Mulligan Stew Podcast

EP 154 | Strippers Union

May 2, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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If you are lucky enough to work on the media side of the music business and  if you’re honest in your relationships with artists,  over the years many of them become friends.

Rob Baker and Craig Northey are just such a couple of friends and together they’re making music again as Strippers  Union.

It took 10 years to record and release their third album called The Undertaking.

Craig Northey was leading The Odds and working with a long list of people plus he is  also an important part  of the Steven Page Trio.

Rob Baker was of course a member of one of Canada’s greatest bands The Tragically Hip, who lost their heart and soul with the death of  Gord Downey.

We cover a lot of ground here but always come back to the music of The Undertaking.

Please enjoy the talk and tracks. Thank You Rob and Craig.

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EP 153 | Valerie June

April 24, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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I heard someone say “Valerie June is an overnight sensation.”  Well, just so you know It only took 39 years.

Her Tennessee family was strong but had many hurdles to overcome.

Valerie started performing at 19 in Memphis. After she  ended a  marriage to her partner and husband she worked minimum wages and some really seedy joints but kept moving forward. Released her own albums. Booked her own gigs.  Finally she met Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys who co-wrote and produced her 2013 album “Pushin’ Against the Stone”.

Then came The Order of Time in 2017, which is where we first met.  Rolling Stone called it one of the Albums of the Year.

Now comes the next reflection of her genius The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers.  Like all of her other albums the sound, texture, lyrics, harmonies and musicianship are unique to Valerie June. In a business that celebrates “been there – done that”, Valerie June is one-of-a-kind.

And man does she have stories to tell..

Listen Up. There’s a hopeful message right  in front of you.  It’s Valerie June.

 

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EP 152 | Greg Keelor

April 18, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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Greg Keelor.  Co-Founder, co-Singer, co-Writer of one of Canada’s premier bands Blue Rodeo. Share the Love is his 6th solo album.

When I asked “do you  know how many solo albums you’ve  done and what the names are?”  the answer was an emphatic No.

And that was my  first question. I had another 45 minutes of questions. Now what?

Greg spun his first story about he and Jimmy Bowskill sitting around, in a hash haze throwing song ideas and guitar licks back and forth and all of a sudden there’s an album taking shape.

They recorded it and later went to a small community center at a lake to play the songs again while video cameras shot the songs for promo.

THAT recording was so good, they scrapped the studio record and went with the community hall by the lake session.

That was Greg’s answer to the second question…and we were off and running.

We cover a lot of ground with Greg Keelor..ups and downs.  Losses both human and personal.

The album is very good. His best work yet. We both agreed that the feel of the record was much like the late 60’s in LA with Buffalo Springfield and The Byrds.

He’s a good man that Greg Keelor.  Please subscribe and take 20 minutes to enjoy!

And hello Jimmy Bowskill!

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EP 151 | SOOK-YIN LEE

April 10, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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Vancouver’s Mint Records yesterday released Soon-Yin Lee and Adam Litovitz jooj two albums 

Behind the release, there’s a very personal story – the love and loss between Sook and Adam.

“When we were making the song ‘Wrecking Heart’, Adam and I looked at each other, blown away by this song that was like nothing we’d ever written. It began with a supercharged sonic fragment he made that became the foundation of an unapologetic banger of a song that possessed and moved through us. We blasted it on the stereo, danced and air-guitared to it. Unconsciously, our lyrics seemed to telegraph our separation. “It sounds like a break up song,” he said, much to our disbelief at a time when we were very much together. But life challenges ended up pushing us in different directions. Though separated, we remained best friends, holding out hope that we would make our way back to each other. Adam landed a job scoring a TV series and I worked on our album, incorporating his notes. He said that he looked forward to playing cathartic meltdown live shows with me.
But that was not to be. Adam is no longer here. I believe he exists on other planes, in those who love him, and in our music, in his music, drawings, and writing. With this album, ‘jooj two’, I pick up the pieces of this Wrecking Heart, honoured to share our music.”
– Sook-Yin Lee

 

Adam took his own life. Sook-Yin patiently takes us through what happened and how it shaped the songs and her life. And yes, even though all this, we share smiles and laughs.

