Lewis Melville Archives | Folk Roots Radio

Tannis Slimmon – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Nov 07 2018

Tannis Slimmon has been making music for over 30 years. Tannis grew up in a musical family on a farm in Manitoba before moving to Guelph ON in 1980, announcing herself on the Canadian folk scene as a member of the critically acclaimed Bird Sisters (with Jude Vadala and Sue Smith). Since then, her music career has gone from strength to strength – with three great solo albums (with support from her partner Lewis Melville), taking home Contemporary Vocalist of the Year at the 2008 Canadian Folk Music Awards, for her second solo album, the fabulous “Lucky Blue”. Tannis has also been involved in many other musical collaborations including vocal groups Essentia & Ondine Chorus, The Lucky Sisters and currently Boreal (with Jude Vadala and Katherine Wheatley). Boreal’s annual Songs For The Snowy Season concerts start in late November. For more information on this year’s dates, visit borealsongs.ca. There’s also a new duo – Sweetcorn and Sunflower with fellow Guelph based singer-songwriter Annie Sumi – they’re just back from a tour that took them out to Vancouver Island. Check out the great video session they recorded at BNB studios HERE. The good news, for such an accomplished artist, is that Tannis is now able to make music full-time allowing her a renewed focus on her solo career, and her other projects. We caught up with Tannis Slimmon at home in Guelph to chat about her music. Visit Tannis Slimmon online at tannis.ca. Music: Tannis Slimmon “Our Time Now” from “Lucky Blue” (2007, Self), “Good News” from “In And Out Of Harmony” (2013, Self) and Boreal “Shovelling Snow” from “Winter’s Welcome” (2014, Self).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 371: feat. The Kelly Song Collective & More New Releases

Folk Roots Radio Episode 371: The Kelly Song Collective & More New Releases

Apr 05 2018

The Kelly Song Collective join us in the studio on Episode 371 of Folk Roots Radio. The Kelly Song Collective are a folk roots duo from Sudbury and Toronto featuring the brothers John and Joe Kelly. They released a fabulous debut album “Unless & Until” in 2017. Although they weren’t even on our radar at the time, we’ve since gotten to know them and love their music. It was a great pleasure to have John and Joe join us in the studio for an in-depth conversation and some live songs. We also check out more of the new releases, including new music from Niall Teague & The Fast Company, Kyle Carey, John Flanagan Trio, Banjo Mechanics, Big Little Lions, Christina Martin and Amelia Coburn. Check out the full playlist below.
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Folk Roots Radio Episode 296: Banjofest Guelph Interview & More New Releases

Jan 26 2017

We love the banjo on Folk Roots Radio which is a very good thing, as this edition has more than the usual amount included. We talk to Ian Molesworth about Banjofest – a one day festival taking place in Guelph in March and listen to some of the artists who will be taking part. We also check in on some of the artists who will be performing at the 10th annual Hillside Inside which takes place in Downtown Guelph from February 9-12. Among the new releases, we get to hear some great musical commentary about the recent political upheaval south of the border.

Jan 22 2017

Banjofest Guelph sounds like the perfect day out for anyone who love’s banjo. Guelph’s first festival devoted to banjo music takes place at Silence, 46 Essex Street in Guelph on Saturday March 11 2017. The festival features a full day of banjo music, in all its glory. The afternoon Session (2-5:30 p.m.) features Buckwheat Honey, Lotus Wight, The BIG Schotts, and Chris Coole with Arnie Naiman, commemorating the recording of their album “5 Strings Attached With No Backing” (1997, Merriweather Records) 20 years ago. The evening session (8-11 p.m.) includes performances by The Banjo Mechanics featuring Ian Pattison and Lewis Melville, Tim Posgate with Andrew Downing and The Lonesome Ace Stringband. Tickets are $25 per session or $40 for both sessions (there are only 55 tickets available for each session) and can be purchased by emailing [email protected]. The event is co-sponsored by Woodall Music Acoustic Roots Music Instructional DVDs and Folkway Music. To learn more about Banjofest we caught up with organizer and banjo player Ian Molesworth. Music: Arnie Naiman and Chris Coole “Country Blues” from “5 Strings Attached With No Backing” (1997, Merriweather Records), The Banjo Mechanics “Still Jiggin’ For Trout” from “JlP” (2014, Self).

