Backstage Pass

Douglas McLean | Canoe FM

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MUSIC INTERVIEWS
UPDATED DAILY

Backstage Pass is an interview podcast dedicated to Canadian and international artists in conversation about their latest album release, tour schedules, or songwriting experience. We hope these interviews will inspire you to go buy some music and celebrate in the creative magic that gives us songs that lifts us up in times of trouble and makes us dance in times of joy and happiness.

DEC 2

JORY NASH – THE LIGHT STILL SHINES ON THE MAIN.

This week, JORY NASH – THE LIGHT STILL SHINES ON THE MAIN. October 24, 2025 - After stepping away from music in 2019, acclaimed folk singer-songwriter Jory Nash returns with his 10th album, The Light Still Shines On The Main, co-produced with longtime friend Chris Stringer (The Wooden Sky, Elliott Brood, Timber Timbre, Megan Bonnell, Holly McNarland). The road to this record has been anything but easy. In 2019, Nash experienced a breakdown that led him to quit music, facing depression and financial struggles. The pandemic compounded these struggles, and in early 2021, his partner, Brittany, was diagnosed with multiple cancers, beginning an intensive journey through chemotherapy and surgeries. That summer, a fire damaged their Toronto rental, prompting a move to Cobourg, ON, where Brittany could focus on recovery and their young son could start kindergarten. “This album is about coming through the darkness,” says Nash. “It’s about hope, resilience, loss, and finding beauty in new beginnings.” https://jorynash.com LISTEN TO THE MUSIC: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2uIq5kxXDHDEk6D7OzZa6C?si=BCR-hEwAR1KEcqPHq7yJyw This podcast is hosted by Canoe FM. https://backstage-pass.zencast.website/

1h 8m
NOV 22

THE EAST POINTERS. - Jake Charron joins Backstage Pass to discuss ‘Schoonertown’

This week, THE EAST POINTERS. - Jake Charron joins Backstage Pass to discuss ‘Schoonertown’ JUNO Award-winning Canadian contemporary folk group The East Pointers are excited to announce their anticipated fourth full-length album, ‘Schoonertown’, which will be released on January 23, 2026, via Nettwerk. To celebrate the news, The East Pointers' have released a series of new singles which showcases the power and strength of what’s to come on the upcoming new record. Schoonertown, Tim Chaisson and Jake Charron share, “is rooted in our early years as a band, and depicts what it’s like growing up in a small East Coast seaside town. Through the eyes of a young fisherman, each song traces the highs and lows of life on and off the water—the struggles and triumphs, love, growth, and self-realization that come with finding your place in the world. It's also the first album we've written, produced, and recorded entirely on our own, and we're so excited for you to hear it!” The East Pointers have always been furiously energetic, musically complex, and technically brilliant. Their fusion of folk, pop, electronic, and dance sensibilities has generated strong fan bases worldwide. Representing the seventh generation of traditional Prince Edward Island and Ontario-based Celtic players, The East Pointers pay homage and advance the art form by parlaying folk music into the pop arena. https://theeastpointers.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgmweY4XKtvfpFLPukMP8Mw LISTEN TO THE MUSIC: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2uIq5kxXDHDEk6D7OzZa6C?si=BCR-hEwAR1KEcqPHq7yJyw This podcast is hosted by Canoe FM. https://backstage-pass.zencast.website/

30 min
NOV 10

JASON SCHNEIDER- the Strange Saga of rock’s most enduring song, ‘Hey Joe’.

This week, JASON SCHNEIDER- the Strange Saga of rock’s most enduring song, ‘Hey Joe’. Music journalist, editor, publicist and musician, Jason Schneider has written extensively about Canadian Music legends such as Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, in his book ‘Whispering Pines’ (2009); Art Bergmann, in ‘The Longest Suicide: The Authorized Biography of Art Bergmann’ (2022). In his most recent book, ‘That Gun In Your Hand: the Strange Saga of ‘Hey Joe’ and Popular Music’s History of Violence’ (2025), Jason Schneider explores, in minute detail, the creation of one of the most enduring and re-recorded songs in rock history, “Hey Joe”. “This is the story of a song, a song that binds nearly every strand of 20th century American popular music. “Hey Joe” was written at the dawn of the 1960s by a man named Billy Roberts, an obscure singer and guitarist from South Carolina who moved to New York City, drawn by the burgeoning folk music scene in Greenwich Village. It was a time when new, original material was scarce, leading other singers to quickly adapt songs of quality in the spirit of folk music’s oral traditions. Thus began the long journey of “Hey Joe” from New York coffeehouses to the bars on L.A.’s Sunset Strip to the ears of a young guitarist named Jimi Hendrix who launched his career with his radical, electrified interpretation.” In exacting detail, with newly uncovered stories, Jason Schneider maps the intricate elements of a song that has provoked dramatic response from the multitude of musicians who have recorded the song, to audiences who still find the track irresistible. In its unusual construction, and mythical history, “Hey Joe”, remains a powerful reminder of what makes rock music such an exciting, complex and influential art form. Its history is, in many ways, a history of the foundations of modern pop and rock music. https://jasonschneidermedia.com/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560292990370 LISTEN TO THE MUSIC: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2uIq5kxXDHDEk6D7OzZa6C?si=BCR-hEwAR1KEcqPHq7yJyw This podcast is hosted by Canoe FM. https://backstage-pass.zencast.website/

56 min
OCT 25

GRANT LYLE - And Now

This week, GRANT LYLE - And Now Released September 12th, 2025 Toronto-based Grant Lyle is a powerhouse frontman known for his electrifying presence and dynamic guitar playing. Grant blends raw, punchy chops with smooth, fluid phrasing, crafting a sound that captivates audiences from start to finish. Lyle's guitar solos are sharp and emotive, effortlessly blending technical skill with soulful improvisation. His commanding stage presence keeps the audience on their toes, while the rhythm section locks in tight, creating a groove that's impossible to resist. Grant Lyle's performances transcend the setting - whether he's playing a small, intimate venue or a festival stage, his music connects with the audience no matter the distance. His ability to command attention with just an acoustic guitar and his voice is a testament to his skill as a musician and storyteller. With every note, Grant captures the essence of the blues, making even the most familiar classics feel fresh and raw. On September 12th, 2025 Lyle is set to release his eighth recording, aptly titled And Now. The new songs highlight Lyle's many talents both as a guitarist and a singer-songwriter, showcasing deep respect for the traditions of blues and roots music while putting his own spin on it. With eight original songs and one masterful cover of The Spencer Davis Group's "Gimme Some Lovin'" With And Now, Grant Lyle has created an experience that speaks directly to the soul. https://grantlyle.com/home LISTEN TO THE MUSIC: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2uIq5kxXDHDEk6D7OzZa6C?si=BCR-hEwAR1KEcqPHq7yJyw This podcast is hosted by Canoe FM. https://backstage-pass.zencast.website/

