Fly with your Shadow

New episodes are on the way! 1 recorded and being edited, 2 more talks scheduled...

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Check out the outstanding new album from episode 30 guest Mike June, which has finally arrived! It's art in its truest form, honest, upfront, and unafraid. It's powerful stuff that pushes the boundaries for sure. I'm loving this one more and more every time I hear it! Way to go Mike! You can stream it wherever you stream things, but buying it directly from the artist is always the best way to go:

Modern American Folk Music, by Mike June 7 track album

Check out episode 31, with Evangeline Gentle!

Evangeline Gentle is a Scottish-Canadian internationally acclaimed folk-pop songwriter, performer and vocalist based in Ontario, Canada. Contemplative and affecting, Evangeline’s lyrics evoke lush emotional landscapes within the listener and seek to unite audiences with a sense of “sameness”. A celebration of q***rness and q***r culture is woven throughout Gentle’s upcoming release Where The Diamonds Are, best heard on singles “Gay Bar” which debuted on CBC q, and “Bad Girls”. On this she says “While many have never been to a gay bar, most know the euphoria of getting dressed up to go out dancing with friends. We are inextricably connected by our shared emotional, human experience. I love that songs remind us of this.”

Produced by Jim Bryson / Fixed Hinge Recording (Kathleen Edwards), and mastered by Grammy-nominated engineer Philip Shaw Bova (Bahamas, Feist), her 2020 debut self-titled release earned international praise. Gentle was interviewed by legendary host Scott Simon on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday, appeared in Forbes, and received radio play on BBC, CBC, SiriusXM and more.

Evangeline supported headliner Donovan Woods at the 2021 Mariposa Folk Festival, with other standout performances including those at Maverick Festival (UK) and Static Roots Festival (Germany) in 2022. She has supported acts such as Kathleen Edwards, Tim Baker, Begonia, Basia Bulat, Craig Cardiff, Whitehorse and Rae Spoon.

Evangeline Gentle (episode 31) download .mp3 Evangeline Gentle’s 2023 album, Where the Diamonds Are, is a masterpiece sonically and lyrically. It’s melodic and interesting, propelled and shaped by producer and master music…

Episode 30, featuring Mike June is now available!

Mike June has a wealth of music industry experience behind the scenes and on stage. He’s toured extensively with Texas songwriting legend Jon Dee Graham and his accomplished and amazing wife Jess Klein.

As he was about to release a masterpiece of an album, Poor Man’s Bible, a number of broken promises and missed opportunities, through no fault of his own, set him back and had him questioning whether music was even the right path for him.

But his keen eye, quick wit, insights and informed and experienced opinions kept finding their way into songs that just had to be written, performed, and recorded. He’s preparing to make a comeback with an upcoming album, Modern American Folk Music, which will finally come out on August 30.

If you like this one, visit the website for links to buy Mike's music, and please remember to share the episode with anyone who might find it interesting!

https://flywithyourshadow.com/mike-june-episode-30/

It’s difficult for many to understand that depression isn’t sadness. There is of course a kind of sadness in the recipe- but I feel it is better described as persistent sorrow. It is a disease that is horribly stigmatized, and fetishized in our culture. Depression is treatable- however I am unaware of a cure. Parenting beautiful children that you love more than your own life- is not a cure. Smiling more often- is not a cure. Thinking about how beautiful other parts of life can be- is not a cure.
I hope that many will find their anger is a mask for their own sorrow, and choose compassion instead. I feel entirely convicted to break with the shame I self project surrounding my personal struggles with this affliction. The worry that if you raise your hand it will be seen as a weakness or worse yet- some cry for more attention (doesn’t that guy get enough?). I have dealt with this shadow my entire life. I don’t remember a day when there wasn’t a darkness near me. I have dealt with it in ways that should have turned out for the worst- and I have uncovered practices that have helped me experience some freedom, and relief. I have the deepest respect for all who fight this disease. I am endlessly grateful for the love, and sacrifice given by those who live life with me. It’s time to not be surprised by this disease. The culture we live in does not do what it should to support. I am a part of that culture, and I want to do more. Tell someone you’re there for them today- it won’t be the cure- and that’s not the point.

