Paul Reddick is a JUNO winning bluesman and the Sidemen are a legendary blues outfit. Together, the Canadian musicians have kept the spirit of classic blues alive and have helped the genre evolve into contemporary times.  Formed in Toronto in 1990, they don't perform together that often anymore. So it'll be a very special treat for us all as they take the stage at Irene's tonight.  But first, we'll be hosting Paul live in our CHUO studio at 5 pm.

Ian Foster's latest album Sleeper Years was released just last year. It was the culmination of several years writing and it features contributions from notable east coast Canadian artists The Fortunate Ones and Jerry Stamp.  Catch the Newfoundlander song writer/storyteller at the Almonte Celtfest on July 7.

We'll also feature bands appearing at Ottawa Jazz Festival this weekend. And I have a couple more surprises in store for you!  Tune in! You can here us on Friday from 5 to 6 pm in Ottawa on CHUO at 89.1 on your FM dial. You can also tune in remotely on iTunes radio under College stations and on #943 on Rogers HD.

anne-marie
Host/Producer, Hop The Fence
Fridays @ 5
CHUO 89.1 Ottawa

www.hopthefence.ca
Twitter and Instagram: hopthefenceCHUO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopthefence

In the CHUO studio with us this week at 5 pm:  After being a regular anthem singer for 5 years at the Ottawa Senators games, Ottawa's own Krista Jane is now set to release her first EP titled, Tomorrow. To celebrate its release, she will perform a live show at the Mercury Lounge on Thursday June 28, 2018.  Details and tickets here: kristajanesings.com/

I've also received lots of great new material from Canadian artists. Here's a taste of what I'll be spinning:

• Montreal-based Jess Hart launched her second album “Sex & Bureaucracy” earlier this month. Hart experiments with a fusion of electronic music and alternative rock to produce a unique modern sound just in time for your summer playlist.
• Montreal duo Folly & The Hunter have returned from hiatus with Awake, full of energy, and polished, sophisticated, cinematic indie-pop.  See them at Neat Coffee Shop in Burnstown, June 23.
• Brock Zeman will be playing at The Black Irish Pub on June 18th.  This will be a split bill with Rod Picott, a singer/songwriter from Nashville TN widely respected throughout the roots/americana world. Doors at 7:30, show at 8 pm - PWYC.

If you are a Canadian independent artist with new material or an upcoming gig in town, get in touch with me so I can spread the word.  Use the Contact page on this site.

Tune in! You can here us on Friday from 5 to 6 pm in Ottawa on CHUO at 89.1 on your FM dial. You can also tune in remotely on iTunes radio under College stations and on #943 on Rogers HD.

anne-marie
Host/Producer, Hop The Fence
Fridays @ 5
CHUO 89.1 Ottawa

www.hopthefence.ca
Twitter and Instagram: hopthefenceCHUO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopthefence

Again, we have another eventful weekend ahead here in beautiful Ottawa. Bands are flocking to the city's stages. It's a great time to be a live music lover!  I have plans to interview Matt Epp and Saint-Clare on this week's Hop The Fence. I'll be spinning songs from the following Canadian bands and musicians.



Performing on Friday, May 25:

• She's Listening @ Irene's: a concert series in support of Ovarian Cancer Canada featuring Jadea Kelly, Sweet Alibi. Cindy Doire, Rachel Beck and Jessica Pearson.
• SubFloor @ Pressed:  With a nod to 80's goth but with a current vibe, the newly formed Ottawa quintet are ready to showcase their new material.
• Stone Age Man @ The Blacksheep Inn along with the Sunparlor Players
  

Performing on Saturday, May 26:

• BONJAY @ The 27 Club along with Too Attached and King Kimbit. You can hear our interview with Alanna Stuart online now on CHUO.fm
• Saint-Clare @ City Hall for the Marathon at 5:30 pm with Slo' Tom and Chigurh. They have a new video launching Friday for the songs Hauts.
  
