Folk Roots Radio... With Jan Hall

We’re heading into the midst of a Canadian winter in the middle of a pandemic lockdown, so it seems a perfect time to bring you another hour of great new music to warm the heart, and hopefully make these challenging times a little easier to bear. Join us on Episode 564 of Folk Roots Radio for some wonderful new releases with a few topical songs and Covid tunes thrown into the mix. This time around we feature music from Darlingside, Aaron Nathans & Michael G Ronstadt, Big Little Lions, Buffalo Gals Band, Andrea Bettger, Jessie & The Leonards, Colleen Kattau, Mark Dvorak, Cosy Sheridan, War & Pierce, Dan Hill, Tret Fure, Bill Bourne, Peach & Quiet, Maria Dunn and Francine Honey. If you enjoy the music we play on this show and want to support the artists – many of whom aren’t able to play live at the moment because of the Covid-19 pandemic, don’t just stream their music – that earns them much less than a penny per play. Instead, buy their music – and really make a difference to their income. Folk Roots Rad

We're holding back the interviews on Episode 563 of Folk Roots Radio to bring you another hour of great new music - including some wonderful topical songs and Covid tunes, to help you get through these strange times. Join us for new releases from Luka Kuplowsky, Bill Bourne, A.J. Croce, Sue Smith with the Potion Kings, Leahy, Maria Dunn, Bonnie Light Horseman, Raine Hamilton, Alison Brown, The Twangtown Paramours, Karyn Oliver, Scott MacDonald, Madison Cunningham, Scott Wolfson & Other Heroes, Skerryvore and Carolina Story. If you enjoy the music we play on this show and want to support the artists – many of whom aren’t able to play live at the moment because of the Covid-19 pandemic, don’t just stream their music – that earns them much less than a penny per play. Instead, buy their music – and really make a difference to their income. They’ll love you for it! Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-563-were-all-about-the-music-a-new-day-edition/

Edmonton Alberta’s globetrotting troubadour singer-songwriter Scott Cook joins us on Episode 562 of Folk Roots Radio for an in-depth discussion about his music and wonderful seventh album "Tangle Of Souls" – one of our favourite albums of 2020. A fabulous recording, it comes with a 240-page, cloth-bound, hardcover book of stories from the road written around the album’s songs while also reflecting on Scott’s own life-changing health crisis which he uses to draw parallels to some of the challenges we face as a society. So, settle down and enjoy… Scott Cook in Conversation… on Folk Roots Radio. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-562-scott-cook-in-conversation-tangle-of-souls/ Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love - a full time hobby. If you enjoy this episode, please consider giving us a 'LIKE' and leaving a review/comment on your podcast provider and sharing the episode on social media. We'll love you for it!

We’re all about the music again on Episode 561 of Folk Roots Radio as we hold back the interviews for another hour of a great new releases. Actually, we should say we’re mostly about the music on this episode, as we’re also including a short audio piece from Quebec folk musician Guillaume Jabbour, artist in residence for the ELAN ACE Sound Experience Programme at Sainte Agathe Academy in Sainte Agathe QC, focusing on how his students are coping with the coronavirus pandemic. It’s really well done, so we’re very pleased to be able to include it in this episode. We have some wonderful new music to bring you, including some excellent Covid tunes, and a very special song to wrap up the hour. Join us for music from VISSIA, Courtney Marie Andrews, The Rough & Tumble, Floyds Row, Rylan Brooks, Merry Hell, Beano & Steve Pledger, Colleen Brown, Mister K, The Strange Valentines, Lisa Redfern and Sing Me A River. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-561-were-all

It's that time of year... time to take a look at our favourite albums of 2020. After the year we've all had, it's tempting to just want to put 2020 behind us, and move on to 2021; and yet, despite everything, 2020 has actually been a great year for recorded music. 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 favourite recordings of the year. Join us on Episode 560 of Folk Roots Radio as we count down our Ten Favourite Albums of 2020. We'll be taking a look at more of our favourite recordings on upcoming episodes of Folk Roots Radio. Visit the website at https://folkrootsradio.com to take a look at all sixty albums that made it on to our long list: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-560-our-favourite-albums-of-2020/ Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love - a full time hobby. If you enjoy this episode, please consider giving us a 'LIKE' and le