I’ve known Sook-Yin a  long time… I think it shows in the discussion.

 

Follow Sook-Yin Lee

Instagram • Facebook • Twitter • YouTube • Bandcamp • Spotify • Apple

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EP 150 | The Real Nomads of the Book and Film Nomadland

April 1, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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Nomadland may very well win the Oscar for Best Film. It’s been winning lots of other awards.

We have interviews with the actual Nomads who the story, book, and screenplay were written about, and who play themselves in the film.

 

Swankie, Linda May, Bob Wells plus the author of the book Jessica Bruder.

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EP 149 | Dominique Fils-Aime. Three Little Words

March 27, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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Dominique Fils-Aime – Three Little Words

(Here’s my 3 words – Amazing. Stunning. Sensational)

Dominique has released the third of her trilogy of albums.

First was  Nameless in 2018. Then came the Juno winning Stay Tuned in 2019 and now Three Little Words on 2021.

Destined for a career that will cover the Music World.  What a talent.

I loved this conversation and really loved the fact that we can share 6 tracks from the album courtesy of the artist and her team.

Enjoy!!

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EP 148 | Annabelle Mauger-Imagine Van Gogh

March 18, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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Our guest this week is Annebelle Mauger. Manager of Imagine Van Gogh. The immersive ground-breaking installation that’s gaining profile all over the World.

It opens at Vancouver’s Convention and Exhibition Centre March 19 – June 11 and in Edmonton Expo Centre March 27 – May 2

Update:

*Vancouver Van Gogh will now be open until the end of August.

*EDMONTON VAN GOGH POSTPONED UNTIL APRIL 15TH 2021

 

https://vancouver.imagine-vangogh.com/information/

https://edmonton.imagine-vangogh.com/information/

 

In 2000, Annabell Mauger discovered Cathédrale d’images in Baux-de-Provence thanks to her partner, Timothée Polad. Founded by his grandparents Albert and Anne Plécy, this historic site was home to the first audiovisual creation in “Image Totale”. As it gained recognition worldwide, Cathédrale d’images presented new immersive exhibitions every year.

Imagine Van Gogh, designed by Annabelle Mauger and Julien Baron (longtime collaborators on projects at Cathédrale d’images), is a direct continuation of Albert Plécy’s concept of the “Image Totale”.

VanGogh_2020_LaurenceLabat-

From the very first outline of Imagine Van Gogh right up to its full realization, complete respect for the painted work is present in all of Annabelle Mauger and Julien Baron’s work. Though time passes and technology evolves, these advancements ensure above all else the preservation of still works of art.

Imagine Van Gogh highlights the works of Vincent Van Gogh from his Arles period (1888-1889) to the end of his life in 1890. These were exceptional years for the master, showcasing his talent, as well as his torments, in iconic works such as Sunflowers, Irises, Wheatfield with Crows, The Starry Night, in addition to his Japanese influences with the magnificent Almond Blossoms or his later The Church at Auvers. It also incorporates the many portraits painted during this period, including his Self-Portraits, Portrait of Dr. Gachet, La Mousmé, Portrait of the Postman Joseph Roulin, and L’Arlésienne: Madame Ginoux. Altogether, an incredible number of Van Gogh’s masterpieces will be revealed to visitors from a completely new perspective.

VanGogh_2020_LaurenceLabat-

Vincent writing to his brother Theo as he painted …

The Arles Period

Selected works: The Yellow House, Café Terrace at Night, Harvest at La Crau with Montmajour in the Background, L’Arlésienne : Madame Ginoux, Sunflowers, Starry Night over the Rhône (1888).

When the mistral’s blowing, though, it’s the very opposite of a pleasant land here, because the mistral’s really aggravating. But what a compensation, what a compensation, when there’s a day with no wind. What intensity of colors, what pure air, what serene vibrancy.

The Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Period

Selected works: The Garden of St. Paul Hospital, The Red Vineyard, The Road Menders, Les Alyscamps, Fishing Boats on the Beach at Saintes-Maries (1889).

For many days I’ve been absolutely distraught, as in Arles, just as much if not worse, and it’s to be presumed that these crises will recur in the future, it is abominable.»

