Steve Poltz Archives | Folk Roots Radio

Folk Roots Radio Episode 622: feat. Matt Patershuk – An Honest Effort & More New Releases

Feb 22 2022

Alberta based storytelling singer-songwriter Matt Patershuk joins us on Episode 622 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his latest album, “An Honest Effort”, which tells stories of people who are trying to make a go of it, despite life’s challenges – and who are not going to give up just because things get difficult. It’s a great album, and a fun conversation with a fine songwriter who writes songs that just can’t help but draw you in. As always, we wrap up the episode with more of the latest new releases and this time around we hear from Grace Morrison, Tim O’Brien, Jackson Grimm, Bryan McPherson, The Accidentals, Jessica Pearson & The East Wind, The Weather Station, Steve Poltz and The Pine Hearts. Check out the full playlist below.

Steve Poltz – Covid Times Edition – Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions

Nov 25 2020

Singer-songwriter and humorist Steve Poltz joins us on a special ‘Covid Times’ edition of our video sister show, the Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions, to chat about how he has been spending his time off the road during these strange, strange times – including the release of a wonderful lockdown single, appropriately entitled “Quarantine Blues”. Unfortunately because of the ongoing pandemic, we haven’t been able to record any more video sessions, so we’ve switched to a socially distanced interview format similar to Folk Roots Radio. Since we started the Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions, we’ve had 50 different artists/bands join us in the studio. Check them out online at sunparloursessions.com. Enjoy!

Folk Roots Radio Episode 547: feat. Steve Poltz (Covid Times) & More Releases

Oct 26 2020

We’re pleased to bring you another one of our Covid Times interviews on Episode 547 of Folk Roots Radio. As you know, the coronavirus pandemic has completely upended the lives of people who make their living through music. This time around we catch up with zany singer-songwriter and humorist Steve Poltz to learn more about his life during these strange, strange times – while checking out a wonderful new lockdown single, appropriately entitled “Quarantine Blues”. As always, it’s a great conversation. We wrap up the episode with new music from Rick Fines, Rube & Rake, Clare Follett, Carmanah, Hamish Napier, Aoife Scott, Terra Lightfoot and Dione Taylor. If you like the music you hear on Folk Roots Radio, don’t just stream the music – BUY the music, and then you’ll really make a difference to artists income during a period when live shows are hard to find. Check out the full playlist below.

Steve Poltz - Covid Times - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Oct 25 2020

Singer-songwriter and humorist Steve Poltz is an absolutely fabulous live performer. There is just no two ways about it. See one show, you’ll become a fan for life – and like everyone else, you’ll be revelling in the power of being in the moment for a performance where anything can happen, and often does. Steve Poltz was born in Canada (Halifax NS) and raised in San Diego where he spent much of his life before he moved to Nashville in 2016. After a series of well-received albums, the release of “Shine On” in 2019 really started to move Steve’s career up to another level – and then COVID hit. As a touring artist, Steve works exceptionally hard and plays more than 150 dates a year across North America, Europe and Australia. To see all his 2020 plans evaporate almost overnight was disappointing to say the least. Steve Poltz joined us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about how he has been spending his time off the road, including the release of a wonderful new lockdown single, appropriately entitled “Quarantine Blues”. Watch the video version of this interview on our sister show the Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions HERE. For more information about the music of Steve Poltz visit poltz.com. Music: Steve Poltz “Quarantine Blues” (single) (2020, 98 Pounder Records / Compass Records), “Ballin’ On A Wednesday” from “Shine On” (2019, 98 Pounder Records / Red House Records) and Hey God I’ll Trade You Donald Trump For Leonard Cohen (single) (2017, 98 Pounder Records)

Steve Poltz on Cayamo – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Mar 21 2020

