Tell Me Stories Podcast With Paula Allen

I love Canadian Music. I love all music really, but I have a special place in my quiet heart for Canadian bands. This is combined with my lifelong addiction to storytelling in my little Indie Podcast that could to bring you a unique view of what music is doing, as a living, breathing thing - today. Take a listen as I reflect with Sam Roberts, AC Newman of The New Pornographers, Alan Doyle and Hannah Georgas. Each full length interview is available as well. I hope you like it. Thank you for being part of the journey so far. 

I sat down backstage at Koi Festival in Waterloo in June and talked to Sam Cash. He explored where the Romantic Dogs came from but we focused much more on the love of music that brought us to where we are in life. The simplicity of vinyl and the beauty of poetry set to sound. Sam, you are an old soul. Thank you. Sam Cash’s new album Tongue-In-Cheek Vows perfectly captures that moment when a young artist and his cohorts find their collective voice and suddenly realize that there are no limits to what they can accomplish together. The explosive opening track “Cast Away” serves notice that this isn’t just another singer/songwriter-fronted band. With Cash’s unflinching poetry riding atop The Romantic Dogs taut exuberance, Tongue-In-Cheek Vows is a gimmick-free, melodic masterpiece—tipping its hat to an era when conviction was measured by the amount of sweat and blood exuded on stage, and in the studio. Patreon Support the Show

Graham Wright and Josh Hook sat down with me immediately following my wasted interview with Jon Hembrey from The Strumbellas, which got erased. Yup. You read that shit right. We commiserate on the unfortunate event and move on to stellar stories these bandmates riff off each other. Jon, I'm sorry we didn't get to sit down again where I press RECORD and THEN LISTEN TO MAKE SURE ITS WORKING LIKE A PRO MIGHT. But I appreciate the time you took to tell me about getting lost running in Paris, how strange it is to have curly hair and what Lindsay, Ontario has to offer to the world, besides the Fitsells.  www.tokyopoliceclub.com www.thestrumbellas.ca Patreon Support the Show

Sam Roberts is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, whose 2001 debut release, The Inhuman Condition, became one of the bestselling independent releases in Quebec and Canadian music history. Sam Roberts and I sat down. This interview was a year in the making. Like for me, not him. I suspect he has all kinds of better things to be doing but he sat down w/ me at Koi Festival in the Parking Lot ahead of his stellar performance. I'm keeping the notes to a minimum here because below is all about Sam: Me first: Patreon Support the Show Okay NOW Sam: Brother Down (2000) We Were Born in a Flame (2003) Chemical City (2006) Love at the End of the World (2008) Collider (2011) Lo-Fantasy (2014) www.samrobertsband.com @samrobertsband FB: /OfficialSamRobertsBand        

Davey & Bianca Morrison Dillard are the creative forces behind a new web series I have recently become obsessed with: Adam & Eve.  Davey stars in the show w/ Becca Morales as Adam and Eve, a new take on a biblical classic that even non-believers like me enjoy. The writing and directing are incredibly well crafted, which has not gone unnoticed. Among the independent film awards this group has garnered high accolades and its just the beginning. This kind of film making goes far beyond the subject matter, the character studies are subtly brilliant and the slow-burn we are all falling into these days w/ the Netflix binge genre (anyone for a 7.5 hour movie? YES, as it turns out) means shows like this will continue to be made and we are all the happier for it.  Thank you Davey and Bianca for the incredible interview, and for sharing some of what its takes to produce a show of this quality. I'm already a big fan.  Support Tell Me Stories   www.adamandeverseries.com https://www.facebook.com/adamandeveseries/

Vanessa, David, Paul and Pedro are Goodnight, Sunrise. A Toronto based band that sometimes dresses as Ninja Turtles and plays ONE HELL of an entertaining show. I sat down with David and Vanessa, whom I loved immediately, and we talk about a festival gone WRONG, all the dick jokes I've ever thought possible and what its like to save the day through sheer determination.  I heart these guys.  Paul was in the USA that day, Pedro was in Brazil where NO ONE feels bad for him at all.  www.goodnightsunrise.ca Follow them on snapchat now: gnsrband and see me with them on a patio in downtown Toronto laughing the night away :) Patreon Support the Show    

I am a private person, you know this about me. Oh wait, you don't. Because I am a private person. haha.. but tonight I release an interview I did with my husband and partner in crime, Darryl. Please enjoy our inside jokes and non stop laughter, pretty much representative of our entire life together. He's an absolute doll and my greatest supporter. I hope you like this wee glimpse into my life, and a bit about what its like to support someone so fully obsessed with podcasting! Heehee... Support the Show xo Paula

Anita and Liv (Elivia) Cazzola from Guelph, Ontario, Canada are The Lifers and for the life of me I don't know its its possible I haven't seen them perform before this week! I caught up them riverside after their set the Boathouse in Kitchener/Waterloo (quickly becoming my top spot to catch indie bands on the rise and established acts playing to an intimate crowd, also the creme brulee here is incredible) and they told me about writing, Facebook, learning to perform and how to build an absolutely STELLAR ensemble. www.thelifersmusic.com Support the Show   

Marlena has been a musician from the time she was a child in New York. Her career has seen her take on the likes of opening for Madonna to Studio 54, and everywhere in between. She's got a killer voice and has built one hell of a career outta this. Join me in listening to her incredible stories and get a taste for the places music comes from.  Support the Show www.marlenarocks.com @MarlenaRocks1  

Jeremy and Brent of the Florida is Sinking Podcast join me to tell me about getting lost in the deep south and the brilliant, albeit not beautiful, rescue team who brought more heart than teeth to their aid :) Support the Show   www.floridaissinking.com @FLisSinking Facebook.com/FloridaIsSinking      

