Music Buddy Music Buddy

Is there anything better than listening to your favourite band while sitting outside in the sun with friends, family, and fellow music-lovers? Very few experiences can top the feeling you get from soaking up fresh air and soundwaves simultaneously. So, as summer approaches, we bring you "Festival Season" - a special 3-part series on music festivals.

Music festivals appear to pop up out of nowhere - in a city park, in the green space beside a lake, or on a farm next to a river. All of a sudden, a field becomes a dance floor for a main stage; or a leafy forest grove transforms into an intimate music workshop. It seems instantaneous, but a festival takes months—and sometimes years—to plan and produce. Staff and volunteers work tirelessly to bring music fans the most entertaining, uplifting, safe, and memorable experience possible.

In this series, we talk to a few of the wonderful people that work around the clock to bring us these magical events.

Part 2 - ARIANA DALIE & CRAIG SMITH: Four Winds Festival
 Ariana and Craig are "The Happiness Mafia", a live music event and production company, that—in addition to presenting concerts throughout the year—is responsible for creating the Four Winds Music Festival. Four Winds takes place July 12-14 at the Riverstone Retreat in Durham, Ontario. This is the festival’s second year, and the lineup is a lovingly-curated offering of roots-rock, folk, singer-songwriter, world music and bluegrass. 
In this episode Ariana and Craig talk about how a phone call home from Antarctica started them on their current path, and how their passion for music plus their individual strengths enable them to create a shared dream: presenting year-round concerts, plus a 3-day summer festival on 136 acres of green space in Southern Ontario. 
More info:
Four Winds Music Fest
The Happiness Mafia
The Ontarians

Music samples in this episode:
"Trippin'" - Ontarians (More How  It Is, upcoming release July 9, 2024)
"Hey Moon (A Campfire Song)" - Joel Plaskett (Single, 2023)
"Juan Charrasqueado" - Quique Escamilla (Encomienda, 2019)
"Lucky To Find" - Jolie Smith (2024)
"Time" - Ontarians (The Greatest Short Story Never Told, 2021)


Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the pod with a donation. Any amount helps!

MUSIC BUDDY IS:
Jane Gowan (host, producer, editor)
Tim Vesely (co-producer / occasional co-host)

The show's theme song, "Human Stuff," is written by Jane Gowan and Tim Vesely, and performed by Jane and Tim, with additional vocals by Steve Wright and Connie Kostiuk

STAY IN TOUCH
Email: jane@musicbuddy.ca
Instagram: @musicbuddypodcast
Facebook: @musicbuddypodcast
Twitter: @janegowan
TikTok: @musicbuddypod

This podcast is brought to you by Morning Run Productions.

Is there anything better than listening to your favourite band while sitting outside in the sun with friends, family, and fellow music-lovers? Very few experiences can top the feeling you get from soaking up fresh air and soundwaves simultaneously. So, as summer approaches, we bring you "Festival Season" - a special 3-part series on music festivals. 

Music festivals appear to pop up out of nowhere - in a city park, in the green space beside a lake, or on a farm next to a river. All of a sudden, a field becomes a dance floor for a main stage; or a leafy forest grove transforms into an intimate music workshop. It seems instantaneous, but a festival takes months—and sometimes years—to plan and produce. Staff and volunteers work tirelessly to bring music fans the most entertaining, uplifting, safe, and memorable experience possible.

In this series, we talk to a few of the wonderful people that work around the clock to bring us these magical events. 

Part 1 - SPENCER SHEWEN: Mariposa Folk Music Festival & Riverfest Elora
Spencer is the Artistic Director of both the Mariposa Folk Festival and Riverfest Elora. 
Throughout his many years working with music festivals, he's learned that producing a successful music festival is a juggling act, a game of strategy, and an endurance test. But the payoff is big and joyous and filled with amazing music and good times! In this conversation, Spencer talks about his experience with both festivals, some of the artists that he's excited about presenting this year, and how a cardboard Tony Danza ended up touring with The Beaches rock band.