It is always a pleasure to sit down with Nashville based singer-songwriter Steve Poltz to chat about his music – especially so, when you’re in the middle of the Caribbean on the Cayamo roots music cruise. His third time on Cayamo, Steve was joined by partner Sharon, sister Kathy and Dad Joe; Steve and Sharon actually tied the knot on the boat, surrounded by 500 of their closest friends! A brilliant live performer, Steve Poltz is scheduled to be back in Canada to play the 6th Roots North Music Festival in Orillia ON on Saturday April 25 2020. The Roots North Music Festival takes place at a variety of venues across Downtown Orillia from Thursday – Sunday, April 23-26. For more information about the music of Steve Poltz, visit poltz.com. Photo: Susan Wheeler-Hall. You can also check out our full Cayamo radio episode HERE. Music: Steve Poltz “Silver Lining” from “One Left Shoe” (1998, UMG Recordings), “Sewing Machine” (Live) (2014, Live At Oasis House Concerts, San Diego CA, YouTube) and “Pharmacist” from “Shine On” (2019, Compass Records).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 496: feat. Steve Poltz & Cayamo 2020

Feb 29 2020

Welcome to another very special hour of Folk Roots Radio, as we give over the whole of Episode 496 to music from artists we enjoyed on the 2020 edition of the roots music cruise Cayamo. We had an absolutely fabulous time sailing around the Caribbean with 40 of the world’s best Americana, roots and blues musicians. We even caught up with the great Steve Poltz on the boat. No stranger to this show and a brilliant live performer, Steve will be back in Canada this April to play the Roots North Music Festival in Orillia. We also include music from Hayes Carll, Mavis Staples, Molly Tuttle, Joe Robinson, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Allison Moorer and Rodney Crowell. Join us for more great music, and fun conversation on Folk Roots Radio. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 486: Our Favourite Albums of 2019

Dec 31 2019

It’s that time of year… we’re holding back the interviews on Episode 486 of Folk Roots Radio as we check out our ten favourite albums of 2019. 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 this episode. 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, maybe it didn’t make it up on to our radar, or perhaps we never received 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 and check out the full playlist below. Enjoy!

Folk Roots Radio Episode 453: feat. Steve Poltz & More New Releases

May 31 2019

Singer-songwriter and humourist Steve Poltz is back on Folk Roots Radio. Steve joins us on Episode 453 to chat about his latest album “Shine On”, which was recorded in Nashville with Will Kimbrough. He’s also back out on the festival circuit again this summer, including some dates in Canada. A fabulous live performer, you’ll be entranced, even if you’re not completely familiar with his music. Steve Poltz is always great fun to talk to you – we’re fairly sure you’re really going to enjoy this one. Alongside the interview, we also check out more new releases, and this time round it’s new music from Bob Sumner, Meg Tennant, The Gloaming, Jean-Paul De Roover, Gabrielle Papillon, Irish Mythen and JW-Jones. Check out the full playlist below.

Steve Poltz - Shine On - Folk Roots Radio Interview

May 17 2019

Halifax-born, San Diego raised and now Nashville based singer/songwriter and humourist Steve Poltz returns to Canada on tour again this May. A fantastic live performer – you’ll be entranced, even if you’re not completely familiar with his music. Steve Poltz will also be stopping by the Ottawa Bluesfest (July 4), Mariposa Folk Festival (July 5), Calgary Folk Festival (July 26) and Trout Forest Music Festival (August 9) this summer. Steve Poltz released his latest album “Shine On” earlier this year. The new album was recorded in Nashville with Will Kimbrough and features 10 new songs, including co-writes with Scot Sax, Molly Tuttle and Anthony Da Costa. As usual for a Steve Poltz recording, the album is replete with whimsy and quirky humour but also some beautiful songwriting, with songs about hope, love, contemplation, a celebration of Wednesdays, pharmacists and what windows would say to each other if they could actually talk. To learn more about the new album, we’re pleased to welcome Steve Poltz back to Folk Roots Radio. For more information on all Steve Poltz upcoming tour dates, visit poltz.com. Music: Steve Poltz “Pharmacist”, “4th July”, “Windows of Halifax”, “Shine On” from “Shine On” (2019, Red House Records / Compass Records).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 432: feat. John Muirhead & More New Releases

