The Slocan Ramblers Archives | Folk Roots Radio

Folk Roots Radio Episode 639: We’re All About The Music! (Deeply Connected Edition)

Aug 07 2022

Join us on Episode 639 of Folk Roots Radio for another hour of great new releases that sound just so good together. This time around we check out new music from Noah Reid, Jenny Colquitt, Allison Moorer, Ian Lake, Wolf & Clover, Big Little Lions, Lunar Bloom, Kellie Loder, Sweet Alibi, Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder, Dodi Kallick, David Olney, Kim Beggs, The Slocan Ramblers and Kyle McKearney & Don Amero. Remember, if you like what you hear on Folk Roots Radio… and want to support the artists… don’t just stream their music, BUY their music and then you’ll really make a difference to their income during this difficult time, when live show opportunities are harder to come by. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 636: feat. The Slocan Ramblers - Up the Hill And Through The Fog & More New Releases

Jun 28 2022

Frank Evans, banjo player with the wonderful Canadian bluegrass band The Slocan Ramblers joins us on Episode 636 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about their latest album “Up the Hill And Through The Fog”. A band that are clearly on the rise, The Slocan Ramblers were the International Bluegrass Music Association‘s Momentum Band of the Year in 2020. They also picked up a Juno Award nomination for their last album, the excellent “Queen City Jubilee” from 2018. The Slocan Ramblers will be touring extensively in Canada and elsewhere this summer. As always, we wrap up the rest of the episode with more new releases and this time around we hear from Amy Speace, Tekla Waterfield & Jeff Fielder, Karine Polwart & Dave Milligan, Jocelyn Pettit, Sultans of String, Tami Neilson, The Dustbowl Daddies and Michael McDermott. Remember, if you like what you hear on Folk Roots Radio… and want to support the artists… don’t just stream their music, BUY their music and then you’ll really make a difference to their income during this difficult time, when live show opportunities are harder to come by. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 634: We’re All About The Music! (High Road Hope-Filled Edition)

Jun 11 2022

Join us on Episode 634 of Folk Roots Radio for another hour of great new music with a set of songs that sound just so good together. This time around we check out new releases from Kristen Martell, Kim Beggs, Aoife O’Donovan, Mariel Buckley, Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita, Fortunate Ones, George Woodhouse & The Public Service, Rob Heath, Orville Peck, Nelson Little, Melanie Peterson, The Slocan Ramblers, David Myles, Oysterband, String Bone and Dennis Ellsworth. Remember, if you like what you hear on Folk Roots Radio… and want to support the artists… don’t just stream their music, BUY their music and then you’ll really make a difference to their income during this difficult time, when live show opportunities are harder to come by. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 588: Summer Festival Bliss - Hillside 2018

Jul 23 2021

Many of Canada’s summer music festivals have been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Join us on Episode 588 of Folk Roots Radio as we relive one of our favourite festival experiences, the 2018 Hillside Festival. Set on the island at beautiful Guelph Lake, just outside Guelph, in Southern Ontario, Hillside has an incredible vibe. Authentic, inclusive, respectful and environmentally sustainable… Hillside is a festival that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Stay tuned as we chat with Frank Evans from The Slocan Ramblers, Martin Harley, the Fortunate Ones and Cécile Doo-Kingué. We also squeeze in music from Hillside 2018 favourites, Rev. Sekou and female Latino vocal group LADAMA. Although there is no in-person Hillside Festival this year, you can still visit Hillside virtually, from the comfort of your own home, as Hillside Homeside 2021. It’s not like being there, but actually, it’s not bad. Live music, spoken word and dance performances, workshops, children’s programming, Hillside archive presentations and more – it’s all there – just like the real thing. And like the real summer festival, the presentations are only available from July 23 – 25. You can check them out from wherever you are on the planet by following the links from hillsidefestival.ca. And guess what, it’s all free, though if you want to make a donation, we’re sure they would love you for it! Check our the full playlist for this episode below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 535: feat. Sherman Downey - New Beautiful & More New Releases

Aug 22 2020

Newfoundland storytelling singer-songwriter Sherman Downey joins us on Episode 535 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his latest recording, “New Beautiful”, a very engaging album that’s chock full of character driven songs. With a hint of escapism and a hope for a brighter future, it’s sure to bring a smile to your face – the perfect antidote to these Covid times. As usual, we also check out more of the latest new releases and this time around we hear from Marin Patenaude, Lara Taubman, Gurf Morlix, Graham Lindsey, Keats Conlon and Kathleen Edwards alongside celebrating Toronto’s The Slocan Ramblers who picked up a Momentum Award nomination for Band of the Year, from the International Bluegrass Music Association. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 420: feat. Jesse Matas & More New Releases

