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 slow touring, building genuine relationships with artists, and practical advice for anyone looking to start a grassroots festival of their own.

Don’t miss next year’s Springtide Music Festival happening July 10th-12th, 2027. For more information on Springtide, tickets and on their year-round concert series, visit their website and follow them on Instagram.

About Tania Joy

Folk-Roots artist Tania Joy is the Co-founder, Executive Director/Artistic Director of Springtide Music Festival, a non-profit organization led by a volunteer team of business leaders and local musicians which draws over 70 acts to various venues from breweries and bistros to bookstores and clothing shops in historic downtown Uxbridge, northeast of Toronto. Springtide recognizes that live music venues in small cities and rural towns serve as a vivacious cultural hub for their communities and is committed to creating a platform to support and celebrate local talent, while fostering performance opportunities that introduce Canadian artists outside of the region to new audiences.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

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 events and conferences, while balancing authenticity with the expectations of the music industry.

Connect with Luisa through MGAM (Marilyn Gilbert Artists Management) on their website and Instagram.

About Luisa González

Hailing from Colombia and inspired by the voice of women in both film and music, Luisa has evolved from a filmmaker into a versatile figure within the entertainment industry. She has taken on multiple roles, including booking agent, tour manager, and music video director. She has also had the privilege of collaborating with the Afro-Cuban band OKAN, Lula Music and Arts, and Daymé Arocena; aligning her passion for audiovisual aesthetics with her dedication to supporting emerging musicians.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

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 shares practical advice for artists on pitching to festivals, preparing for industry meetings, following up after showcases, and building genuine relationships with bookers.

For more information on Northern Lights Festival Boréal, visit their website and follow them on Instagram. You can also connect with Kerri on the management side through her company Lost Cat Artists via her website.

About Kerri Stephens

Kerri Stephens is the Artistic Director of Northern Lights Festival Boréal and Founder of Lost Cat Artists, an artist management and development company based in Winnipeg, Canada. With more than 20 years of experience in the music industry, she has worked across artist management, festival programming, marketing, sponsorship, fundraising, and event production.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

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 industry relationships play a role in building sustainable careers for artists.

Check out Noisemaker and follow Noisemaker Management on Instagram and Facebook and Noisemaker Presents on Instagram and Facebook.

About Tim Des Islets

Tim Des Islets is the founder of Canadian artist management company Noisemaker Management and event promotion company Noisemaker Presents. Noisemaker manages an award-winning roster of artists that includes Great Lake Swimmers, The East Pointers, The Once, Splash’N Boots, Two Hours Traffic, Gizmo, and Gord Sinclair from The Tragically Hip. Tim Des Islets is the founder of Canadian event promotion company Noisemaker Presents. Noisemaker produces 80+ events in clubs, theatres, and festivals in Ontario each year.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

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 memorable moments that resonate with audiences. We also explore how thoughtful storytelling can strengthen your presence across traditional media and social media.

If you’re interested in working with Ann, head over to CompassMedia to book a meeting.

About Ann MacKeigan

Ann MacKeigan is a media consultant and performance and leadership coach based in Toronto. She is the founder of CompassMedia. For more than three decades, Ann worked with the CBC, leading creative teams, developing national programs, and training on-air talent across news, arts, and entertainment. She created the ground-breaking program Global Village. Before launching CompassMedia, she was the Executive Producer for the flagship national arts programs: Q with Tom Power, and Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud. Through CompassMedia, Ann now helps broadcasters, performing artists and leaders speak with confidence, clarity, and connection—on mic, on stage, and in the moments that matter.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

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 peace, and create space for love, belonging, and social change.

Connect with Ahmed Moneka online and be sure to follow him on Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok to stay up to date.

About Ahmed Moneka

Juno-nominated Ahmed Moneka draws on his Afro Sufi heritage to deliver a joyful and transcendent mix of African grooves and Arabic folk melodies, informed by contemporary funk, soul and jazz. Ahmed first arrived in Toronto in 2015 from Iraq. Now, reflecting on this journey as an actor, activist and musician, he leads an all-star global ensemble, drawing his audience into an ecstatic celebration of life, performing across Canada and the U.S., as well as in Colombia, Chile, Morocco and South Korea.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

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 for artists.

Connect with Sage McBride on Instagram and at Midnight Agency. Also, be sure to check out her band, Shred Kelly and catch them on their run of Canadian dates this summer.

About Sage McBride

Sage McBride is a Canadian booking agent, musician, and grant writer based in Kenora, ON. She works at Midnight Agency, helping artists expand opportunities across North America through strategic touring and career development. Sage is also a member of the alternative folk-rock band Shred Kelly, contributing to their national and international success. As a grant writer and coach, she has secured funding through programs like FACTOR and Music BC, helping artists achieve their goals. Passionate about live music, Sage volunteers with Knox on 2nd in Fernie, supporting sustainable touring and creating accessible opportunities for artists and audiences alike.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn