Backstage Pass

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/

This week, DUKE & GOLDIE. Romance and Ramblin’ “Romance and ramblin’ There’s two hearts, one’s free the other bleeds Tumbling dice, paying the price, the winner who walks with it all Teardrops of diamonds will fall” Romanticized Cowboy Rarely do artists give us the type of lyrics that take the listener on deep inner journey that provoke wonder and pondering at the same time. In an easy going, refreshing conversation, Jena “Goldie” Gogo and Eric “The Duke” Duquette talk about their newest EP, Romance and Ramblin’- their second EP of powerful evocative songs. As they embark on a eastern tour, please welcome DUKE & GOLDIE to Backstage Pass. Duke & Goldie blend the soul of warm folk storytelling with an upbeat, mystical country twang to create a sound uniquely all their own. The Vancouver-based musical partnership of Eric “The Duke” Duquette and Jena “Goldie” Gogo (longtime members of roots rock band Blue Sky Miners) has forged a style that feels both timeless and refreshingly new. Described as a revival of the sun-kissed Laurel Canyon vibes of the ‘60s and ‘70s, their music invites listeners to journey through heartland stories and wide-open landscapes. The collection showcases Duke & Goldie’s range within Americana and country, from the free-spirited singalong “West End Queen (Abattoir)” to the gritty anthem “Outsider,” which celebrates individuality in defiance of conformity. On the dreamlike “Romanticized Cowboy,” Goldie’s ethereal vocals explore love, longing, and myth, while “Small Town Talk” delivers fire and humour in a sharp critique of small-town gossip. Closing with “The Low Desert,” a sweeping and poetic reverie, the EP demonstrates their ability to balance nostalgia, grit, and cosmic wonder—all while staying rooted in heartfelt storytelling. On stage, Duke & Goldie weave cascading harmonies over acoustic guitar-laden arrangements, bringing stories to life that travel from the towering Rocky Mountains to the quiet mystery of remote deserts. They explore the complexity of their roles as modern-day settlers, grappling with identity, place, and purpose in the beautiful land they call home. Yet it is their magnetic on-stage chemistry—playful, intimate, and deeply connected—that truly hooks audiences, making every performance feel like an invitation into their world. https://www.dukeandgoldie.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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

This week, THE PLANET SMASHERS - On the Dancefloor After more than three decades of two-tone swagger, punk attitude, and brass-blasted joy, Montreal’s beloved ska lifers The Planet Smashers return with “Meet Me On The Dancefloor,” the first single from their forthcoming tenth studio album, On the Dancefloor lands August 22,2025 on Stomp Records. It’s a summery, anthemic invitation back into the band’s world of groove-driven rebellion, self-deprecating humour, and dancefloor catharsis. Formed in 1994 and still going strong, The Planet Smashers have carved out an impressive and enduring legacy in the global ska-punk movement. With over 30 million streams on Spotify, countless sold-out shows, and a catalogue that soundtracked everything from MTV’s Undergrads to Japan’s cult animation series Catman, the band has remained a fixture through every wave and reinvention of the genre. They've toured extensively across North America, Europe, and Japan, and shared stages with icons while remaining staunchly DIY and true to their fans. Founding frontman Matt Collyer also co-founded Stomp Records, a label that helped launch some of Canada's most celebrated alternative acts. “Meet Me On The Dancefloor” is pure Planet Smashers—hooky, high-energy, and deeply fun. It channels their signature up(off)beat sound with a sharp rhythm section, cheeky lyrics, and that unmistakable horn section that still hits like a confetti cannon. The track also teases the range and spirit of the full-length album: On the Dancefloor features 13 tracks spanning love songs, breakup anthems, protest tunes, and party bangers, all threaded with the band’s infectious optimism and biting wit. And they’ve brought reinforcements: ska legends Neville Staple (The Specials), Charley “Aitch” Bembridge (The Selecter), and Sara Johnston (Bran Van 3000) all contribute to the record, bringing extra depth and pedigree to the chaos. The band’s live show is still a thing of sweaty, horn-laced legend—equal parts punk rock and carnival—and the new material was crafted with that experience in mind. “On the Dancefloor was the funnest of our 10 albums to record,” says Collyer. “I can’t wait to play these songs live! The process was rad from start to finish. All of my bandmates got their hands in there. Plus we had the pleasure of teaming up with ska legends and longtime friends. Fun times!” That spirit of collective joy and resistance runs throughout the record, offering a little light in a world that sorely needs it. Whether you’re a lifelong skanker or just discovering the band through a playlist rabbit hole, The Planet Smashers deliver exactly what the name promises: fun, energy, and total sonic uplift. With new music, new videos, and new tour dates on the horizon, “Meet Me On The Dancefloor” isn’t just a single—it’s a reminder that no matter how weird or bleak things get, there’s always room to move your feet and turn up the volume. https://youtu.be/iaYiFSefQ6A?si=mrZciEm7fKdXrkbg https://planetsmashers.ca/ https://www.facebook.com/ThePlanetSmashers/ 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/