Photographer John Schwirtlich re-focuses on music with debut solo album Apertures John Schwirtlich has been a professional photographer for the past 25 years, based in Kamloops, British Columbia, shooting everything from his twin passions for skiing and live music to working on film sets and…

Roots Round Up: this week’s news from the Canadian roots scene (and beyond) TREY ANASTASIO RELEASES LIVE AND ACOUSTIC Phish's Trey Anastasio has released Live And Acoustic today on his Rubber Jungle Records imprint. The Vance Powell-produced 22-track collection documents Anastasio’s 2025 Spring…

‘We are a blues nation’: John Mulligan recaps the Canadian Blues Music Awards’ debut in Toronto On March 30 th , 2026, the Canadian Blues Music Awards Gala was held in Toronto at The Phoenix Concert Theatre. If was the first Canadian Blues Music Awards Ceremonies. This award show replaces the…

Here are your 2026 Canadian Blues Music Award winners The Canadian Blues Music Awards held its inaugural edition last night and Brandon Isaak was the big winner of the evening, earning three awards – for Blues Song, Electric Blues Recording and Blues Guitarist of the Year. Blue Moon Marquee won…

The Lifers’ Anita and Liv Cazzola find reconnection and renewal on their third album, Honesty Liv and Anita Cazzola, the sister-duo at the forefront of the Lifers, are still riding the high from the September release of their third album, Honesty. The album, which has been in the works for the…

Here are your 2026 Juno winners in the folk/roots global and Indigenous categories The Junos don't go live on TV until tomorrow night (technically tonight because it's after midnight eastern time as I write this), but all of the most interesting awards get handed out the night before the telecast,…

The East Pointers’ latest project is an East Coast concept album If you ever visit Prince Edward Island, there are two kinds of seafood you should try, lobster and Colville Bay oysters. Both of those tasty treats from the ocean are referenced in the new East Pointers album, Schoonertown. The new…

Roots Round Up: this week’s news from the Canadian roots scene (and beyond) WILLIE NELSON'S NEW ALBUM TO INCLUDE BOB DYLAN CO-WRITE Willie Nelson has announced a May 29 release date for his latest album Dream Chaser, a 10-track collection made largely in collaboration with producer and songwriter…

Caleb Tomlinson formally arrives as a bright new northern light on Solstice EP Whether it’s the isolation or the natural environment, there’s something distinct about Yukon singer/songwriters. Caleb Tomlinson, based in Whitehorse, is a prime example. His music shines with an intimacy and…

Mississauga artist Joelle Rose follows her musical dream one song at a time For 23-year-old singer-songwriter Joelle Rose, winning a song of the year contest in the city where she grew up for her heartfelt composition “Birdhouse” was the encouragement she needed to take her music career to the…

Few artists on the Canadian folk-roots scene can claim the longevity and consistency of the winner of the 2025 Penguin Eggs Roots Music Canada Critics’ Poll. Stephen Fearing has earned the honour for his phenomenal 14th solo album, The Empathist. #2025criticspoll www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=44287

It's an annual tradition here at Roots Music Canada: counting down the top 10 stories of the year. And sometimes, there's a story in that process itself -- specifically in what it tells us about what we were thinking or what was important to us in a year. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=44229

Fans of Celtic-influenced music will be beside themselves with joy at the Rogue Folk Club's January line-up. In fact, they should just block off the Jan. 10 and 11 weekend and plan to spend it on nothing but music. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=44226

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Steve Poltz announces his return to his Canadian roots with an extensive 17-date spring tour across Eastern Canada, kicking off April 15. #Halifax #Ottawa #Toronto www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=44168

Christmas greetings from the west coast. I hope this message is finding you rested, relaxed, surrounded by family or friends or whatever combination of those things suits your personal needs. www.rootsmusic.ca/2025/12/24/h...

“The eagle has landed,” wrote an email that Dr. James McGowan received in his inbox last month. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=44194

There are some who claim that the Tweed area is the Bermuda Triangle of Ontario. There seems to be a disproportionate number of UFO sightings in this part of Ontario –   paranormal events occurring. I am not sure but I can certainly attest to the possibility. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=44179

At this time of year, when giving presents to the music lover in your family, there can be a wide variety of choices. Instruments, accessories, instruction books or lessons are all available. Books about musicians are another possibility. www.rootsmusic.ca/2025/12/20/n...

Irish Millie, the 18-year-old Canadian fiddler, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and composer who is taking the roots scene by storm, has released "You Were There," the standout single from her acclaimed EP Between Then and Now. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43904

Nearly three decades after it began, Van Django is still finding new ways to swing. Van Django officially came together in 1998 with violinist Cameron Wilson and guitarist Budge Schachte. The group has been together through lineup changes for nearly three decades. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=44103

At this time of year, when giving presents to the music lover in your family, there can be a wide variety of choices. Instruments, accessories, instruction books or lessons are all available. Books about musicians are another possibility. #capebreton #Fiddler www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=44145

Throughout their 20 years of marriage, Laura Spink and Graydon James have spent more than three-quarters of their wedded years touring and performing first as a band, and then as a duo, under the moniker The Young Novelists. #Duo #folk #profile #Toronto www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43926

Alberta's public radio network has announced it is scheduled to receive $10.9 million over two years through the federal PrairiesCan funding program, a federal department that promotes economic growth across the Canadian Prairies. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=44090

With a voice that feels both familiar and fresh, London, ON-born, Windsor, ON-based singer-songwriter Addi John steps confidently into a new chapter with his single “These Walls,” out now. #AddiJohn #BenHoward #GregoryAlanIsakov #VirginiaToVegas www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43605