Songs Of The Future – The Interview

Jan 26 2016

Songs of the Future is the latest collection of music curated for Guelph’s Bar Code Free Music by folk and roots musician Lewis Melville. Released under the name of the Tomorrow Collective, the album features 33 songs by 31 different artists and groups (there are two songs each from Tannis Slimmon and Lewis Melville), who were asked to reflect on Canada’s place in the world and their hopes for the future in the wake of the 42nd Canadian General Election that took place on October 19 2015. We caught up with Lewis Melville at home in Guelph to chat about the project. Music: Tannis Slimmon, “In The Future” and Lewis Melville “Give It A Whirl” from “Songs of the Future” (2015, Bar Code Free Music).

Jennis at the ANAF – November 28

Nov 25 2015

Fresh off a fabulous show at Erin Roots, Toronto Blues Society 2015 Talent Search finalists, Jennis bring their multi-instrumental rootsy sound to the ANAF, 32 Gordon St, Guelph on Saturday, November 28. Joining Jennis on the bill will be the duelling banjos of the Banjo Mechanics – Ian Pattison and Lewis Melville. $15 cover. Join us for an evening of fabulous live roots music that is sure to engage, delight and inspire!

Oct 09 2015

The second show of the Erin Roots live music series at The Busholme Inn in Erin takes place on Saturday October 24 at 7:30 p.m. and features the roots, bluesy, folky sound of Jen Gillmor and Dennis Gaumond as “Jennis” alongside the duelling banjos of the “Banjo Mechanics” Ian Pattison and Lewis Melville. Join us for an evening of fabulous live roots music that is sure to engage, delight and inspire. Each of the Erin Roots live shows will be taped for future broadcast on Erin Radio community radio station.

Erin Roots presents… Jennis and The Banjo Mechanics in Concert
The Busholme Inn, 156 Main St, Erin, Ontario N0B 1T0 Erin
Saturday October 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $15 (for advance tickets call 519-362-3383 or e-mail jan[at]folkrootsradio.com)

Mar 27 2015

Guelph-based Singer-songwriter Tannis Slimmon returns to the Cooperator’s Hall stage at the River Run Centre on April 10 accompanied by her musical partner, Lewis Melville.

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 23 2014

Tannis Slimmon, Jude Vadala and Katherine Wheatley come together each Christmas to put on a series of concerts “Songs For The Snowy Season” in collaboration with Folkway Music. This year’s Guelph show (the 8th edition of this holiday tradition) takes place at Guelph Little Theatre, 176 Morris St, Guelph on Saturday, December 6 at 8:30 p.m. (Doors, 8:00 p.m.). This year, the performance will be that little bit more special as they are also releasing their first album under their new group name Boreal, “Winter’s Welcome”. Tickets $22.60 (includes HST) / $25 at the door and available from Folkway Music by phone at 1-855-772-0424, email or in person (22 Dupont Street East, Waterloo); The Bookshelf (41 Quebec Street, Guelph) and online through Event Brite HERE. Tannis, Jude and Katherine joined us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about the new album and upcoming Christmas shows. For more information about Boreal, visit borealsongs.ca.

Playlist – Episode 175

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.

Oct 14 2014

Folk Roots Radio on October 11 2014 (Episode 170) was broadcast live from the Guelph Farmers Market as part of CFRU 93.3fm’s annual Raise Your Voice funding drive. In honour of Thanksgiving (Canadian), this week’s show also featured a Canadian and close to home music mix alongside feature interviews with Guelph-based musicians Nicole Ensing (with The Wild Oats) and Tyler Wagler.

Aug 13 2014

I’m just back from Kingsville and thought it might be fun to talk about the first ever Kingsville Folk Music Festival. It was a blast. If you want to know why, you’d better read on!

Tannis Slimmon and Lewis Melville

Jun 20 2014

Tannis Slimmon, the Guelph-based singer-songwriter with the golden voice, tunes up for her BC tour with a special concert with her long time musical collaborator Lewis Melville at the Music In The Wood, 122 Main Street South, Rockwood on June 28 2014 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. To reserve, call (519) 856-9266 or email [email protected]. For more information visit tannis.ca.

Ondine Chorus

Mar 15 2014

Guelph based Ondine Chorus are releasing their first EP, “Towards a Little Light”. The E.P. features two original compositions and three stunning arrangements of traditional tunes. The CD release party will take place at the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre on Saturday March 29 2014 at 2:30 p.m. (Doors at 2:00 p.m.)

Feb 03 2013

Guelph’s Tannis Slimmon releases her latest album, In and Out of Harmony on Saturday February 16 2013 at 8:00 p.m. at the Guelph Little Theatre.

Oct 29 2010

Jude Vadala releases her 5th album “Do You Ever” at the Guelph Little Theatre on Saturday November 6 2010 at 8.00 p.m. Jude has been involved in the Guelph music scene for over 30 years and was previously a member of The Bird Sisters with Tannis Slimmon and Sue Smith.