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PODCAST

Hard Folk with Matt Gower

Hard Folk is a podcast about the people who make music or contribute to their community. It takes equal parts insanity and commitment to get up on stage and bear your soul. In reality insanity and commitment are the tip of the iceberg: it takes courage, hustle, dedication, artistic vision, perseverance, belief in yourself… This is your story, this is my story, this is our story. This is Hard Folk.

music music interviews

All Episodes

00:37:12

Unintentional Prog w Doug Hempstead (aka Area Resident)

Hard Folk with Matt Gower ·

2025/12/04

Today I chat with Doug Hempstead (aka Area Resident). Even before he says it near the end of this episode, Doug’s love for music jumps out of the speakers and hits you square in the face. We talked about his latest album “Protonopia” and took a deep dive into how he literally constructs a song. From borrowing drum tracks to making up syllables & lyrics to fit the melody Doug’s method is a fascinating case study in thinking outside the boundaries of traditional song structures.Area Resident plays at

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00:28:11

Trad & True w Karson McKeown

Hard Folk with Matt Gower ·

2025/12/01

On today’s Hard Folk, I reconnect with Karson McKeown. In what seems like a lifetime ago, Karson and I worked together at the Ottawa Folklore Centre. After the store closed, Karson dived deep into teaching fiddle and performing live, which helped pay his way through the architecture program at Algonquin College. Eventually, after a one-off gig on PEI, Karson was offered a teaching job and made the move back home. Along the way, he started the band Inn Echo who have gone on to great success, touring

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00:37:10

“Write Something Stupid” w Pat Pattison

Hard Folk with Matt Gower ·

2025/11/24

Today on Hard Folk, I interview acclaimed author and professor at Berklee College of Music Pat Pattison. We took a deep dive on songwriting and I did my best to get out of the way and listen to one of the biggest influences on modern songwriters. We talked about how Pat made the surprisingly smooth transition from teaching philosophy & logic to teaching songwriting, the importance of object writing, the how English is a complex language to write in and so much more.

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00:26:15

Instinct & Inspiration w/ Kalle Mattson

Hard Folk with Matt Gower ·

2025/11/17

Today’s episode of Hard Folk features singer-songwriter Kalle Mattson. He’s got his hands full as one half of the duo Summersets, releasing “Move Back Home” earlier this fall as well as teaching songwriting at Carleton University. We talked about finding his way through the ever-evolving music industry, how social media has influenced the craft of songwriting, how & when to use the wealth of tools that he’s amassed with his own songwriting, Jeff Tweedy, the myth that is writer’s block and we squeeze

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00:31:10

Navigating Harmony w/ Libby & Cal

Hard Folk with Matt Gower ·

2025/11/05

Today on Hard Folk, I’m joined by Libby & Cal. We talked about their songwriting process, Sad Girl Cafe, the stress, hassle & paperwork involved in crossing the US Border to play music and took a bit of a deep dive into the world of autoharps. Libby & Cal will be playing the 2nd CKCU Presents Friday Night Folk on Friday November 14th at Art House Cafe (555 Somerset St W) with James Leclaire. Visit thearthouse.ca for tickets.

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00:33:26

The Many Evolutions of James Leclaire

Hard Folk with Matt Gower ·

2025/10/29

Today on Hard Folk, I’m joined by Ottawa singer-songwriter James Leclaire. We talked about James’ many evolutions: evolving from punk bands to a solo artists, retiring from a career in animation to making music his full-time gig. We also laud the versatility and artistic influence of Steve Earle and the importance of self-reliance and self-confidence in the music industry. James Leclaire will be playing the 2nd CKCU Presents Friday Night Folk on Friday November 14th at Art House Cafe (555 Somerset

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00:17:35

A Beginner’s Mind w/ Abby O’Brien

Hard Folk with Matt Gower ·

2025/10/22

Today on Hard Folk, I’m joined by Toronto Star reporter Abby O’Brien. Abby’s regular beat is in crime reporting, however a recent article about her first experience performing at an open mic caught my eye. In the article Abby talks about jumping out of her comfort zone and overcoming her fear of failure. What she didn’t expect was being welcomed into a vibrant community that includes the likes of artists, DIYers and urban gardeners.

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00:23:34

Curtis Jones

Hard Folk with Matt Gower ·

2025/09/24

Curtis Jones joins the podcast to chronicle his journey from making home recordings to having kids and in the past year performing live for the first time as a solo artist. Side Door Access Presents: Curtis Jones w/ special guests Matt Gower and Vic (from Victor Complex)Meow! That’s Hot519 Bank StFriday Oct. 3rd, 8pm$15 advance / $20 doorTickets available here.

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00:23:36

Birdie Whyte

Hard Folk with Matt Gower ·

2025/09/10

Ottawa folksinger Birdie Whyte joins the Friday Night Folkcast to talk prostest songs and to promote her fundraiser for the Ottawa Food Bank: All Together Now - Area Players Sing Songs of Protest, at the Dominion Tavern on Friday Sept. 26th @ 9pm.

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00:21:53

Bon Echo

Hard Folk with Matt Gower ·

2025/09/03

Matt welcomes folk duo Bon Echo aka Tim Loten & Emma Houlahan. They talk about the similarities and differences between the Canadian and UK folk scenes, recording at Abbey Road Studios, adapting the themes and stylings of opera to folk music and the darkness that haunts old time music. CKCU Presents Friday Night Folk featuring Krystal Jessup and Bon Echo, hosted by Matt GowerFriday Sept. 5th, 8pmTickets: $15 advance/$20 door, available now.

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00:26:15

Krystal Jessup

Hard Folk with Matt Gower ·

2025/08/15

Self-professed travel junkie, singer/songwriter Krystal Jessup blends her nomadic storytelling with emotive vocals to create a uniquely soulful collection of contemporary folk songs.Listen to Krystal’s album Throwing Pennies on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your music. Host Matt Gower and Krystal chat about her approach to songwriting, teaching herself guitar while isolated in Thailand at the very beginning of the COVID pandemic, Townes Van Zandt and using vulnerability as her secret

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11 results

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