The holidays are here! Join us on Episode 559 as we celebrate the season with another special blend of Folk Roots Radio for the Holidays, with mostly new, independent songs that are definitely not your typical holiday fare. This year we’ve even thrown some Covid Christmas tunes into the mix! So, throw another log on the fire, settle down in your favourite chair and enjoy music from Good Lovelies, Fresh Breath, Abbie Gardner & Matt Nakoa, Colleen Brown, RUNA, Hal Cannon, Lisa Jeanette, Dion, Brett Perkins & Tamra Rosanes, Skinner & T’witch, Fortunate Ones, Skye Zentz, Screaming Orphans, Eoin Glackin, Céleste Lévis, Philip Scott Poli, Ed Sweeney and Connie Kaldor. Check out the full playlist on the Folk Roots Radio website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-559-folk-roots-radio-for-the-holidays-covid-christmas-edition/ Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love - a full time hobby. If you enjoy this episode, please consider giving us a 'LIKE' and leaving a review/comment on your podcast provider a

December is here, and winter is upon us - so it's time to bring out the Christmas music. We know a lot of people are not fans of holiday tunes which is why on this show we like to focus on new songs about the season rather than just the same old songs and tunes given a quick makeover. And if we play something that’s not a new song, well that’s because the artist has taken it somewhere rather special indeed. So, join us for Episode 558 of Folk Roots Radio - the first of two episodes of Folk Roots Radio for the Holidays, which features solstice songs, winter songs, Hanukkah songs and Christmas songs from RUNA, Sara Thomsen & Paula Pedersen, Connie Kaldor, Ed Sweeney, The Honey Larks, Jackie Washington, MacMaster Leahy Family, Finest Kind, SONiA disappear fear, Aaron Nathans & Michael G Ronstadt, Kelly's Lot, Tony Turner, Céleste Lévis, Ken Tizzard & Music For Goats, Josh Kimbrough and Jeffrey Straker. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-558-folk-root

Nova Scotian funeral director turned songwriter Terra Spencer joins us on Episode 557 of Folk Roots Radio for a very engaging conversation about her wonderful wintery themed second album “Chasing Rabbits”, that reflects on many aspects of life - relationships, travel, going away to college, and, above all, the joy of getting to come home again. It’s a great interview – and settling into an album that reflects on the important things in life is just what we need after the year we’ve all experienced. We continue the winter theme throughout the rest of the episode, and feature music from Ian Gill, Colleen Kattau, Reid Jamieson, Stephan Moccio, Kathleen Healy and Grant-Lee Phillips. Enjoy! Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-557-feat-terra-spencer-chasing-rabbits-more-songs-about-winter/ Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love - a full time hobby. If you enjoy this episode, please consider giving us a 'LIKE' and leaving a review/comment on your podcast pr

Vancouver based singer-songwriter Leah Barley joins us on Episode 556 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about her first full length album “Bring Out Your Dead” which features eight original songs for both guitar and banjo - ranging from foot stomping love songs to others that are dark and broody, and, clearly, quite personal. It's a great listen, and it's an excellent interview - we hope you'll stay with us to check it out. As always, we wrap up the episode with more of the new music we’ve received and this time around we hear from Braden Gates, Julie Title , Tré Burt, Gwenifer Raymond, Ordinary Elephant, Chris Pierce and Cidny Bullens. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-556-feat-leah-barley-bring-out-your-dead-more-new-releases/ Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love - a full time hobby. If you enjoy this episode, please consider giving us a 'LIKE' and leaving a review/comment on your podcast provider and sharing the episode on social media. We'll love yo