Jan 03 2019

Jesse Matas joins us on Episode 420 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his great new solo album “Tamarock”, our favourite album of 2018. Jesse Matas has a great vocal style, and the album features some fine playing, with a lovely sonic palate and a production that really gives all the instruments space to breath. But, above all, it’s full of really interesting songs with great lyrical imagery – and that’s what makes this album a recording that you really need to check out. You can listen to the rest of our Top Ten favourite albums of the year on Episode 417, and The Next 15 on Episode 418. We also take a look at more of the new music we’ve received, and this time around we check out albums from Johnsmith, Paul & Trevor Mills, Youngtree and The Blooms, Rich Krueger, The Slocan Ramblers and Wes Collins. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 391: Hillside 2018 Interviews

Jul 20 2018

We’re giving over the whole of Episode 391 of Folk Roots Radio to some great artist interviews we recorded at the 2018 Hillside Festival. We had an absolutely fabulous time at the festival again this year – it’s hard to put into words how wonderful it is. Set in the beautiful setting of Guelph Lake, just outside Guelph, in Southern Ontario, If you’ve not experienced it yet, you definitely should try and make it there at least once. Hillside has an incredible vibe and musically there really is something for everyone. With all the craziness going on in the world just now, it feels like a respite from all the insanity. Authentic, inclusive, respectful and environmentally sustainable… Hillside you’re just the best! Stay tuned as we chat with Frank Evans from The Slocan Ramblers, Martin Harley, the Fortunate Ones and Cécile Doo-Kingué. We also squeeze in music from Hillside 2018 favourites, Rev. Sekou and female Latino vocal group LADAMA.
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Frank Evans – Folk Roots Radio at Hillside 2018

Jul 17 2018

Toronto’s Slocan Ramblers are one of Canada’s finest bluegrass bands. Rooted in the tradition, they’re as comfortable with their own songs as they are with the bluegrass canon. They’ve just released a great new album “Queen City Jubilee”. The Slocan Ramblers are Frank Evans on banjo, Adrian Gross on mandolin, Darryl Poulsen on acoustic guitar and Alastair Whitehead on bass. Frank Evans joined Folk Roots Radio while at the 2018 Hillside Festival to chat about the band, and their new album. Check out The Slocan Ramblers online at slocanramblers.com. Music: The Slocan Ramblers, “Mississippi Heavy Water Blues” from “Queen City Jubilee” (2018, Slomusic).

Folk Roots Radio Episode 389: Hillside 2018 Preview

Jul 05 2018

We’re getting set for the 2018 Hillside Festival on Episode 389 of Folk Roots Radio. This year’s festival takes place the weekend of July 13-15 at beautiful Guelph Lake, just outside Guelph, in Southern Ontario. Each year, Hillside – a true community festival, brings together a line-up that promises something for everyone, and this year is no exception. This episode features some of the artists we’re looking forward to catching at the festival including A Tribe Called Red, Jeremy Dutcher, Iskwé, Cris Derksen, nêhiyawak, Cécile Doo-Kingué, Martin Harley, Les Tireux d’Roches, Poor Man’s Whiskey, The Slocan Ramblers, Ken Whiteley, Fortunate Ones, Jeremy Fisher, Sarah MacDougall and Annie Sumi. Check out the full playlist below.
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Folk Roots Radio Episode 297: Erin Costelo Interview & More New Releases

Jan 27 2017

Folk Roots Radio episode 297 features a great interview with Halifax NS singer/songwriter Erin Costelo about her fabulous slice of genre-bending soulful pop, “Down Below, The Status Quo”, one of our Favourite Albums of 2016. And, as always, we take a look at some great new releases.

Jan 23 2017

Toronto bluegrass band The Slocan Ramblers have a reputation for producing some of the best live acoustic music out there – a refreshingly youthful and fiddle-free take on bluegrass featuring Adrian Gross on mandolin, Darryl Poulsen on guitar, Alastair Whitehead on bass and Frank Evans on three-finger and clawhammer banjo. They released their second album “Coffee Creek”, the follow up to their very well received 2012 debut “Shaking Down The Acorns”, in 2015. An album that explores the outer reaches of bluegrass while respecting its traditions, Coffee Creek was recorded live off the floor with Chris Coole (from the Foggy Hogtown Boys) at the controls and features a healthy dose of their own original material. The Slocan Ramblers will be appearing at the River Run Centre in Guelph on January 27, The Old Town Hall in Newmarket on March 25, The Registry Theatre in Kitchener on April 7, the Aurora Cultural Centre on May 12 and the Regent Theatre in Picton on May 20 alongside dates in Western Canada, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. We caught up with banjo player Frank Evans in Toronto, to chat about their music. For more information visit slocanramblers.com. Music: The Slocan Ramblers “Pastures of Plenty / Honey Babe”, “Elk River”, “Coffee Creek” and “Call Me Long Gone” from “Coffee Creek” (2015, Self).