Thank God It's Free Range!

Nothing but new tunes.

Sunday night is the deadline for the first round of this year's Polaris Prize ballot and while I sort out my thoughts before voting, I thought I'd run through my personal longlist and feature selections from some great Canadian albums released in the past twelve months.

Closing out Pledge-O-Rama 2024 with special guest Nigel Webber discussing the Gritty City project. Plus, Cupid's Heart come to Winnipeg next week and join me by phone in advance of their show.

UMFM's listener funding drive, Pledge-O-Rama kicks off on the show. In addition to discussing what great incentives there are and why you should make a pledge, I've got an interview with Abigail Lapell before her April 21st show at the West End and a conversation with Cavin from Winnipeg Record & Tape about Record Store Day (tomorrow, April 20th).

Former UMFM programmer Jonah Nepon didn't just make an impact at the station and in the Winnipeg music community. He also spent time in Montreal and was involved with the Pop Montreal. After his untimely passing there was a memorial concert held in his honour and this week marks the 10th anniversary of that show. Jonah's brother has provided me with the audio from that show and tonight's episode is entirely dedicated to airing material from that show, including performances by Wax Mannequin, Sin and Swoon, Alden Penner, Asthma Camp, Adam & The Amethysts and Play Guitar.

Seth Nanaa - drummer for Ghost Trees - joins me to discuss the duo's new record Intercept Method, how the group ended up as a tenor sax & drum unit, recording at Van Gelder Studios, the great artwork and more.

On the show tonight I talk to Sam Singer about his upcoming show April 4th at the Times Change(d) and play a live session I recorded yesterday with Gavin and James from MOONRiiVR who are playing Darling Bar tonight alongside The Secret Beach.

On the show tonight are local artist Lana Winterhalt who released Recovering Theatre Kid today and will celebrate at a show April 6th at The Handsome Daughter, and by members Gavin Gardiner and James Robertson of MOONRIIVR who will be in town next Friday to play a show at Darling Bar in support of their new album Vol. 1.

The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra is set to perform Reelin' In The Years, their tribute to Steely Dan and I'm joined by guest performers Larry Roy (who also handled the arrangements) and Leonard Shaw to talk about the show.

Then Johannes Lodewycks discusses the pandemic-delayed Sub City reunion show happening at the Park Theatre next month and getting the band back together after a decade + break.