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

This week on Songwriters From Here and Away, we sit down with acclaimed blues and roots artist John Campbelljohn for a wide-ranging live interview. Known for his fiery slide guitar, soulful songwriting, and unforgettable stage presence, John shares stories from his life on the road, his approach to songwriting, and the deep connection he has with his instruments.

Between our chat, you’ll hear a selection of recorded songs that showcase why John’s music resonates with audiences around the world. Whether you’re a songwriter, a guitarist, or simply a lover of great storytelling in song, this episode will pull you in.

visit: www.SFHAA.ca and www.Campbelljohn.ca #JohnCampbelljohn #CanadianMusic #SongwritersFromHereAndAway #Blues #RootsMusic #SongwritingPodcast #GuitarLovers #EastCoastMusic

This week on Songwriters From Here and Away, we’re spotlighting some of Canada’s brightest songwriting voices. Hear fresh releases and hidden gems from: Absolute Losers, Altameda, Ash Ravens, Monty Shaw, BirdBelly, Daniel James McFadyen, Gail & Karl, Shy-Anne Hovorka, Molly Comfort, Lauren Mann, Nighthymn, Sara Kae, Yukon Blonde, and Pretty, an eclectic mix of Canadian songwriters whose songs celebrate love, loss, resilience, and discovery.

🎶 Featured Artists & Songs:

• Absolute Losers — Your Colours

• Ash Ravens — Moon Is Calling

• Monty Shaw — Life Is A Gift

• BirdBelly (Cynthia Hamar) — Desert Khaki

• Daniel James McFadyen — Spinnaker (I'm Leavin’)

• Gail and Karl — Before I Say I Do

• Shy-Anne Hovorka — Fly Away

• Molly Comfort — Hurricane

• Lauren Mann — Different Light

• Sara Kae — Do You Think Of Me

• Yukon Blonde — Colours Of My Dreams

• Pretty — Wait for the Sun

From indie rock to folk ballads, soulful reflections to experimental sounds, these tracks showcase the richness of Canada’s songwriting landscape.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts → www.SFHAA.ca

#CanadianMusic #Songwriters #IndieMusic #FolkRock #FolkMusic #AltRock #NewMusic

Get ready for a journey through Canada’s creative songbook on this week’s episode of Songwriters From Here and Away. We’ve lined up an eclectic setlist featuring artists who carry stories in their chords, poetry in their lyrics, and a lot of heart in between the notes.

Here are the featured tracks and artists:

• Meridith Moon – East City Blues

• Mark Bezanson – Ruin

• Brock Davis – Any Lie

• Brent Mason – Something In The Water

• Mary Beth Carty – Memories Of Albert Toney

• Orit Shimoni – My Flying Shoes

• Woody Woodburn – I Am Enough

• Tillers Folly – I Was Here

• Rachel Davis – Aftermath

• Dwayne Gamree – Sprinkle That

• Blue Acres – Ghost Towns

• Susan Crowe – High Street

• Sherry Ryan – Old House At Black Brook

• Ruth Manning – Rewind

• 11th And Duke – Where We Left Off

Whether you’re a fan of raw folk, soul-infused pop, or messages that linger after the song ends — there’s something here for you. Available on most podcast platforms and www.SFHAA.ca

Buckle up for another adventure in Canadian songwriting! This week’s Songwriters From Here and Away is a fun, wide-ranging episode showcasing artists who bring big ideas and bigger hooks. Expect everything from heartfelt confessions to dancefloor-ready grooves:

• Begonia – Hotter Than the Sun, fiery vocals from one of Canada’s most magnetic performers. hellobegonia.com
• Aline Deanna – Road Runners, rootsy storytelling on the move. AlineDeanna.com
• Silver Sardines – Big White Dog, quirky indie charm at its finest. thesilversardines.bandcamp.com
• Dan Young – Empty Barrooms, a songwriter’s portrait of loneliness and grit. DanYoungMusic.com
• KINLEY – New Light, shimmering indie-pop with heart. KinleyMusic.com
• Graeme Jonez – The Storm, a dramatic and powerful anthem. Facebook
• Kelly Bado – Silver Lining, uplifting and soulful. KellyBado.com/
• Maggie Andrew – If God Was Real, daring and thought-provoking. MaggieDAndrew.com/
• The Minimum Wage – Ransom Note, cheeky, sharp-edged rock. Facebook
• Michelle Calder – The Hike, storytelling rooted in nature and reflection. Instagram
• Michelle Lee-Klaassen – Rabbit Hole, an emotional journey through layered sounds. Instagram
• Orchid Orchestra – The Weekend, atmospheric pop perfect for late nights. TheOrchidOrchestra.com
• Darren Greer (feat. Melissa Lauren) – Trying To Say, smooth and soulful. Bandcamp
• Veronica Raine – August, nostalgic and tender. VeronicaRaine.com/
• Super Pyramid – Only the Vain, edgy indie with a punch. Linktree

This episode is playful, thought-provoking, and brimming with creativity—an eclectic mix of Canada’s next great voices.

🎧 Listen now on most Podcasters, or sfhaa.ca

This week on Songwriters From Here and Away, I sat for a chat with Lennie Gallant, one of Atlantic Canada’s most acclaimed and enduring songwriters. With over a dozen albums, countless awards, and songs that have traveled from PEI to the International Space Station, Lennie’s music continues to resonate across generations.

In our wide-ranging conversation, Lennie opens up about the craft of songwriting, his connections to legends like Jimmy Buffett and Matt Minglewood, his forays into theatre, and even the surprising link between music and clams 🦪.

Along the way, we share songs from across his vast collection of recordings, including:

• Man of Steel
• Sirène de Matelot
• It Takes A Lot of Whisky
• Portugal to PEI (a tribute to Jimmy Buffett)
• Counting on Angels
• Please Wait
• Uncle Harold
• God's Reply
• Pieces Of You
• Peter's Dream (a true East Coast classic)
• Sequoia
• Black Spruce River (a nod to Matt Minglewood)
• Shelter From The Storms

This episode is as much about stories as it is about songs: tales of growing up on PEI, the inspirations behind the music, and Lennie’s reflections on how art connects us all.

🎧 Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering him for the first time, this deep dive into Lennie Gallant’s music is not to be missed.

🔗 Listen now sfhaa.ca Learn more about Lennie Gallant at lenniegallant.com