Craig Cardiff, a Canadian singer/songwriter sat down with me for stories. Then he made me cry. Then he called me a crybaby. I loved every moment of it. I imagine you will too :) www.craigcardiff.com Support the Tell Me Stories Podcast  

Blaine and Sarah are Pretty Gritty, a Soulful Americana band based in Portland, Oregon. They join me to tell a story of Roger's jam shed and the night they spent there, it is hilarious and heartwarming and includes a goat. Not in that way. This incredible duo are truly talented and really funny as all get out, please check them out on Reverbnation, Soundcloud, Facebook/prettygritty and their awesome website www.prettygrittymusic.com. #JamShed #Smoke&Dust&Weirdos I also sample two of their songs: Country; This Heart of Mine.  You are going to love them. Support the Tell Me Stories Podcast    

Here is a good life lesson kids: when absolutely er'thing goes to shit and all your plans fall through - take a chance. That's what I did one Friday night recently and I ended up getting to sit knee to knee with one of my favourite artists, getting to know him and his incredible producer while telling stories together and commiserating on being 35. Grant Davidson is Slow Leaves; Rusty Matyas is producing with him but is also known for The Sheepdogs, The Weakerthans and Imaginary Cities (all brilliant bands btw if you haven't heard by now, and I assume you already trust my every word :) Thank you guys for an incredible night, live music in a hotel room and of course, telling me stories.  You can find Grant at www.slowleaves.com or on Twitter @SlowLeaves. Support the Tell Me Stories Podcast    

Listen in for this year's Riverfest Elora's lineup and some highlights from 2015 interviews with the bands. This August 19, 20 and 21 is going to blow your mind people. Get your tickets now at www.riverfestelora.com and listen to the 2015 episodes at www.tellmestoriespodcast.com. Yay! Also available on Itunes, Stitcher and anypleace else you might look for a stellar podcast filled with the best combo of music and stories, ever. xo Paula Support the Tell Me Stories Podcast  

A geek, a hot mess, and a goldfish named Duck. The new web series “You Again” follows the toxic & hilarious relationship between recent exes, but now roommates, Audra (Andrea Kile Peterson) and Zander (Zachari Michael Reynolds). Yep, this junk just got real. Real real. Audra, is a dark alluring hot mess, free spirited & attractive, but what would a character be without baggage? She can’t hold a job, or a relationship & has questionable food cravings. Zander is a gaming geek, with boy-next-door good looks, who’d rather spend his evenings showcasing his avatar manliness via virtual sword play, but unfortunately he fails to conquer the real world as triumphantly. Now they have joint custody of a helpless goldfish. https://www.facebook.com/youagainwebseries/ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/you-again-web-series#/ --   Support the Tell Me Stories Podcast      

Ohhh man you guys, Queens of the Stone Age bowed down and the Rolling Stones live up to the legend according to the stories I heard backstage with The Sadies and 54.40 LIVE BACKSTAGE at Ice Jam! Seriously, this was such fun. I can't thank the organizers enough for bringing me back for the next round of bands! Woohoo!! www.riverfestelora.com for tickets to the summer show babies! I hope to see you there :) Did you know Elora, Ontario is only 1 hour from Toronto? If you know where you are in relation to Toronto - do the math and I will see you there. Did I mention they have microbreweries and the best food trucks on earth? Oh and just like 45 of the best bands possible gathered for a single weekend of sheer musical summer bliss.  Oh I am kind of a fan. See you there! xo Paula Support Tell Me Stories

Odario G Williams can tell a story you guys. So much so that after I sat down with the frontman of Grand Analog following their set at Ice Jam Music Festival, he was telling me about heading to Toronto to literally tell a story on stage at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. Like, I mean among professional comedians, that should put into perspective the ease with which this kid can talk about anything, anywhere. We caught up backstage with him and the rest of the group: Warren Bray, Ofield K. Williams and TJ Garcia and touched on Montreal's party-city status; what being on time means; and coincidences that create stories all on their own. This episode also features Grand Analog's music, so get ready to dance. Enjoy :) Support Tell Me Stories

Ice Jam music festival 2016: I jump backstage with Safe As Houses, a 5 piece ensemble from Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario. Enjoy their stories and learning a bit more about this up and coming band and then take a FIRST LISTEN to their new single Heat In Our Lungs from their upcoming album. The band: Elliott Anton, Benson Carter, Andrew & Thomas Laughton and Lauren Taylor.    www.bensound.com for backgrounds on my intros/outros Support Tell Me Stories

Ice Jam is the winter music festival brought to you by the lovely Riverfest group who produce the summer festival my first three episodes were taped at. They know their music, they know how to put a great show together and they let THIS little podcaster backstage to capture it all! Episode ONE: Madison Galloway is a local performer and was the opening act. Read all about this little musical wonder at www.madisongalloway.com and enjoy her telling a story about lost passports and the hilarity that ensues when putting a band together at the last possible moment. Joni NehRita was born in Toronto and now lives in Guelph and GIRL CAN SING man, like woah. Read all about her here: www.joninehrita.com and hear here on the podcast telling me about what it was like growing up Jamaican-Canadian in Toronto and making the move to smaller city life :) Support Tell Me Stories Additional music provided by www.bensound.com          

Casey Martin and Rob Williams are Kamakaze Fireflies and they kicked royal ass on America's Got Talent. So much so they have been touring non stop every since. Rob came from Broadway (not Off Broadway and not Off Off Broadway which is my friend Sal's basement but like REAL Broadway); Casey toured with Williams Shatner's comedy group. They have appeared in films, tv, commercials and music videos and are cute as hell. They also write and perform out of Dustin's Dojo in LA. Where cool things happen: www.dustinsdojo.com. Please enjoy the fruits of their labour :)   Support Tell Me Stories  www.bensound.com