Refolkus

In this episode, we sit down with Chris White, recipient of the 2026 Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award. Chris takes us through his lifelong journey in folk music, from growing up in a musical family and discovering the power of community singing to co-founding the Ottawa Folk Festival and helping create opportunities for artists through Home Routes. We talk about his work in radio with Cana...

In this episode, our guest host, Treasa Levasseur, chats with William Prince, acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter and performer. William reflects on the making of Further from the Country , the role of community and collaboration in his music, and how trust and surrender have shaped his creative process. They talk about balancing ambition with authenticity, staying rooted while navigating an inte...

In this episode, we sit down with Emy Stantcheva, Executive Director of MusicOntario. Emy shares practical advice on export readiness, developing a clear market strategy, preparing for conferences, and making meaningful industry connections. We also explore effective pitching, creative promotional materials, and the importance of following up and maintaining relationships after events. It's an inf...

We’re shaking things up this episode! Our host, Rosalyn Dennett, takes a turn in the guest seat for a candid conversation hosted by Ann MacKeigan. Rosalyn shares stories from her early musical influences, what makes a great musical collaboration, and the role that community and storytelling have played throughout her career. We also talk about her journey as the Executive Director of Folk Canada a...

In this episode we chat with Tania Joy, the Co-founder and Executive Director/Artistic Director of Springtide Music Festival in Uxbridge, Ontario. Tania shares the story behind building a community-driven music festival from the ground up, and what she’s learned about supporting local artists, developing audiences, and creating meaningful partnerships along the way. We also explore the idea of slo...

In this episode we chat with Luisa González, a music industry professional and booking agent with a background in film. Luisa shares practical advice for emerging artists on building an authentic brand, developing a strong visual aesthetic, creating compelling content on a budget, and building a professional online presence. We also explore how to approach networking and follow-ups at industry eve...

In this episode we chat with Kerri Stephens, the Artistic Director of Northern Lights Festival Boréal in Sudbury, Ontario and founder of Lost Cat Artists. Kerri takes us behind the scenes of programming Northern Lights Festival Boréal, sharing how she curates a cohesive lineup and considers everything from an artist’s fit with the festival’s mandate to the overall audience experience. She also sha...

In this episode we chat with Fiona Black, the Artistic Director of Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Fiona shares insights into booking international artists, creating meaningful collaborations and workshops, and what makes the Vancouver Folk Music Festival such a unique experience for artists and audiences. We also explore how festivals have evolved post-pandemic and the role of community in creatin...

In this episode, we sit down with Tim Des Islets, founder of Noisemaker Management and Noisemaker Presents, a Canadian artist management and event promotion company. Tim shares insights into the world of artist management, the evolving artist-manager relationship, and what it takes to promote shows and festivals in today’s live music landscape. We also explore how community, strategy, and strong i...

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Ann MacKeigan, a media consultant and performance coach with over three decades of experience at CBC. Ann shares insights on how artists can frame and deliver their stories with confidence, including practical strategies for preparing for interviews, finding the human connection in every story, handling unexpected questions with honesty, and creating memora...

In this week’s episode we chat with multidisciplinary artist, Ahmed Moneka. We discuss his journey from Iraq to Canada and how music has shaped both his life and his activism. Ahmed shares how he blends his Afro Sufi heritage with jazz, folk, and contemporary influences to tell stories of identity, migration, and resilience. We also discuss the power of music to build cultural connections, promote...

In this episode we chat with musician, booking agent and grant-writer, Sage McBride. Drawing on her experience as both a touring artist and industry professional, Sage shares practical advice on everything from tour routing and self-booking to writing stronger grant applications. We also talk about what makes a showcase stand out, why live videos matter, and how collaboration can open new doors fo...

In this episode we chat with Chris Frayer, the Artistic Director of Winnipeg Folk Festival. We get into the evolution of the Winnipeg Folk Festival and what it takes to build a lasting music festival. Chris also shares insights from his decades in the industry, including how he approaches artist booking, balancing emerging and established artists, and creating meaningful experiences for audiences....

