Crystal Shawanda is a rising country star, hailing from humble roots in northern Ontario and making a splash across the country music universe. Spartan Youth Radio reporters Rachel Raguth and Blake Priddle sat down with Crystal in Sudbury at the Aboriginal Youth Education Day in 2010



LaFrance called former football player Kidd Russell, who started his rapping career while attending university. Tyler had great timing calling him and catching him poolside while he was vacationing in Florida.




We realize that credit card interest rates might not be all that interesting to you, however many of you listeners have a credit card and will end up bank rolling your college education. Listen in while Joe Burke interviews Carol Hughes on the topic of credit card interest, and slay your credit card monster! LISTEN HERE


After over a decade of slogging it through the Canadian music industry, award-winning band THE WEAKERTHANS is still very independent and stays true to their indie-rock, post-punk-pop roots. SYR reporter Kris Dickson called guitarist Stephen Carroll at home, roused him out of bed and got him to admit if he loves or hates Winnipeg, who his musical influences are and what bodes for the band in the near future. Listen here or download this from iTunes.

MARGARET ATWOOD'S NEW NOVEL "AFTER THE FLOOD"
Canada's Queen of the Written Word, author, poet and environmental activist Margaret Atwood sat down with Spartan Youth Radio reporter Madeline Lemire as part of her Year of the Flood book tour. Hear Atwood's thoughts about her new book, the moon landing conspiracy, biotechnology, religion, the future of novels and ways to protect our environment. In her Globe and Mail blog, Atwood wrote that Lemire "was a credit to radio. She did a fine job of it: well-prepared, poised, and a million times friendlier than my first radio interviews back in 1969." LISTEN HERE

This Canadian indie rock band Mother Mother is not a round peg that fits in any hole. Every song, every album and every performance is different from the next hitting genres ranging from pop to rock to punk to folk and all places in between. Spartan Youth Radio CanRock Reporter Madeline Lemire caught guitarist/vocalist Ryan Guldemond while on tour in London, Ontario and they chatted about the enigma that is Mother Mother, what makes good music and where the award winning band is going in 2010. LISTEN HERE, DOWNLOAD FROM ITUNES, or play in the music player on the front page of this site

This is the second episode of A Dose of Steam featuring Joshua Pfeiffer from the steamwave collective band, Vernian Process. Currently Vernian Process has 7 members. If you are a fan of steampunk or have never heard of it but like a musical adventure, you will want to listen to this interview. The first episode of A Dose of Steam can be heard in the SHOWS > MUSIC section or in the music player below. LISTEN HERE.


The 401 burst onto the Canadian alt pop music scene with their hit album Songs of Solomon and some slick YouTube promos featuring their drummer Kevin. This Montreal-based band blipped onto the Spartan Youth Radio radar when they visited Espanola in 2009 and have confirmed that they'll be back to our small pulp and paper town for an exclusive concert in 2010 as part of the Rock for Food tour. We love these guys and think you will too. LISTEN HERE.


Crystal Shawanda is the multiple award-winning country music sensation topping the Canadian and American country music charts. Hailing from Wikwemikong Unceded Reserve on Manitoulin Island, this powerhouse proves that you don't need to be raised in Nashville to hit it big on both sides of the border. This interview includes an exclusive advance peek of two songs from her upcoming Christmas album "I'll Be Home For Christmas." LISTEN HERE.


Adam Kenneth Wilson plays creepy villains and he's fine with that. In fact, it's the darker personalities who he finds tastiest to play. From famed serial killer and cult leader Charles Manson to hungry vampire Samuel Gradius, Adam Wilson knows how to terrify audiences. He also likes to laugh. Spartan Youth Radio movie reporters Ross Raguth spoke with Adam on the phone about sketch comedy, sparkly vampires, gore and the nature of evil. LISTEN HERE.

You might know him best as that hard-as-nails survival expert who treks out to the middle of the Alaskan boreal forest or deep into the Amazonian jungle with nothing more than his camera and his mad skills. He is Les Stroud, the Survivorman. But he's also an accomplished musician (his backup band are the famed Northern Pikes), rock and roll video producer and self-appointed world ambassador. In our interview, you'll learn about his new series where he will live the aboriginal people from across the world. LISTEN HERE.

Aboriginal hiphop emcess and producer PLEX, aka Doug Bedard was interviewed by Spartan Youth Radio reporters Kris Dickson and Brad Bourcier. Plex is an emcee, producer, public speaker and advocate for aboriginal musicians. You can win an autographed copy of his debut album BRAINSTORM by answering the following question: does music do a poor job of representing itself and youth culture? Listen to the end of the show for information on how to enter. Listen here.


Waneek Horn-Miller is a triple threat: athlete, activist and inspiration. She has been stabbed by soldiers, posed nude on the cover of Time Magazine, represented Canada at the Sydney Olympics and still takes time to travel Canada to promote and celebrate her aboriginal heritage. Spartan Youth Radio reporters Madeline Lemire, Morgan Kagesheongai and Caitlin Dougon chatted with Horn-Miller on the phone. Whether you're an athelete, a social activist or a fan of a good story, what Horn-Miller shares is interesting and inspirational. Listen here.

Derek "Skwirl" Forgie is a quintuple threat. He brushes shoulders with celebrities on a daily basis, is a respected standup comedian in Toronto, has a few notable tv commercials under his belt, is a tireless advocate for human rights and the planet and isn't afraid to dish the dirt on what he likes and loathes about working at MTV. We were lucky enough to get him into the studio for a half hour discussion on all things entertainment. You don't want to miss this no-holds-barred behind-the-scenes perspective.
Listen here.

Imagine an alternate version of history where plastic was never invented but we had the technology of today and the aesthetic sensibilities of a century ago. Computers would be encased in wood and brass, we'd be travelling by airship and clothing would be made of leather, lace, cotton and hemp instead of rayon and polyester. Abney Park embraces the Streampunk lifestyle in their clothers (do not call them costumes), their musical instruments and their lyrics. Hitting over 90,000 hits on a single YouTube video, Abney Park may not be mainstream but they are followed by fans across the globe. SYR reporter Caitlin Dougon talked to lead singer Captain Robert on the phone from Seattle. Listen here.

Though you might recognize Jake Gold as one of the hard-hitting and honest judges on Canadian Idol, he's best known in the music industry as one of the country's best managers, having won Manager of the Year three times. He discovered the Tragically Hip in the mid 80s and is now managing Sass Jordan, the Cliks and Lily Frost. Spartan Youth Radio reporters Jesse Dubreuil and newbie Brian Case got Jake Gold on the phone for an interview about Canadian Idol and his thoughts on Canadian music. Listen here.

Spartan Youth Radio sat down with our first celebrity guest, Juno Award winning Mohawk blues rock virtuoso Derek Miller about his career and his struggle with drugs and alcohol. Listen here.




Karen Kosowski, a singer songwriter who hails from Winnipeg via Toronto has just launched her newest album to much critical acclaim. Her combination of powerful lyrics, quirky hooks, versatile vocals and stage personality puts her on the SYR Must Listen list for 2008. Listen here.



Do you have an interesting story to tell? Do you agree to disagree with something you heard in a show? Email us at spartanyouthradio@gmail.com, leave a comment here or call the Spartan Youth Radio Megaphone at (705) 869-1590 extension 6264.