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Award-winning singer-songwriter and master storyteller Tyler Ellis once again shares his unique, inviting style to bring...
24/06/2025

Award-winning singer-songwriter and master storyteller Tyler Ellis once again shares his unique, inviting style to bring his stories to life on his eighth album, Down by the Don. The 14-song album was released on all major platforms on June 12. For more information, please visit any of the artist links below and Tyler's website.

On the heels of his widely acclaimed live album Greater-Than, Tyler shares more of his wry, thoughtful songs about love and life on Down by the Don. His hearty, warm and rugged voice lends itself well to the stories crafted for this album, and his longtime friend and musician Mark Thackway provides strong support with acoustic guitar and backing vocals throughout.

Award-winning singer-songwriter and master storyteller Tyler Ellis once again shares his unique, inviting style to bring his stories to life on his eighth album

Acclaimed Canadian blues artist Steve Marriner is back with the new single “Straight Line,” the third release from his s...
23/06/2025

Acclaimed Canadian blues artist Steve Marriner is back with the new single “Straight Line,” the third release from his solo album Hear My Heart, out now via Cordova Bay Records. It follows the swaggering success of his earlier singles — a blues-soaked reinvention of Genesis’s “I Can’t Dance” and “I Don’t Know What To Say.”
With more than 20 years of relentless touring and recording, Steve has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most versatile and hard-working musicians. Nicknamed “The Swiss Army Knife” for his multi-instrumental talents, he’s a celebrated harmonica player, baritone guitarist, soulful vocalist and creative producer.

As co-founder and frontman of the acclaimed blues-rock band MonkeyJunk, Steve has won two Juno Awards for Blues Album of the Year. He made Canadian blues history when MonkeyJunk became the first Canadian band to win a Blues Music Award in Memphis.
&BluesFestival

Acclaimed Canadian blues artist Steve Marriner is back with the new single “Straight Line,” the third release from his solo album Hear My Heart, out now via

During the recent federal election, the Liberal candidate in the New Brunswick riding of Fredericton–Oromocto was Juno A...
21/06/2025

During the recent federal election, the Liberal candidate in the New Brunswick riding of Fredericton–Oromocto was Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter David Myles. After a decisive win that night, David said his first priority was the Liberal housing plan.

Back in February, before the election was called, the priority for David was his latest album, Devil Talking.

Described as his “sinnin’ record,” the songs deal with making mistakes and coming to terms with character flaws.

“I think up until then I was unintentionally presenting a narrator that was more perfect than I am, or anyone is,” he explained at the Folk Alliance conference in Montreal.

The idea was to show the ups and downs of life we all experience.

He found the exercise of revealing himself—warts and all—to be liberating and refreshing.
In a career spanning 20 years, David has released 15 albums.

During the recent federal election, the Liberal candidate in the New Brunswick riding of Fredericton–Oromocto was Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter David M

TYLER CHILDERS ANNOUNCES JULY 25 RELEASE OF SNIPE HUNTERFollowing his five Grammy nominations last year for the album Ru...
20/06/2025

TYLER CHILDERS ANNOUNCES JULY 25 RELEASE OF SNIPE HUNTER

Following his five Grammy nominations last year for the album Rustin' In The Rain, Americana artist Tyler Childers is set to release its follow-up, Snipe Hunter, on July 25 via RCA. The album was produced by Rick Rubin, and so far the only preview is the track "Nose To The Grindstone," which bears all the hallmarks of the intimate approach that Rubin applied to Johnny Cash, and dozens of other artists he's worked with.

Hailing from rural Kentucky, Tyler Childers recorded his debut album, Bottles And Bibles, in 2011 at age 19. His breakthrough came with the Sturgill Simpson-produced 2017 album Purgatory, and the following year Childers was named the Americana Music Awards' Emerging Artist of the Year.

TYLER CHILDERS ANNOUNCES JULY 25 RELEASE OF SNIPE HUNTER Following his five Grammy nominations last year for the album Rustin' In The Rain, Americana artis

The band that launched the careers of no less than Ken and Chris Whiteley will celebrate its 60th anniversary tonight wi...
20/06/2025

The band that launched the careers of no less than Ken and Chris Whiteley will celebrate its 60th anniversary tonight with a show at Hugh's Room Live in Toronto.