Episode 30 is coming soon. Sorry, it's taken me a while. It'll detail the long and sordid tale of industry obstacles that have hampered and held back my longtime friend Mike June. It'll make you mad, sad, and excited for what's to come. Mike has started writing about it on his new Substack. Check it out and stay tuned for a new episode of this show and some long-awaited new music from Mike!

The Long Road Back to Obscurity 8 years ago, after a decade of hard work, all of my dreams were coming true...and then they nearly destroyed me.

Episode 29, featuring Colleen Brown Music of Major Love is now available! Featuring music from and conversation about her work with Scenic Route to Alaska, Great Lake Swimmers, Abigail Lapell, Nick Zubeck, and more!

We'll hear more music and more about it today on Tell the Band to Go Home

Please check out the episode and share it with friends & followers who might enjoy it!

Colleen Brown (Major Love) (episode 29) download .mp3 Colleen Brown (colleenbrownmusic.com) is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter on a mission – looking for beauty in the darker corners of human existence. With versatile son…

Fly with your Shadow is back with an all new conversation with Canadian singer/songwriter Jory Nash!

Jory has been a favourite on my radio show Tell the Band to Go Home for more than 20 years. He's a model of how to do everything right. He works hard, puts incredible effort and passion into his work, surrounds himself with the right people, treats fans and friends right, and asks for very little in return.

Somehow, in spite of it all, he found himself struggling to make a living by making music, and made the difficult decision to put his music career behind him. But the creative fire did not die, and after some time away, he found himself with a renewed strength, vision, and perspective, and is looking to resume his music career by making a new album and booking his first shows in years.

Tune in to this powerful conversation to learn about how difficult it is to make a living in the arts and just how unfair the music industry can be.

Jory Nash (episode 28) download .mp3 Jory Nash (jorynash.com) is an award-winning singer-songwriter and storyteller who blends elements of folk, jazz, blues, pop & soul into an original stew of sound. He has recorded…

One more way to listen to the show, Fly with your Shadow is now listed on YouTube Podcasts!

However you find it, we hope you'll consider subscribing, checking out more episodes, and most importantly, sharing a link and some information with your friends & followers!

Fly with your Shadow Fly with your Shadow is an interview-based podcast featuring conversations about the lives of people who make music, including career-based issues like menta...

Fly with your Shadow is back after an unexpectedly long absence with a bit of a broader focus to allow for some new guests and different types of conversations!

Ken Yates (episode 27) Fly with your Shadow is back after an unexpectedly long absence with a bit of a broader focus to allow for some new guests and different types of conversations! download .mp3 Channelling pain into …

Powerful and important words from past guest Ben de la Cour.

Guest Column: Recovery Sucks – New Noise Magazine Recovery sucks. Don’t let them tell you otherwise. Guest columnist Ben de la Cour breaks it down for New Noise.

Episode 5 guest Ben de la Cour is still out there having open and honest conversations about mental illness and doing amazing work helping people. His latest album, Sweet Anhedonia, produced by episode 20 guest Jim White is out now and it is stunning! Get it!

Who knows, maybe you'll even hear new episodes of this podcast at some point...

Helping the Next Generation Be Mentally Shredded with Ben De La Cour by The Mentally Shredded Podcast Ben De la Cour is here with an honest conversation about how he’s done the work, and is doing the work to help the next generation be Mentally Shredded. Resources + Links: Follow Ben on Instagram Follow us on Instagram The podcast Your Host, Christopher @...

In Scots, we call home 'hame'. Shame does not live here. There should be no shame around mental health and mental illness, it’s a tiny change we can all make to not shame ourselves or others. 💙🏡

https://www.nodepression.com/the-long-haul-speaking-honestly-about-mental-health/

THE LONG HAUL: Speaking Honestly About Mental Health This year I was asked to be a part of an AmericanaFest panel called “Speaking Honestly About Mental Health.” I’m not sure exactly why I was chosen for this panel, except for the fact that my songs indicate a plethora of unresolved feelings and I’m perhaps known for speaking a little too hone...

