My guest on Episode 124 of the Musical Connections Podcast is violinist, composer, and music educator, Gina Burgess! Gina and I connect at the East Coast Music Awards in St. John’s to talk about her projects she was a part of like the Jerry Cans and the Lost & Found! Plus, we talk about how the whole music journey started, what drew her to Newfoundland and Labrador, and her upcoming plans for music and tour dates!

Music Featured in Episode:

New Found Releases: (May 11-17, 2025)

Song: Bloom

Artist: Alex Duffy

Album: Bloom

Composers: Alex Duffy

Song: Say Less (featuring Mallory Johnson)

Artist: Evan Watts Smith

Album: Turn On The Dark

Composers: Evan Watts Smith

Song: Coffee Pots

Artist: Silver Wolf Band

Album: Coffee Pots

Composers: Justin Jackman, Jamie Jackman, Brandon Pardy, Matthew Barrett

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Song: Falling Through (featuring Gina Burgess)

Artist: Gina Burgess

Album: All These Hours

Composers: Selina Boland

New episodes of the Musical Connections Podcast come out every Tuesday with bonus episodes dropping when you least expect them. Catch up with previous episodes and new ones by following the podcast here:

RSS: https://media.rss.com/musicalconnectionsnl/feed.xml

Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/musical-connections-with-zach-snow/id1632831874

Stay connected with the show and the host Zach Snow here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZachSnowNFLD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachsnownl/

Musical Connections NL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MusicalConnectionsNL

Connect with Gina Burgess here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ginaburgessmusic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginaburgess.violin

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GinaBurgessMusic

Website: https://www.ginaburgessmusic.com/

My guest on Musical Connections is singer-songwriter and music arranger, Evan Watts Smith! Evan’s debut album comes out this Friday with a release show at the Majestic Theatre to boot! We talk about the making of the album, some of the major theatre projects he has worked on, and why he decided to put an album out now!

Timestamps:

Ben's Ekman Spiral: 2:03

Evan Watts Smith: 6:23

Logan Bolt: 9:35

Rube & Rake: 13:17

EWS Interview: 19:27

Music Featured in Episode:

New Found Releases: (May 4-10, 2025)

Song: Zelinda’s Avoidance

Artist: Ben’s Ekman Spiral

Album: DSM-5 Nebula

Composers: Benjamin James

Song: Turn On The Dark

Artist: Evan Watts Smith

Album: Turn On The Dark

Composers: Evan Watts Smith

Song: Ray Gun

Artist: Logan Bolt

Album: Ray Gun

Composers: Logan Bolt

Song: Spirit Wrestler

Artist: Rube & Rake

Album: Good Time After Bad

Composers: Josh Sandu, Andrew Laite

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Song: Until You Love Me

Artist: Evan Watts Smith

Album: Turn On The Dark

Composers: Evan Watts Smith

New episodes of the Musical Connections Podcast come out every Tuesday with bonus episodes dropping when you least expect them. Catch up with previous episodes and new ones by going to https://www.waterfrontmedianl.ca/musical-connections-podcast

Stay connected with the show and the host Zach Snow here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZachSnowNFLD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachsnownl/

Musical Connections NL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MusicalConnectionsNL

Connect with Evan Watts Smith here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evanwattssmithnl/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanwattssmith/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/EvanWattsSmith

It’s the last Musical Connections podcast before the 2025 ECMAs! I welcome singer-songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer, Jim “Wildfinger” Mercer! I connect with Jim about his new song which demo amassed more than 100,000 views on Facebook, “Don’t Tell Me What To Do”. Plus we talk about some memories from Wildfinger Productions which include working on John White’s last album and having the man of a thousand songs, Ron Hynes stop by to work on demos for “Mary Got A Baby”!

Timestamps:

Bud Davidge: 2:09

Order of the Precious Blood: 6:06

The Fencesitters: 9:10

Wite Rino: 12:26

Jim Mercer Interview: 19:21

Music Featured in Episode:

New Found Releases: (April 27-May 3, 2025)

Song: The Seaman’s Wife

Artist: Bud Davidge

Album: All For A Song

Composers: Bud Davidge

Song: Terrified

Artist: Order of the Precious Blood

Album: Terrified

Composers: Paul Brake, Matt Myler, Cameron Legge, Barry O’Keefe, Adam Hearn

Song: Flight Song

Artist: The Fencesitters

Album: Flight Song

Composers: CJ Simms

Song: Carpet Tile

Artist: Wite Rino

Album: Dream Tower

Composers: Aaron Rex, Joe Fowler

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Song: Don’t Tell Me What To Do

Artist: Wildfinger

Album: Don’t Tell Me What To Do

Composers: Jim Mercer

New episodes of the Musical Connections Podcast come out every Tuesday with bonus episodes dropping when you least expect them. Catch up with previous episodes and new ones by going to https://www.waterfrontmedianl.ca/musical-connections-podcast

Stay connected with the show and the host Zach Snow here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZachSnowNFLD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachsnownl/

Musical Connections NL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MusicalConnectionsNL

Connect with Jim “Wildfinger” Mercer here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JimMercerWildfinger

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimwildfinger/

I welcome one of the province’s fastest rising francophone duos, Port-Aux-Poutines! I speak with Axel Belgrade and Jenna Maloney on the release of their new album, “Oui, B’y” and their upcoming plans for the summer! Plus, we talk about the formation of the group, the ECMAs, and a whole lot more!

