SPEAK Music Be Kind Festival – Part I
byMy January got off to a flying start this year with a visit to the inaugural SPEAK Music Be Kind Festival held from 17-19…
Archive
Review: Jon Brooks, “Moth Nor Rust II”
by“19. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20.But lay…
Martin’s Top Four Canadian Albums of 2019
byFollowing up from my list last week that chronicled my favorite twenty album releases this year, with so many fantastic albums to choose from,…
Review: Kiefer Sutherland, “Reckless & Me”
byKiefer Sutherland has been a professional actor for many years, starring in movies like ‘Stand By Me’, ‘The Lost Boys’, ‘Young Guns’, Flatliners’, ‘A…
Review: The Pairs, “Noise”
byAs we count down the few remaining days of 2019, there comes a sense of desperation to squeeze in a few more mentions of…
Review: Jeff Stamp, “Love: Stampy”
byFalling in love is perhaps the brightest moment in any life. The cycle that pulls two hearts together and draws them deep inside of…
Snappy Single: Will Moor, “Hitchhiker (for Ida)”
byToronto, ON based ambient-instrumental duo, Will Moor, release their debut single, “Hitchhiker (for Ida),” today. Comprised of singer-songwriters Shawn William Clarke and David Gluck,…
Video Release: The Marrieds, “Lying Next To Me”
byLondon, ON, folk-pop duo, The Marrieds, have just released a brand new video for “Lying Next To Me,” a track found on their acclaimed…
2019 Year-End Roundup: 10 Memorable Live Moments
byAs we prepare to bid adieu to 2019, it’s time once again to look back at some of the most memorable concert experiences that…
Dala Share a Brand New Christmas Tune
byScarborough, ON, acoustic-folk duo, Dala, release a brand new tune today, the first in almost seven years for this partnership of Sheila Carabine and…
Snappy Snippets: Dwayne Gretzky, The Marrieds, Noah Derksen
byIt’s hard to believe that we are now into the last few weeks of 2019, which has proven once again to be a banner…
Elliott BROOD: Live at The Sanctuary
bySo there are things that we are guaranteed to experience on an annual basis, like birthdays, shoveling snow, and paying taxes, and then there…
Review: Miranda Mulholland, “By Appointment or Chance”
byRegular readers of this site know that we are unabashed admirers of Miranda Mulholland, who in recent years has become a formidable policy advocate…
Review: The Good Lovelies, “Evergreen”
byNo matter what musical tastes you may have within the loosely defined folk-roots genre, one of your favorite artists has probably embraced the festive…
Review: Graham Lindsey, “TradHead”
byGraham Lindsey is a multi-instrumentalist and composer, he plays as a soloist and side-player with Celtic and folk musicians in Ontario and Québec, with…
New Release: Black Suit Devil, “A Matter Of Time”
byFollowing their impressive 2017 debut album, “The Freedom Sessions,” the Toronto-based acoustic-soul band Black Suit Devil are releasing their sophomore album, “A Matter Of…
Ian Foster & Nancy Hynes Announce Holiday Tour
byFollowing their successful Christmas Tour last year, Ian Foster and Nancy Hynes have just announced their plans for a second consecutive holiday tour. Eager…
Single Release: Karen Morand, “Down Here”
byWindsor, ON, singer-songwriter Karen Morand releases “Down Here” today, her brand new single that we are excited to premiere at Great Dark Wonder. Written…
Review: Coco Love Alcorn, “Rebirth”
byAs a performer, Coco Love Alcorn combines diverse musical influences including jazz, R&B, pop, folk, and Gospel. Her love of improvising, and willingness to…
Review: The East Pointers, “Yours to Break”
byJUNO Award winning traditional-folk trio The East Pointers release their highly anticipated third album, titled “Yours To Break,” today. Following their debut “Secret Victory”…
Take A Chance On Me: Grady Kelneck, “Take My Hand”
byWe have stumbled across albums from the artists featured in our “Take A Chance On Me” series in some obscure places over the last…
Single Release: Lynne Hanson, “True Blue Moon”
byOttawa, ON singer-songwriter Lynne Hanson has just released a new single, “True Blue Moon,” the first teaser track from her upcoming “Just Words” album. …
Canadian Duos Return to Jim Thorpe, PA
byHave you ever had the frustration of already made plans to be elsewhere when you learn of a great event taking place closer to…
Review: Stephen Fearing, “The Unconquerable Past”
byThis last couple of years have been quite a prolific time in terms of writing new songs and being in the studio for Stephen…
Steel City Rovers Return to the PA Celtic Classic
byJust one short month after catching up with the Steel City Rovers (SCR) in VA, our favorite Celtibilly quintet were back in the USA…
Snappy Singles: No Tricks, All Treats
byAs we bid September adieu and Fall into the new season, it is time once again to share some of the amazing new releases…
Review: Neil Little, EP
byStratford, Ontario’s Neil Little presents a pastoral tapestry of gentle acoustic guitar and everyman lyrics. I first heard Neil Little with his backing band…