This week's episode features a conversation with bilingual singer/songwriter and mental health advocate Melanie Brulée, an accomplished musician who has been using her platform to have important conversations about mental health, mental illness, su***de, and more. Join me for a lively conversation with this talented and interesting individual!

https://flywithyourshadow.com/melanie-brulee-episode-26/

Melanie Brulée (episode 26) Melanie Brulée is a bilingual singer/songwriter originally from Cornwall, Ontario. She spent much of her 20s living in Australia, where she first picked up a guitar and developed an interest in sin…

Another new episode of the show this week and it's an especially powerful and poignant one. Brenley MacEachern, one half of successful and acclaimed duo Madison Violet tells us about that group's journey and what keeps them going, then talks all about her brother Stevie's tragic story of abuse by a priest, which destroyed his life and deeply affected his family. It's not an easy story to hear, but sadly, it's not an uncommon one. The only way to Right the Wrong is to expose the truth and tell these stories. Please use your discretion when listening.

https://flywithyourshadow.com/brenley-maceachern-madison-violet-episode-25/

Brenley MacEachern (Madison Violet) (episode 25) Today’s show features a story of trauma that is really difficult to hear. This might be the most intensely emotional episode of this show so far, and it’s one that many listeners might find difficu…

Brand new episode of the show today featuring a funny, interesting, and revealing chat with old friend and one of our very favourite songwriters and people, MIKE PLUME! Mike has been rambling around singing songs and telling stories for more than 25 years and he's got the scars to prove it, but he keeps on going! He's a model of how hard it is to make it in music, but despite unbelievable setbacks, he's still driven, positive, and an inspiration to stick with your dreams and keep doing what you love!

More of this one to come on Tell the Band to Go Home this week and next!

Mike Plume returns to Winnipeg at The Park Theatre on October 19! Tickets at the link in the comments. I sure hope to see you there!

https://flywithyourshadow.com/mike-plume-episode-24/

Mike Plume (episode 24) Mike Plume is one of the most glaring examples of the unfair nature of the music industry. You’d like to think that if you have immense talent and appeal and work really, really hard, you’d become …

Here's something exciting! Episode 17 of this show was dedicated to the memory of a wonderful artist and beautiful soul named Paul MacLeod. I was very excited to see that his music is relaunching and exciting things are to come! You can stream a few of his great albums now on your favourite streaming service and follow Paul Macleod Archive on Facebook and Instagram!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/221nyJiIcwmoWS73lfUtrC

Spotify – Web Player

I'm pleased to present a conversation with an old friend and a tremendous songwriter and storyteller, John Wort Hannam Music! I was impressed by John's songs nearly 20 years ago, when I first heard him, but over the past couple of albums, he's written some especially personal and powerful songs, while still maintaining a great sense of humour wrapped up in strong melodies.

Prior to the release of his 2019 album, Acres of Elbow Room, John was forced to confront a long ignored history of depression that suddenly manifested itself in a physical inability to sing. Coming to grips with that, John has been open about his struggles and path to recovery, and I'm grateful that he was willing to share that story and much more on this episode!

I hope you enjoy it. Share it with someone who might find it interesting, if you would, please!

https://flywithyourshadow.com/john-wort-hannam-episode-23/

John Wort Hannam (episode 23) John Wort Hannam hails from Alberta, where he started out writing narrative story songs and character sketches and carved out a name for himself singing those songs and telling those stories all ac…

John Wort Hannam (episode 23) John Wort Hannam hails from Alberta, where he started out writing narrative story songs and character sketches and carved out a name for himself singing those songs and telling those stories all across Canada and beyond. He made a couple of albums independently, then a couple with the help and backi...

I recently had the opportunity to have a really great, wide-ranging talk with an accomplished, talented, driven artist who deals with debilitating anxiety. I'm really excited for you to hear my conversation with Meaghan Smith. Please give it a listen and pass it along to someone who might enjoy it. https://wp.me/pdcjXL-7b

Meaghan Smith (episode 22) In 2008 I came across this really unique and interesting EP/DVD package called The Cricket’s Quartet, by Meaghan Smith. It contains 4 wonderful songs, with accompanying stunning videos including an…

Meaghan Smith (episode 22) Meaghan Smith (meaghansmith.com) is a successful, award-winning, former major label recording artist, a talented painter and greeting card designer (meaghansmithart.com), a loving mother, adoring wife, and more. She and her husBand, Jason Mingo, run a custom-song business called "Our Song" (oursongm...