30 min
OCT 17

GORDIE TENTREES

This week, GORDIE TENTREES International touring award winning Canadian (Yukon) artist has arrived. This authentic road poet travels North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UK/Ireland and Scandinavia with 9 records under his belt. From Celtic Connections (UK) to the National Folk Festival (AU) his ability to hold an audience, weave melody, while juggling the dark with the light is infectious. Gordie Tentrees & Jaxon Haldane 2023 International Acoustic Music Award (IAMA) winner Gordie Tentrees (Yukon) met Jaxon Haldane (Manitoba) in 2005 (Fred Eaglesmith Picnic, Ontario) and swapped records before hitting the road with disparate musical aspirations. Gordie performed over 3000 concerts around the world, often touring as Eaglesmith’s opening act, learning about the music business, and leveraging his previous experience in the boxing ring (3x Golden Glove champ). Tentrees also toured with James Cotten, Mary Gauthier, Kelly Joe Phelps, Steve Poltz, and Ray Wylie Hubbard, to name a few. Jaxon was meanwhile tearing up stages from Churchill to Belfast (D.Rangers bandleader/banjo player), producing records for his indie label (Dollartone), and touring with the likes of Petunia, The Sadies, Jon Spencer, and Romi Mayes. His close relationship with lifelong musical hero and mentor Willie P. Bennett led to Haldane recording Willie’s last record, Sharpen The Plow, just prior to Bennett’s passing in 2008. Haldane founded the Willie P. Bennett Legacy site to pay tribute to his deceased friend. Interestingly, Bennett and Eaglesmith spent 25 years performing and touring, setting an example of camaraderie and excellence that still guides the way for Tentrees and Haldane. Fast forward to 2014 in Beaumont, Texas. Gordie and Jaxon made their stage debut and quickly realized their friendship off the stage made for something special on it. Armed with an arsenal of instruments (Fiddle-Saw, Harmonica, Resonator, Cigar Box Guitars, Foot Percussion, Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, and Mandolin), they have performed over 1100 concerts in 11 countries, creating an unscripted, dynamic electric/acoustic show built on brotherly harmonies and masterful storytelling. In 2018, they released GRIT, their debut live album recorded over 5 nights in Western Canada by Scott Franchuk (Corb Lund, Old Reliable, Mariel Buckley, Del Barber), propelling appearances at major festivals such as Celtic Connections in Glasgow, UK, the National Folk Festival in Canberra, Australia, and the Woody Guthrie Festival in Okemah, USA. They recently recorded a studio record in Nashville TN titled Double Takes with acclaimed Australian Nash Chambers (Paul Kelly, Archie Roach) with special guests Charlie McCoy (Elvis Presley), Tania Elizabeth (Avett Brothers) and Lucky Oceans (Asleep at the Wheel). The music of Tentrees and Haldane draws from a century of North American music traditions and is rooted in truth, social justice, and the human condition. Their performances are heartfelt and honest, seldom shying away from challenging topics and tough subject matter. https://www.tentrees.ca/ LISTEN TO THE MUSIC: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2uIq5kxXDHDEk6D7OzZa6C?si=BCR-hEwAR1KEcqPHq7yJyw This podcast is hosted by Canoe FM. https://backstage-pass.zencast.website/

39 min
SEP 25

DAVID FRANCEY - MAPS (A Collection of Fan Favourites, Personal Picks, and a Brand-New Track)

This week, DAVID FRANCEY - MAPS (A Collection of Fan Favourites, Personal Picks, and a Brand-New Track) "I have been writing songs for over 50 years. Each song is a map that helped me navigate through the ups and downs life put in my way. I'd have been lost without them." - David Francey One of Canada’s most beloved folk voices, David Francey, is set to release MAPS, a new album that looks back on a songwriting journey spanning more than five decades. This poignant and powerful collection draws from both fan favourites and the songs most meaningful to Francey himself, and includes one brand-new track, "Corpus Christi." David Francey, born in Ayrshire, Scotland, is a Canadian folk singer-songwriter. He is the recipient of four Juno Awards and three Canadian Folk Music Awards. He has no formal training in music. Francey worked as a rail yard worker and a carpenter for 20 years. At age 45, he began a career in folk music, finding success on the folk festival circuit Francey's experiences in working-class life strongly influenced his 1999 debut album, ‘Torn Screen Door’. Maps is David Francey’s fourteenth album. It is a breath-taking compilation of a master songwriter’s work to date, deeply moving and inspiring. For any artist for knows what it means to follow the muse, this is a conversation about the grace and humility that one needs to pursue a life in art and music. https://www.davidfrancey.com/ LISTEN TO THE MUSIC: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2uIq5kxXDHDEk6D7OzZa6C?si=BCR-hEwAR1KEcqPHq7yJyw This podcast is hosted by Canoe FM. https://backstage-pass.zencast.website/
SEP 19

BREE TAYLOR – ‘Wake Up!’