Festival Info:
Mariposa Folk Festival (July 5-7, 2024): mariposafolkfestival.com
Riverfest Elora (Aug 16-18, 2024): riverfestelora.com

Music samples in this episode:
"My Heart is A Blinking Nintendo" - BA Johnston (My Heart is A Blinking Nintendo, 2010)
"Summer Side of Life" - Gordon Lightfoot (Summer Side of Life, 1971)
"40 Years in the Wilderness" - Bruce Cockburn (Bone on Bone, 2017)
"Critterland" - Willi Carlisle (Critterland, 2024)
"Traveller's Curse" - Ben Caplan (Old Stock, 2018)
"Working on My Tan" - Alex Nicol (Been A Long Year, Vol. 2, 2023)
Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the pod with a donation. Any amount helps!

MUSIC BUDDY IS:
Jane Gowan (host, producer, editor)
Tim Vesely (co-producer / occasional co-host)

The show's theme song, "Human Stuff," is written by Jane Gowan and Tim Vesely, and performed by Jane and Tim, with additional vocals by Steve Wright and Connie Kostiuk

STAY IN TOUCH
Email: jane@musicbuddy.ca
Instagram: @musicbuddypodcast
Facebook: @musicbuddypodcast
Twitter: @janegowan
TikTok: @musicbuddypod

This podcast is brought to you by Morning Run Productions.

Craig Small is an award-winning visual artist, director, and animator. A co-founder of The Juggernaut Productions, Craig is constantly inventing unique and striking ways to creatively present ideas. His work is  highly sought after by A-list corporate clients, broadcasters, and production houses.   
Nominated for two Emmy Awards for his film title designs, Craig has worked with internationally-renowned design houses, animators, and filmmakers, in addition to bands such as The Sadies, the Tragically Hip, The Beaches, and the Barenaked Ladies, and musicians such as Ron Sexsmith, Michael Bublé, and Dan Mangan. Although not a musician by trade, Craig is officially the 4th member of Don Kerr’s indie band Communism, for which he conceives dynamic and compelling live visuals.

 A self-proclaimed "retro-mechanical nerd",  Craig's work rides the line between the digital and mechanical realms. His creative outputs exist in a world that embraces both the past and future of imagery, machinery, music, and the written word - work that has gained the attention and admiration of people such as Jack White,  Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, Mark Maron, and David  Byrne.

More about Craig and his work:
The Juggernaut Productions
Craig Small - website
Communism promo video
Communism Side Door Livestream
Dan Mangan's Show to Nobody
The Dan Mangan Zoetrope
Jack White demos the Literarium
Carmine Street Guitars (Trailer)
Bo Diddley Zoetrope
David Byrne Zoetrope
Kenk a Graphic Portrait (Pop Sandbox)
Inside Kenk: A TVO Original Documentary

Song samples in this episode:
"Weakness is Strength" - Communism (Get Down Get Together, 2016)
"These Days" - Ron Sexsmith (Cobblestone Runway, 2002)
"Love in Your Heart" (Love Speech, 2023)
 


Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the pod with a donation. Any amount helps!

MUSIC BUDDY IS:
Jane Gowan (host, producer, editor)
Tim Vesely (co-producer / occasional co-host)

The show's theme song, "Human Stuff," is written by Jane Gowan and Tim Vesely, and performed by Jane and Tim, with additional vocals by Steve Wright and Connie Kostiuk

STAY IN TOUCH
Email: jane@musicbuddy.ca
Instagram: @musicbuddypodcast
Facebook: @musicbuddypodcast
Twitter: @janegowan
TikTok: @musicbuddypod

This podcast is brought to you by Morning Run Productions.

Lucy Rose Cash is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter. Her debut album— Windswept Perfectionist—is a 7-song outpouring of tender emotion and compassionate insight. Produced by José Miguel Contreras (By Divine Right), the songs capture beautifully the rawness of a budding self-awareness and the fragility of relationships.