Folk trio Boreal, who feature singer-songwriters Katherine Wheatley, Tannis Slimmon and Angie Nussey, join us on Episode 555 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about their holiday show, "Songs For The Snowy Season". In early December, each year, Boreal head out on the road for a series of shows that celebrate winter and the upcoming Christmas season. Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, things are going to be a bit different this year. Instead of a whole series of shows, there will be just one performance - a FREE live-streamed performance direct from the River Run Centre​ in Guelph ON on December 11. It’s a fun interview, and it’s always great to be able to chat with Katherine, Tannis and Angie about their Christmas show, especially as this year - everyone, wherever they are, can enjoy one of the highlights of our holiday season. We continue the snow song theme through the rest of the episode and also feature music by Ellis Delaney, The Hello Darlins, Dayna Manning, RUNA, Ted Yoder, Tara MacLean & Adam Braz

We have another very special interview to bring you on Episode 554 of Folk Roots Radio. Hamilton ON based duo Piper Hayes & Carson Ritcey Thorpe who make music together as Piper & Carson, join us to chat about their wonderful new recording "Edgewalker's Remedy" -  a concept album specifically designed to provoke reflection about our lives and what we all take for granted. Piper & Carson definitely walk the talk, and firmly believe that folk music can change the world. They describe their work as deeply rooted in intention and both have a strong desire to use their platform to promote social change and self-awareness. So, settle down and enjoy Piper & Carson in Conversation - Edgewalker's Remedy on Folk Roots Radio. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-554-piper-carson-in-conversation-edgewalkers-remedy/ Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love - a full time hobby. If you enjoy this episode, please consider giving us a 'LIKE' and leaving a review/comment

Boreal are a fabulous folk trio featuring three great singer-songwriters: Guelph ON's Katherine Wheatley and Tannis Slimmon and Orillia ON's Angie Nussey. They get together in early December each year for a series of shows that celebrate 'the snowy season' with some wonderful original songs and holiday classics. This year, however, is going to be a bit different because we're in the midst of the Covid pandemic - so instead of a whole series of shows, there will be just one performance. But guess what... this time around they'll be livestreaming a FREE 'virtual performance' from the River Run Centre​ in Guelph on Friday December 11 at 8 p.m. so that everyone, no matter where they are, can enjoy a show that has become a highlight of our holiday season. Alongside the upcoming live-streamed show, Boreal have also released a great new single, a Katherine Wheatley song, "Snow Falls Down". Folk Roots Radio caught up with Katherine, Tannis and Angie for a fun chat about the upcoming livestream and the new single.

We’re holding back the interviews on Episode 553 of Folk Roots Radio to bring you another hour of great new music to help you get through these strange Covid times. This time around we hear from The Bengsons, Gillian Tuite, Moira & Claire, Beppe Gambetta, Big Little Lions, Michael Lane, River North, Reid Jamieson, The Avenoir Project, Flo Perlin & Pilgrims’ Dream, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, iskwē & Tom Wilson (Lee Harvey Osmond), Tomato Tomato, Langhorne Slim and Ricky Green & Danny Traves. Remember, if you like the artists you hear on this show, 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 it’s much more challenging to find live shows. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-553-were-all-about-the-music-the-keep-going-edition/ Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love - a full time hobby. If you enjoy this episode, please consider giving us a 'LIKE' and leaving a

Tecumseh ON singer-songwriter Glen MacNeil joins us on Episode 552 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his new self-titled EP, the follow up to the wonderful “Where The Heart Remains” from 2015 – one of our favourite albums of that year. The new EP, most of which was recorded in Covid lockdown, is also an excellent album. As always, we wrap up the episode with more of the latest new releases and this time around we hear from Leah Barley, Sophia Clark, Terra Spencer, Grace Pettis, Redi Hasa, Steve Conn and Vissia. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-552-feat-glen-macneil-self-title-e-p-more-new-releases/ Folk Roots Radio is a labour of love - a full time hobby. If you enjoy this episode, please consider giving us a 'LIKE' and leaving a review/comment on your podcast provider and sharing the episode on social media. We'll love you for it!

