Podcast: Steel Belted Radio Feb. 27, 2014

Celebrating great live music, including the battle between Ron Hynes and Old Man Luedecke/Jordie Lane, and the return of Peter Cash & Skydiggers! Other good stuff, too. Just listen.

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Artist – Title – Album

Skydiggers – Slow Burning Fire – Restless
Skydiggers – What Do You See? – Road Radio
Skydiggers – Ramblin’ On – Just Over this Mountain
Brock Zeman – Rotten Tooth – Rotten Tooth
Sunparlour Players – Green Thumb – Us Little Devils
July Talk – Guns + Ammunition – July Talk

Ron Hynes – Dry – Ron Hynes
Ron Hynes – Record Man – Get Back Change
Ron Hynes – Godspeed – Snowbird: The Songs of Gene MacLellan
Old Man Luedecke – Monsanto Jones – Sing All About It
Old Man Luedecke – Joy of Cooking – Hinterland
Jordie Lane – Black Diamond – Live at the Wheaty
Rah Rah – Prairie Girl – The Poet’s Dead
Imaginary Cities – Hummingbird – Temporary Resident
Nathan – Glorious Exhaust – Stranger
Chloe Albert – Little White Lies – Dream Catcher
Christina Martin – Marina – Sleeping with a Stranger
Oh Susanna – Namedropper – Loved You More
LP – Someday – Into the Wild

Podcast: February 23, 2014

We’ve got a bunch of new & notable music to start today’s show, before shifting gears and going back into the past and digging through the big ol’ pile o’ vinyl records I lugged into the station for a vinyl revival show.

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Artist – Song title – Album Title – CDN=Canadian – WPG=Winnipeg artist

2:00 – 2:30 pm

Steven Bowers – Bees in Jars – Tired Light – CDN
Steven Bowers – Only One – Tired Light – CDN
Ron Hynes – Love and Hunger – Stealing Genius – CDN
Christina Martin – There Is a Light – There Is a Light EP – CDN
Christina Martin – Take – I Can Too – CDN
Old Man Luedecke – Sorry If I Let You Down – I Never Sang Before I Met You – CDN

2:30 – 3:00 pm

Old Man Luedecke – My Love Comes Stepping up the Stairs – My Hands Are on Fire and other Love Songs – CDN
Jordie Lane – Lost in You – Live at the Wheaty
Sean Rowe – To Leave Something Behind – 7″ single
John Prine – Fish and Whistle – Bruised Orange
The O’Kanes – When We’re Gone, Long Gone – The O’Kanes
Mickey Newbury – How I Love Them Old Songs – Frisco Mabel Joy

3:00 – 3:30 pm

Ry Cooder – The Very Thing That Makes You Rich (Makes Me Poor) – Bop ’til You Drop
Randy Newman – Mr. President (Have Pity on the Working Man) – Good Old Boys
Leon Redbone – Ain’t Misbehavin’ (I’m Savin’ My Love for You) – On the Track
Tom T Hall – I Care – Greatest Hits Vol. 2
Bob Dylan & The Band – Wedding Song – Planet Waves
Jesse Winchester – Step By Step – Let the Rough Side Drag
Nick Lowe – Half a Boy and Half a Man – Nick Lowe and his Cowboy Outfit
Easton Stagger Phillips – Lucillia – Resolution Road – CDN

3:30 – 4:00 pm

Jack Marks – Maggie’s Hardware Store – Blues Like These – CDN
Ox – She Shot Me Down – Dust Bowl Revival – CDN
Chalk Circle – My, Myself & I – The Great Lake – CDN
Jeffrey Hatcher & The Big Beat – Deliver Me – Cross Our Hearts – CDN – WPG
The Weakerthans – None of the Above – Fallow – CDN – WPG
The Weakerthans – My Favourite Chords – Left and Leaving – CDN – WPG
The Weakerthans – Reconstruction Site – Reconstruction Site – CDN – WPG

Podcast: Steel Belted Radio – Feb. 20, 2014

A slightly abbreviated episode tonight so we can dash off to see Mary Gauthier w/Scott Nolan & Joanna Miller! We celebrate the all-too-short career of a band we love, Joy Kills Sorrow, as they prepare to move on to other projects. We’ve also got some leftover Valentines’ Day music courtesy of the Sweetheart compilation series.