The Auvers-sur-Oise Period

Selected works: The Town Hall at Auvers, Portrait of Doctor Gachet, The House of Pere Pilon, Daubigny’s Garden. The Church at Auvers, Landscape of Auvers in the Rain, Wheatfield with Crows (May 20 to July 29, 1890).

Auvers is really beautiful – among other things many old thatched roofs, which are becoming rare. I’d hope, then, that in doing a few canvases of that really seriously, there would be a chance of recouping some of the costs of my stay – for really, it’s gravely beautiful, it’s the heart of the countryside, distinctive and picturesque.

They’re immense stretches of wheatfields under turbulent skies, and I made a point of trying to express sadness, extreme loneliness. You’ll see this soon, I hope – for I hope to bring them to you in Paris as soon as possible since I’d almost believe that these canvases will tell you what I can’t say in words, what I consider healthy and fortifying about the countryside.

Vincent Van Gogh

Exhibition: https://vancouver.imagine-vangogh.com/lexposition/

Annabelle Mauger Bio: https://vancouver.imagine-vangogh.com/biographie-dannabelle-mauger/

Vincent Van Gogh Bio: https://vancouver.imagine-vangogh.com/biographie-de-vincent-van-gogh/

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EP 147 | Ziggy Alberts Interview

March 12, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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1.6 MILLION + MONTHLY LISTENERS ON SPOTIFY!

OVER 406 MILLION ALL-TIME STREAMS ON SPOTIFY!

SOLD OUT CANADIAN DATES ON 2019 TOUR!

 

“For fans who’ve been following Ziggy’s career from day dot, his increasing popularity wouldn’t come as a shock. To everyone else, the Ziggy story is probably still something of a surprise. He’s a self-made success, and it’s a grassroots swell plenty of people are getting behind” – Triple J

Ziggy Alberts  wasn’t just messing around with his first 7 albums.

He was going to Ziggy School.

Getting ready for the day when he would write and record and release THE album. Searching for Freedom is it.

You may not know who Ziggy is but you will. It might be next or next month or right now but his day is coming.

Enjoy…seek out the tunes.

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EP 146 | Ariel Posen

March 5, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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Ariel Posen is an admitted guitar-for-hire.

I discovered him through the music of The Bros Landreth.

Joey and David were the first to take me aside and say “watch that guy…he’s much more than a guitar player.”

And so we arrive at that moment when Ariel steps out with his second solo album Headway.

His songs. His band. His voice.  Pure Posen

And just like the Bros. he already had a growing and established audience in Europe.. He lived in Cork, Ireland for years, toured all over that part of the world. Many in his audience discovered his playing when he regularly demo’d guitars for a large music chain. They had no idea he also sang and wrote his own music. All the fans and fan mags knew was – he was a great guitar player.

We found Ariel now living in Montreal.  You’re going to love this guy.

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EP 145 | Buffy Saint-Marie Turns 80

February 27, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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Last Saturday Singer/Songwriter, Educator, Social Activist, Mother, and leader Buffy Saint-Marie celebrated her 80th Birthday.  

She had some cake she made the night before and called us from her home in Hawaii.

This is the complete interview 

(Keep your ears open for chickens and roosters in the yard and about 15 minutes in a huge rainstorm pounds the roof.  She does live in a rainforest after all)

Because we have known each other over so many years, I went all the way back to her birth. She was abandoned as a baby and adopted by a family who gave her love and education. Buffy explains that she doesn’t really know her real birthday date but it didn’t let her stop becoming a legend.

Original photography by Jack Robinson.
www.robinsonarchive.com

She was told at 6 years old in school that “there were no more Indians around. All Gone.  Maybe some in Arizona”.  We talk about what has changed for young native students. If anything.

Buffy has always lived a life looking at ”the long view”.  In our talk, she explains what that means and how well it served her. She likes “busy”. Busy is good.

She’s won a Grammy, An Oscar, received an  Order of Canada,  spent 5 glorious years educating on Sesame Street, and has received countless honors.

You can read about her amazing life in Andrea Warner’s  Book,  Buffy Saint-Marie – The Authorized Bio.

We welcome back – The Buffster.

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