Timestamps:

Big Jib: 1:56

Port-Aux-Poutines: 5:21

Quote the Raven: 8:45

Rachel Cousins: 12:16

The Irish Descendants: 17:37

Interview with Port-Aux-Poutines: 22:11

Music Featured in Episode:

New Found Releases: (April 20-26, 2025)

Song: Funny Little Place

Artist: Big Jib

Album: I Should’ve Been A Sailor

Composers: Curt Blackmore

Song: May 2-4

Artist: Port-Aux-Poutines

Album: Oui, B’y

Composers: Axel Belgarde

Song: Oh Lena

Artist: Quote the Raven

Album: Map The Dark

Composers: Jordan Coaker, Catherine McLellan, Victoria Howse

Song: Nora

Artist: Rachel Cousins

Album: Nora

Composers: Rachel Cousins, Leanne Hoffman

Song: Tuam Beat

Artist: The Irish Descendants

Album: Tuam Beat

Composers: Padraig Stevens

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Song: L'Arbre Est Dans Ses Feuilles

Artist: Port-Aux-Poutines

Album: Oui, B’y

Composers: Traditional

New episodes of the Musical Connections Podcast come out every Tuesday with bonus episodes dropping when you least expect them. Catch up with previous episodes and new ones by going to https://www.waterfrontmedianl.ca/musical-connections-podcast

Stay connected with the show and the host Zach Snow here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZachSnowNFLD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachsnownl/

Musical Connections NL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MusicalConnectionsNL

Connect with Port-Aux-Poutines here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/portauxpoutines/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portauxpoutines/

Website: https://portauxpoutines.ca/fr/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@portauxpoutines

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@portauxpoutines

On this week’s program, I welcome one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier Folk-Pop duo and two of my favourite people in the music industry! My guests are Jordan Coaker & Kirsten Rodden-Clarke of Quote the Raven! We talk about their fourth studio album, Map The Dark, as well as the East Coast Music Awards! They are up for three this year in St. John’s, one which includes a nomination for album of the year! Plus, we talk about how the two came together for the first time in a Musicbox choir practice, some of their favourite shows they have played, and their future plans heading into festival season!

Timestamps:

Dogfish: 2:27

Evan Watts Smith: 4:51

Gus Gustopherson: 8:20

Heather Feather: 13:30

Kirk Wells: 16:36

Liam Peacock: 24:17

Lil Ponyboy: 28:14

Quote the Raven Interview: 32:40

Music Featured in Episode:

New Found Releases: (April 13-19, 2025)

Song: CSSW

Artist: Dogfish

Album: CSSW

Composers: Dogfish

Song: Tipping Over

Artist: Evan Watts Smith

Album: Turn On The Dark

Composer: Evan Watts Smith

Song: I Think We’re Alone Now (featuring Enoch Attey)

Artist: Gus Gustopherson

Album: I Think We’re Alone Now

Composer: Ritchie Cordell

Song: Happy For You

Artist: Heather Feather

Album: Together

Composer: Heather White Luckow

Song: On The Shore

Artist: Kirk Wells

Album: On The Shore

Composer: Kirk Wells

Song: Same Dark Shadows

Artist: Liam Peacock

Album: A Face On A Paper Bag

Composer: Liam Peacock

Song: Ghost In Space! (featuring David Astoria & Twenty Se7en)

Artist: Lil Ponyboy

Album: Ghost In Space!

Composers: Josh Hodder, David Astoria

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Song: Oh Lena

Artist: Quote the Raven

Album: Map The Dark

Composers: Jordan Coaker, Catherine McLellan, Victoria Howse

New episodes of the Musical Connections Podcast come out every Tuesday with bonus episodes dropping when you least expect them. Catch up with previous episodes and new ones by going to https://www.waterfrontmedianl.ca/musical-connections-podcast

Stay connected with the show and the host Zach Snow here: https://linktr.ee/zachsnownl

Connect with Quote the Raven here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QuoteTheRavenDuo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quotetheravenduo/

Website: https://www.quotetheravenofficial.com/

My guest this week on the show is one of the nominees for Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year at the upcoming East Coast Music Awards, Andrew Rodgers! Andrew comes on the show to talk about his first nomination as a solo artist and the making of his debut solo effort, Let it Out! Plus, we talk about how he started playing music in Hant’s Harbour, his influences, and the many bands he has opened for with his groups Fairgale, and Nick Earle + The Reckless Hearts!