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Playlist: Episode #546 Sunday, May 18, 2014

We’ve got a look at great shows past and future, a celebration of Victoria Day, and Ron from Lockport sends us off on a trip to the country.

Artist – Song title – Album Title – CDN=Canadian – WPG=Winnipeg artist

2:00 – 2:30 pm

Martyn Joseph – How Did We End up Here? – Deep Blue
Crooked Fingers – Sleep All Summer (Featuring Emma Pollock of The Delgados) – Sleep All Summer 7″
Kelly Hogan – We Can’t Have Nice Things – I Like To Keep Myself In Pain
Jon Rauhouse – River Of No Return w/Neko Case – Steel Guitar Rodeo
Neko Case – Deep Red Bells – Blacklisted

2:30 – 3:00 pm

Jonathan Byrd – May the River Run Dry – The Law & The Lonesome
Jonathan Byrd & Chris Kokesh – If I Was an Oak Tree – Live at 4th & Main, Wray, Colorado
The Other Brothers – Dull Skates – Everything Can Change – CDN – WPG
Little Miss Higgins & The Winnipeg Five – Restless Heart – Bison Ranch Recording Sessions – CDN – WPG
Shotgun Jimmie – Growing Like A Garden – Everything, Everything – CDN

3:00 – 3:30 pm

The Lemonheads – Confetti – It’s a Shame about Ray
The Lemonheads – It’s a Shame about Ray – It’s a Shame about Ray
The Lemonheads – Layin’ up with Linda – Varshons
The Lemonheads – I Just Can’t Take It Anymore – Varshons
Johnny Paycheck – Take this Job and Shove It – Take this Job and Shove It
Sturgill Simpson – Life Ain’t Fair and the World Is Mean – High Top Mountain
Ridley Bent – Heartland Heartbreak – Buckles & Boots – CDN – WPG
Corb Lund – It’s Hard To Keep A White Shirt Clean – Losin’ Lately Gambler – CDN
Del Barber – Walking in a straight Line – Prairieography – CDN – WPG

3:30 – 4:00 pm

Whitehorse – Emerald Isle – Whitehorse – CDN
Whitehorse – Devil’s Got a Gun – The Fate of the World Depends on this Kiss – CDN
Melissa McClelland – Victoria Day (May Flowers) – Victoria Day – CDN
The Warped 45s – Victoria Day – Matador Sunset – CDN
Jon Dee Graham – Laredo ( Small Dark Something ) – Hooray For The Moon
Jon Dee Graham – Way Down In The Hole – Hooray For The Moon

Playlist: Episode #545 Sunday, May 11, 2014

It’s Mom’s Day, and what could be more important than spending some time with great mothers, so we’re pre-recorded today, but leaving you with some sweet sounds to share with that special lady. We’ve got show previews aplenty to encourage you to take mom out to see some live music, and a bunch of songs that we know she’ll love.

Artist – Song title – Album Title – CDN=Canadian – WPG=Winnipeg artist

2:00 – 2:30 pm

Sunparlour Players – Bless this City – This Beautiful City Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – CDN
The Other Brothers – Pitiful – Everything Can Change – CDN – WPG
Melissa Payne – Not the only One – High and Dry – CDN
Carrie Elkin & Danny Schmidt – Kiss Me Now – For Keeps
Blackie & The Rodeo Kings – Summertime’s Over – South – CDN
The Milk Carton Kids – Memphis – The Ash & The Clay

2:30 – 3:00 pm

The Milk Carton Kids – Michigan – Prologue
(The Milk Carton Kids) Kenneth Pattengale & Joey Ryan – Broken Headlights – Retrospect
Jonathan Byrd and Chris Kokesh – You Can’t Outrun the Radio – Live at 4th & Main, Wray, Colorado
Jonathan Byrd and Chris Kokesh – A Big Truck Brought It – Live at 4th & Main, Wray, Colorado
Jonathan Byrd – Cackalack – Cackalack