Lucy has been surrounded by creativity from birth. Her father (Andrew Cash) is a musician/songwriter, and her mother (Michelle Shook) is a visual artist. As a result, Lucy has explored many art forms, including art, drama, and dance. But it is music that appears to capture her imagination and win her attention on a daily basis. In this interview, Lucy talks about how the album came to be, her love of music, and how songwriting can often be a distraction from math homework. 

More about Lucy:
Lucy Rose Cash (Bandcamp)
Andrew Cash (CIMA) (Lucy's Dad)
Michelle Shook Fine Art (Lucy's Mom)
Sameer Cash (Lucy's brother)
The Visit : March 21-23 at Etobicoke School of the Arts. Tickets here.

THE MUSIC BUDDY SESSION: "YES PLEASE" by Lucy Rose Cash
Performed by Lucy Rose Cash, Jane Gowan and Tim Vesely
Recorded by Tim Vesely and Jane Gowan
Mixed by Tim Vesely

Music samples in this episode:
"Windswept Perfectionist" - Lucy Rose Cash (Windswept Perfectionist, 2023)
"Forced Wisdsom" - Lucy Rose Cash (Windswept Perfectionist, 2023)
"Laugh it Off" - Lucy Rose Cash (Windswept Perfectionist, 2023)
"Soft Spoken Kid" - Lucy Rose Cash (Windswept Perfectionist, 2023)
"Breathe Easy" - Lucy Rose Cash (Windswept Perfectionist, 2023)
"Early Morning Rain" - Gordon Lightfoot (Gord's Gold, 1975)
"Raceway" - The Cash Brothers (How Was Tomorrow, 2001)


Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the pod with a donation. Any amount helps!

MUSIC BUDDY IS:
Jane Gowan (host, producer, editor)
Tim Vesely (co-producer / occasional co-host)

The show's theme song, "Human Stuff," is written by Jane Gowan and Tim Vesely, and performed by Jane and Tim, with additional vocals by Steve Wright and Connie Kostiuk

STAY IN TOUCH
Email: jane@musicbuddy.ca
Instagram: @musicbuddypodcast
Facebook: @musicbuddypodcast
Twitter: @janegowan
TikTok: @musicbuddypod

This podcast is brought to you by Morning Run Productions.

Yvonne Matsell is a celebrated music booker and long-time friend of the Canadian indie music scene. As the live music talent buyer for clubs like Ultrasound, Ted's Wrecking Yard, The Horseshoe Tavern and The Reverb Room, Yvonne gave countless indie bands their first decent gigs, and watched as many of them went on to become success stories and musical household names. Just a few of the bands and artists that flourished as a result of Yvonne's magic touch include: Skydiggers, Lowest of the Low, Rheostatics, Barenaked Ladies, Headstones, Matt Mays, Ron Sexsmith, Sarah Slean, Hawksley Workman, Feist, and Broken Social Scene.

In a business that can often be tough, gritty and uber-competitive, Yvonne remains "one of the good ones". A deep love of music, good humour, generosity, and a willingness to work tirelessly on behalf of artists, has made her one of the most admired and respected people in the Canadian music landscape.

Music samples in this episode:
"Hey Darlene" - The Stephen Stanley Band (Before the Collapse of the Hive, 2023)
"Muscle Cars and Sissy Bars" - Skydiggers (Hide Your Light, 2023)
"Legal Age Life at Variety Store" - Rheostatics (Whale Music, 1992)
"New Westminster Taxi Squad" - The Stephen Stanley Band (That Thin, Wild Mercury, 2003)
"Journey" - The Cash Brothers (Phonebooth Tornado, 2000)
"The Owl" - The Stephen Stanley Band (Before the Collapse of the Hive, 2023)
"Lover You Should've Come Over" - Jeff Buckley (Live at Sin-é Legacy Edition, 1993)
"All of Our Dreaming" - Skydiggers (Bittersweet Harmony, 2003)
"P.I.N." - Rheostatics (The Night of the Shooting Stars, 2001)
"Come to My Senses" - Skydiggers (Hide Your Light, 2023)
Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the pod with a donation. Any amount helps!

