Summerfolk Archives | Folk Roots Radio

Folk Roots Radio Episode 394: Summerfolk 2018 Preview

Folk Roots Radio Episode 394: Summerfolk Preview

Aug 02 2018

We’re getting set for the 2018 Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival which takes place the weekend of August 17-19 in Kelso Park, on the shores of Georgian Bay, just outside Owen Sound. One of the friendliest festivals out there, and now in its 43rd year, it’s always a fabulous weekend. Each year, Summerfolk prides itself in putting together a wonderful musical line-up, and the 2018 edition is no exception. This year’s festival features more than 40 different musical acts from Canada and across the world in genres that range from folk, roots, country and bluegrass, to blues, and even hip-hop and funk. As always, there are also lots of children’s activities, community workshops, artisan booths, dozens of food vendors… and two licensed areas. Artistic Director James Keelaghan joins us on Episode 394 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about the role of the AD and some of the artists he’s excited to see at the festival. We also check out music from Summerfolk 2018 performers Rose Cousins, Bahamas, Suzie Vinnick, Susan Aglukark, Goitse, Calan, Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer and Vishtèn. Check out the full playlist below.
Read More

Summerfolk 2018 – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Jul 31 2018

The 2018 Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival takes place the weekend of August 17-19 in Kelso Park, on the shores of Georgian Bay, just outside Owen Sound. A beautiful site – it’s the perfect situation for a summer festival. Each year, Summerfolk prides itself in putting together a wonderful musical line-up, and the 2018 edition is no exception. This year’s festival, the 43rd edition, features more than 40 different musical acts from Canada and across the world in genres that range from folk, roots, country and bluegrass, to blues, and even hip-hop and funk. As always, there are also lots of children’s activities, community workshops, artisan booths, dozens of food vendors… and two licensed areas. To learn more about this summer’s festival we caught up with artistic director James Keelaghan. Check out the full Summerfolk line-up HERE. GET TICKETS. For more information about Summerfolk, visit summerfolk.org. Music: Calan, “Senwir Solomon” from “Solomon” (2017, Sain Recordiau Cyf.), Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer “Get Ready” from “Apocalipstick” (2017, self) and Vishtèn “Figeac” from “Vishtèn Live” (2009, Sandbar Music).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 351: Ken Yates and The Canadian Folk Music Awards

Folk Roots Radio Episode 350 - Ken Yates Interview & 2017 Canadian Folk Music Awards

Nov 23 2017

The winners of the 2017 Canadian Folk Music Awards were recently announced at a couple of very special gala evenings in Ottawa. On Episode 351 of Folk Roots Radio we feature music from some of the award winners alongside an interview with double award-winning singer-songwriter Ken Yates, recorded at this year’s Summerfolk. Ken took home the awards for both English Songwriter of the Year and New/Emerging Artist of the Year for his wonderful 2016 album “Huntsville”. Check out the playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 346: Mayhemingways Interview & More New Releases

Oct 26 2017

Peterborough ON’s wonderful fuzz-folk duo Mayhemingways have had a fabulous couple of years since the release of their debut album “Hunter St. Blues”. Episode 346 of Folk Roots Radio features a great interview with Benj Rowland and Josh Fewings recorded at this year’s Summerfolk. And, as always, we also check out more of the new music we’ve received, including the latest albums from Sarah Hiltz, Margo Price, Tom Savage and Broomsticks And Hammers. Check out the full playlist below.

Mayhemingways - Summerfolk 2017 Interview

Oct 24 2017

Peterborough ON’s fuzz-folk duo Mayhemingways have had a fabulous couple of years since the release of their debut album “Hunter St. Blues”. The Mayhemingways have spent a lot of 2017 on a cross-Canada tour as side players and the support act for Bill & Joel Plaskett and their new collaboration “Solidarity”. Benj Rowland (synth. bass, accordion, banjo, guitar and vocals) and Josh Fewings (Drums, backing vocals) are now working on their sophomore release, provisionally titled “Skipland”. We caught up with the Mayhemingways at Summerfolk to chat about their music. To learn more about the Mayhemingways, visit mayhemingways.wordpress.com. Photo: Michelle Fortier. Music: Mayhemingways “Hunter St. Blues” from “Hunter St. Blues” (2015, Self).