3:00 – 3:30 pm

Neko Case – Night Still Comes – The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You
Neko Case – Hold On, Hold On – CBC Radio: In Session at Studio 211
The Sadies – Jason Fleming (w/ Neko Case & Garth Hudson) – In Concert Volume One – CDN
The Corn Sisters – She’s Leaving Town – The Other Women – CDN
Reid Jamieson – King Of The Road – ReidoRadio – CDN
Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell – Invitation To The Blues – Old Yellow Moon
Lyle Lovett – Walk Through The Bottomland – Pontiac

3:30 – 4:00 pm

Jimmy Lafave – Sweetheart Like You – Buffalo Return to the Plains
Jackie Greene – Honey I Been Thinking About You – Sweet Somewhere Bound
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – My Love For You Is Real – Follow The Lights [EP]
David Francey – Come Rain Or Come Shine – Skating Rink – CDN
David Myles – All I’ve Got To Give – In the Nighttime – CDN
Matthew Barber – Keep It Alive – Matthew Barber – CDN
Jill Barber – Never Quit Loving You – Chances – CDN

(SOLD OUT!) Martyn Joseph Live @ Sunset Saloon, July 29! (SOLD OUT!)

Please note, this show is currently SOLD OUT! Please let us know if you’d like to be placed on a waiting list in case spots open up (and they often do.)

The hits just keep on coming! Martyn was booked to come to town for two shows at The StuDome, but those sold out so quickly, he wanted to add another day, and once again, Management at The StuDome is throwing us a bone, and it’s a good one!

MJ-SOLDOUT-PosterMartyn Joseph
Live at The Sunset Saloon (House Concert, Westwood, Winnipeg)
7:30 pm
Suggested donation $25 (all money goes directly to this talented artist!)

If you wish, bring a drink for yourself, and/or a snack to share, but we’ve always got plenty of all of those on hand!
All are welcome (bring the kids, friends, family, people off the street, whatever)

We’re hoping for an outdoor show for this one (weather dependent.) We will update this page and send out information via Facebook, Twitter, and my email list (join by filling out the contact form below and stating that you wish to be added) closer to the show.

Questions? RSVP? Fill out the contact form below!
Forward this to a friend!

Martyn also plays The StuDome in Crescentwood on July 30 & 31. Those shows are sold out, but if you really can’t make our show and want to be placed on a waiting list for one of the others, please fill out the contact form below and we’ll pass along your request.

Also check out Lynn Miles @ Sunset Saloon, Aug. 7!

Who could forget the first time that Martyn Joseph played the Winnipeg Folk Festival. It must have been 2002 or 2003. Here was this artist who’d had a successful pop career, signed to a major label, playing huge shows, opening for the likes of Chris DeBurgh and Celine Dion (seriously!), and he came to the festival only to be placed in a tiny, unsuitable tent outside of the music store, in some serious Manitoba heat. The way the sound was set up, Martyn couldn’t hear anything in the tent, so he had to step out of the tiny tent and into the blazing sun. He was 20 years into his remarkable career, and playing a show that could only be called humbling. But he did it masterfully. He quickly won over the crowd with his quick wit, undeniable Welsh charm, that strong guitar playing, a powerful, emotive voice, and those songs… what songs.

Martyn Joseph performs a live session for 101.5 UMFM.

Martyn Joseph performs a live session for 101.5 UMFM.

I’ve spoken to Martyn a number of times on UMFM, and every time feels uplifting and revealing. He’s truly one of my favourite interview guests, and someone that I love to talk to and learn from. In 2012, he was kind enough to spend an afternoon singing and chatting with me in UMFM’s live studio. Being that close to such a performance was a real highlight of my time at UMFM.

Check out the podcast featuring my interview and Martyn’s performances here.

Download tracks from Martyn’s live session here.

