Backstage Pass

Douglas McLean | Canoe FM

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.

  1. −5 d

    SÉAN MCCANN – SINK or SWIM –

    This week, SÉAN MCCANN – SINK or SWIM – SÉAN MCCANN Brings his songs to Haliburton. The modern world, with all its technological advancements and pervasive influence, has led us into a world that seems increasingly polarized and isolated from the fun, joy and beauty that life creates all around us almost every minute of our lives, that we somehow forget to marvel in and celebrate. Legendary singer songwriter, Séan McCann, ‘The Shantyman’, formerly of Great Big Sea, brings a new set of original songs, along with worldclass audience favourites, to Haliburton United Church, 10 George St, Haliburton, Friday September 04,2026 TICKETS : Sean McCann With his beloved guitar ‘Brownie’, and a vast repertoire of self-penned songs and traditional Celtic tunes, Séan promises a night of revelry, collective fellowship and merriment. “All my songs are written on guitar, so underneath any production stuff that you'd hear on the albums, you'll hear my guitar; but a song is not worth its salt unless you can stand there on your own two feet and sing it and have it impact people in front of you. What I do at my live show is I enlist the audience to become the band. I convince them and encourage them to make that larger sound, so every night it's like you are part of the audience but you're really part of the choir. And together we're going to sing this song and then together we're going to sing the next song. Don't worry if you don't know the words, I'll tell you what the words are -you know, clap your hands, sing along, stamp your feet.” “The challenge is to put your phone down for two hours. Look to your left and right. Remember who your neighbors are and meet some new friends and just be present in a human-to-human capacity. This is a form of resistance. This is an act of rebellion now.” “My heroes are Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie, Bob Marley and Joe Strummer. This is what we do, this is how we respond. And that's where I come from. I'm a folk musician, and that's part of it.” https://seanmccannsings.com LISTEN TO THE MUSIC: https://greatbigsean.bandcamp.com/album/sink-or-swim This podcast is hosted by Canoe FM. https://backstage-pass.zencast.website/

    SÉAN MCCANN – SINK or SWIM –
  2. 5 aug.

    HANNAH & NATHAN- ‘Love & Labour’

    This week, HANNAH & NATHAN- ‘Love & Labour’ As Hannah and Nathan head out on their August leg of their tour for their debut collaborative album, ‘Love & Labour’ released May 15, 2026, it is great honour to post this conversation about the songs chosen and production of this incredible album. Hannah Shira Naiman and Nathan Smith are award-winning Ontario folk musicians known for their authentic songwriting and pristine vocal harmonies Their collaboration began with double-bill performances in 2022, where Hannah’s clawhammer banjo seamlessly intertwined with Nathan’s fiddle and guitar work. What quickly became undeniable was the power of their vocal blend — precise, expressive, and deeply rooted in tradition. While their sound is often described as Appalachian old-time, each brings a distinct musical lineage. Nathan draws from extensive bluegrass and old-time experience, as well as his upbringing in Celtic and traditional Canadian fiddle music. He performs regularly with touring bluegrass band The Barrel Boys and acoustic trad quartet Vinta. Hannah’s songwriting is grounded in old-time Appalachian and English traditional music, crafting songs that retell personal stories through timeless themes and tropes — so convincingly traditional that they are often mistaken for century-old ballads. Together, they create original music that is heartfelt, poignant, and occasionally raucous — rooted in deep respect for tradition while speaking through a contemporary lens. Within the folk community, their pairing has been met with palpable excitement, with presenters and fellow artists alike noting the rare chemistry and musical precision they bring to the stage. https://hannahandnathanmusic.com https://youtu.be/u2KRhMHK2FM?si=wHyAR9JVo60Z4Re7 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/

    HANNAH & NATHAN- ‘Love & Labour’
  3. 15 juli

    KEN WHITELEY – Keep Going

    This week, KEN WHITELEY – Keep Going Hard to believe that Ken Whiteley has been making music since the 1970’s and still presents a vital, riveting and compelling message to his loyal fans and new listeners alike. “Keep Going’ is an album for our times, filled with intellectual, emotional and spiritual resilience. Drawing on his own expansive artistry and the traditional music from which his enduring sapiential creativity flows, Whiteley takes us on journey of the heart to what is fundamentally essential in living right here, right now. Backstage Pass Episode 95 is proud to bring this wonderful conversation to your podcast listening pleasure. Ken Whiteley on making his 37th album, “Keep Going” I broke a bone in my ankle in February, 2025 and wasn’t supposed to walk on it so I began sitting, playing guitar and writing the songs that became the album, “Keep Going”. As I was writing and compiling the songs for this recording, the theme of perseverance emerged. Keeping going in these troubled times is an expression of powerful determination and survival, tempered by the recognition of earthly transience. I immersed myself in old blues and gospel tunes and that message kept coming up. May listeners find the inspiration to themselves keep going! “Keep going” is also symptomatic of where I’m at in my life and career. I began performing in public at the age of 14 and I’m about to turn 75. In those more than 60 years of professional music making I have done so many different things from producing recordings and accompanying other artists, writing film scores, making music for children and a long list of musical collaborations (including The Original Sloth Band, The Junior Jug Band, The Whiteley Brothers, Scarlett, Washington & Whiteley among others). These days I’m more likely to be performing at a yoga ashram than a bar, while drawing on the rich storehouse of blues, folk and gospel to make music that speaks to ways forward in this troubled world and brings people together. https://www.kenwhiteley.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/