Juno-nominated Miss Emily, also known as Emily Fennell, is a Canadian singer-songwriter who released her fifth studio album, The Medicine, on Nov 7. through Gypsy Soul Records. #albumreview #Blues #Kingston #Singer/songwriter #Soul www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43998

The Folk Canada Conference (formerly the Folk Music Ontario Conference) is calling on musicians to apply for the 2026 conference. Applications are currently open for both Canadian and international artists. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=44016

Last month, on a very cold Friday night, we were treated to a very warm evening of hot new music from Québec’s lighthouse Trad band, Le Vent Du Nord. The band was presenting its hot-off-the-press new CD, Voisinages. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=44029

Toronto songwriter, performer, producer and radio host Lily Frost has released a new single “Nightbird (Lilith)” (Indie release - KMG Distribution) with a new video out on YouTube. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=44023

For a number of years in the 1980’s I had the pleasure of being the front man researcher for Wayne Rostad’s television series Regional Report, which later morphed into “On the Road.” www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=44004

The annual Christmas market represents one of the redeeming events of Ottawa’s harsh, snowy winter season. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43955

Allison Lupton Band will light up the Aurora Cultural Centre Saturday with her Celtic Christmas concert featuring seasonal fiddle-led ballads, traditional Canadian tunes, and Ottawa Valley step dancing. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43965

When Alfredo Caxaj came to Canada in 1985 as a Guatemalan refugee, he did not like his new city, London ON. www.rootsmusic.ca/2025/12/11/s...

The timeless beats of Fleetwood Mac, The Cranberries, Jeff Buckley and Mazzy Star find a home in Elizabeth Royall’s sound, while spreading awareness about mental health and addiction. #acousticfolk #EP #folkrolk #livemusic #Ottawa #profile #Singer/songwriter www.rootsmusic.ca/2025/12/11/e...

Ezra Ben-Shalom’s Known and Unknown has emerged as a profound candidate for year-end "Best Of" lists, offering a courageous musical response to a world in conflict. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43913

If there’s one thing Jeffery Straker has learned from years of performing Christmas concerts across Saskatchewan, it’s that people will want to buy your Christmas CD to take home. The only problem was he didn’t have one. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43918

By the time an artist makes their third album, it’s a safe bet they’ve learned a few lessons. #JoshRitchie #MerilainenMusicInc #SoMuchMoreThanADream www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43532

Rodney Brown wrote the songs for his 1977 debut album, Freedom in Me, while living in a commune near Thunder Bay with the woman who would become his wife, milking cows, doing chores, reading, writing songs and being in love, he said. www.rootsmusic.ca/2025/11/06/f...

Rodney Brown wrote the songs for his 1977 debut album, Freedom in Me, while living in a commune near Thunder Bay with the woman who would become his wife, milking cows, doing chores, reading, writing songs and being in love, he said. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43565

There’s a certain presence that comes with hearing Jolie Anastasia sing—a wisdom far beyond her years, wrapped in a voice equal parts tender and unshakable. www.rootsmusic.ca/2025/11/05/j...

There’s a certain presence that comes with hearing Jolie Anastasia sing—a wisdom far beyond her years, wrapped in a voice equal parts tender and unshakable. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43284

Vancouver's Rogue Folk Club kicked off November with the Madison Violate farewell tour. Now it's got two more amazing shows coming up that you won't want to miss. One of them is Juno winner Jenny Whiteley's new project. www.rootsmusic.ca/2025/11/04/2...

One of the most celebrated bands to emerge from the Québec folk scene is kicking off this month's offerings at the Aurora Cultural Centre outside Toronto. #Montreal #quebecoismusic #quetrad #Toronto #Traditionalfolk www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43522

Toronto singer-songwriter AHI and Nova Scotia duo Cassie and Maggie lead the nominations for this year's Canadian Folk Music Awards, which were announced this week. The Awards will be handed out across a series of events April 9-12 in Calgary. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43517

LUCINDA WILLIAMS SETS JAN. 23 RELEASE DATE FOR WORLD'S GONE WRONG On Jan. 23, Lucinda Williams fans will be treated to a new studio album by the legendary singer/songwriter entitled World’s Gone Wrong, released through Highway 20 Records. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43480

In 2019, Cynthia Hamar was feeling a growing desire to get closer to the core of her music making process, prompting her to enroll in the Recording and Production program at MacEwan University in Edmonton, through which she earned a Bachelor of Music degree with www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43474

Singer / song slinger Jory Nash has a brand new record being launched at Hugh’s Room Live this Saturday. It's called The Light Still Shines on the Main. Here's what he told Paul Corby about the new record: Corby: Congratulations. www.rootsmusic.ca/2025/10/30/q...

With a sun-kissed voice and a heart tuned to the rhythms of the natural world, Land Heart Song (a.k.a. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43464

The moose had a pretty busy spring and summer and is finally catching up on listening to all of the goodness that arrived in the virtual mailbox earlier this year.  Here are a few things that have stood out to him so far. www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43491

Some voices sneak up on you. Joe H. Henry’s doesn’t. It hits like a thunderclap in an empty church—sacred, soulful, and impossible to ignore. #Blues #Halifax www.rootsmusic.ca/?p=43216

Barbara Lynch is a musician/singer/songwriter from Toronto. Her first album, Goodbye and Goodluck, was released by Duke Street Records in 1996. www.rootsmusic.ca/2025/10/26/h...