Folk Roots Radio... With Jan Hall

Graham Lindsey is an Ottawa-based multi-instrumentalist who currently plays mandolin and banjo, percussion (bodhran, cajon, shakers and more), as well as flutes and whistles. Already developing a great reputation as a composer, his inventive tunes have been praised for their feel and flare, while also acknowledging their traditional Irish, Scottish or other Celtic heritage. Graham plays in folk combos From Away (with fiddler, guitarist and singer Kristan Couture and guitarist Kyle Jordan), The Trads (with Kristan Couture and Peter Taylor), McGregor & Lindsey (with Arthur McGregor)and the Sarah Burnell Band. In June 2019, Graham Lindsey released the first album of his own compositions, “Tradhead”. The new album features thirteen tracks (25 original tunes) set as twelve instrumentals alongside a version of the traditional song “Wild Mountain Thyme” that also includes Graham’s tune “From Away”. Graham’s tunes have been played on the Carillon in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, as well as in Sweden,

Toronto based singer-songwriter Jeremy Voltz has been writing music, recording, and performing for 18 years. As well as his solo career, Jeremy is also a member of fantastic thirteen voice a cappella group Countermeasure, under the direction of musical director Aaron Jensen. Known for his contemporary soul sound and huge voice, Jeremy’s songs bridge the gap between folk, rock, and soul. He sat down with Folk Roots Radio at the 2019 Folk Music Ontario conference for three live songs and an in-depth conversation about his music. For more information about the music of Jeremy Voltz visit https://jeremyvoltzmusic.com. Music: Jeremy Voltz “One Day At A Time” (Live), “Running Away” (Live) and “I’ll Follow” (Live)

Canada's own queen of Americana, Lynne Hanson is getting ready to release the second single "Just Words" and title track from her new solo recording which arrives in February 2020. The new album, produced by Jim Bryson at Fixed Hinge Recording in Ottawa, features some fabulous support players including guitar virtuoso Kevin Breit who lends his skills on electric guitar, and Jim Bryson plays guitar, keyboards and piano. Prince Edward Island singer-songwriter Catherine MacLellan also guests on four tracks. Lynne Hanson is also releasing a book of poetry - featuring poems, haikus and lyrics, to tie in with the album. Lynne Hanson joined us in the @folkrootsradio studio to chat about the new project. For more information and upcoming tour dates, visit https://lynnehanson.com. Music: Lynne Hanson "True Blue Moon" (single) and "Just Words" (single) (2019, Self) CDN.

Leader of the world rhythms folk combo Sultans of String, Chris McKhool joins us on Episode 475 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about the band’s forthcoming album "Refuge", a project that is all about highlighting the extraordinary contributions that indigenous people, immigrants and refugees make to our culture and life, and showcases some of the amazing people who are sharing their musical gifts with us in Canada and the United States. It’s a very inspiring interview - we hope you’ll stay with us to check it out. We also include new music from Bobtown, Kristen Martell, Durham County Poets, Dayna Manning, Jason Wilson and Kyp Harness. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-476-feat-chris-mckhool-sultans-of-string-more-new-releases/

We're giving over the whole of Episode 475 of Folk Roots Radio to a very inspiring audio documentary created with the participants in the 2019 Folk Music Ontario Developing Artist Program. Each year at the conference, young performers are paired with mentors from the Ontario folk community to work on a showcase performance and participate in professional development activities in a nurturing and supportive environment. This episode features commentary and musical contributions from program coordinator Treasa Levasseur; peer mentors: Braden Phelan & Liv Cazzola (Tragedy Ann); mentors: Leela Gilday, Janice Jo Lee, Irish Mythen, Alexis Normand and Nick Sherman; developing artists: Emily Gilbart, Amy Brady & Liam Roesch (Hill & Landing), Mia Kelly, Yasmine Shelton & Sam Clark (Basset) and Voimaa. Photo credit: Mike Bourgeault. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-475-feat-2019-folk-music-ontario-developing-artist-program/

