The Guest List
Thursday March 10th, 2016 with Joe Reilly
Interviews with Steven Page, Ryan Gullen of the Sheepdogs and Donovan Woods

CRAZY Show today. Listen in as I misuse the digital board, lose callers, have the computers crash and fumble through.... but do manage to have good conversations with three solid artists today. You may remember Steven Page from his days with the Barenaked Ladies. Back then he wasn't shy about wearing his pop culture influences on his sleeve and he is much the same as a solo artist. This solo album was recorded with Craig Northey (the Odds) and on it Page explores a lot of great pop sounds and references a lot of pop influences. We talk about that and the great story behind the interesting depiction of Jesus in the song I Can See My House From Here. Steven will be touring around Ontario on trains and jumping off and playing for folks when he arrives in town. Listen to the show to hear about his surprise Ottawa show!! No formal concert on his agenda yet for Ottawa. We also played a lovely song from Megan Jerome. She's playing at Irene's on Friday March 11. The Sheepdogs play the Bronson Centre on Friday, March 11. We talk to Ryan Gullen about the evolution of the group's sound as heard on the bold and at times brassy Future Nostalgia. He tells us how playing lots of live music has helped the group to hone its sound and how they draw on lots of music traditions to create the Sheepdogs vibe. Finally we catch up with Donovan Woods, who is opening for Matt Anderson at the National Arts Centre on March 24th. We talk to Donovan about whether he's a half full or half empty kind of guy and which one it's better to be!! He also talks about a couple of great songs from his latest album that address challenges living in certain kinds of towns - one being Nashville and the other being small towns and cities that once had manufacturing as their focus. Tune in and hear some good chat and great tunes... and then get out and see some live music this week.