Coig’s Return to the Celtic Classic in Pennsylvania
byHeld over the final weekend in September, the PA Celtic Classic has quickly become one of our favorite annual events. With our fondness for…
Amanda Rheaume: Matinee Show in Philadelphia
byToronto-based singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume made her debut appearance at the Philadelphia Folksong Society recently, performing to an intimate audience on a beautiful Sunday afternoon…
Skydiggers: “Let’s Get Friendship Right”
byFollowing on from their highly acclaimed 2017 “Warmth of the Sun” album, the popular Toronto-based roots rockers, Skydiggers, are ready to share brand new…
Video Premiere: Dana Sipos, “Fine Line”
byWe were delighted to catch up with the well-traveled singer-songwriter Dana Sipos twice last year, enjoying her performances in both Gravenhurst, ON, and Philadelphia,…
Jay Gilday: “The Choice and the Chase”
byEarlier this month, Northwest Territories singer-songwriter Leela Gilday released “North Star Calling,” her first new work in almost five years. This album was featured…
Recap: Four Chords and the Truth
byA notable performer put it quite brilliantly from the stage recently, summing up what many people feel about this series, declaring “ This is…
Snappy Singles: New Releases You Have To Hear
bySummer may almost be a wrap for 2019, with shorter days, cooler temperatures, and pumpkin-spice everything on the way, but there’s no substitution for…
Rob Moir: Debut Performance in Washington, DC
byTeam GDW have been fortunate enough to catch up with some great Canadian artists making their debut performances here in our neck of the…
Timothy Scott Bignell, “Still In Love…”
byI mentioned recently that when going through the numerous new arrivals in the Team GDW email inbox, sometimes it takes a cool or obscure…
Snappy Single: Hudsy, “My Love”
byWe have commented several times lately about the friendships and connections made with independent artists who discovered this online journal of ours, and how…
Steel City Rovers Make Their Virginia Debut … and We Were There
byWe have proudly shared several articles on GDW about Hamilton, ON band, The Steel City Rovers (SCR), whose infectious Celtic themed music is always…
Doris Folkens and Maggie May Davis Share Two Stunning Music Videos
bySince the formation of GDW, I have lost count of how many times people have tried to convince me that there is no good…
Find A New Favorite: Terra Spencer, “Other People’s Lives”
byWhile we shall always willingly seek to share our personal tastes in Canadian folk-roots music with our audience, this little online journal of ours…
Summerfolk: Reflections on an Amazing Festival Weekend in Owen Sound
byI am a “newbie” to Canada. Having lived here for ten years, I am relatively new to the live music scene, and have been…
Kellie Loder: Impromptu Gig in Team GDW’s Hometown
byNewfoundland singer-songwriter Kellie Loder is close to wrapping up her first Eastern US tour, having shared music from her “Benefit of the Doubt” album…
Review: Leela Gilday, “North Star Calling”
byNorthwest Territories songwriter Leela Gilday returns with her first album in five years. Your enjoyment of “North Star Calling” will hinge on your affection…
Review: The Small Glories, “Assiniboine & The Red”
byWe had the pleasure of catching a live show with The Small Glories here in PA earlier this year, and sampled our first taste…
Jackson-Triggs Winery Welcomes Ron Hawkins to Their Stage
byQuite often in life, we reflect upon material things that are long overdue. Take, for example, a Canadian NHL hockey team going the distance…
Snappy Singles: Delightful Ditties for the Dog Days of Summer
bySummer is still here. The cicadas are singing for us. The mosquitoes are feasting on us. And the sunsets are gorgeous. It’s a great…
Find A New Favorite: The Rough & Tumble
byWhile our core focus here at Team GDW is to promote Canadian music to a much wider audience, there are times where we feel…
Sawdust City Music Festival: Catching Up With Four of Our Favorite Artists
byTeam GDW spent a memorable weekend in the Muskokas for the third annual Sawdust City Music Festival. Having attended all three of these events,…
Sawdust City Music Festival 2019: Bill & Joel Plaskett (With Harrow Fair) Live at the Opera House
byTeam GDW returned to Gravenhurst, ON, for the third annual Sawdust City Music Festival, held over the recent Civic Day Holiday weekend. After two…
Tragedy Ann Touring Canada’s ‘Middle Coast’
byForward-looking folk duo Tragedy Ann (Guelph, ON) brings their latest release “Matches” this month to Canada’s “Middle Coast” for the first time. With an…
Kennedy Road: New Single and Video Release
byCanadian folk-roots duo Kennedy Road are proud to release and share “Kennedy,” the first single from their upcoming full-length album, along with an accompanying…
Westminster Park: Live at Brown & Dickson Bookstore (and New Single!)
