studio

Jun 07 2016

St Catherine’s born Darren Eedens plays both flat-picking banjo and guitar at such a frenetic pace that you can’t help but sit up and pay attention whenever he starts to play. His nasal percussive vocal delivery makes you think that you’ve stepped into some honky tonk saloon from a bygone era. Known as the Canadian Dirty Little Picker in Europe, Darren now calls Cardiff Wales, home. He joined us in the studio straight after a rousing and rambunctious performance at the 2015 Hillside Festival to chat about his latest album “Of My Word” (2014, Self) and play a few tunes live. For more information, visit darreneedens.bandcamp.com. Music: Darren Eedens “Oh Darlin” from “Of My Word” (2014, Self), “Mountain Dew” (Live), “On The Line (The Laundry Song)” (Live), “Rye Whiskey” (Live) and Darren Eedens “Movin’ On” from “Of My Word” (2014, Self).

Episode 258: James Gordon

Jun 02 2016

Singer-songwriter and former member of Tamarack, James Gordon joins us on this episode to chat about “Sunny Jim”, his forty-something album over all, and seventh on Borealis Records. As always, we find time to include tracks from some of the fine new releases we’ve received.

May 31 2016

Guitar-picking, classically-trained folkie Shawna Caspi released a great album of coffee house folk in 2014, “Apartments For Lovers” – an album that not only contains Shawna’s songs, but is also adorned by her own art work. Shawna joined Folk Roots Radio at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about her music, and play a couple of songs live. For more information visit shawnacaspi.com. Photo: Roni Hoffman. Music: Shawna Caspi “Devil’s Rolling Pin” from “Apartments For Lovers” (2014, Self), “Take This Mountain” (Live), “Never Enough” (Live) and “Not So Silent” from “Apartments For Lovers” (2014, Self).

Episode 257: Kaia Kater

May 27 2016

We’re giving the whole of this episode of Folk Roots Radio over to an interview with banjo player and rising star Kaia Kater who has just released her sophomore recording “Nine Pin”. Nine Pin is a concept album that takes as its inspiration the Black Lives Matter movement and Kaia’s own experience growing up as a person of colour in North America. And it’s an album that gives Kaia free reign to push her own boundaries using her old-time Appalachian banjo as the leaping off point for powerful lyrical songs that show maturity way beyond her years. It really is a terrific album, and it’s a great interview. I hope you enjoy it.

May 18 2016

Dale Butler has been making music in Essex County in South-Western Ontario for over forty years. A full time musician, singer-songwriter and storyteller Dale performs solo, as a duo with wife Judy and also with his band “Dale Butler & Friends”. He also hosts Dale’s Friday Coffee House, formerly known as the Last Friday Coffee House, a Leamington musical institution that takes place monthly at The Bank Theatre and helps nurture the careers of young and new performers. Dale is also known for a great folk festival workshop where he shows participants how to play a guitar in two minutes even if they’ve never ever held a guitar before – a hold over from his days as a music store proprietor in Leamington. Dale joined us in the Folk Roots Radio studio to chat about his music and play a few songs live. Music: Dale Butler “Love That Grows” from “Aiming For Left Field” (2014, Self), “My Life” (Live), “Let’s Write Our Song” (Live), “Question Marks on My Windshield” from “Now I See” (2013, Self), “Lonely Child” (Live), “Thirty Years On” (Live) and “Summertime” from “Butler Tunes 1” (2012, Self).

Episode 251: Manitoba Hal

May 06 2016

This episode of Folk Roots Radio features an interview with Manitoba Hal Brolund who has dedicated his musical career to proving that the ukulele is a mighty instrument despite only having four strings. It’s a really informative interview and well worth checking out. As always we also have a great selection of new music we’ve received to share with you. Photo credit: James Millar.

May 06 2016

This episode features an interview with John & Michele Law who joined us to chat about the line up for the 3rd Annual Kingsville Folk Music Festival, which takes place from August 12-14, in the beautiful confines of Lakeside Park in Kingsville on the shores of Lake Erie It’s a great festival and already gaining a great reputation for bringing fabulous folk, roots, blues and world music down into South-western Ontario. There’s also a lot of new music on this episode. I hope you’ll check it out.

