Music

When Billy Talent came through Sudbury, Ontario, the band invited Spartan Youth Radio for an exclusive behind-the-scenes interview a few hours before the show. Gary, Nicole, Brad and Kris recorded the event and then were given free tickets to the show afterwards which featured Billy Talent, Alexisonfire, Against Us and Cancer Bats. VIEW HERE.


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. LISTEN HERE



Spartan Youth Radio called Kidd Russel while he was in Florida on vacation. During the interview, Kidd Russell, a rapper and hiphop artist, free styled a rap about us. Here's to Kidd Russell, and his rendition of "We're all kinds of different." 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 from iTunes.

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.


Oliver Pride formed in May 2007 in Toronto. The intention was to create a unique mix of music combining different influences, sounds and recording techniques. Oliver Pride uses conventional instruments but also experiments with software synthesizers, software drums and digital effects. Spartan Youth Radio music reporter Brad Bourcier interviewed guitarist/bassist Raffi Sekdorian. LISTEN HERE.


Aboriginal Hiphop Artist 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.


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. The interview finishes off with original music from Les Stroud and the Pikes. 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.

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.



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.




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.