bySinger-songwriter, poet and author Steve Murphy is a familiar name here at Team GDW, known also as one of our regular featured GDW contributors…
Highlights From Home County Music & Art Festival (Part 3)
byIn this third and final installment of our features on the 46th annual Home County Music & Art Festival, we concentrate on some of…
Single Release: Black Suit Devil, “Firefly”
byHaving launched their first new single, “A Matter Of Time,” last Spring, the Toronto-based acoustic-soul band Black Suit Devil are releasing their second teaser…
Song Premiere: Twas Now, “Black Coffee”
byFor anyone who has lived in Kitchener, Ontario since the 1980s, it’s a safe bet they know the enigmatic graffiti adorning a prominent railroad…
Highlights From The Home County Music & Art Festival (Part 2)
byIn this second installment of our trio of features on the 46th annual Home County Music & Art Festival, we feature three artists that…
Melanie Brulée: Intimate House Concert in Mansfield, PA
byPacking her suitcase and heading south of Toronto for a few weeks, alt-country singer-songwriter Melanie Brulée recently commenced her summer US East Coast tour;…
Retro Rockers The Sheepdogs Return Once Again to Niagara-on-the-Lake
byBack in 2017, the Jackson-Triggs winery invited Saskatchewan rockers The Sheepdogs to perform at their annual Summer Concert Series, giving us our first opportunity…
Snappy Single: In The City, “Every Single Day”
byWith all of the great folk-roots music that continues to cross our paths here at GDW, it has become quite the juggling act to…
Review: Kae Shelby, “Music and Motorcycles”
byI listen to many fabulous releases every week as part of what I do, and sometimes an album that comes through the door just…
Review: VK, “Charm”
byIt was just a little less than one month ago that we had the pleasure of debuting “What Tomorrow Will Bring,” the brand new…
Jadea Kelly Releases New EP, “Met While Incarcerated”
byHot on the heels from her acclaimed 2016 “Love and Lust” album (accolades from Canadian Folk Music Awards for Contemporary singer of the year),…
Snappy Singles: Sizzling Summer Treats for Your Listening Pleasures
bySummer is here, Cottage Country is open for business, and many cold beers are flowing. All that’s missing is some great new music, and…
The Julian Taylor Band: Live at Sound of Music Festival
byWe originally saw the announcement for the TD Main Stage Sunday show at this year’s Sound of Music Festival, and were in awe at…
The Devin Cuddy Band: Live at The Dakota Tavern
byWith plans already made to be in the GTA this past weekend, the announcement of a Devin Cuddy Band concert taking place at The…
Matt Andersen & Erin Costelo Bring the Music of the Maritimes to Virginia
byTeam GDW spent another weekend taking a road trip to Jammin’ Java in VA, eager to enjoy an evening of music from Nova Scotia’s…
New Video From West of Mabou: “Eagle’s Whistle”
byOur friends West of Mabou, the terrific Celtic musicians from Saskatchewan, are premiering their first video today, and we want to make sure you…
Single & Video Premiere: VK, “What Tomorrow Will Bring”
byLast year, we discovered the music of Orillia, ON duo Steve and Marni Van Kessel (collectively called ‘VK’), whose sophomore album “Terms and Conditions”…
Snappy Single: Opeongo, “hopeless”
byAs mentioned in my review earlier this week of “Mistakes,” the latest single from Titus Calderbank, I had recently discovered a pair of great…
David Picco: Brand New Album and Music Video Launched Today
byThere is an abundance of new music being released today, and we were spoiled for choice when picking one to focus on today. With…
Video Premiere: Ryan Hicks, “Prairie Ocean”
byLast year, we were captivated by an album from Saskatchewan singer/songwriter Ryan Hicks, who eloquently explored the aftermath of tragedy on “Pulsing Colours.” I was…
The East Pointers Return to Charlottesville, VA
byHaving attended three straight concerts by Canadian artists here on US soil over the past ten days (Colter Wall, The Small Glories & Rose…
Review: Lydia Persaud, “Let Me Show You”
byWe’ve been writing this site long enough now that we’ve had the great good fortune to see the tremendous development of a number of…
Rose Cousins: Live at Jammin’ Java
byI finally made my first 2019 excursion to Jammin’ Java last Monday evening; Team GDW’s favorite little music venue in Virginia who always invite…
An Evening of Music With The Small Glories in Central PA
byEvery year, it seems that our local Susquehanna Folk Music Society find a way to bring a popular Canadian act to the PA mid-state. …
Review: Sunnsetter, “I Will Understand”
bySunnsetter unveils his inner turmoil to the world on a new single and watershed of creativity from his phone. Sunnsetter is the stage name…
Jadea Kelly: Live at Hamilton’s Mills Hardware