• Sparklesaurus, Ginny, Keturah Johnson @ St-Alban's
  
• Graham Nicolas, Ray Sebatin and Jerry Leger @ Pressed
  

Performing on Sunday, May 27:

• The Lynne's @ the NAC - SOLD OUT!
• Matt Epp @ The Blacksheep Inn at 4 pm: He is sharing the new single from his forthcoming album Shadowlands, entitled “Good Lover.”  His 10th studio album tastes as fresh as the hills of Nashville, Tennesee.
• Lyndsey Walker, Christine Jakel, Aaron's Quest @ Avant-Garde Bar

Tune in! You can here us on Friday from 5 to 6 pm in Ottawa on CHUO at 89.1 on your FM dial. You can also tune in remotely on iTunes radio under College stations and on #943 on Rogers HD.

anne-marie
Host/Producer, Hop The Fence
Fridays @ 5
CHUO 89.1 Ottawa

www.hopthefence.ca
Twitter and Instagram: hopthefenceCHUO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopthefence

There's something about the first warm weather long weekend in Canada. Don't get me wrong, us Ottawans won't let hail, sleet nor snow stop us from seeing a good show in winter. But when the fair weather comes around, it seems everyone wants to come visit. There are myriad great shows to check out this weekend in the nation's capital.  Here's a taste:

• Evening Hymns at General Assembly on May 24 (Thursday):  Jonas Bonnetta will be calling in the CHUO studio to chat with me about his latest album, Quiet Energies.  The last time he was in studio, well over a year ago, he co-hosted the whole hour with me and we had a blast. 

• BONJAY: One half of Bonjay, Alanna Stuart, wlll be phoning in tonight to tell us about their new album, Lush Life and upcoming show at 27 Club next Saturday (with special guest King Kimbit). Alanna is a CHUO Alumni where she co-hosted Hop The Fence with me for a short while many years ago.  It'll be great to reconnect.
• Moonfruits at the Blacksheep Inn Friday.  The band just released a new video for "Le Maire". It was filmed in Old Ottawa South with friends and fans standing in as characters from St-Somewhere aka Ste-Quequepart.
• Claude Munson at the NAC 4th Stage Saturday: He'll be presenting his brand new hot-off-the-press album, The Silence Came After (released on Record Centre Records).
• BlankScreen will be at Bar Robo on Friday along with Empty Nesters and Future News. Blankscreen have a new album, Century.
• Samantha Martin is in at the Blacksheep Inn Saturday for her CD Release, Run To Me featuring Ottawa's own Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk)
• Danielle Allard drops her new CD, Passing Notes, on Saturday at Collabspace
• Jamie Ferguson and the Hills Gang at the Blacksheep Inn on Sunday at 4 pm. With special guest Kelsey Hayes opening up, it promises to be a fun afternoon along the shores of the Gatineau River.

I'll attempt to spin something from each of these bands. Join us on CHUO 89.1 FM at 5 pm every Friday. You can also find us on iTunes radio under College stations and on #943 on Rogers HD.

anne-marie
Host/Producer, Hop The Fence
Fridays @ 5
CHUO 89.1 Ottawa

www.hopthefence.ca
Twitter and Instagram: hopthefenceCHUO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopthefence

My usual Spring Vancouver vacation plans turned into JUNO festival fun this year. The city did a great job of hosting Canadian bands and parties. I took in the Juno Cup Jam and the invitation-only Warner Music Canada post-award Party. Both events were magical as artists jammed with one another in unusual pairings. I snapped a few photos. It was a pleasure meeting many peeps not photographed including Denise Donlon (winner of Trailblazer award and one of my heros), Holger Petersen (CBC Saturday night blues), Patrick Chan (Olympic skater), IsKwé (indigenous artist), Mike Ayley (Marianas Trench) and many more. The vibe was friendly and fun.

We have a few conversations in the works for you to eavesdrop on tonight at 5 pm!

Harea Band
Big news from Harea Band who are hitting the road and making 2 stops in Ottawa.  First on March 24 at The Blacksheep Inn with Ottawa hip hop group Blakdenim. See them again on March 31st at Babylon with Juno nominee Tanika Charles as a part of the Juno Festival. I'm told they are going through a pretty drastic evolution musically at the moment.  They are also booked to perform at Ottawa Bluesfest this summer, as are Blakdenim.

Malak:
This young woman is ready to take on the city with pipes that will bend your ears in the most mellifluous way. She is performing at Bar Robo Saturday, March 11.  Tune in tonight to hear why you should be aware of this talented Ottawan.

Join us on CHUO 89.1 FM at 5 pm every Friday. You can also find us on iTunes radio under College stations and on #943 on Rogers HD.

anne-marie
Host/Producer, Hop The Fence
Fridays @ 5
CHUO 89.1 Ottawa

www.hopthefence.ca
Twitter and Instagram: hopthefenceCHUO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopthefence

Ottawa-based and internationally seasoned chanteuse, Rebecca Noelle will be our guest this week.  Blessed with a three octave vocal range, Rebecca has dabbled in various genres of music during her extensive career. Trust me, she’s just getting started! 