May 05 2016

Ukulele bluesman Manitoba Hal Brolund has dedicated his musical career to proving that the ukulele is a mighty instrument despite only having four strings. Ukelele advocate, teacher and performer, Hal joined us at Folk Music Ontario to chat about all matters ukulele, including his new album “Dancing in the Moonlight”, a fine selection of songs reflecting on matters of love, loss and redemption. For more information, visit manitobahal.com. Photo credit: Ed Sprake Photography. Music: Manitoba Hal “Come To Me”, “Sweet Honey Bee” and “Daylight” from “Dancing In The Moonlight” (2015, Hal’s Kitchen).

Will Gillespie – Folk Roots Radio at FMO

Apr 24 2016

Hamilton ON singer-songwriter Will Gillespie truly has a sound of his own. A dynamic performer with a crooning cabaret style delivery, his diverse catalogue of original songs combine elements of folk, pop, rock & roll and jazz to create a unique sound he describes as jazzed-up folk-rock. Will sat down with us at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October to chat about his music. For more information about Will Gillespie, visit willgillespie.ca. Music: Will Gillespie, “Let The Money Keep You Warm” from “Chasing Shadows” (2015, Self), “Moving To Music” (Live), “Kings of the Summer” (Live) and “Ankle Deep” from “Chasing Shadows” (2015, Self).

Glen MacNeil – Where The Heart Remains – Folk Roots Radio at FMO

Apr 23 2016

Singer-songwriter Glen MacNeil produced one of our favourite albums of 2015, “Where The Heart Remains”. A veteran of the South West Ontario music scene, it was hard to believe that this was Glen’s debut solo album. Featuring a fine selection of beautifully-crafted songs focusing on relationships, family and life in general with some fabulous musicianship and beautifully understated production from John Law from The Laws – the album is truly a joy for the ears. Glen came into the Folk Roots Radio mobile studio at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October for a chat and a few live songs. Music: Glen MacNeil, “If I Could I Would” (Live), “The Island Is Where The Heart Remains” (Live), “Up On High” (Live) “I’m In Love” (Live).

Mark Martyre – Folk Roots Radio at FMO

Mar 02 2016

Toronto-based singer-songwriter Mark Martyre is heading out on his “Bluebird” tour of Southern Ontario and Montreal this March, which includes shows at Silence (Guelph) on March 4, The Artbar (Hamilton) on March 5 and The Piston (Toronto) on March 13 among others. Check out all the tour dates HERE. Mark joined us at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about his music and play a couple of songs live. For more information, visit markmartyre.com. Music: Mark Martyre “I Know What It’s Like” from “Red Letters” (2014, Self), “Long Goodbye” (Live), “The Devil On Your Back” (Live) and “Oh Luna” from “Red Letters” (2014, Self).

The East Pointers – Secret Victory – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Nov 10 2015

The East Pointers – banjoist Koady Chaisson, fiddler Tim Chaisson, and guitarist Jake Charron, all have strong musical careers in the own right yet they’ve come together as a trio to bring a contemporary spin to traditional maritime folk, with an exhilarating live sound that can’t help but get the audience clapping, stomping and bouncing along. They’ve just released their debut album “Secret Victory” (2015, Self) which features ten original tunes and songs, and are about to head out on their CD release tour. We caught up with Koady, Tim and Jake at the Folk Music Ontario conference. For more information visit eastpointers.ca. Music: East Pointers, “Secret Victory”, “Cold” and “Woodfordia” from “Secret Victory” (2015, Self).