The Original Sloth Band started out as Ken, Chris and Tom Evans and played a mix of jug band, swing, blues and novelty songs, mostly from the 1920s, 30s and 40s.

The Sloths performed all over North America and even appeared on Saturday Night Live with Leon Redbone.

These days, the credits on their albums read like a who's who of the Canadian music scene: the late Billy Bryans (best known for his work with the Parachute Club) David Essig and Ben Mink as guest musicians and Daniel Lanois as engineer.

The band that launched the careers of no less than Ken and Chris Whiteley will celebrate its 60th anniversary tonight with a show at Hugh's Room Live in Toronto

Singer-songwriter Mike McKenna Jr. is about to unveil the official video for “Grassfire,” the heartfelt single off his l...
19/06/2025

Singer-songwriter Mike McKenna Jr. is about to unveil the official video for “Grassfire,” the heartfelt single off his latest full-length album Smokey Mountain High (released November 1, 2024).

And we're stoked to premiere it here on Roots Music Canada ahead of tomorrow's release.

Directed by Halifax-based filmmaker Brendan “Moose” Lyle (aka ), the video is a visual love letter to Cape Breton Island—where both the artist and the story behind "Grassfire" were born.

Co-written with Nova Scotia-born, Nashville-based songwriter Makayla Lynn Parry, "Grassfire" reflects on the emotional embers of a fading relationship. Its sonic landscape—produced by Quinn Bachand (Brishen, Diamond Day)—is grounded by Mike’s signature storytelling, wrapped in a folk-Americana palette with contributions from Beatrix Méthé (Rosier, Diamond Day) on backing vocals and Clayton Linthicum (Kacy & Clayton, The Deep Dark Woods) on pedal steel.

Singer-songwriter Mike McKenna Jr. is about to unveil the official video for “Grassfire,” the heartfelt single off his latest full-length album Smokey Mount

Montreal-based contemporary folk artist Brian Campbell continues his string of poetic, emotionally resonant releases wit...
18/06/2025

Montreal-based contemporary folk artist Brian Campbell continues his string of poetic, emotionally resonant releases with “I Saw You Going Out Today,” out now.

Known for his deft fingerstyle guitar, intimate lyricism, and storyteller’s charm, Brian delivers a song that feels both timeless and immediate—rooted in the traditions of classic singer-songwriters yet bearing the sensitivity of modern folk expression.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC5PdeBxEtk

The single is part of Brian’s upcoming full-length album Let’s Talk, which explores the theme of communication—both tender and fraught—in love, politics, and the world at large. “I Saw You Going Out Today” stands out as one of the album’s most personal, bittersweet entries.

Montreal-based contemporary folk artist Brian Campbell continues his string of poetic, emotionally resonant releases with “I Saw You Going Out Today,” out n

Holy talent in western Canada these days!The Western Canadian Music Awards nominees have just been announced and the lis...
17/06/2025

Holy talent in western Canada these days!

The Western Canadian Music Awards nominees have just been announced and the list is overflowing with folk, roots and world artists even in the larger categories like artist and recording of the year.

And look at that Indigenous category! Celeigh Cardinal, Wyatt C. Louis and Shawnee Kish up against Ghostkeeper and the Snotty Nose Rez Kids? That's like five of the coolest acts out there these days.

Obviously we couldn't JUST list the nominees in the roots and world categories, so here are the nominees in all of the categories that include folk, roots and global music nominees.

The awards will be handed out during Breakout West in Winnipeg at the end of September.

Holy talent in western Canada these days! The Western Canadian Music Awards nominees have just been announced and the list is overflowing with folk, roots an

The weather was glorious for the whole weekend and so the Second Wedge outdoor stage was our first stop where Toronto ar...
16/06/2025

The weather was glorious for the whole weekend and so the Second Wedge outdoor stage was our first stop where Toronto artist Päter captivated the audience. Arriving with no expectations, we were pleasantly surprised by the band’s ‘90s-style power-pop/rock, which highlighted their sugary melodies, crunchy guitars, fine harmonies and a post-grunge sense of loud/soft dynamics. Singer/guitarist/chief songwriter Parmida Kakavand — one of those performers that you can’t take your eyes off — introduced her four highly capable backing musicians (bass, drums, keyboards, guitar) as “my imaginary friends.” Their energetic takes on songs like “Sleep” and “I Hate Everybody Anyway” showcased Parmida’s strong vocal skills, and her drummer’s propulsive talents as well. Nice to witness some strong female energy in the Springtide lineup.

About half-way through, we scurried over a few blocks to St. Andrews Church to see at least part of the set by our old friends The Barrel Boys.

The weather was glorious for the whole weekend and so the Second Wedge outdoor stage was our first stop where Toronto artist Päter captivated the audience. Arr

After attending for the first time last year, it was wonderful to be in Uxbridge again for the sixth annual Springtide F...
15/06/2025

After attending for the first time last year, it was wonderful to be in Uxbridge again for the sixth annual Springtide Festival.

First up, we caught a full set of The East Pointers at the Second Wedge Outdoor Stage. Hailing from PEI, they played boisterous, high-spirited singalongs, clap-alongs, and music to dance to – getting the kitchen party started right from the get-go. Balancing originals like “Wintergreen” with traditional-style fiddle tunes (some with hip and heavy electro beats added), they inspired a packed sea of little tykes and their grown-ups to wildly dance the early evening away. Now a duo of Tim Chaisson on guitar and fiddle and Jake Charron on guitar and piano, the band used to be a trio before their cousin, Koady Chaisson, passed away three years ago. Tim acknowledged his passing with warmth and grace, then they played a song the th*****me co-wrote, “Stronger Than You Know,” in a bittersweet but memorable moment.

After attending for the first time last year, it was wonderful to be in Uxbridge again for the sixth annual Springtide Festival. First up, we caught a full s

Australian singer-songwriter Kim Churchill has a special affection for Canada and Canadians. About 15 years ago at the F...
14/06/2025

Australian singer-songwriter Kim Churchill has a special affection for Canada and Canadians. About 15 years ago at the Folk Alliance conference in Memphis, he kept running into and making friendships with Canadians.

As a result, Kim was able to put together a tour of Canada.

“I was 19 years old, and I just wanted to travel,” he said.

And travel is what Kim has done since then. While at home in Australia, he has a van he lives in that gets him to gigs or the nearest surfing spot.

“It was always a hard decision between music and surfing,” he said.

He also has a van in Canada and one in Europe for whenever he tours overseas.

His love of travelling resulted in four EPs recorded in different locations around the world that had special meaning to him: Devon England, Berlin Germany, the Blue Mountains of Australia and Vancouver Island. The Canadian EP from 2019 is entitled Forgetting.

“Canada is such a huge part of my life spiritually," Kim said.

Australian singer-songwriter Kim Churchill has a special affection for Canada and Canadians. About 15 years ago at the Folk Alliance conference in Memphis, he k

Aynsley Saxe’s music carries the warmth of home and the weight of change. With the release of her acoustic folk single “...
14/06/2025

Aynsley Saxe’s music carries the warmth of home and the weight of change. With the release of her acoustic folk single “Stranger to Myself” on June 6, the Georgetown, ON-based singer-songwriter invites listeners into a quiet, intimate world shaped by heartbreak, resilience, and emotional clarity. The track is the first release from her upcoming sophomore album A Thousand Stars, due out in fall 2025.

Co-produced with Christian Turner at Mill Town Sound in Milton, ON, “Stranger to Myself” features just acoustic guitar, bass, and Aynsley’s voice, creating a stripped-down atmosphere that draws the listener in.
“I wanted it to feel like I was playing this song in my living room,” she explained. “The production is intentionally sparse because the lyrics needed space.

Aynsley Saxe’s music carries the warmth of home and the weight of change. With the release of her acoustic folk single “Stranger to Myself” on June 6, the

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