Seeing Martyn Joseph live is an experience like no other. I use the word ‘passionate’ far too often when describing Martyn, but it just fits so well. I’ve seen him get swept up in emotion on stage, both joyful and sad. I’ve seen him speak and motivate audiences like the best preacher. I’ve seen him silence a noisy room, and of course he can get a crowd singing and clapping along with ease.

Martyn Joseph at The Winnipeg Folk Festival, 2012

Martyn Joseph at The Winnipeg Folk Festival, 2012

Martyn’s songs are nothing if not honest. He isn’t afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve,telling heartwrenching songs of love and loss, joy and hope, and rallying against evil and injustice. He’s a champion of environmental and social causes, a man who exudes goodness, and isn’t afraid to try to motivate his audience to do good in the world. Seeing Martyn live, you feel like you know him well, and you probably do. Offstage, he’s gracious and kind, just what you’d expect.

He’s played the biggest festivals (he’s been a big hit at The Winnipeg Folk Festival a number of times over the years,) and has headlined big venues all over the place (he’s a regular headlining The West End Cultural Centre,) so it’s a rare and incredible treat to see him in an intimate house concert environment.

Martyn’s most recent album is “Tires Rushing By in the Rain,” an album of Bruce Springsteen covers. Here’s one that he’s been doing for years; it blows me away every time:

One of Martyn’s signature songs, about his home town, Cardiff, Wales:

On Martyn’s support of charities and causes close to his heart:

30 minutes of live performance & conversation:

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Jon Dee Graham @ Sunset Saloon, June 17!

The house concert hosting racket has been amazingly good to me over the past 5 years, so there’s no reason to expect that it could get even better, but it continues to! Our Old Pal Stu at CKUW‘s Twang Trust is bringing in some serious superstar performers this summer, and he’s sharing the wealth, so we get a piece of the action!

Jon Dee Graham, Live @ Sunset Saloon, June 17!

Jon Dee Graham, Live @ Sunset Saloon, June 17!

JON DEE GRAHAM 
with special guest from Austin, TX: MIKE JUNE
TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 7:30PM
THE SUNSET SALOON (House concert, Westwood, Winnipeg)

All are welcome (bring the kids, friends, family, or whoever might tag along!)

You can bring a beverage of your choice to enjoy or some food to share, but we’ll have plenty of both on hand, so it’s not necessary, so feel free to show up and enjoy whatever’s on hand!

*Space is limited, so RSVP early. Seating is limited, so some may stand/dance/move around.

You should also check out Martyn Joseph live at The Sunset Saloon, July 29!

Questions? RSVP? Fill out the contact form below!

What’s more, this is just Night #1 of JDG’s 3 Night / 3 Venue House Concert Tour of Winnipeg! 

Night #2 will be at The StuDome in Crescentwood. Jon Dee will be performing accompanied by another acclaimed Austin artist, Mike June who will also perform an opening set.

A special treat on Night #3 will be a bonus closing-set at River City Social Club (Point Douglas) with an all-star Winnipeg backing band featuring Corb Lund‘s secret weapon, Grant Siemans on guitar, Twisty on bass and Corndog on drums!

Admission is a suggested donation of $20 each night. Anyone who attends all three nights of the tour will receive a $10 discount on the series – $50 for all 3 nights. And trust me – all good-hearted people need to be there all 3 nights! 

It’s understandable if you don’t know Jon Dee’s name, but if you ask any musician, you’ll get an enthusiastic response. Graham started out in legendary punk band The Skunks, went on to play for a long time with Alejandro Escovedo in The True Believers, was a member of The Resentments, played backing John Doe (X) and Kelly Willis and has added his talents to records by the likes of The Gourds and James McMurtry. In short, Jon Dee is a true musicians’ musician, but non players will be dazzled by his talents as well.

First and foremost, he’s a powerful guitar player who can hold his own alongside anyone, but he’s also a great singer with a unique, gruff voice, and a masterful songwriter, revered by many (see the great 2008 Jon Dee tribute CD, “Big Sweet Life,” featuring Matt the Electrician, Bob Schneider, James McMurtry, and many more.)

