Show Notes
On today’s episode of Hard Folk, Graven (aka Matty McKechnie) and I have a lot in common to the point where I’ve been mistaken for him a few times. We’re both Ottawa based singer songwriters & podcasters, we’re both releasing new albums this year (Graven’s latest is called “Geographics”), we’re both devoted dads and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that he’s as big of a baseball nut as I am.
We also discussed how challenging Ottawa’s music scene can be for performers. We zeroed in a couple of factors, but it’s a city whose formula is hard to crack. It’s kind of a teetering triangle between venues, artists and music fans that despite our best efforts can’t always connect.
Be sure to connect with the first single off Graven’s album “Geographics” on Jan. 26th. Visit graven.ca to give it a listen.
More from Hard Folk with Matt Gower
Today on Hard Folk, I’m joined by Ottawa Singer Songwriter Christine Graves. We talked about her friendship and ongoing collaboration with Jennifer Noxon, the influence Chris White had on encouraging her to write and perform, her experience as (volunteer) Artistic Director for the Blue Skies festival and her humble, genuine singing approach on her recordings.
Today Jennifer Noxon joins me on the podcast. We talked about her latest release “The Gathering”, reminisced about the old days on Bronson avenue hub of Rasputin’s & the Ottawa Folklore Centre. and we chatted about the community singing experience in her Rhythm & Song group.
Fresh off the news of winning the Estelle Klein award, Chris White joins me on Hard Folk to talk about how folk music and community have played an important role throughout his life and career. Whether it’s through co-founding the Ottawa Folk Festival, hosting Canadian Spaces on CKCU, organizing shows & events or leading community choirs.
Today I interview Ottawa singer-songwriter Malia Rogers. We talked about her East Coast roots, how she developed her songwriting tools, how she deals her audience a “heavy dose of vulnerability” at live shows, the kindness and generosity that community brings when touring, how loss and grieving have played important roles in her songwriting and leaving folks with a sense of wonder and curiosity.
Today I’m joined by Don Pyle. Don has a new book out called Rough Description: love letters and ghost stories from a life in music but if you’re like me, you know him as the drummer for Shadowy Men on a Shadowy planet. We discussed the art of a good setlist, navigating a music career without a safety net, Don’s experience going to hairdressing school and how Shadowy Men may have played a role in Jiffy Pop reducing their packaging so that it wouldn’t perfectly hold a 7” record…