No Sleep Til Sudbury With Brent Jensen

Something terrible happened.  The derecho thunderstorms that left parts of southern Ontario without power for two days on May 20 also left me without a podcast episode.  The file containing part two of my chat with Nick Walsh was lost in the power outage, and while I've been trying to recover it since, it's gone. Very, very disappointing, but Nick graciously agreed to do it over again so you can find out what his NSTS selected songs were. However, Nick's schedule is busy, so it may be a while. In the interim, I've decided to share a previously unreleased episode from 2018 I did with Big Sugar frontman Gordie Johnson about the upcoming tribute show for his recently-deceased bass player Garry Lowe. Gordie was calling in from his car and I initially shelved it because of the sound quality, but it's actually not bad at all.  Cheers everyone.  

It took a while, but former Slik Toxik and current Famous Underground and Classic Albums Live singer Nick Walsh finally sat down with NSTS to talk about a few of the songs that make his skin vibrate. Because our chat was so lengthy, we didn't quite make it to those songs in part one of his time with us - but we did talk about his recent promotion at Classic Albums Live, Doin' The Nasty on Spotify, what he learned when Slik Toxik opened for Yngwie Malmsteen, what his dad thinks of Famous Underground song "Love Grenade", and why he'll never do a Slik Toxik reunion. Come back to find out what Nick's songs are in the next episode!         

There haven't been many times over the 240 odd episodes of the No Sleep 'til Sudbury podcast I've done where I've been lost for words. But I was here.  The wonderful and immensely talented Sandra Bouza joined me at my home this week for the first live NSTS performance since 2020, and as usual, she was a delight. And this time I was not only impressed by Sandra's performance, but also by her courage.  Bouza's playlist: Alanis Morrisette - That I Would Be Good Deftones - Be Quiet and Drive Emiliana Torrini - On The Sunny Road Ella Fitzgerald - Misty Joan as Police Woman - Anyone         

In the last episode of No Sleep 'til Sudbury, we paid tribute to the memory of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. But what about Dave Grohl?  We thought it was important to celebrate an individual who despite his having brought joy to millions of people, has suffered some tremendous heartbreak. This week's episode is dedicated to Dave.    

It's always difficult when artists we admire pass on, but it's a little more difficult when it happens so long before their time.   This week on NSTS we pay tribute to Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, an incredible musician and, as Queen's Roger Taylor described him, "sunshine in human form".     

The infinitely talented Nelson Sobral returns to the show this week, and I'm delighted to host him.  His new record Second Arrow just dropped, featuring the single "Dancing Fool" and soon-to-be megahit "In The Middle Of The Night". Nelson shares the context behind the Buddha-inspired title of his new album, and we chat about the old blues greats, difficult times, and how bad I am at rolling the 'R' when pronouncing his surname.    Sobral's playlist:   The Rolling Stones – Rocks Off Bettye Swann – Don’t Touch Me Ray Charles – A Song For You Mattie Leon – Boy Hank Williams – I’m So Lonely I Could Cry

Completely by coincidence, my guest on NSTS this week is none other than longtime CHUM-FM Morning Show producer Tom Jokic. He was scheduled to appear in my studio two years ago to the day for his episode, but was forced to cancel due to a new concern people were calling COVID.  Exactly two years later, Tom makes good on his appearance by turning up here in person to recount some of the great stories he's amassed not only as a producer, but also as the cohost of Famous Lost Words, the excellent podcast he hosts alongside MuchMusic alum Christopher Ward. Great stories, great conversation - Tom's among the best in the business.      Jokic's playlist:  The Rolling Stones – Shattered The Bee Gees – Nights on Broadway Crosby, Stills, and Nash – Suite Judy Blue Eyes Alanis Morrisette – You Oughta Know   Max Webster – The Party

Andy Curran's image occupied a space on my teenage bedroom wall. The guy is an icon. But he's also an extremely humble human being and a fantastic conversationalist.  Andy joins me on NSTS this week to talk about the new musical project he's working on with Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson called Envy of None, an experimental, industrial-flavoured musical foray that sounds nothing like Coney Hatch or Rush. We also chat about his obsession with shinny hockey, Creem magazine, the letter he wrote to the Scorpions fan club as a kid, and his upcoming doubles tennis match with Alex, Geddy, and Steve Harris from Iron Maiden.  Curran's playlist: Massive Attack – Angel   Scorpions – He’s a Woman, She’s a Man     James Gang – Stop (live 1971) Stone Temple Pilots – Sex Type Thing Jeff Beck - Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers      

Singer songwriter Justine Giles is an amazing talent. And she's a Sudbury girl!  Justine joins me this week to talk about her upcoming new single "Save Myself" which drops Friday, February 18. We also chat about albums versus singles, the impacts of Alanis Morrisette, Stompin' Tom Connors, and of course, Justine's fave places to play in Sudbury.      Giles' playlist: Serena Ryder - Weak In The Knees Christina Perri - Jar of Hearts Sara Bareilles - Basket Case Matt Nathanson - Washington State Fight Song  Rihanna - Stay

Music therapist, author and speaker Jennifer Buchanan joins me this week on NSTS to discuss her new book, entitled Wellness, Wellplayed: The Power of a Playlist. The book focuses on how music playlists can improve mental health, making Jennifer pretty much my ideal guest. Jennifer and I talk about first concerts, being brought to tears by music, pre-Alanis Morrisette Alanis, the ultimate feelgood song of all time, and the staying power of Shaun Cassidy.   Buchanan's playlist: Shaun Cassidy - Da Doo Ron Ron    Whitney Houston - Greatest Love of All   Alanis Morrisette - All I Really Want Adele - Rolling in the Deep Bob Marley - Three Little Birds