Carly Thomas – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Nov 04 2015

Singer-songwriter Carly Thomas was born in Thailand and raised in Argentina and France, before returning to her family roots in London Ontario. Carly Thomas first came to our attention through “I Remember You”, her beautiful and thought-provoking song written for the How We Survive teen suicide awareness campaign. Check out the very impactful video that accompanys the song here. Known as much for her powerful lyrics as her engaging live performance, Carly has played everywhere from street festivals in Paris to the folk circuit in Manhattan. Carly Thomas sat down with Folk Roots Radio at the 2016 Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about her music. For more information, visit carlythomas.com. Music: Carly Thomas “Sink or Swim” and “Lightning Bolts” from “Explode E.P.” (2014, Self) and “Drive Me Home” from “Up This High” (2009, Self).

Fraser & Girard – In The Studio

Oct 13 2015

Marianne Girard and Allan Fraser had been making music for over thirty and forty years respectively before a chance meeting in 2013 lead to the development of a new musical partnership “Fraser & Girard” and the release of a critically-acclaimed self-titled album. They joined us in the studio recently for an in-depth conversation and a few live songs. For more information visit fraserandgirard.com. Music: Fraser & Girard “Picov Downs” (Live), “Outside St Louis” (Live), “The Might Penny Blues” (Live), “My Name Is Carol” (Live), “Dancehall Girls” (Live) and Fraser & Girard “Don’t Blame It On Me” from “Fraser & Girard” (2015, Self).

Stephen Fearing in Waterloo – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Sep 15 2015

Renowned Canadian singer-songwriter Stephen Fearing will be in Waterloo ON on Friday September 25 2015 for a day-long songwriting workshop and a solo evening concert. The songwriting workshop takes place at The Button Factory, 25 Regina St. S.in Waterloo. The evening concert takes place at First United Church, 16 William St. W., Waterloo at 8:00 pm. We caught up with Stephen at his new home in B.C. to chat about his music and this special opportunity to catch him live. Music: Stephen Fearing “The Golden Days” and “As The Crow Flies” from “Between Hurricanes” (2013, Lowdenproud). Photo: Jason MacNamara.

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)

Peter Boyer – Folk Roots Radio Interview

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).

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).

Jonathan Byrd & The Pickup Cowboys with Eliot Bronson – In The Folk Roots Radio Studio

Mar 22 2015

Jonathan Byrd and The Pickup Cowboys (feat. Johnny Waken and Paul Ford) and Eliot Bronson were in Guelph on March 20 2015 for a wonderful show at Silence. They joined us in the studio at CFRU 93.3fm the next day as we went “Overtime” on Folk Roots Radio. Music: Jonathan Byrd “38 Baby” from “You Can’t Outrun The Radio” (2014, Waterbug Records); Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboys – “I Was An Oak Tree” (Live), “Working Offshore” (Live) and “Love Is The Law” (Live); Eliot Bronson – “Comin’ For Ya North Georgia Blues” (Live), “River Runs Dry” (Live) and “One Mississippi” (Live); Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboys – “A Big Truck Brought It” (Live) and “Sun On The Water” (Live).

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 176

Nov 26 2014

This week’s episode of Folk Roots Radio featured an in-studio appearance by singer-songwriters Tannis Slimmon, Jude Vadala and Katherine Wheatley who come together each holiday season for a fabulous series of holiday concerts, “Songs For The Snowy Season”. This year, they are also releasing their first album under their new group name Boreal, “Winter’s Welcome”. As usual, we featured lots of new music, plus a new mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

Nov 16 2014

Episode 175 of Folk Roots Radio (the weekend of November 15 2014) featured interviews with folky funksters Shore Thing, London Ontario singer-songwriter Carly Thomas and Brechyn Chace and Larissa Chace-Smith who together form The Hello Strangers. As usual, there was lots of new music as well as the obligatory mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

Nov 13 2014

Folk Roots Radio on November 8 2014 was all about the music… lots of it, and, much of it new. As usual we also featured a new mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

Nov 03 2014

Folk Roots Radio on November 1 2014 (Episode 173) featured interviews with Ted Ferris from Cambridge Live Music (Cambridge Ontario) discussing their live local music awareness program and Taylor Ashton from Fish & Bird discussing their latest release “Something In The Ether”. As always, we wrapped it all up with a new mystery theme, guilty pleasure and, of course, lots of great music.

Tag - Jan Hall