Mar 08 2019

London ON based singer-songwriter John Muirhead first landed on our radar as a member of the Developing Artist Program (formerly the Youth Program) at the 2016 Folk Music Ontario conference. He has since released two E.P.s and is now working on his first full length record. John Muirhead joins us on Episode 432 of Folk Roots Radio for a great conversation about his music. We also check out new music from Pete Eastmure, Jamie Shea, Lula Wiles, Steve Poltz, Kate Weekes, Outside I’m A Giant, Matt Mays, Dave McEathron and Benjamin Dakota Rogers. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 384: Steve Poltz & New Releases

May 29 2018

Crowd-surfing festival favourite Steve Poltz joins us on Episode 384 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his music, and fabulous live show. Steve Poltz is one of those artists that once you catch a show, you can’t wait to do it again. It’s a really insightful interview – definitely worth sticking around for. And as always on Folk Roots Radio, we check out more of the latest releases and this time around we stay in the US as we check out new music from Daniel Crabtree, Rebekah Long, Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches, Vi Wickam & Justin Branum, John Gorka and John Linn. Check out the full playlist below.

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).

Hillside Inside – February 9-12 in Guelph

Feb 03 2017

The Hillside Festival is getting ready to bring Hillside Inside. The summer festival’s wintery cousin, will delight music lovers at a variety of venues in Downtown Guelph. They’re celebrating ten years of winter programming, and, as usual, they’ve put together a wonderfully diverse programme. Concerts, workshops and community activities, there is something for everyone.
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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.

Jul 15 2016

Episode 263 of Folk Roots Radio is dedicated to the 33rd edition of the Hillside Festival taking place at beautiful Guelph Lake Conservation Area, just north of Guelph, on the weekend of July 22-24, and featuring music from some of the performers we’re looking forward to catching. And Sam Baijal, Artistic Director at the Hillside Festival also joins us to chat about the line-up and the artists he’s excited to bring to the festival. To learn more about Hillside and to pick up tickets – and, amazingly there are still some available, visit hillsidefestival.ca.

Apr 24 2016

The musical lineup for the 33rd edition of the Hillside Festival has just been announced so it’s clear that summer can’t be too far away. A genre diverse musical delight, as always there is something for everyone. The festival runs from July 22 to 24 at Guelph Lake Conservation Area. Check out the artists scheduled to play below.

Jul 22 2015

The 26th EagleWood Folk Festival takes place on the weekend of August 29 in Beautiful Pefferlaw ON. After being forced to leave its long-time home, the festival reinvented itself last year at the beautiful Living Landscapes on Homestead Rd in Pefferlaw. The new country garden setting is perfect for one of the more intimate festivals in the summer calendar and remains true to it’s philosophy of providing outstanding entertainment for a reasonable price. “Fresh Air, Good Vibes, Great Music” will always remain at the heart of the EagleWood Folk Festival! For more information and to buy tickets, visit their new website at ewfolk.ca. Check out the line-up below.

Jul 22 2015

Folk Roots Radio presents… is pleased to bring the fabulous singer-songwriter Steve Poltz to Guelph, for the very first time, for an early evening show at Silence on Sunday August 30 at 7:00 p.m. (please note the Date and Time). Steve is one of the most-engaging performers you are ever, ever likely to see. Once you’ve been to a Steve Poltz show, you’ll be asking when he’s coming back.

An Evening with Steve Poltz
Sunday August 30 2015 at 7 p.m. (Doors 6:30 p.m.)
Silence, 46 Essex Street, Guelph ON
Tickets: $20 Early Bird (No Booking Fee!). BUY NOW.
At the Door: $25

Jun 30 2015

Episode 202 of Folk Roots Radio featured an interview with Alberta-based vocalist and songwriter Lizzy Hoyt who came into our mobile studio at the Folk Music Ontario Conference this past October to chat about her music and her latest album, the wonderful “New Lady On The Prairie”. Lizzy will be appearing at this year’s Kingsville Folk Festival from August 7-9 in Kingsville Ontario. As usual we also found time to include a good selection of new music alongside our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.