Tag Archives: Folk

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Episode 62: Strictly Purple

Strictly Purple‘s Forgotten Songs EP is a mixed bag of folksy-stripped down shoegaze with two contrasting vocalists and great ambient synths. At their best when sharing a tune, Adam and Amina bring together strength and vulnerability, creating both smoothly, haunting surrealism and rougher emotionally raw takes. Forgotten Songs these will not be.

Episode 49: Eclectic Revival

After a great chat with Chris Kerba of Eclectic Revival, we dig into their latest release, Life & Love. It’s a great combination of Celtic influenced alt rock and trad tunes that hits all the bases: wartime ballads, drinking lamentations, sweet harmonies and of course a smooth… saxophone? It’s not your father’s adult contemporary, but he’d probably like it too. Check these fellas out and get in the loop!

Episode 48: Tea & Table Talk w/Chris Kerba

Another great chat with a fantastic musician, writer, actor and comedian Chris Kerba of Eclectic Revival! We dig into the many hats one must wear in creative fields, what it’s like to work with the same musical soulmate for years, and what making a record really entails. Stay till the end for a special EXCLUSIVE listen of Sailing Home, off their new album Life & Love. And come see us this Saturday April 8th at the Libertarian!!!

Episode 40: Darling Cora

A magnificent vocal powerhouse, plucky guitar arrangements and world music rhythms. It’s big, honest and serenely meditative. Darling Cora’s first full-length release Heart Strung Out is an indie-folk record with guts. I dare you not to get chills. Think Grace Slick, Joni Mitchell’s Ladies of the Canyon, and even the free-form rhythms of improvised beat poetry, all set to jazz/blues orchestral foundation. Get in the loop!!!

Episode 39: Michael Coughlan

Michael Coughlan’s full-length release The Sixth Avenue Verses is a straight up country folk record centered on life in small-town western Canada’s badlands. While it never strays too far from the canon of country tunes- think twangy slide guitars and lonesome traveler motifs- there are unique interludes of spoken word poetry and sampled preaching over a dusty soundscape. Certainly a rarity in today’s indie music landscape, so get in the loop!

Episode 37: Gillian Nicola

Gillian Nicola’s first release No Place To Call is as captivating as it is solitudal. The unique lilt of her alt-country vocals alone brings to life the stories of bitter heartache and, with Oh Marie, the bizarre reality of watching an idol fall. The band creates ambient, wintery soundscapes formed through a classic pop/rock template, while breaking the mould enough to excite even a tough critic. Fans of Ingrid Michaelson, Sheryl Crow and Emmylou Harris will appreciate the candidness and expert use of the pedal steel guitar. Check Gillian out Nov 3rd at The Cameron House for our AFL Femme Fatale Showcase!

Episode 36: Lisa Marie Kruchak

Unique breathy vocals paired with a rhythmic guitar technique makes Lisa Marie Kruchak‘s brand of swishy, heavy folk something to behold. Her full length release Miles of Prairie is as personal as it is accessible, especially evocative when it blends sliding bass with meditative melodies, and perfectly paradoxical criss-crossing harmonies. Check her out live Nov 3 at the Cameron House for our Femme Fatale Showcase night!

Episode 23: Yanis

Folk, blue-eyed soul, call it what you will. Yanis’EP Queen Kari is a distinctly emotive and personal record, full of powerful imagery and the heartaches of youth, familial dysfunction, loss, and love. Warm, wispy vocals, inventive steel guitar and highly evocative lyrics make this a new favourite for AFL. Jess asks Yanis on air to join the bill for the anniversary show, and Dylan reads an email from the man himself personally thanking him for purchasing the record. This is what it’s all about people. Get in the loop!

Episode 18: Rye & Fairytales

Another first for AFL, we dig into a bluegrass duo originally from Calgary and now based in the GTA. Described by fans as “Mumford & Sons but with chops,” the pair features versatile, gorgeous string work and classic bittersweet love songs. Forget everything you thought you knew about a wicked guitar solo, and check out the electric mandolin at work here on their self-titled full length record, and keep an ear out for more from these boys soon!