Shred Kelly :: Bringin’ their banjo boogie to the Windsor

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by Sheldon Birnie

Shred Kelly‘s unique brand of foot-stompin’, banjo driven roots boogie has been getting crowds up and off their feet for years now. On Monday, July 28th, the Fernie based group makes a stop-over in Winnipeg to play the Windsor. Stylus caught up with Sage McBride (vocals, guitar) on a short tour stop in Nova Scotia to talk about touring, getting stuck in Alberta’s floods in June, preparations for their new record, and their experience with the CBC Beetle.  Continue reading “Shred Kelly :: Bringin’ their banjo boogie to the Windsor”

Hillbilly Highway – Mary Gauthier, Scott Nolan, Joanna Miller @ Park Theatre

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by Sheldon Birnie

Monday night’s packed show at the Park Theatre was one of those perfect stops along the Hillbilly Highway that at once make you feel so glad that you’re wherever you happen to be at, while at the same time igniting (or rekindling) an “aching wanderlust” to hit the road at once. Backed by Winnipeg’s own Scott Nolan and Joanna Miller (who also opened the night), the crowd at the Park was treated to a magnificent performance from one of the best songwriters (and a dang entertaining performer and storyteller, to boot) in the biz, Mary Gauthier. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Mary Gauthier, Scott Nolan, Joanna Miller @ Park Theatre”

Hillbilly Highway – Recovering from a wild week(end) at Bird’s Hill

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by Sheldon Birnie

It’s that time of year again, where brain cells struggle to regrow after an onslaught of booze, chemicals, smoke, and sun. The week(end) that is Winnipeg Folk Fest failed, once again, to disappoint this festival goer. With a diverse and interesting line-up, beautiful weather, and wild & wacky times in the campground, I’m feeling exhausted and inspired once again. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Recovering from a wild week(end) at Bird’s Hill”

A conversation with Hayes Carll

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by Sheldon Birnie

With festival season bearing down hard upon us, it is with great anticipation that we wait here for some of the world’s best singers, songwriters, and guitar pickers to come pouring in off the Hillbilly Highway and into our backyards. With performances at Dauphin’s Countryfest in June and the Winnipeg Folk Festival in July, Manitobans have no excuse to miss out on Hayes Carll. Stylus caught up with this Texas troubadour over the phone from a tour stop in Tucson, AZ.

Continue reading “A conversation with Hayes Carll”

Hillbilly Highway – Northcote comes a knockin’

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by Sheldon Birnie

Northcote is the musical project of Victoria-by-way-of-Regina’s Matt Goud. With the recent release of his self-titled, sophomore album, Northcote expands on his trademark sound with a more confident, more fully realized LP. Backed by the largest band he’s ever taken on the road with him, Northcote is blazing a trail down the Hillbilly Highway, from one end of Canada to the other.  With stops in Winnipeg and Calgary for Sled Island upcoming, Matt took a few minutes out of a traffic jam in Quebec to talk to Stylus about the new record, the Highway, and attending boarding school in Dauphin, MB. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Northcote comes a knockin’”

Hillbilly Highway – Blake Berglund, Real Deal

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by Sheldon Birnie

Blake Berglund is a Saskatchewan songwriter with a keen eye for detail and the work ethic of his cowboy forefathers. With a full summer of bookings looming ahead, Stylus caught up with hard hustling troubadour on a break from seeding at his family farm in Kennedy, SK, to talk about touring, songwriting, his background in hard rock and country, and contemporary roots music. Our conversation stretched on for longer than anticipated, but here’s the bulk of what Blake had to tell me. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Blake Berglund, Real Deal”