Thank God It's Free Range!

My Polaris Prize longlist and some new tunes.

Local jazz guitarist Aaron Shorr is set to release his new album Omand's Creek on Sunday May 14th and we spoke about its creation and inspiration.
Also on the show is Jim Barrett of Bass Drum of Death, who come to town June 3rd in support of their latest album, Say I Won't.

Winnipeg choral group Esprit are set to perform Mysticism & Magic at Knox United Church on Saturday May 6. I spoke to conductor (and U of M faculty member) Valdine Anderson about putting the show together and the history of the group. I also chatted with Jeremie Bremault of Jeremie & The Delicious Hounds who are set to release the record Cruel at the Pyramid Cabaret on the same night.

Coming to The Good Will on May 2nd, members of Vancouver band Winona Forever join me by phone to discuss their new album Acrobat and pick a couple tracks. Then Artistic Director of Polycoro, John Wiens, discusses the choir's history and their May 8th show New:School.

Live session and interview with Miesha and the Spanks who stopped by the station while in town on the tour for their new record, Unconditional Love in Hi-Fi and a conversation with the organizer and performers at Keep Shining: 10 Year Memorial of Alex "Dee" Danyliuk (happening at the Pyramid on Saturday April 22nd).

Joined by singer-songwriter Andrina Turenne who is set to release her album Bold As Logs at the West End Cultural Centre on Saturday April 29th.

Mise En Scene's Stef Blondal Johnson discusses their forthcoming EP Reality Bites and their new collaborative beer (of the same name) with Torque.

Featuring interviews with Suz Raudaschl of Victoria band Bridal Party who play the Good Will on Monday March 27th and with Calgarian Clea Anaïs who opens for Reuben & The Dark at the Park Theatre on March 30th.

Sometimes things just seem to fall into place. Earlier this week I lost a friend and UMFM lost a great programmer when Gail Comfort passed away. I was already planning to re-air an interview I did on Turning Pages with singer-songwriter Tara MacLean about her memoir Song of the Sparrow and include a selection from the accompanying album Sparrow. Gail would have loved the stories MacLean shares about songwriting, touring and Lilith Fair among other things. I also had an interview with Matt Andersen lined up in advance of his March 30th show at Club Regent and I think she would have enjoyed his new record as she'd played his works on Comfort Cafe in the past.

Both of those interviews as well as the musical selections on the show tonight are in tribute to Gail. Rest in peace my friend.