Ken Yates – Summerfolk 2017 Interview

Oct 24 2017

Ken Yates is one of Canada’s brightest young singer-songwriters. Unforgettable melodies, emotionally charged storytelling, and top-notch guitar chops are all on display on his new Jim Bryson produced album “Huntsville” – its 11 tracks capturing his artistic evolution amid extensive touring over the past three years. We caught up with Ken at Summerfolk 2017 to chat about his music. Visit Ken Yates online at kenyates.com. Photo: Michelle Fortier. Music: Ken Yates, “Roll Me On Home” from “Huntsville” (2016, Self).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 341: Coco Love Alcorn Summerfolk Interview & More New Releases

Folk Roots Radio Episode 341: Coco Love Alcorn & More New Releases

Sep 08 2017

Coco Love Alcorn has had an absolutely fabulous year since the release of her latest album “Wonderland”. A gifted folk, pop and jazz singer – as well as a wonderful harmonizer and improviser, Coco sat down with us at Summerfolk to chat about her music and future plans. We’re pleased to bring that interview to you as part of Episode 341 of Folk Roots Radio alongside some of our favourite performances at Summerfolk, and more of the latest new releases including the title track of the new Kris Kristofferson album and one of the last songs that Greg Allman ever recorded. Photo: Michael McLuhan Photography. Check out the full playlist below.

Coco Love Alcorn - Summerfolk 2017 Interview

Aug 30 2017

Coco Love Alcorn lives in the moment. A gifted performer in folk, pop and jazz, and a wonderful harmonizer and improviser, Coco has had an absolutely fabulous year since the release of her latest album “Wonderland” – which came out of her non-denominational gospel song project, The Spirit Sessions. Since the album’s September 2016 release, Coco has been touring Canada extensively (including a three week Christmas tour with John McDermott) and working with choirs from all across the country. This fall she will be heading off on the Invitation to Sing tour which includes a two night stint in Vancouver where she will be joined by five choirs who will add more than 200 voices to her performance. We caught up with Coco at the Summerfolk Music & Crafts festival. Our 2015 interview with Coco, recorded at the Folk Music Ontario conference is also worth checking out. Find it online HERE. For more information, visit cocolovealcorn.com. Photo: Michelle Fortier. Music: Coco Love Alcorn “Wonderland” from “Wonderland” (2016, Self).

Bare Sierra – Summerfolk 2017 Interview

Aug 30 2017

Bare Sierra is an alt. folk duo featuring John Muirhead and Jesse Bydevaate. John and Jesse met at school in Halton Hills ON, and since that time have been part of a variety of different musical projects. John was also part of the 2016 Developing Artist Program (formerly Youth Program) at the Folk Music Ontario conference. This summer they were party of the great Youth Discoveries program at the Summerfolk Music & Crafts festival. They will be going into the studio to record their first E.P. this fall. We caught up with John and Jesse at Summerfolk to learn more about their music. Visit Bare Sierra online at baresierra.com. Photo: Michelle Fortier. Music: Bare Sierra “Domino” (Live Demo).

Moscow Apartment – Summerfolk 2017 Interview

Aug 30 2017

Brighid Fry & Pascal Padilla met while performing in The Nutcracker at the Four Seasons Centre in Toronto. Still in their mid-teens, they’re now making music together as indie-pop duo Moscow Apartment. And after just six months together, they’re already making a splash on the summer festival scene. They’ve recently been in the studio with mentor Samantha Martin from Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar and engineer Guillermo Subauste to record their first self-titled E.P. We caught up with them as part of the wonderful Youth Discoveries program at the Summerfolk Music & Crafts festival to chat about their music. For more information, visit moscowapartment.ca. Photo: Michelle Fortier. Music: Moscow Apartment “Annie” from “Moscow Apartment” E.P. (2017, self).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 335: Summerfolk 2017

Jul 21 2017

We’re all about the Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival on Episode 335 of Folk Roots Radio. This year’s Summerfolk takes place the weekend of August 18-20 in Kelso Park, on the shores of Georgian Bay, in Owen Sound. To learn more about one of the most relaxed, family friendly and fun festivals on the Canadian circuit, we talk to Artistic Director James Keelaghan about this year’s musical line-up and all of the other great things you can do at Summerfolk. We also include music from some of the artists we’re looking forward to seeing this time around. It’s a great hour and definitely worth a listen. Check out the full playlist below.

