Folk

Rockin’ the suburbs with Los Lobos

New venues help bring Grammy winners — and many others — to Southern Ontarians’ backyards. Just don’t get them started about Donald Trump. Nick Krewen Music, Tues., Jan 31, 2017 Suburbanites: now you don’t necessarily have to go to Toronto to see the big shows — more than ever, they’re coming to you. This week, for example, four-time Grammy winners Los Lobos perform at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre on…


Life is pretty sweet for Mean Mary

Banjo-playing singer returns to Toronto for Winterfolk XIV festival. Nick Krewen Music, Fri., Feb. 12, 2016 You know you have a dedicated fan base when they’re willing to finance your barn. Nashville-based banjo-picking folkie Mean Mary recently conducted a $9,000 (U.S.) Indiegogo campaign to fund her soon-to-be-released album Sweet and build a shelter for her horses. Her loyal followers happily ponied up for both. “Yeah, that worked out pretty good,”…


Emm Gryner – musical multi-tasker

  Between her new solo album, her bands Trent Severn and Trapper, and her family, singer stays busy but focused. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Mon Oct 12 2015   Emm Gryner has become quite the proficient juggler. A couple of weeks ago, the Juno-nominated, Sarnia-born singer and songwriter released her 16th studio album, 21st Century Ballads. On Oct. 9, Trillium — the sophomore effort from Trent Severn, Gryner’s hoser…


Bob Dylan and The Band’s complete Basement Tapes resurface at last

Toronto duo largely responsible for lifting the veil off “the most sought after and mysterious recordings from the post-nuclear, pre-digital era.” Nick Krewen Music, Published on Wed Nov 05 2014   Sitting at Johnny Rockets, a ’50s-style burger joint in Yonge-Dundas Square, my dining companion pulls out a cardboard envelope and hands it over. “Open it up and have a look. Have a little whiff,” he insists. Inside is a…


Oh Susanna beats cancer to sing other people’s songs

Oh Susanna’s Suzie Ungerleider had to delay her Namedropper album — with contributions from Ron Sexsmith, Joel Plaskett, Melissa McClelland and others — for treatment, but she finally debuts it in concert on Saturday. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Thu Oct 23 2014 When Oh Susanna performs Saturday night at the Great Hall, Suzie Ungerleider will be celebrating not only a sparkling new album called Namedropper, but successful treatment for…