Brendan McLeod and Adrian Glynn from Vancouver based folk collective The Fugitives join us on Episode 551 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about their wonderful new album “Trench Songs”, which takes as its source material, lyrics from songs written by frontline soldiers during the First World War – set to new music from the band. The album is actually based on “Ridge”, a new stage show by Brendan McLeod which was due to be performed in front of a live audience in Vancouver this past March. Unfortunately, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, those live shows had to be cancelled – however Ridge has now been re-imagined as a feature film with the accompanying album. As always, we wrap up the episode with more new releases, and this time around we hear from Christa Couture, Emily Rockarts, Karl Mullen, Ian Foster, The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc and James Gates. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-551-feat-the-fugitives-trench-songs-more-new-releases/

Canadian roots and blues artist Rick Fines joins us on Episode 550 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his truly fabulous new folk blues album “Solar Powered Too” which started out as a straightforward guitar and voice album, to be recorded at his solar powered cottage in the Kawartha Highlands, before turning into something rather special. It’s a really great interview - we can only bring part of it to you on this episode, but we do hope you'll check it out, as we're sure this album will feature in our favourite albums of 2020. As always, we wrap up the episode with more new releases and this time around we hear from JJ Shiplett, Maybe Babs, Justin Farren, Kennedy Road, Brian Blain, The Mastersons, David Gillis, Donal Hinely and Dan Tuffy. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-550-feat-rick-fines-solar-powered-too-more-new-releases/

Vancouver based folk collective The Fugitives have just released a fabulous new album “Trench Songs” which takes as its source material, lyrics from songs written by frontline soldiers during the First World War – set to new music from the band. The album is based on “Ridge”, a new stage show by The Fugitives’ Brendan McLeod which was due to be performed in front of a live audience at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in Vancouver this past March. Unfortunately, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, those live shows had to be cancelled – however Ridge has now been re-imagined as a feature film, using a variety of locations throughout the Chan Centre to tell the story. Co-leaders of the Fugitives Brendan McLeod and Adrian Glynn joined us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about the new project. For more information about The Fugitives, visit https://fugitives.ca. Music: The Fugitives “Thirteen Pence”, “Hymn 43”, “If I Could Turn The Clock Back”, “After Loos”, “The Next Man Who Dies”, “Where Do We Go, Boys” a

We have a very special interview to bring you on Episode 549 of Folk Roots Radio. Aaron Jensen, the composer and arranger for Toronto based a cappella group Countermeasure joins us to chat about their new concept album “Guest Sessions” which features collaborations with world class instrumentalists like Kevin Fox, Christian Roberge, Randy Brecker, Evelyn Glennie and Natalie McMaster; each piece on the new recording being specifically tailored to compliment the sound and aesthetic of the guest artist. It’s a great album and an excellent interview - we hope you'll check it out. We wrap up the episode with new songs inspired by Canadian icon Leonard Cohen (who left us four years ago) from Lynn Jackson, Imogen Joy and Shawn William Clarke; alongside two of the tracks that the great man was working on prior to his death, that are included on his posthumous album "Thanks For The Dance" - the sublime "The Goal" and the beautiful title track. Enjoy!

We’re holding back the interviews again on Episode 548 of Folk Roots Radio as we bring you an hour of the latest new releases including more Covid tunes, and some great new protest songs. Join us for new music from Paul Snider, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Philip Scott Poli, The Roxton Rambles with Ken Whiteley & Ceilidh Wood, Valeri Dimchev with Anton Apostolov & Valeri Pastarmadzhiev, Justin Farren, Brian Blain, Adam Wendler, Moira Smiley & Seamus Egan (with Sam Amidon), HuDost and Gabriel Campagne. We also include special tributes to outlaw country pioneers Jerry Jeff Walker and Billy Joe Shaver who both sadly passed away recently. Remember, if you like what you hear on this show… don’t just stream the music – BUY the music and the you’ll really make a difference to artists income during this difficult time when it’s much more challenging to find live shows. Check out the full playlist on the website.

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 song “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 on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-547-feat-steve-poltz-covid-times-more-releases/