Summerfolk 2017 - Folk Roots Radio Interview

Jun 21 2017

The 2017 version of one of our favourite festivals, Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival takes place the weekend of August 18-20 in Kelso Park, on the shores of Georgian Bay, in Owen Sound. One of the things that Summerfolk does very well is to bring a great variety of wonderful music together. This year’s festival features more than 40 musical acts from across Canada and across the world representing genres from folk, country and bluegrass, to blues, to hip-hop and funk. Like any great folk festival they also have lots of children’s activities, community workshops, artisan booths, dozens of food vendors… and two licensed areas. To learn more about this summer’s festival we caught up with artistic director James Keelaghan. Check out the full line-up HERE. GET TICKETS. For more information about Summerfolk, visit summerfolk.org. Music: Ken Yates “Madeline’s Table”, recorded live in L.A. (2015, Youtube).

Roger Roger – The Interview

Aug 01 2016

Roger Roger are a great Winnipeg folk-pop duo featuring twins, Madeleine and Lucas Roger. They’re on tour in Ontario this August, including a show in Guelph at the Red Brick Cafe on August 10, and they’ll also be at this year’s Summerfolk, which takes place the weekend of August 19-21, in Kelso Park, on the shores of Georgian Bay, in Owen Sound. Their debut album “Fairweather” has been receiving lots of airplay, including on Folk Roots Radio. To learn more about the band, we caught up with Roger Roger’s Madeleine Roger at home in Winnipeg. For more information, visit rogerrogermusic.com. Music: Roger Roger “13 Crows”, “Scott Free”, “Think of Me” and “Fairweather” from “Fairweather” (2016, Self).

Episode 266: Summerfolk 2016

Jul 28 2016

The 41st Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival takes place August 19-21, in Kelso Park, on the shores of Georgian Bay, in Owen Sound ON. The festival features more than 40 musical acts from across Canada and across the world representing genres from folk, country and bluegrass, to blues, to hip-hop and funk. And, like any great folk festival they also have lots of children’s activities, community workshops, artisan booths, dozens of food vendors… and two licensed areas. James Keelaghan, Artistic Director at Summerfolk, joins us on this episode to chat about the fabulous musical line-up. We also include music from some of the artists who’ll be at Summerfolk alongside a selection of the latest new releases.

Jul 26 2016

The 41st annual Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival takes place August 19-21, in Kelso Park, on the shores of Georgian Bay, in Owen Sound. The festival features more than 40 musical acts from across Canada and across the world representing genres from folk, country and bluegrass, to blues, to hip-hop and funk. Like any great folk festival they also have lots of children’s activities, community workshops, artisan booths, dozens of food vendors… and two licensed areas. This year’s line-up features Anne Beverly Foster * Ben Spencer * Ben Turcotte and Carter Rolland * Beppe Gambetta/Tony McManus * Big Little Lions * Blackburn * Bobby Dean Blackburn * Bruce Cockburn * Cassie and Maggie MacDonald * Coco Love Alcorn * David Newland * Durham County Poets * Frank Francalanza * Good for Grapes * Gypsy Kumbia Orchestra * Ian Tamblyn * Irish Mythen * Ken Whiteley & The Beulah Band * Leonard Sumner * Les Poules a Colin * Lindi Ortega * The Lifers * LookUp Theatre * Magoo * Maneli Jamal * Matt Gordon and Leonard Podolak * Mel Parsons * Michael Jerome Browne * My Son the Hurricane * Natalie MacMaster * Notre Dame de Grass * Old Man Luedecke * Olivia and The Creepy Crawlies * Richard Garvey and Celidh Barker * Roger Roger * Sarah Beatty * Scarlett Jane * Scatter The Cats * The Small Glories * The East Pointers * The Krueger Band * The Mae Trio * The O’Pears * Todd Crowley’s Musical Petting Zoo * Treasa Levasseur …alongside Youth Discoveries Jimmy Pearson * Cassie DaSilva * Jake Feeney * Brontae Hunter * Marshall Veroni. We caught up with James Keelaghan, Artistic Director at Summerfolk to chat about this year’s line-up. For more information and to buy tickets visit summerfolk.org. Music: The Small Glories with “Had I Paid” from “Wondrous Traveller” (2016, Self) and Big Little Lions “Fill Me Up” from “Just Keep Moving” (2016, Riptide Music Group).

