Monthly Archives: February 2020

The artist's life

On relating to audiences and connecting with fans

Everyone wants to be loved; maybe artists more than others.  We need that feedback, that visceral moment when our hearts seem to connect. We need to know we are appreciated and that someone gets us. It’s often the reason we ...
News

Del Barber and Mariel Buckley announce co-headlining tour

Del Barber and Mariel Buckley, two of Canada’s most acclaimed young roots music artists, will be hitting the road together in April, covering much of Alberta and British Columbia. With each recently earning major accolades – Barber’s latest album, Easy ...
Album review

Great Lake Swimmers – The Waves, The Wake (acoustic)

In 2018, Canadian folk-rock band Great Lake Swimmers released their seventh studio album, The Waves, The Wake. The record constituted a significant pivot for the band because Tony Dekker decided to abandon his typical instrument of choice when it came ...
Feature

7 March shows you can’t miss at Vancouver’s Rogue Folk ...

With a line-up that includes award-winning blues-based vocal powerhouse Shakura S’Aida, legendary Irish musicians Altan and Sharon Shannon, Juno nominated new-generation Canadian bluegrass band the Slocan Ramblers, and beloved Canadian musical comedy trio the Arrogant Worms, the Rogue Folk Club ...
Concert review

Blue Rodeo – Feb. 8 at Budweiser Gardens, London

Canada’s Blue Rodeo returned to London, ON on Feb. 8 to celebrate their eighth appearance at Budweiser Gardens, but the night was special for an even more important reason. Thirty-five years ago to the date, Blue Rodeo made their debut ...
Concert review

Songbird North – Feb. 4 at the Roundhouse Community Ctr., ...

I was not planning to review this bi-monthly, in-the-round event at the Roundhouse Community Centre. After all, I’ve been to at least half a dozen of these and performed at two myself. But on my way in, I wondered if ...
Feature

King Alpha’s Song In A Strange Land : Concert and ...

Earlier this month at Todmorden Mills, huddled in the snow-filled valley of the Don River, on the refurbished site of Ontario’s first paper mill, the concentrated forces of Canadian reggae music defrosted some history of their own. VJ Michael Williams, ...
News

Western Canada, Juno nominee Irish Mythen is coming your way!

The new year has been off to an explosive start for Irish-born, PEI-based singer-songwriter Irish Mythen – almost as explosive as that massive voice of hers. She’s been nominated for a Juno for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year and ...
Feature

A Folk Alliance photo album from FAI 2020

Howard Gladstone attended the FAI conference in New Orleans, LA in his multiple roles as music lover, photographer, showcasing singer-songwriter, and founder of record label Sonic Peach Music.  Below are some of his photos, descriptions, and commentary. “Any excuse to ...
Feature

Folk alliances in New Orleans: a personal reflection on the ...

I was snowed in at Folk Alliance International in Montreal when I first heard FAI 2020 would be in New Orleans. In that moment, all I knew was, one way or another, I would find a way to FAI in ...