We don't often dip into pop/rock on Folk Roots Radio but when it comes to a new album from Sarah Smith we know that is something we just have to do. Sarah Smith is a fabulous live performer, and, quite the road warrior - she performs well over 200 shows a year. Her latest album, the deep and personal "Unveiling" is the perfect complement to a live show that feels like Sarah Smith in communion with her adoring fans, with an amazingly tight band along for the ride. Pretty much recorded live off the floor in London ON, the new album features 15 songs that focus on love, and loss and the courage to trust your own instincts. To learn more about the new album, we're pleased to welcome Sarah Smith back to Folk Roots Radio. Sarah Smith has release shows planned for Leamington (Nov 20, The Bank Theatre), Collingwood (Nov 21, Harbour Street Fish Bar), London (Nov 22, Eastside Bar & Grill) and Kitchener (Nov 23, Rhapsody Barrel Bar). For more information about the music of Sarah Smith, and all upcoming tour dates visit

Dayna Manning joins us on Episode 474 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about her latest album, "Morning Light". Morning Light is a fabulous chamber folk recording with a wonderful and sumptuous feel - and a great selection of original and traditional songs. Dayna Manning has also released a fine book about songwriting entitled “Many Moons: A Songwriter’s Memoir” which tells the story of her three decade career in music using twelve of her songs to guide the way. It's a great interview - we hope you'll stay with us to check it out. We also include new music from Casati, Matt Zaddy, Unfaithful Servants, The Sweet Lowdown and Matt Patershuk. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-474-feat-dayna-manning-more-new-releases/

Canadian songwriter, composer and producer Jojo Worthington joins us on Episode 473 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about her latest project "TCYK (The Company You Keep)" which finds Jojo moving further into the world of electronic sounds and looping on a beautiful recording that really tests the boundaries of what we think of as folk. It’s a great album – we hope you’ll stick around to check out our interview. We also take a look at more of the new releases we've received, and this time around we hear from Miriam Backhouse-Erasmus, Dirty Dishes, The Whispering Tree, Kolonien, Poor Man's Gambit, Samson Wrote, The Dustbowl Daddies and The Luckies. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-473-feat-jojo-worthington-more-new-releases/

Sultans of String have just released the second single from their forthcoming album, “Refuge” which is due in the spring of 2020. “The Power of the Land” is a poem by Duke Redbird, now set to music by Sultans of String, with harmonies from indigenous husband and wife duo, Twin Flames. Refuge will feature some incredible musicians from the USA and Canada, many of whom arrived here as recent immigrants and refugees. According to Chris McKhool “The goal of the project is to highlight the extraordinary contributions of those that have arrived here from around the globe, as well as global talents that have been ambassadors for peace. Each one of us has a remarkable story to tell, and we are excited to share the beauty of these collaborations with you, featuring special guests from First Nations, Turkey, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Greece, Syria, Mexico, Portugal, Cuba, and Sudan.” The first single from Refuge, “I Am a Refugee” featured the powerful lyrics and spoken word vocal of Somali Refugee Poet and Multime

Multi-instrumentalists Mallory Graham & Scott Tyler make music together as The Rough & Tumble. They released “Howling Back At The Wounded Dog” this past September – the follow up to the very well-received “We Made Ourselves A Home When We Didn’t Know” from 2018. The new recording is already picking up some critical buzz, and feels like a bit of a game changer as far as their career is concerned. It has a wonderful, immediate, and almost live, feel to it, and was recorded in just five days in East Nashville with Dave Coalman, who also produced We Made Ourselves A Home When We Didn’t Know. Ten new songs that see them proudly moving forward after what they describe as a year of honesty; time to reflect on some of the challenges they have faced in their lives. If you’re a regular listener to this show you’ll know that we’re big fans of this folky rootsy Americana duo who gave up their permanent home in 2015 for a life on the road with their dogs; traveling from gig to gig in their small RV. We caught up with Mall

Multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Linda McRae joins us on Episode 472 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about her latest solo album "Going To The Well", a stripped down affair that features new versions of some Linda McRae songs alongside some really great covers. As usual, we also check out more of the latest new releases, and this time around we hear from Tim Grimm, Dirty Dishes, Nigel Wearne, Kolonien, Anna Ludlow and Matt Patershuk. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-472-feat-linda-mcrae-more-new-releases/

Steve and Marni Van Kessel, who make music together as VK, join us on Episode 471 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about their new album - album number three, "Charm", a wonderful bluesy Americana folk-rock recorded with their new band Legends of THE DEEP. We also check out more of the latest new releases, and this time around we hear from Catherine MacLellan, Connie Kaldor, Jake Morley, Unfaithful Servants, Kevin K Gagnon, Adrian Sutherland, Kete Bowers, Lizanne Knott and Stephen Fearing. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-471-feat-vk-more-new-releases/

Abe Drennan is a Canadian folk singer, educator and social / environmental activist based in the beautiful town of Inuvik, in the Northwest Territories, and over 100 miles into the Arctic circle. Abe released the single "Spirits Soared" earlier this summer - a song written to commemorate the lives of Daniel, 9, Harrison, 5 and Milly, 2, as well as their grandfather, Gary Neville, who were all killed in a car crash, caused by a drunk driver, on September 27 2015, in Vaughan ON. Proceeds from the release of the single go to support the work of the not-for-profit "Many Hands, Doing Good", a charity born out of the tragedy, which supports arts programmes for children who have experienced trauma and also provides a radio broadcasting scholarship in honour of grandfather Gary. Spirits Soared is included on Abe Drennan's second album "Iglu Sessions", which was recorded and produced with Jason Manns in the iconic Igloo Church in Inuvik. Folk Roots Radio caught up with Abe Drennan in Inuvik to learn more about his mus

Tomorrow Bird are an acoustic folk duo from the UK, featuring Jen Bird and Simon Driscoll, who specialize in heartfelt songs that reflect on the human experience. They sing of hope, love, loss, courage and empowerment - creating stories and melodies that are complimented by the duo's rich vocals and seamless harmonies. Jen and Simon met while Jen was pursuing a solo career, and Simon leading the folk-rock band Burnt Tomorrow. Tomorrow Bird released their self-titled debut album in 2018. Jen and Simon have also co-written and produced four full-length musicals together; "The Island of Lost Children", "The Best Murder Mystery Party Ever", "The Box" and "Imagine That". Tomorrow Bird recently released a new single "Love Is Love", which was written to coincide with Pride celebrations in the UK. Proceeds from the sale of the single will go to support the Stonewall UK charity. Folk Roots Radio caught up with Jen and Simon at home in Reading to chat about their music. For more information about the music of Tomorrow

We have a very special interview on Episode 470 of Folk Roots Radio. Coco Love Alcorn joins us to chat about her new album “Rebirth”, the follow-up to the very well-received 2016 album "Wonderland". Like Wonderland, the new album is spiritual, but with a distinctly non-denominational message - it’s not at all preachy. Twelve new tracks that blend together Coco’s pop, jazz and gospel influences, while some also have a lovely R&B feel to them. It’s a great album - and we know we’re biased, but it’s a fabulous interview. As usual, we wrap the episode with more of the new music we've received and this time around we hear from Katie Dahl, Tim Grimm, Dayna Manning, Bruce Cockburn and Robbie Smith, from Naming the Twins – who sadly passed away earlier this year.Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-470-feat-coco-love-alcorn-more-new-releases/

Helen Austin and Paul Otten make music together as Big Little Lions. They join us on Episode 469 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about their sixth album "Inside Voice" - fourteen new songs that take as their theme the issue of mental health with songs about dementia, depression and anxiety. It’s a great album, and Helen and Paul are always a great interview. We also check out new music from Hannah Connolly, Lizanne Knott, Lori Lynne Johnson, Anna Ludlow, The Fitzgeralds and Don Brownrigg. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-469-feat-big-little-lions-more-new-releases/

Coco Love Alcorn is getting ready to release "Rebirth", the follow-up to her very well-received 2016 album "Wonderland". With a spiritual, but distinctly non-denominational message, Rebirth - like Wonderland, blends pop, jazz and gospel stylings together but with more of an R&B feel this time around. It's a collection of songs that exhibit bravery and vulnerability with, in some cases, almost a spine-tingling fragility, as they document Coco's own journey to spiritual growth. It's a great recording, and one that really speaks to the importance of discovering and nurturing your own true self; and it's an album that is sure to appeal to a growing fanbase. Coco Love Alcorn joined us on Folk Roots Radio for an in-depth conversation about the new project. Coco Love Alcorn will be on tour this fall with Ontario stops in Toronto, London, Perth, Kingston, Newmarket, and Owen Sound; Chelsea (Quebec), three concerts in Nova Scotia (Mahone Bay, Wolfville, Halifax), and then on to Vancouver, Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Winn

Australian acoustic blues legend Lloyd Spiegel has been performing his hard-hitting, cutting edge brand of blues for more than 30 years. While on tour in Canada, Lloyd sat down with Folk Roots Radio at the Folk Music Ontario conference for a chat about his music and three live songs. Lloyd Spiegel's tenth album "Cut and Run", is the final part of a trilogy about personal redemption that he didn’t even realize he was writing until it was finished. Whereas his previous albums "Backroads" and "This Time Tomorrow" had Lloyd reflecting on the sins of the past and begging for forgiveness, Cut And Run finds him facing the next chapter of his life with optimism and determination. For more information about the music of Lloyd Spiegel and upcoming tour dates, visit http://lloydspiegel.com. Music: Lloyd Spiegel "Life Is A Gamble" (Live), "Old Wounds" (Live) and "Mississippi Sun" (Live).

Toronto roots rockers Skydiggers have just released "Let’s Get Friendship Right" - the follow up to the very well-received "Warmth Of The Sun" from 2017. Josh Finlayson and Andy Maize have been making music together as Skydiggers, with a variety of musical compadres, for nearly 30 years. The new project came out of a desire to use music as therapy to cope with the passing of several friends and family members – the majority of the songs on the new recording, which was originally intended to reflect on the five stages of grief, coming out of a songwriting retreat at the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity. Let’s Get Friendship Right, which features nine new songs, was recorded at The Tragically Hip's The Bathouse Studio with engineer/producer Nyles Spencer, with support from Peter von Althen (percussion) and Aaron Comeau (guitar/bass/keyboards). Josh Finlayson joined us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about the new album. For more information about Skydiggers and their upcoming tour dates, visit https://skydiggers

Former lead vocalist with Prairie Oyster Russell deCarle is heading back out on tour this fall in support of his third solo album - the wonderful "Alone In Crowd". Warm and smokey, it's a wonderful slice of southern soul with some jazz, blues, old school country and western swing thrown into the mix - and some great players including regular compardres - the ever wonderful Steve Briggs on guitar, Russ Boswell on bass, John Sheard (piano), Denis Keldie (accordion), Chris Whiteley (harmonica) with drums by Al Cross and Jorn Anderson and vocal support from Cindy Church, Erin Costelo, Karla Crawford and Michelle Willis. Russell deCarle is one of those performers you always want to catch live, and he'll be playing dates across Southern Ontario this fall with stops in Collingwood (CROW Bar and Variety, incl. dinner option - October 22), Oakville (Moonshine Cafe, with Steve Briggs and Paul Pigat - October 25), Toronto (Hugh’s Room Live, with Steve Briggs and Paul Pigat - October 27). He will also be in Alberta in No