MUSIC BUDDY IS:
Jane Gowan (host, producer, editor)
Tim Vesely (co-producer / occasional co-host)

The show's theme song, "Human Stuff," is written by Jane Gowan and Tim Vesely, and performed by Jane and Tim, with additional vocals by Steve Wright and Connie Kostiuk

STAY IN TOUCH
Email: jane@musicbuddy.ca
Instagram: @musicbuddypodcast
Facebook: @musicbuddypodcast
Twitter: @janegowan
TikTok: @musicbuddypod

This podcast is brought to you by Morning Run Productions.

Internationally-acclaimed and award-winning singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith first sang and strummed his way into the hearts of music lovers in the early-mid 1990s. At that time, the distorted fuzz and raw angst of grunge bands dominated the airwaves, and most "folk" singers watched from the sidelines, clutching their acoustic guitars and cursing their lack of effects pedals - but not Ron. Amidst the dense and glorious swirl of guitar rock, Sexsmith offered up his self-titled debut album of simple, heartfelt songs. The melodically refined and gracefully sculpted nature of his music gradually won him fans around the world, including rock n roll dignitaries such as Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, and Paul McCartney. 30-ish years and 17 albums later, Ron Sexsmith has become one of the most revered songwriters in the world, while continuing to create music that is essential, fresh, and timeless. 

In this conversation, Ron guides host Jane Gowan and co-host Tim Vesely through the storied travels and charmed encounters of his illustrious career to date.

Sexsmith turned 60 this January. To celebrate this milestone, he and his band are performing a special one-night-only concert on Feb 29 at Toronto’s Massey Hall. The show is a career retrospective, highlighting songs from every release to date. Tickets are still available (see link below).  
Sexsmith at Sixty
Feb 29 @ Massey Hall
Get tickets here

More about Ron
ronsexsmith.com
Rawnboy youtube channel

THE MUSIC BUDDY SESSION:
"Seem to Recall", by Ron Sexsmith
Performed by Ron Sexsmith, Tim Vesely, and Jane Gowan
Recorded and Mixed by Tim Vesely

Music samples (all by Ron Sexsmith)  in this episode:
"What I Had in Mind"  (The Vivian Line, 2023)
"Diamond Wave" (The Vivian Line, 2023)
"This, That and the Other Thing" (The Vivian Line, 2023)
"Secret Heart" (Ron Sexsmith, 1995)
"Thinking Out Loud" (Other Songs, 1997)
"This Song" (Blue Boy, 2001)
"Former Glory" (Cobblestone Runway, 2002)
"Hard Bargain" (Retriever, 2004)
"One Less Shadow" - Sexsmith & Kerr (Destination Unknown, 2005)
"All in Good Time" (Time Being, 2006)
"Brandy Alexander" (Exit Strategy of the Soul, 2008)
"Believe It When I See It" (Long Player Late Bloomer, 2010)
"The Morning Light" (Forever Endeavor, 2013)
"Foolproof" (Blue Boy, 2001)
"Getaway Car" (Carousel One, 2015)
"Evergreen" (The Last Rider, 2017)
"Lo and Behold" (Her
Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the pod with a donation. Any amount helps!

MUSIC BUDDY IS:
Jane Gowan (host, producer, editor)
Tim Vesely (co-producer / occasional co-host)

The show's theme song, "Human Stuff," is written by Jane Gowan and Tim Vesely, and performed by Jane and Tim, with additional vocals by Steve Wright and Connie Kostiuk

STAY IN TOUCH
Email: jane@musicbuddy.ca
Instagram: @musicbuddypodcast
Facebook: @musicbuddypodcast
Twitter: @janegowan
TikTok: @musicbuddypod

This podcast is brought to you by Morning Run Productions.