Having shared the stage with David Gogo opening up for the likes of Johnny Winter, B.B. King, Hawksley Workman to name a few, she has now released a brand new solo album, Soulstice.  As the title indicates, she is currently leaning into sultry soul jazziness that showcases her illustrious vocal abilities. Rebecca is appearing at LIVE on Elgin! Saturday night for an amazing night with Tara Holloway and Sammi Morelli.  Get your tickets now!  You don’t want to miss this one.

We'll be spinning tunes by bands coming to town this weekend including Elephant Stone (at Zaphod's) and maybe something from David Usher's back catalogue (appearing outdoors in Confederation Park).

So whether your donning winter mitts or evening gloves and clutch purses, there's something for you in town this week and on CHUO 89.1 FM at 5 pm every Friday. You can also find us on iTunes radio under College stations and on #943 on Rogers HD.
......
anne-marie
Host/Producer, Hop The Fence
Fridays @ 5
CHUO 89.1 Ottawa

www.hopthefence.ca
Twitter and Instagram: hopthefenceCHUO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopthefence

Have you been enjoying the Megaphono events this week?  It started on Wednesday and runs until the wee hours late Friday night.  Unless you're down south sunning your buns on a beach somewhere, you should be taking in the festivities in Ottawa.  The music event features speaker sessions, facilitated panels, speed meeting with international and national music industry experts and of course, plenty of great concert showcases.  See the full schedule and get your tickets at Megaphono.TV

Meanwhile, we'll be chatting with Alexis MacIsaac and Calum MacKenzie, a wife and husband duo who have established a unique musical partnership that combines Cape Breton piano playing with a modern approach to Celtic fiddle.  They are in Ottawa for a sold out show at Live on Elgin this weekend to present their debut album, The Bay Street Sessions, a compilation of original and traditional compositions and arrangements.

We'll also give some spins to some bands performing in and around town this weekend!

Tune in at 5 pm tonight and every Friday on 89.1 FM in Ottawa or online at CHUO.fm. You can also find us on iTunes radio under College stations and on #943 on Rogers HD.
......
anne-marie
Host/Producer, Hop The Fence
Fridays @ 5
CHUO 89.1 Ottawa

www.hopthefence.ca
Twitter and Instagram: hopthefenceCHUO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopthefence

If you're looking for some fun in Ottawa this weekend, you may find it difficult to choose your poison.  There are tons of great shows happening all at once!  What's a girl to do?  I will be spinning tunes from all possible options.  We'll also be chatting with two featured artists who are coming to town to entertain you.

Lynne Hanson: She will be performing at the NAC Studio with Jazz saxophonist Petr Cancura on January 14 as part of the Crossroads series. They will revisit some songs off her previous two albums River of Sand & 7 Deadly Spins.  

Nile Groove: Ottawa-based Reggae soul ska funk R&B band are working on their sophomore album.  In the meantime, they've released a new single that will be the central piece for their show at LIVE on Elgin on Saturday. Groovy baby!

Also up for spins:

• The Acorn and Gianna Lauren at Pressed on Saturday
• leMeow at The Blacksheep Inn on Saturday
• Ukrania at House of Targ on Saturday
  

Be sure to tune in at 5 pm tonight and every Friday on 89.1 FM in Ottawa or online at CHUO.fm. You can also find us on iTunes radio under College stations and on #943 on Rogers HD.
......
anne-marie
Host/Producer, Hop The Fence
Fridays @ 5
CHUO 89.1 Ottawa

www.hopthefence.ca
Twitter and Instagram: hopthefenceCHUO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopthefence

Last November, the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) announced three local artists selected to take part in three Live Production Residencies throughout 2017.

Soulful indie electro-pop five-piece Pony Girl, were the first band to enjoy the residency this month at the Shenkman Centre for the Arts.  Funk, soul and hip hop fusion artist Yao, and blues musician Catriona Sturton will take part in the program in April and July, respectively.

On today's show, we'll be chatting with Pony Girl about their experience and to find out what's next for the band after the success of their sophomore album, Foreign Life.

We've got a few special spins planned for you so be sure to tune in at 5 pm tonight and every Friday on 89.1 FM in Ottawa or online at CHUO.fm. You can also find us on iTunes radio under College stations and on #943 on Rogers HD.
......
anne-marie
Host/Producer, Hop The Fence
Fridays @ 5
CHUO 89.1 Ottawa

www.hopthefence.ca
Twitter and Instagram: hopthefenceCHUO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopthefence