John Dinsmore Archives | Folk Roots Radio

The Red River Ramblers – Métis Fiddle Music – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Jan 05 2020

Douglas Richard Sinclair is a Métis musician with roots in the Red River Settlement. He’s also a member of The Red River Ramblers, an Ontario trio dedicated to reviving Manitoba Métis Fiddle music – which brings together the rhythmic spirit of the First Nations peoples with a blend of both the Scottish and French fiddle traditions. Douglas Richard Sinclair has developed his own rhythmic and melodic style of Métis banjo and guitar, and is joined in the band by Stephen Dayfoot on hand drum, spoons and assorted percussion, and new band member Nathan Smith on fiddle. The band have just released their eight track debut album “Métis Fiddle Music”, which also featured fiddler Pierre Arsenault. The new album was recorded in Toronto with John Dinsmore at Lincoln County Social Club. To learn more about the band and music, we caught up with Douglas Richard Sinclair at home in Halton Hills. For more information about The Red River Ramblers, and their upcoming live dates, visit theredriverramblers.com. Music: The Red River Ramblers “Wigwam Polka”, “Red River Jig” and “Louis Riel Reel” / “Chanson De La Grenouilliere” from “Métis Fiddle Music” (2020, Self) CDN.

Gillian Nicola – Dried Flowers – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Apr 15 2019

Hamilton ON based singer-songwriter Gillian Nicola will be releasing her first full length album “Dried Flowers” in the spring of 2019. A classically trained vocalist, Gillian Nicola describes herself as a folk singer-songwriter with a textured and layered Americana sound that comes across as a bit of a mix of Kathleen Edwards and Neko Case. Dried Flowers is the follow up to her two E.P.s 2016’s “No Place to Call” and “Chasing the Wind” (2013). Her 2016 single “Oh Marie” was nominated for the 2017 Ontario Arts Council’s Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award, and the E.P. Chasing The Wind was nominated for two Hamilton Music Awards and a Toronto Independent Music Award. While working on the new project, Gillian spent the early 2018 at the Alberta’s Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity writing songs for the new album. The new album was recorded at Lincoln County Social Club in Toronto with John Dinsmore and features Gillian Nicola on vocals and guitar with support from Aaron Goldstein (pedal Steel), Gord Tough (electric guitars), Emily Rockarts (keyboards), Rosalyn Dennett (fiddle), Alison McNamara (backing vocals), Bruce Scavuzzo (bass/backing vocals), Justin Han (drums/percussion) and Drew Jureka (string arrangements). Gillian Nicola is also a community organizer, hosting Open Mic Nights and Songwriters Circles (including the Songwriters in the Round, which takes place on the last Wednesday of each month at The Painted Lady in Toronto), and lends her talents to various non-profit organizations, such as Girls Rock Camp Toronto. We caught up with Gillian Nicola at home in Hamilton to chat about the new album. For more information, visit Gillian Nicola online at gilliannicola.com. Music: Gillian Nicola “Night Comes To Call”, “She Stays Silent”, “Dried Flowers” and “Half Way” from “Dried Flowers” (2019, Self).

Mark Martyre “Rivers” – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Jan 09 2018

Prolific Toronto based writer and musician Mark Martyre has just released his latest collection, “Rivers” – his fifth full-length studio album since 2012, and following on from “Down, Record” (2012), “London” (2013), “Red Letters” (2014), “Bluebird” (2016), and several live recordings, and bootlegs. Mark’s also published a collection of his lyrics, spanning his music between 2012-2016. Rivers features ten new reflective Mark Martyre songs, with his characteristic Tom Waits like vocal delivery, some beautifully relaxed piano work and some lovely backing vocals from Stacey Dowswell. Also, joining Mark Martyre (guitar, vocals & harmonica) on the album are Darrin Baldwin (piano), Matt Antaya (electric guitar), Graydon James (drums), Jason Lapidus (bass), Ed Michael Roth (accordion), and Raha Javanfar (violin). Rivers was recorded in Toronto at the Lincoln County Social Club with John Dinsmore. We caught up with Mark Martyre in Toronto to chat about the new album. For more information, visit markmartyre.com. Music: Mark Martyre “Come Lie Beside Me, Dear”, “Carry On”, “(I Think) We Might Be OK” and “Anywhere But Here” from “Rivers” (2017, Self).

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