    KEN WHITELEY – Keep Going
  4. 24 juni

    JESSICA RHAYE – Foolish Heart

    This week, JESSICA RHAYE – Foolish Heart Finally, I have the chance to share this wonderful conversation with Jessica Rhaye about her newest EP ‘Foolish Heart’ and the heart felt tender songwriting that created this magical set of songs. Beautifully produced and performed by her remarkable band ‘The Ramshackle Parade’. ‘Foolish Heart’ was released on March 20,2026 and it is deep honour to share this wonderful interview. Foolish Heart is a five-song EP that leans into love, reflection, and quiet vulnerability. Produced by longtime collaborator Dale Murray and recorded across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Nashville, the songs move easily between country-folk warmth, confessional moments, and cinematic swells — including an incredible Laurel Canyon–inspired reimagining of KISS’s “I Was Made for Lovin’ You.” While each song on Foolish Heart stands on its own sonically, they are bound together by a shared emotional thread. These are love songs, but not only the romantic kind—some are tender, some restless, others quietly questioning. Jessica Rhaye is a Canadian independent singer-songwriter, performer, and visual graphic design artist with a 25-year career rooted in folk and Americana. She performs solo, with her folk trio Preeper Rhaye MacKay, and with her folk-rock band The Ramshackle Parade. My Heart Belongs to You. https://youtu.be/c42kkEx9bFw?si=uC4WJW0gtv-2Pspc https://www.jessicarhaye.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/

    JESSICA RHAYE – Foolish Heart
  5. 6 juni

    MARC JORDAN - authorized biography, ‘Rhythm of My Heart’.

    This week, MARC JORDAN - authorized biography, ‘Rhythm of My Heart’. Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Marc Jordan brings his remarkable story to life at Huntsville’s Algonquin Theatre on June 12,2026 with the launch of 'Rhythm of My Heart', his authorized biography. With a night full of songs and stories, the evening offers an intimate look into the five-decade career of a songwriter whose work has sold over 35 million units and shaped generations of pop and jazz. Known for his poetic lyricism, distinctive voice, and collaborations with artists like Rod Stewart and Bonnie Raitt, Jordan invites audiences into his creative world through stories, music, and reflection, making this a rare and personal event with one of Canada’s most enduring musical voices. Marc Jordan, the visionary Brooklyn-born, Toronto-raised singer-songwriter whose work has defined the landscape of popular music for over fifty years, today announces a multi-dimensional celebration of his storied career. With the release of his authorized biography, Rhythm of My Heart, a chart-topping audiophile collection, and an intimate series of live performances, Jordan continues to expand his legacy as one of the most essential voices in the musical canon. The biography offers a vivid window into Jordan’s unique creative process, including his "savant-like" ability to visualize music in three dimensions—a gift he cultivated while navigating profound dyslexia. The song serves as the heartbeat of a narrative that celebrates redemption through art and the unwavering dedication to the craft of songwriting. https://www.marcjordan.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/

    MARC JORDAN - authorized biography, ‘Rhythm of My Heart’.
  6. 19 maj

    DAVE GUNNING - Field Notes

    This week, DAVE GUNNING - Field Notes ‘Field Notes’ is one of those rare, memorable albums that comes along once every generation reflecting not only the urgency of the times, but reveals an artist in full force and flight, sharing the craft, precision and imaginative power beneath the song writing With his Ontario tour continuing, Dave Gunning joins Backstage Pass in a wide-ranging conversation about his phenomenal new album and writing songs in a modern turbulent world. With over two decades on the road and fifteen albums to his credit, Nova Scotia’s Dave Gunning has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most engaging and respected folk singer-songwriters. A multiple East Coast Music Award and Canadian Folk Music Award winner, Gunning is celebrated for his warm stage presence, razor-sharp wit, and songs that honour everyday heroes while tackling hard truths. His music has long reflected his deep roots in Pictou County, where stories of working people, small-town struggles, and local pride shape his songwriting. Whether he’s shining a light on unsung community champions or confronting social and environmental issues close to home, Gunning brings an honesty and empathy to his work that have become his trademark. Over the years, Gunning has shared the stage with many folk greats, yet he continues to carve his own path, grounded in the values of community and craftsmanship. In June 2025, Gunning travelled to Point Lonsdale, Australia, to record his fifteenth studio album, Field Notes. Stripped-back and emotionally rich, the new collection returns to the heart of what he does best: telling stories that remind us who we are, where we come from, and what matters most. https://www.davegunning.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/

    DAVE GUNNING - Field Notes
  7. 17 apr.

    JENN GRANT - Queen of the Strait

    This week, JENN GRANT - Queen of the Strait Her 2026 album, Queen of the Strait (2026), is her most personal work yet. Co-produced with Joshua Van Tassel and longtime collaborator Daniel Ledwell, it is a modern-day classic of country and Americana, elevated by Jenn’s unmistakable pop-infused charm. The title draws its name from the MV Abegweit passenger ferry - Abegweit being an anglicized version of the Mi’kmaw word Epekwitk, meaning “cradled by the waves” - which carried Jenn and her brother as children between two parents after a tumultuous separation. That crossing becomes both a literal and metaphorical passage in her work, weaving together the Canadian landscapes of her childhood and universal stories into a profound reflection of the human condition; exploring life’s deepest thresholds: childhood wonder, love, abuse, aging, childbearing, loss, survival, and resilience. To celebrate the album, Grant has created a groundbreaking live tour ‘Cradled by the Waves’ - The Live Experience, which will take place across Canada, beginning in Charlottetown, PEI, on March 5th. This tour will transform the album into a stunning multimedia performance blending music, film, theatre, and dance. With Queen of the Strait, Grant affirms her place as one of Canada’s most compelling storytellers - an artist whose songs feel both timeless and urgently present, carrying us across waters both real and imagined. https://www.jenngrant.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/

    JENN GRANT - Queen of the Strait

Om

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.