This week, BREE TAYLOR – ‘Wake Up!’ Bree Taylor has quietly but steadily built a reputation as one of country music’s most compelling new voices—an artist whose work cuts through the genre’s conventions with a blend of grit, honesty, and rock-infused energy. This summer, Bree made her landmark Nashville debut at the CMA Fest Spotlight Stage earlier this month, marking a major career moment and expanding her growing audience south of the border. Her latest single, “Wake Up!,” out now, further solidifies her place as a force to be reckoned with, and with over 2 million streams across digital platforms, the momentum behind her career is gathering real steam. “Wake Up!” is a high-octane punk-rock country blends country storytelling with lyrics, including the evocative line “Saw you kiss her on a Tuesday / But you call me on the daily,” confront the rawness of unreciprocated love with a frankness that feels both personal and universal. Bree’s commanding vocal delivery cuts through the song’s driving instrumentation, making it clear this is your new breakup anthem and a call to recognize what’s right in front of you before it slips away. Co-written with Alex Seier and Kelly McKay, the song emerged quickly, capturing a real-time emotional urgency. Bree has said she wanted to craft a song with an edge reminiscent of Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me,” but infused with her own unmistakable bite. The result is a vibrant, energetic anthem perfectly timed for the summer season and for Bree’s ongoing rise. The single builds on the foundation laid by her breakthrough track, “Standing Still,” which garnered significant recognition including a spot in CBC Searchlight’s Elite Top 50 and finalist placements in the Unsigned Only and International Songwriting competitions. Her raw vocal power and candid songwriting also earned her the Established Vocalist MARTY Award from the Mississauga Arts Council—a nod to both her artistry and her growing influence. Bree’s music reflects a lineage that spans from the storytelling traditions of Carrie Underwood to the rebellious spirit of Joan Jett. Her sound embodies a genre-defying spirit, pairing country’s emotional directness with the raw power of rock ’n’ roll. Her journey, marked by overcoming a hearing impairment, informs the authenticity and resilience that resonate throughout her work. Her debut full-length album is set for release on October 10, 2025. https://www.breetaylor.com/ LISTEN TO THE MUSIC: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2uIq5kxXDHDEk6D7OzZa6C?si=BCR-hEwAR1KEcqPHq7yJyw This podcast is hosted by Canoe FM. https://backstage-pass.zencast.website/
SEP 11

STEVE MARRINER – Hear My Heart

This week, STEVE MARRINER – Hear My Heart With over twenty years of relentless touring and recording, Steve Marriner now enjoys his hard-earned reputation as one of the most hard-working and talented musicians in Canada and beyond. In addition to being one of the world’s foremost blues harmonica players, ‘The Swiss Army Knife’ is also known to be a wildly skilled multi-instrumentalist, soulful singer and creative record producer. Since 2008, Marriner has been a celebrated co-founder, baritone guitarist and lead singer of the acclaimed blues outfit MonkeyJunk, with whom he has won two Juno Awards (2012, 2018) for Blues Album of the Year. Another career milestone was achieved with MonkeyJunk in 2010 when they became the first-ever Canadian band to be recognized with a win at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis, Tennessee. For the past decade, Marriner has been touring and recording with the legendary Canadian blues-rock staple, Colin James, lending his skills on both harmonica and bass guitar. While touring with James, Steve realized several long-time dreams by performing in such hallowed halls as The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, The Moody Theatre in Austin, and Massey Hall in Toronto. As a songwriter, Marriner has earned critical praise for the depth and vulnerability of his works. “Everybody has a story to tell, and I try to write songs that let people know they aren’t alone in this world. That somebody has been through the same trials they face, and come out the other side.” As a dynamic performer, Marriner has shared the stage with many legends across the blues, rock, and folk genres. In the world of blues, he’s accompanied bonafide legends like Buddy Guy, Pinetop Perkins, Sam Myers Jimmie Vaughan, Kim Wilson as well as contemporary masters such as Jimmie Vaughan, Kim Wilson, Sue Foley and Mike Zito. His rock collaborations include Colin James, Big Sugar, Sass Jordan, JJ Grey & Mofro and Randy Bachman while his folk connections have put him on stage with Harry Manx, Foy Vance, Sue Foley, Blue Rodeo and Xavier Rudd. Today, Marriner continues to explore his ever-expanding musical boundaries, blending a wide range of influences to forge his own, unique musical identity. He is currently set to release his latest album, Hear My Heart, in 2025 via Cordova Bay Records. https://www.stevemarriner.com/ https://www.facebook.com/stevemarrinermusic/ LISTEN TO THE MUSIC: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2uIq5kxXDHDEk6D7OzZa6C?si=BCR-hEwAR1KEcqPHq7yJyw This podcast is hosted by Canoe FM. https://backstage-pass.zencast.website/

Backstage Pass is an interview podcast dedicated to Canadian and international artists in conversation about their latest album release, tour schedules, or songwriting experience. We hope these interviews will inspire you to go buy some music and celebrate in the creative magic that gives us songs that lifts us up in times of trouble and makes us dance in times of joy and happiness.

Creator

Douglas McLean | Canoe FM
Years Active

2022 - 2025
Episodes

79
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2022
Show Website

Backstage Pass