Loch Nisse Monster has a vision. Also known as Nisse Anonby, she has her hand in many different aspects of the Ottawa music scene. She’s organized shows and festivals, worked behind the scenes with Folk Music Ontario conference, co-hosts the Thursday Morning Blend on CKCU, reports regularly on the music scene through her social media pages and most importantly is a prolific singer-songwriter.
U Unlike her Scottish cryptid counterpart, Loch Nisse Monster is anything but elusive, playing shows all around Ottawa. She’ll be performing at the next edition of CKCU Presents Friday Night Folk January 9th at Art House Cafe (555 Somerset St W) w/ Matt Gower & Kentucky.
On today’s episode of Hard Folk, I chat with Brian Tremblay. Taking inspiration from the likes of Steve Earle and Townes Van Zandt, Brian has embraced his “outsider status”. It’s more than living far away from larger music hubs in Sault Ste Marie; Brian advocates for fair compensation for fellow musicians, hosts a podcast to amplify the voices of his musical peers and carries this integrity into how he lives his life as an independent artist.
Today I chat with Doug Hempstead (aka Area Resident). Even before he says it near the end of this episode, Doug’s love for music jumps out of the speakers and hits you square in the face. We talked about his latest album “Protonopia” and took a deep dive into how he literally constructs a song. From borrowing drum tracks to making up syllables & lyrics to fit the melody Doug’s method is a fascinating case study in thinking outside the boundaries of traditional song structures.
Area Resident plays at Live! On Elgin Sunday with Church of Trees and Suzanne Nuttall Sunday Dec. 7th at 7pm.
Tickets available here.
On today’s Hard Folk, I reconnect with Karson McKeown. In what seems like a lifetime ago, Karson and I worked together at the Ottawa Folklore Centre. After the store closed, Karson dived deep into teaching fiddle and performing live, which helped pay his way through the architecture program at Algonquin College. Eventually, after a one-off gig on PEI, Karson was offered a teaching job and made the move back home. Along the way, he started the band Inn Echo who have gone on to great success, touring all over Canada and earning a Juno nomination. Inn Echo will be performing live (to a sold out crowd) at the NAC’s 4th Stage on Dec. 5th.
Today on Hard Folk, I interview acclaimed author and professor at Berklee College of Music Pat Pattison. We took a deep dive on songwriting and I did my best to get out of the way and listen to one of the biggest influences on modern songwriters. We talked about how Pat made the surprisingly smooth transition from teaching philosophy & logic to teaching songwriting, the importance of object writing, the how English is a complex language to write in and so much more.
Today’s episode of Hard Folk features singer-songwriter Kalle Mattson. He’s got his hands full as one half of the duo Summersets, releasing “Move Back Home” earlier this fall as well as teaching songwriting at Carleton University. We talked about finding his way through the ever-evolving music industry, how social media has influenced the craft of songwriting, how & when to use the wealth of tools that he’s amassed with his own songwriting, Jeff Tweedy, the myth that is writer’s block and we squeeze a tiny bit of golf talk in too.
Today on Hard Folk, I’m joined by Libby & Cal. We talked about their songwriting process, Sad Girl Cafe, the stress, hassle & paperwork involved in crossing the US Border to play music and took a bit of a deep dive into the world of autoharps.
Libby & Cal will be playing the 2nd CKCU Presents Friday Night Folk on Friday November 14th at Art House Cafe (555 Somerset St W) with James Leclaire.
Visit thearthouse.ca for tickets.
Today on Hard Folk, I’m joined by Ottawa singer-songwriter James Leclaire. We talked about James’ many evolutions: evolving from punk bands to a solo artists, retiring from a career in animation to making music his full-time gig. We also laud the versatility and artistic influence of Steve Earle and the importance of self-reliance and self-confidence in the music industry.
James Leclaire will be playing the 2nd CKCU Presents Friday Night Folk on Friday November 14th at Art House Cafe (555 Somerset St W) with Libby & Cal.
Visit thearthouse.ca for tickets.
Today on Hard Folk, I’m joined by Toronto Star reporter Abby O’Brien. Abby’s regular beat is in crime reporting, however a recent article about her first experience performing at an open mic caught my eye. In the article Abby talks about jumping out of her comfort zone and overcoming her fear of failure. What she didn’t expect was being welcomed into a vibrant community that includes the likes of artists, DIYers and urban gardeners.
Curtis Jones joins the podcast to chronicle his journey from making home recordings to having kids and in the past year performing live for the first time as a solo artist.
Side Door Access Presents: Curtis Jones w/ special guests Matt Gower and Vic (from Victor Complex)
Meow! That’s Hot
519 Bank St
Friday Oct. 3rd, 8pm
$15 advance / $20 door
Tickets available here.
Ottawa folksinger Birdie Whyte joins the Friday Night Folkcast to talk prostest songs and to promote her fundraiser for the Ottawa Food Bank: All Together Now - Area Players Sing Songs of Protest, at the Dominion Tavern on Friday Sept. 26th @ 9pm.
Matt welcomes folk duo Bon Echo aka Tim Loten & Emma Houlahan. They talk about the similarities and differences between the Canadian and UK folk scenes, recording at Abbey Road Studios, adapting the themes and stylings of opera to folk music and the darkness that haunts old time music.
CKCU Presents Friday Night Folk featuring Krystal Jessup and Bon Echo, hosted by Matt Gower
Friday Sept. 5th, 8pm
Tickets: $15 advance/$20 door, available now.
Self-professed travel junkie, singer/songwriter Krystal Jessup blends her nomadic storytelling with emotive vocals to create a uniquely soulful collection of contemporary folk songs.
Listen to Krystal’s album Throwing Pennies on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your music.
Host Matt Gower and Krystal chat about her approach to songwriting, teaching herself guitar while isolated in Thailand at the very beginning of the COVID pandemic, Townes Van Zandt and using vulnerability as her secret songwriting weapon.
CKCU Presents Friday Night Folk featuring Krystal Jessup and Bon Echo, hosted by Matt Gower
Friday Sept. 5th, 8pm
Tickets: $15 advance/$20 door, available now.