In this episode we chat with the Artistic Co-Director of Sunfest, Mercedes Caxaj. Mercedes takes us behind-the-scenes of creating a diverse and internationally focused music festival. She shares the story of how Sunfest began, how they bring artists from around the world to the stage, and the work involved in producing a free-admission festival. We also discuss how representation and community eng...

In this episode, we chat with Mick Janzen of the folk trio The Janzen Boys. Mick shares his journey from busking to full-time touring, and dives into the DIY digital marketing strategies he uses to build his audience, drive ticket sales, and strengthen direct connections with fans. He breaks down how independent artists can use social media, targeted advertising, and online tools to grow their rea...

In this episode, we sit down with booking agent Nicole Rochefort of AIM Booking Agency. We discuss the artist-agent relationship, what agents look for when signing new clients, the importance of community and networking, and why artists need to think like entrepreneurs. Nicole also shares practical advice on self-promotion, audience development, balancing life on the road, and creating a long-term...

In this episode, we chat to acclaimed Canadian artist, AHI. We discuss the power of storytelling in folk music and how personal experiences shape the songs we connect with most deeply. We also touch on AHI’s journey as an artist, the role of vulnerability in songwriting, and how he’s learned to channel criticism into creativity and growth throughout his career. Be sure to catch AHI live on his upc...

In this episode, we sit down with Grammy-nominated, two-time Juno winner, fiddler Natalie McMaster. Natalie chats about her journey from growing up in Cape Breton’s rich musical traditions to building an internationally celebrated music career. We discuss the role of love, family, and community in shaping her life and artistry, the decision to bring her children into her performances, and the impo...

In this week’s episode, we chat to Toronto-based folk roots singer-songwriter Shawna Caspi. We delve into the realities of touring in today’s music industry and how artists can build more sustainable touring practices. We also get into frugal touring tips, navigating rising travel costs, finding creative ways to save money on the road, and the importance of community, authenticity, and artist well...

In this week’s episode, we chat to Ellorie McKnight, a climate researcher and indie folk artist. We get into her journey as an artist and how she approaches songwriting as a way to explore both personal and collective experiences. We also dive into her climate work, and how it informs her artistry, using music as a way to invite reflection, connection, and engagement. It’s a thoughtful conversatio...

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Mimi O’Bonsawin for a conversation that moves between life on the road and the deeper connections that shape her work as an artist. We get into her relationship to land and gardening, and how that feeds into her creativity and helps her stay grounded while navigating a demanding touring schedule. Mimi also shares what it’s like managing celiac disease on tou...

In this week's episode, we chat to Mark Steiner, founder of GigSalad. We get into his path through the music industry, from working as a booking agent to creating GigSalad. Drawing from his experience on the booking side, Mark shares insight into how talent gets matched with opportunities, what bookers are really looking for, and what actually makes artists stand out when it comes to getting booke...

In this episode, we dive into a grounded conversation with Guatemalan singer-songwriter Paula Sofía, exploring how she balances her work as both a performing artist and a leader in the arts. We get into what it really means to connect with an audience—how storytelling, vulnerability, and intimacy can turn a performance into something that truly resonates. Paula shares her perspective on songwritin...

In this episode, we sit down with Lisa La Rocca, a dynamic leader in the Canadian music scene, to explore her career across music, event production, and community building. From her early days as an intern to becoming an influential festival organizer and industry advocate, Lisa shares her journey and how she’s carved out her path. This episode is also filled with practical tips for emerging artis...

Welcome back to the fifth season of Refolkus. In this week's episode, we chat with artist Daniel Lew about how a life-changing hearing loss at 13 reshaped his relationship with music. He discusses his nonlinear approach to songwriting and recording, how self-help literature has influenced his creative mindset, and the ways he’s adapted his live performance to work with his physical limitations. It...