Timestamps:

Dave White: 1:40

DECAY: 6:02

Hamilton Sound: 9:25

Logan Bolt: 13:01

Andrew Rodgers Interview: 17:12

Music Featured in Episode:

New Found Releases: (April 6-12, 2025)

Song: Movie Star

Artist: Dave White

Album: Movie Star

Composers: David White

Song: Won’t Stop (feat. Dave Temple)

Artist: DECAY

Album: Won’t Stop (feat. Dave Temple)

Composers: Dave Temple, Dave Kelly

Song: Echoes In The Halls

Artist: Hamilton Sound

Album: Echoes In The Halls

Composers: Linda Hickey

Song: Same Old Road

Artist: Logan Bolt

Album: Same Old Road

Composers: Logan Bolt

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Song: Last Man Standing

Artist: Andrew Rodgers

Album: Let It Out

Composers: Andrew Rodgers

New episodes of the Musical Connections Podcast come out every Tuesday with bonus episodes dropping when you least expect them. Catch up with previous episodes and new ones by going to https://www.waterfrontmedianl.ca/musical-connections-podcast

Stay connected with the show and the host Zach Snow here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZachSnowNFLD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachsnownl/

Musical Connections NL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MusicalConnectionsNL

Connect with Andrew Rodgers here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewrodgersmusic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewrodgersmusic

Website: https://andrewrodgersmusic.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewrodgersmusic

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andrewrodgersmusic

I am so excited to have Matthew Byrne as my guest! He is considered to be one of the finest musicians and storytellers the province has ever produced and he has put together his first album of all new music in seven and a half years! Matt talks about recording “Stealing Time”, a project which sees him working with UK folk giant, Martin Simpson as his producer along with England's finest folk performers. He also talks about fatherhood, growing up in a musical family and a whole lot more!

Timestamps:

Amanda Stone: 2:33

Automated Birds: 6:19

Donovan Conran: 10:44

Ex Press: 13:30

Jason Benoit: 16:48

Jason Whelan: 20:05

Matthew Byrne: 23:52

Port-Aux-Poutines: 28:24

Rube & Rake: 32:11

Selina Boland: 35:34

Wildfinger: 38:45

Matthew Byrne Interview: 43:51

Music Featured in Episode:

New Found Releases: (March 30-April 5, 2025)

Song: Crazy

Artist: Amanda Stone

Album: Crazy

Composers: Willie Nelson

Song: April

Artist: Automated Birds

Album: April

Composers: Justin Hannam

Song: Outta Love

Artist: Donovan Conran

Album: Outta Love

Composers: Donovan Conran

Song: rose

Artist: Ex Press

Album: rose

Composers: Devon Milley

Song: Here’s Your Chance

Artist: Jason Benoit

Album: Here’s Your Chance

Composers: Jason Benoit

Song: Moon Tide

Artist: Jason Whelan

Album: Rogue Wave

Composers: Jason Whelan

Song: Dream For Me

Artist: Matthew Byrne

Album: Stealing Time

Composers: Matthew Byrne

Song: Chapeau

Artist: Port-Aux-Poutines

Album: Oui, B’y

Composers: Axel Belgarde, Jenna Maloney

Song: Stephen

Artist: Rube & Rake

Album: Good Time After Bad

Composers: Josh Sandu, Andrew Laite

Song: You’re All I’ve Got

Artist: Selina Boland

Album: Take My Heart & Run

Composers: Selina Boland

Song: Don’t Tell Me What To Do

Artist: Wildfinger

Album: Don’t Tell Me What To Do

Composers: Jim Mercer

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Song: The Calton Weaver

Artist: Matthew Byrne

Album: Stealing Time

Composers: Traditional

New episodes of the Musical Connections Podcast come out every Tuesday with bonus episodes dropping when you least expect them. Catch up with previous episodes and new ones by going to https://www.waterfrontmedianl.ca/musical-connections-podcast

Stay connected with the show and the host Zach Snow here: https://linktr.ee/zachsnownl

The Road to the 2025 East Coast Music Awards continues as I connect with one of the nominees for Global Music Release of the Year, Ana Luisa Ramos. Ana comes on the show to talk about her first ECMA nomination as a solo artist, the making of the album, Solaris, her recent trip with Eric to Folk Alliance in Montreal, and a whole lot more!

Timestamps:

New Found Releases:

Albert Dalton: 2:14

Heather Feather: 5:36

Quote The Raven: 9:10

Interview with Ana Luisa Ramos 14:11:

Music Featured in Episode:

New Found Releases: (March 23-29, 2025)

Song: Carpe Diem

Artist: Albert Dalton

Album: I Guess I Got Stuck Here

Composers: Albert Murphy

Song: Good Enough

Artist: Heather Feather

Album: Together

Composers: Heather White Luckow

Song: Tell Me, Tell Me

Artist: Quote the Raven

Album: Map The Dark

Composers: Jordan Coaker, Kirsten Rodden-Clarke, Alan Doyle, Chris Kirby

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Song: Clouds

Artist: Ana Luisa Ramos

Album: Solaris

Composers: Ana Luisa Ramos

New episodes of the Musical Connections Podcast come out every Tuesday with bonus episodes dropping when you least expect them. Catch up with previous episodes and new ones by going to https://www.waterfrontmedianl.ca/musical-connections-podcast

Stay connected with the show and the host Zach Snow here: https://linktr.ee/zachsnownl

Connect with Ana here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/analuisaramosoficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/analuisa.ramos/

Website: https://analuisaramos.com/