The Oh Chays Archives | Folk Roots Radio

Kay Howl – Pink Trees – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Dec 20 2021

Kay Howl first landed on our radar as the driving force behind the South Western Ontario duo The Oh Chays, who also featured Mike Sugar Authier on guitar, percussion and backing vocals. Known for their upbeat and fun songs, powerful vocals and playful stage banter, the duo were finalists in the 2014 Toronto Blues Society Talent Search and represented Toronto Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2015. The Oh Chays may be no more, but the dynamic vocal delivery and fun stage presence lives on as Kay Howl. “Pink Trees”, which was produced with Marty Bak at SLR studios in Windsor ON is a personal and powerful statement – a coming out record, and very much a ‘this is who I am’ recording. Featuring 11 tracks, it packs quite a punch, and a recording that Kay feels is best appreciated in full album format. For more information visit Kay Howl on Bandcamp. Music: Kay Howl “Whatever”, “High On A Woman”, “Natural Disaster” and It Must Have Been Love (Roxette cover) from “Pink Trees” (2021, Self) CDN.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 591: feat. Kay Howl – Pink Trees & More New Releases

Aug 04 2021

London ON based singer-songwriter Kay Howl joins us on Episode 591 of Folk Roots Radio for an in-depth conversation about her music. You may not recognize the name Kay Howl, until we tell you that as Kay Oh Chay, she was the big voice behind the keys of the fun bluesy duo, The Oh Chays. She’s now back with a new identity, new direction and a wonderful new album, “Pink Trees”. It’s a great interview – we hope you’ll stay with us to check it out. As always, we wrap up the episode with more new releases, and this time around they are all by female artists as we hear from Flo Perlin, Tenise Marie, Tess Anderson, Allison Russell, Katie McNally Trio, Tania Joy, Katherine Priddy and Madeline Doornaert. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 367 - Show The Love

Mar 14 2018

We’re giving over all of Episode 367 of Folk Roots Radio to a great community project in Leamington Ontario that is using the arts to support revitalization of its uptown core, and, in particular, the completion of The Bank Theatre. We have interviews with Mayor of Leamington John Paterson – who is also a musician; The Bank Theatre board president Ursula Tiessen, and local musicians Neil Quiring and Dale Butler alongside music from a new double CD “Show The Love” which features local artists sharing their music to support fundraising efforts. It’s a very inspiring episode. I hope you’ll check it out. To learn more about The Bank Theatre, and its fundraising campaign, visit banktheatre.com. Check out the full playlist below.
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Episode 214: Fred Eaglesmith & The Oh Chays

Oct 18 2015

This week on Folk Roots Radio we talk to Fred Eaglesmith about his upcoming Ontario shows and replay an interview with The Oh Chays recorded at the 2014 Folk Music Ontario conference. We also continue our run down of artists nominated for the 2015 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

Oct 09 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio is the first to be split into two separate hours – “Live and Local” focusing more on upcoming live shows in the Guelph – Erin Area and the “The New Music Special” – featuring a selection of the great new music out there. Live and Local this week featured two interviews – Dennis Gaumond and Jennifer Gillmor are the Guelph-Toronto based multi-instrumentalist musical duo responsible for the rootsy, bluesy and at times funky sound of Jennis. They came into the studio to chat about their Erin Roots show at The Busholme Inn in Erin on Saturday October 24. Jenny Ritter also joined us from Vancouver to talk about her her new album “Raised with Wolves” and her show at Silence in Guelph on Wednesday October 21.

Oct 07 2015

Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Jenny Ritter is coming to Guelph for $10/PWYC show at Silence on October 21 at 8 p.m. with support from South-Western Ontario based The Oh Chays. Jenny spent a decade playing with roots outfit The Gruff, before striking out under her own name. She’s just released “Raised by Wolves”, the follow-up to her critically acclaimed album “Bright Mainland” (2012). “Raised By Wolves” is full of songs that tell stories from her “unconventional” upbringing deep in the woods on Vancouver Island featuring dreamy landscapes, pastoral imagery and some unusual people. When not touring, Jenny singlehandedly runs two rock choirs in East Vancouver. Music: Jenny Ritter “Wolf Wife”, “Turn Your Thoughts” and “Lost and Found” from “Raised By Wolves” (2015, Fiddlehead Records).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 190: feat. The Oh Chays & More New Releases

Apr 05 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio features an interview with Kelly Authier and Mike Authier who together are The Oh Chays. Kelly and Mike joined us to chat about their music and play a couple of songs at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October. You can listen to the interview again here. As usual, there’s a lot of new music on this week’s episode – plus, as always, our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

Apr 01 2015

Kelly Authier and Mike Authier are The Oh Chays. They first came to our attention at the Kingsville Folk Music Festival where we became enchanted by their upbeat and fun songs, the uplifting and heartfelt lyrics, Kelly’s powerful vocals and their wonderful stage banter. Kelly and Mike joined us for a chat at the Folk Music Ontario conference this past October, where much hilarity ensued. They also played a couple of songs for us live despite the challenge of a cold guitar in a warm room. To try and capture the experience we’ve tried to keep our editing to the minimum. We hope you enjoy it. Music: The Oh Chays, ‘Big Old World’ from ‘Big Old World’ (2014, self); The Oh Chays ‘Do Say Think’ (Live); The Oh Chays, ‘Dirk’s Lullaby’ from ‘Big Old World’ (2014, self); The Oh Chays ‘Righting Your Wrongs’ (Live); The Oh Chays, ‘Piece of Me’ from ‘Big Old World’ (2014, self)

Playlist: Episode 165 Redux

Sep 29 2014

Folk Roots Radio on September 27 (Episode 165) featured one of our best recent editions, our end of the festival season show from August 30 2014. Unfortunately I was struck down with a virus on the way back from a short family break to Florida. That will teach me to think about taking a holiday!

Sep 07 2014

Folk Roots Radio on September 6 (Episode 166) featured interviews with Lynn Jackson, Hannah Shira Naiman and Pharis & Jason alongside our mystery theme, guilty pleasure and, as usual, lots of great music.

Aug 30 2014

It was good to be back in the studio on August 30 (Episode 165) after another weekend away, this time for the Eaglewood Folk Festival. No interviews this week, just lots of music, including some great new stuff. There was also a very healthy dose of Canadian content.

Aug 20 2014

It was good to be back in the studio after a wonderful weekend at the Kingsville Folk Music Festival. On August 16 (Episode 163) we decided that an all music show was in order – lots of it new, however we still found time for our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.