byWith the recent release of her latest EP, “Met While Incarcerated,” singer-songwriter Jadea Kelly just embarked on a brief tour of Southern Ontario to…
Review: Leanne Hoffman, “What Remains”
byNova Scotia singer-songwriter Erin Costelo had quite a busy year in 2018. Along with the successful release of her own “Sweet Marie” album, she…
Review: Saint Lo, “We Could Be”
byIt was by pure chance that I recently encountered the music from Montreal folk band, Saint Lo, when needing just one more new song…
#TuesdayTunesday: Ava Wild, Lydia Persaud, Mo Kenney
byAs we prepare to bid April farewell, we are listening to new music from three of our favorite singers – grab a cup of…
Black Suit Devil: Live at Collective Arts Brewery
byWith plans to attend a show on a Monday evening in Southern Ontario, we made the decision a few weeks ago to drive north…
Single Release: Black Suit Devil, “A Matter Of Time”
byRewind to late 2017, when we first discovered the music of Black Suit Devil, a Toronto based acoustic soul ensemble who had just released…
Single Release: Eamon McGrath, “Guts”
byFollowing the excellent (and most recent) “Tantramar” album last summer, journey-man and current Torontonian Eamon McGrath just announced the arrival of yet more new…
Snappy Singles: New Releases for Your Listening Pleasure
byJust last month we brought you a selection of new singles that we discovered in our inbox, and wanted to share. Well, these emails…
Stephen Fearing: Live at Station 1 Coffeehouse
byIt must have been a couple of years ago when Stephen Fearing last toured (as a solo artist) around Southern Ontario, and as much…
New Week, New Music
byWe’ve been inundated with new music recently here at GDW HQ! We shared some new videos with you Friday, but there’s plenty more in…
Fresh Videos for #NewMusicFriday: Angela Saini, Rich Aucoin, Madison Violet, Alicia Toner
byWe’ve almost made it to April! On this final Friday in March, settle down with a hot cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy…
Review: Tim Moxam, “Marlborough Hall”
byWe’ve enjoyed music from Tim Moxam over the last few years, due in part to some rotation on the SiriusXM Canadian music stations that…
The Julian Taylor Band, “Avalanche”
byKnown for their outstanding performances on the live-music circuit across their home province of Ontario, the Julian Taylor Band (JTB) are definitely one of…
Review: Pretty Archie, “Hanging On”
byEvery now and then, when casually searching for new music, something completely new and unexpected crosses my path. Often cursed with a relatively short-attention…
Review: Psalm Trees, “Crystal, Coral, Fossil: A Collection”
byA mystical type of melancholia and introspection from London, Ontario’s Psalm Trees. Brothers Shawn and Derek Durant have been quietly creating mesmerizing beauty under…
Review: Madison Violet, “Everything’s Shifting”
byIt is often said that time flies when you’re having fun, so one can only assume that for Madison Violet, this duo of Brenley…
Alt-Country Artist Melanie Brulée Returns to Philadelphia
byAfter making her debut at the Philadelphia Folk Festival last summer, Melanie Brulée quickly earned an invitation back to perform for the Philadelphia Folksong…
Ron Hawkins Returns to Hamilton’s Mule Spinner
byJust six days after our evening with Lee Harvey Osmond at The Mule Spinner in Hamilton, ON, Team GDW returned to this wonderful venue…
Stephen Fearing, “The Secret Of Climbing”
byGo ahead and ask casual fans of Canadian music about the most recent solo album from Vancouver based singer-songwriter Stephen Fearing, and many will…
Album Release: Alanna Matty, “This Past Year”
byWe recently featured Toronto artist Alanna Matty’s single, “End Up Alone,” here on GDW. Her insightful musings on the reasons relationships fail are but…
Lee Harvey Osmond: Live at The Mule Spinner
byHello Canada. We’ve not seen you for a while. Blessed with some decent weather conditions for our first trip to Southern Ontario this past…
Amanda Rheaume, “The Skin I’m In”
byIf you follow singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume on social media, unless you live under a rock and never check your feeds, you ought to know…
Review: Post Script, “The Light I Can’t Block Out”
byAs Edmonton’s Post Script, singer Steph Blais and guitarist Paul Cournoyer have been making accomplished tunes together since 2013. Through the years, they’ve gained…
Single Preview: Alanna Matty, “End Up Alone”
byThe whys and hows a relationship didn’t work out is something everyone toils over at some point in their life. Toronto-based singer-songwriter, Alanna Matty,…
Review: The Rainy Day Apparel, “Reset”
bySeveral weeks ago, an enterprising young artist reached out to us with a request to review a new EP – unfortunately, because things like…