The artist's life

The great search: on the addiction to collecting guitars

“She didn’t look like too much Just a Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe But a lady has never fared as well Who traveled through so much.” -Jerry Jeff Walker Over the past few weeks, I have been blessed with the postings ...
Feature

Bound for Glory – What’s in a Word

This article is about one word: bound. I believe that this word is central to our understanding of the origins and foundations of what contemporary folk and roots music is and the community that surrounds it. I believe this word ...
The artist's life

Advice for the early-career artist

This winter I have had the privilege of teaching two songwriter courses in Wakefield and Chelsea, QC. The first group of students comprises seasoned performers, some of them accomplished songwriters who have performed at a regional level and have CDs ...
The artist's life

When the light grows dim: on losing your connection ...

There are times when the creative light grows dim even for the most determined and dedicated songwriter. One may have the best intentions and be of good heart and yet the songs won’t come. It would seem as though the ...
The artist's life

Facing the future: on compensating artists fairly again

A few months ago I posted an article on the Roots Music Canada website entitled “A Brief history of Why Artists are no Longer Making a Living Making Music.” The topic was actually about the relationship between music and technology ...
The artist's life

Changing sonics, tribalism and geezerhood: a conversation with myself

Ian Tamblyn has written more than 1,500 songs over his lifetime and released more than 30 albums, earning a Juno nomination and a Canadian Folk Music Award in the process.  So we were thrilled here at Roots Music Canada when ...
The artist's life

Finding the zone

Ian Tamblyn has written more than 1,500 songs over his lifetime and released more than 30 albums, earning a Juno nomination and a Canadian Folk Music Award in the process.  So we were thrilled here at Roots Music Canada when ...
The artist's life

Stop making sense: style over content or content over style ...

  Ian Tamblyn has written more than 1,500 songs over his lifetime and released more than 30 albums, earning a Juno nomination and a Canadian Folk Music Award in the process.  So we were thrilled here at Roots Music Canada ...
The artist's life

The Savanna campfire

  Ian Tamblyn has written more than 1,500 songs over his lifetime and released more than 30 albums, earning a Juno nomination and a Canadian Folk Music Award in the process.  So we were thrilled here at Roots Music Canada ...
Feature

Ghosts: Ian Tamblyn’s journey to the birthplace of the ...

Ian Tamblyn has written more than 1,500 songs over his lifetime and released more than 30 albums, earning a Juno nomination and a Canadian Folk Music Award in the process.  So we were thrilled here at Roots Music Canada when ...