Last year Alex Huard, host of Release Day, and I created a video series called Thursday Night Record Club, where I introduce Alex, who is a rock fan but substantially younger than I am, to some records from my day he wasn’t previously familiar with – Van Halen, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, the Stones, and others. This week, he's my guest on NSTS to talk about the songs he discovered as we recorded TNRC that made his skin vibrate.  Huard's playlist: Led Zeppelin - Your Time is Gonna Come Van Halen - Somebody Get Me a Doctor Aerosmith - Seasons of Wither The Rolling Stones - Can't You Hear Me Knocking The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street (entire album)

Happy New Year! NSTS kicks off 2022 with music biz veteran and indie act champion Darryl Hurs.  Darryl has been a massive supporter of independent artists for decades, and he provides some fascinating insights on today's music industry and what it means to be an indie artist in the digital age. We also chat about grunge deep cuts, Eddie Vedder being the last surviving grunge singer, how U2 took over the world, and Prince as a guitar player.  Hurs' playlist: Olivia Vedder – I Am My Father’s Daughter Glen Hansard – Falling Slowly Prince – Purple Rain U2 – Kite Temple of the Dog – Times of Trouble Harm and Ease – Cut Me Loose Alice In Chains – Nutshell Pearl Jam - Indifference     

In this final No Sleep 'til Sudbury episode of 2021, I decided to share some of my favourites from the Christmas playlists heard in the Jensen house throughout the holiday season. You may be surprised at some of these selections, particularly the very first Christmas album that plays every year as the tree goes up on the last Friday evening in November. Some surprises and a few facts behind the songs - like why "Peace On Earth" had to be written on the spot for David Bowie's duet with Bing Crosby, the Christmas song that's actually a protest song, and who was originally supposed the sing the female part of "Fairytale in New York".  To all my listeners and friends - the happiest of holidays to each and every one of you, near and far. Merry Christmas!  The playlist can be accessed in Spotify here.  

This week marks the return of super awesome singer songwriter Christina Martin to the show. Christina's new single is called "Stay With Me", now available wherever you get your music. Always a great chat with Miss Martin - this time around we cover the making of her new video for the single, the focus she's placing on making her music more accessible to her fans with disabilities, how she accidentally met Patty Griffin, the lost art of being a pen pal, and how we're going to get rich together.          Martin's playlist:  Patti Griffin – When It Don’t Come Easy Tori Amos – Baker Baker Tina Turner – Simply The Best Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You  Seela - Hard Times Hit

Canadian 80s New Wave legends Martha Johnson and Mark Gane of Martha & The Muffins join me on No Sleep 'til Sudbury this week to chat about their new record, called Marthology: In and Outtakes.   Martha and Mark are wonderful people with great stories. Topics discussed include The Wizard of Oz, seeing The Beatles live, how limitations create style, the time Chris Isaak wrote a song in a closet during a party, and the fascinating reason the chorus of "Echo Beach" is heard only at the end of the song.      Martha’s playlist: Laura Mvula – Green Garden Bob Marley – Waiting in Vain The Beach Boys – God Only Knows Judy Garland – Over the Rainbow The Beatles – Eight Days A Week   Mark’s playlist: The Beatles – Tomorrow Never Knows Jimi Hendrix – Voodoo Child (Slight Return) Steve Reich – Music For 18 Musicians Jo Stafford – The Nearness of You King Crimson – 21st Century Schizoid Man

My guest on NSTS this week is Evan Denley, an up-and-coming Canadian folk rock singer-songwriter who's been described as Bob Dylan meeting Dallas Green at a Neil Young show. Evan's second release of 2021, "Coming Undone", was written in response to a culmination of two things - the breakup of his former band The Yonge Collective, and the threat of the oncoming pandemic. His new video for "Building Walls" is also available on YouTube.  Denley's playlist: Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real - Entirely Different Stars Boygenius - Salt in the Wound John Mayer - Gravity Hozier - Foreigner's God Father John Misty - Please Don't Die      

My pal Rik Emmett returns to NSTS this week for part two of our chat about his new poetry book Reinvention, and we cover a lot of ground indeed.    As he did in part one, Rik shares some fascinating glimpses into his personal history via the new book, and this episode runs the gamut - dealing with the death of loved ones and with our own mortality, some lighter moments including a hilarious story featuring Coney Hatch's Andy Curran, and even a live musical performance from the man himself. Go out and grab Rik's new book of poetry Reinvention, you won't be disappointed.  

He's back! Triumph frontman Rik Emmett, and now Rik Emmett poet, takes over the No Sleep 'til Sudbury podcast for the next two weeks to talk about his new book of poetry, called Reinvention.  This isn't a rock star vanity project. It's a personal, emotional glimpse into Rik's life history and a look at the world from his perspective, written with tremendous candor. As always, Rik and I have some fun discussing the work - he plays and sings, and forces me to read one of my favourite passages aloud (I should have done multiple takes).         

Back by popular demand! The great Barney Bentall returns to NSTS this week to talk about his new instrumental record called RanchWriters, a collaboration with his Spirit of the West pal Geoffrey Kelly.  There are hints of Joni Mitchell and Nick Drake on the new record, and Barney and I discuss how the project came together, the details of how it was recorded on his ranch, and how it's a tribute to the memory to Spirit of the West's John Mann. Barney's skin vibrating songs are, of course, also included.   

Last week we looked at Guns N' Roses singer W. Axl Rose from a factual, historical viewpoint of his life and career. This week we go beyond that, and take a closer look at Rose from a more personal perspective. Not just as a musician, but as an influential pop culture icon.  In other words, last week we talked what the music sounds like. This week, we talk about how it feels.