In a town full of legends, Austin, TX, Jon Dee Graham is one of the most respected. He holds down two weekly residencies at the legendary Continental Club. On Wednesdays, he plays a rockin’ set with his band, just before James McMurtry takes over for his weekly set. On Sunday nights, he hosts Jon Dee Graham and friends at The Continental Gallery. I had the immense pleasure of attending both last year, and they’re memories that will stay with me forever, two very different, but equally amazing shows.

Here’s a moment from the Jon Dee & Friends show I saw, featuring some unexpected Winnipeg content:

If I ever get tired of songs like “Holes” or “Laredo (Small Dark Something,)” I’ll know that I’ve given up on life and it’s time to move on. I’d travel just about anywhere to see this guy, but incredibly, I will get to see him in my living room.

Seriously, DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW!

Need more convincing? Watch these (and more!)

One of Jon Dee’s most requested and amazing songs:

Watch a full show featuring his rockin’ band!

JDG

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Playlist: Episode #544 Sunday, May 4, 2014

Our friends The Other Brothers are back in action and ready to release a new album, “Everything Can Change.” They stop in to spin some tracks from it, chat, and perform live! We’ve also got new releases and Skydiggers memories.

Artist – Song title – Album Title – CDN=Canadian – WPG=Winnipeg artist

2:00 – 2:30 pm

Skydiggers – I’ll Be Home – Skydiggers – CDN
The Other Brothers – Three Four Time – Everything Can Change – CDN – WPG
The Other Brothers – Corduroy – live performance – CDN – WPG
The Other Brothers – Hard to Know a Killer – live performance – CDN – WPG
The Other Brothers – Second Wind – Points of View – CDN – WPG

2:30 – 3:00 pm

The Other Brothers interview

The Other Brothers – Fourth Quarter Breakdown – Everything Can Change – CDN – WPG

3:00 – 3:30 pm

The Other Brothers – Progress – Points of View – CDN – WPG
Skydiggers – If I Live to 110 – Swinging on A Star (1992) – CDN
Skydiggers – Pull Me Down – The Truth About Us – CDN
Skydiggers – Tillsonburg – Northern Shore (Deluxe Edition) – CDN
The Cash Brothers – Shadow of Doubt – Brand New Night
Mary Gauthier – Walking Each Other Home – Trouble and Love

3:30 – 4:00 pm

Melissa Payne – High and Dry – High and Dry – CDN
Sarah Borges – Girl With A Bow – Radio Sweetheart
Jess Klein – If There’s a God – Learning Faith
Nikki Lane – All or Nothin’ – All or Nothin’
JD and the Sunshine Band – Talk to Yourself – JD and the Sunshine Band – CDN – WPG
Carrie Elkin & Danny Schmidt – Two White Clouds – For Keeps
Vance Gilbert – God Bless Everyone – BaD Dog Buffet

Playlist: Episode #543 Sunday, April 27, 2014

I’ve been a huge fan of Shannon Lyon for over a decade. In the past few years, I’ve gotten to know him and enjoy his company, and I’ve had him play at my house a few times, but I’ve never been able to convince him to come on the show, until now! Shannon joins us today to talk about log-cabin living, Lost Creek recording studio, production work, and more. He also plays live and premieres some advance tracks from his upcoming album, The Lights Behind!

Artist – Song title – Album Title – CDN=Canadian – WPG=Winnipeg artist

2:00 – 2:30 pm

Skydiggers – I Will Give You Everything – Skydiggers – CDN
Shannon Lyon – The Lights Behind – The Lights Behind – CDN

Shannon Lyon interview

2:30 – 3:00 pm

Michael Coughlan – Means Crossed with Ends – The Sixth Avenue Verses – CDN
David Fougere – Westmorland Hotel – Somewhere in the Milky Way
James Gray – We Only Have so Long – Home to Me – CDN
Myrle – From Me to You – Myrle – CDN

3:00 – 3:30 pm

Shannon Lyon – I Crossed the Ocean – The Lights Behind – CDN
Shannon Lyon – OK Guy – live performance – CDN
Shannon Lyon – Suddenly – live performance – CDN
Shannon Lyon – I Am Watching – Broken Things – CDN

3:30 – 4:00 pm

Jesse Winchester – Mississippi You’re on my Mind – The Best of
Son Volt – Windfall – Selections from 6 String Belief
Lucinda Williams – Car Wheels on a Gravel Road – Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
Slaid Cleaves – One Good Year – Broke Down
Sunparlour Players – For this I Can’t Be Sure – The Living Proof – CDN
Skydiggers – Ramblin’ On – She Comes into the Room – CDN

Sunparlour Players Rock the Sunset Saloon, May 5!

This show is now SOLD OUT! You can request a spot on the waiting list and hope some folks drop out, but at this point, I’m kind of hoping some folks drop out so we’ll have enough room!

If you snoozed and losed, then you obviously haven’t joined the handy-dandy email list (which you can do via the contact page) and you haven’t subscribed to have new posts on this site delivered directly to you (which you can do in the menu on the left hand side of the page). We’ve got more amazing shows to come, so sign up or check in often!

They say that lightning never strikes the same place twice, I say SCREW THAT! A year and a half ago I took a chance and invited my favourite live band in the world to stop by my house and play some songs. Much to my amazement and delight, they went for it! And since they were travelling across the country again this spring, and appeared to be driving back from Alberta to Ontario with no stops in between, I had to throw caution to the wind and see if they might be willing to do it again. Well, what do you know, here we go again!

Sunparlour Players

Monday, May 5, 2014
7:30 pm
Sunset Saloon (house concert, west Winnipeg)
$20-25 suggested donation (all proceeds to the artists)

All are welcome (bring the kids, friends, family, or whoever might tag along!)
You can bring a beverage of your choice to enjoy or some food to share, but we’ll have plenty of both on hand, so it’s not necessary, so feel free to show up and enjoy whatever’s on hand!

*Space is limited, so RSVP early. Seating is limited, so some may stand/dance/move around.

Questions? RSVP? Fill out the contact form below!

It’s easy to misjudge Sunparlour Players when you first see their setup, because they’re playing seated and have a variety of acoustic instruments on stage. You might expect something folky and laid back, and they can do that really well, but what they do best is ROCK like very few bands can. Andrew and Rosie are absolute masters of dynamics, they can go from soft, tender, and haunting to an all out wall of sound within a song. They can go from interesting & introspective to full out dance party and back again, and it all makes perfect sense.

I’ve seen other live bands try to follow these guys, and they all have to raise their game to hold their own. There simply isn’t another live band as interesting and amazing as Sunparlour Players, so you simply have to see them to really understand.

They do, however, have four terrific albums which have been great all along (their debut, Hymns for the Happy remains one of my very favourite albums) but there has been a growth and evolution that has brought them to their latest masterpiece, the recently released album, The Living Proof. If you haven’t heard that one yet, be sure to get in on this show and pick up a copy before all of your friends list it on those year-end best-of lists; I can’t imagine how a situation where it wouldn’t end up on mine this year. I’ve had it on repeat since my first listen.

They’re right at home on big stages at festivals and theatres across the country. Recently they blew away a crowd at Winnipeg’s hallowed music hall, The West End Cultural Centre, and they’ve been wowing crowds at other theatres and large music clubs ever since. It’s a rare and amazing opportunity to see this powerful band in such an intimate environment, so even if you saw them recently, this is one you won’t want to miss!

Check out the first single and the leadoff track from the new album:

Here are the boys in action at WECC, April 17. They rocked so much, the video’s pretty distorted. It’ll sound much better in person!

Classic title track from their first album, Hymns for the Happy:

Here’s a special treat for you. Here’s a recording of Sunparlour Players live at The Sunset Saloon, Oct. 29, 2012! Download, unzip, drop into iTunes or your favourite player, and enjoy!

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