Episode 244: Dave Gunning

Mar 31 2016

On this edition of Folk Roots Radio we talk to Pictou Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Dave Gunning about his upcoming Ontario tour and latest abum “Lift”. And, as always, we throw some interesting new music into the mix.

Feb 03 2016

This episode of Folk Roots Radio features three interviews. First up, we talk to Brian Gladstone about this year’s Winterfolk Festival, which takes place on the Danforth in Toronto from February 12 – 14. Later in the hour, singer-songwriter Richard Garvey joins us to chat about his latest E.P, “I Found A Box Of Beer In The Show” and to wrap things up, we chat to Tara MacKenzie from the MacKenzie Blues Band, about the Road To Summerfolk 2016 youth showcase opportunity.

Jan 28 2016

If you’re a budding musician between the ages of 14-22 you definitely need to pay attention to this announcement… How would you like to play Summerfolk this year? Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival are inviting up and coming young performers to register to participate in the Road To Summerfolk 2016. Showcases will be held on Sundays in April ( April 3, 10, 17, 24) in Owen Sound, Paisley and Kitchener to select artists who will advance to the grand final in Owen Sound, where five acts will be selected to play the Friday night Discoveries concert and also participate in workshop sessions during the weekend. We caught up with Tara MacKenzie from the MacKenzie Blues Band, coordinator of the program in Owen Sound. Learn more about the Youth Discoveries program HERE. To learn more about Summerfolk visit summerfolk.org. Music: Ben Turcotte, “Orange Elephant” from In These Notes” (2013, Self), Jojo Worthington “Amadeus” from “7” (2015, Self).

James Keelaghan in Guelph – January 15

Jan 10 2016

James Keelaghan is widely-regarded as being one of Canada’s finest songwriters. With a career spanning nearly a quarter century, he’s been called the poet laureate of the folk and roots world – a song craftsman who brings passion, intensity and curiosity to his work alongside an insatiable desire to find the next unique story to inspire another big song. He’s also the Artistic Director of the Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival. James Keelaghan will be in Guelph on Friday January 15 for a Borealis Music Series show in the Co-operators Hall at the River Run Centre at 8 p.m. Tickets are $28.00 Adult, $26.00 Senior and available online HERE. We have THREE pairs of tickets to give away for this show. If you’d like to get in the draw, send an e-mail to jan[at]folkrootsradio.com. Music: James Keelaghan “Glory Bound” and “Kiri’s Piano” from “History: The First 25 Years” (2013, Borealis Records).

Episode 234: James Keelaghan

Jan 05 2016

On this episode we talk to one of Canada’s finest singer-songwriters James Keelaghan. James will be in Guelph on January 15 for a show at the River Run Centre. James is also the Artistic Director of Summerfolk and during this week’s interview he announces the first artists who will be performing at the summer 2016 festival. We also have THREE pairs of tickets to give away for the James Keelaghan show. If you’d like to get in the draw, send an e-mail to jan[at]folkrootsradio.com.

Jul 20 2015

Summerfolk runs from August 20-23 in Kelso Park on the shores of Georgian Bay in Owen Sound. This year they are celebrating their 40th anniversary with a bumper edition, and kicking it all off with a birthday blues bash featuring Matt Andersen and MonkeyJunk on Thursday August 20 from 7 p.m. The festival features more than 40 musical acts including Trout Fishing in America, David Francey, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, Whitehorse, Joel Plaskett and Claire Lynch (International Bluegrass Music Association Vocalist of the Year).