Episode 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…
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Backstage Pass
Douglas McLean | Canoe FM · Arts & Books · English
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 song
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S4 · E97 · 26 Aug 2026 · 48 min
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,…
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S4 · E96 · 5 Aug 2026 · 49 min
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.…
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S4 · E95 · 15 Jul 2026 · 57 min
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…
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S4 · E94 · 24 Jun 2026 · 49 min
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…
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S4 · E93 · 6 Jun 2026 · 49 min
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,…
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S4 · E91 · 7 May 2026 · 43 min
KAELEY JADE - ‘The Great Unknown’
This week, KAELEY JADE - ‘The Great Unknown’ Alternative-folk singer-songwriter Kaeley Jade crafts full-hearted songs that dig deep. Growing up on the outskirts of North America’s most northern metropolis, the Edmonton-based Métis artist has been sculpted by icy winter winds and sweeping prairie skies. Whether through gently textured acoustic ballads or rip-roaring full-band cuts, Canadian Folk Music Award-winner Kaeley Jade’s powerful voice captures life’s most challenging moments with sincerity and precision. Her cinematic forthcoming album, The Great Unknown, invites listeners to release…
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S4 · E90 · 17 Apr 2026 · 47 min
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…
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S4 · E89 · 5 Apr 2026 · 59 min
THE BURRITO BROTHERS / The Magic Time Machine of Love
This week, THE BURRITO BROTHERS / The Magic Time Machine of Love “ The idea will keep going. It’s not like it’s dead. Whether I do it or anybody else does, it’s got to keep going.” Gram Parsons 1972 Chis P James in converstation about the new album from The Burrito Brothers,The Magic Time Machine of Love, which was released in November through Think Like a Key Music. How can music that sounds so completely new and inventive sound so familiar at the same time? Well… it does. That’s The Burrito Brothers for you! The legacy and experiences that inform the wonderful music of today’s BBs is so…
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S4 · E88 · 23 Mar 2026 · 46 min
GRAVEN - Geographics
GRAVEN - Geographics Releasing two singles a week throughout February 2026 on Bandcamp, Graven has finally released his newest stellar album. Thoughtful and inventive, as always, Graven captures the mood of the times with this exception set of songs. ‘Geographics’ was sonically birthed in 6 days in Halifax, NS at Ocean Floor Recording with Matty McKechnie (Graven), Melissa Payne, Charles Austin, Jamie Kronick, Jordan Murphy and Franc Lopes. The album has a real travel theme to it, and spans across many real geographic locations, but it's also sort of a statement on the world at large today…
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S4 · E87 · 11 Mar 2026 · 30 min
STEVE JENSEN – mrSTEVE and friends
This week, STEVE JENSEN – mrSTEVE and friends From the opening track to its beautiful closing, Steve Jensen’s 2026 album, ‘mrSTEVE and friends’, is a gentle reminder of all that is good and loving in this tumultuous world. The gifted British Columbia songwriter has crafted a set of songs that in lyric and melody, span genres and musical approaches with an airy hopefulness and enthusiasm reminiscent of a time when music was meant for dancing in the streets and lifting our hearts and voices high in good faith and enduring acceptance. Guitarist and songwriter, Steve Jensen released his third…
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