I have no idea how old Lennie is but... This week’s Songwriters From Here and Away comes with a little twist — and a whole lot of joy.

Wednesday was my 70th birthday, and my amazing wife pulled off the ultimate surprise: she flew our daughter in from Vancouver to Halifax to celebrate with us! ❤️ Needless to say, I didn’t have much time to polish up a new concert episode or assemble one of our “new songs from across Canada” specials.

So, I’m happily re-airing one of my favourite interviews ever — a deep and funny conversation with the legendary Lennie Gallant. We talk about songwriting, Jimmy Buffett, Matt Minglewood, theatre, and even clams (yes, clams!).

It’s a gem of an episode, full of great songs and Maritime heart.

Tune in, sing along, and help me celebrate 70 years — with Lennie Gallant and the songs that remind us why we love doing this. 🎶

This week on Songwriters From Here and Away, we spin a collection of brand-new Canadian songs — from the dance floor to the campfire, the prairies to the Maritimes, and everything in between. These artists bring passion, poetry, and pure heart to their music.

Join host Robert Campbell for an hour of discovery and groove as we explore songs about love, courage, heartbreak, and resilience — each one stamped with that unmistakable Canadian creativity.

Grab a coffee (or something stronger) and tune in for new sounds from coast to coast.

Erika Mae – “Nobody's Fool” A soulful blend of pop and indie-folk from Alberta’s rising star. Erika’s voice cuts through with honesty and spark. erikamaemusic

Excuse Me – “Regular Change” This Toronto-based alt-rock trio brings catchy riffs and clever wordplay to a song about transformation and trust. excusemetheband.com

JACE Carrillo – “EL DÍA” Venezuelan-born, Montreal-based JACE delivers a Latin-pop anthem that’s smooth, rhythmic, and full of joy. jacecarrillo.com

Jez Dylan Bonham – “270 Winchester” A roots-rock storyteller with grit and heart, Jez spins small-town scenes into big emotions. Facebook

Beauts – “02 Waverley” Halifax indie darlings Beauts return with shimmering guitars and nostalgic vocals that feel like a Maritime summer night. beautsmusic.ca

The Peace Option – “The Sword” A cinematic, philosophical rock piece — blending lyrical depth with haunting instrumentation. Bandcamp

Montuno Cubano – “Frágil de Cristal” A lively Cuban-Canadian fusion from Quebec’s finest Latin band — brimming with rhythm, horns, and passion. montunocubano.ca

Philip Matyszak – “Hekate” A spellbinding second track from Philip — where myth meets melody. matyszakbooks.com

Philip Matyszak – “Freddie the Vampire” Darkly comic and utterly charming — a quirky tale that’ll make you grin. Facebook

The Dusty Halos – “Little Bird” Soft harmonies and tender acoustic textures from this Alberta folk duo — as comforting as sunrise. The Dusty Halos

Rhonda Gallant-Morari – “Can't Count On You” A powerful voice meets heartfelt songwriting in this soulful reflection on independence. rhondagallant-morari.com

The Honey Cowboy – “Time” Country twang meets dreamy Americana — a timeless track from one of Canada’s most evocative new bands. honeycowboy.com

Jory Nash – “Oh, Little One” A master songwriter returns with a gentle, deeply felt ballad. Thoughtful, melodic, and pure. jorynash.com

Kele Fleming – “Molly Bloom's Monologue” Inspired by literature and personal revelation, Kele delivers an art-rock gem full of emotional depth. tinforest.com

In this special live episode of Songwriters From Here and Away, we bring you Taryn Kawaja and Gabriel Minnikin sharing songs, stories, and the sparks of connection. It was their first time meeting on stage—and magic happened. We dive into their life journeys, creative process, and what drives them to write. Between the tales, you’ll hear recorded performances that showcase their voices and vision.

Taryn Kawaja TarynKawaja.com is a Canadian singer, pianist, and songwriter with a distinctive style of lyricism, melodic invention, and inventive chord structures. Her work bridges folk, classical, and modern textures. She writes songs about love, lineage, heartbreak, and longing, and has released music via Bandcamp, with Pilot Man among her noted works.

Gabriel Minnikin Gabrielminnikin.ca hails from Nova Scotia and is a seasoned singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist active in the Maritime music scene. Known for rich melodies and poetic lyricism, Gabriel has released several albums and collaborated broadly in the region.

Join us for this intimate conversation + live performance—an episode about meeting for the first time, musical kinship, and the stories that songs hold.

🎧 Tune in now on most podcast platforms and www.SFHAA.ca