Audio

EP 162 | Leeroy Stagger

June 26, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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This week’s very special interview guest is Leeroy Stagger bringing with him new music from his forthcoming album Dystopian Weekends.  Leeroy lets us know that unlike the last two albums he made for wider audiences. This one he made for him. Leeroy also talks about hosting Dirty Windshields on CKUA. It got him through the lockdown. Dystopian Weekends captures the sound of early Byrds, Clapton, Laurel Canyon.

Two stand-out songs – Buffy’s song Greedy Guts and Black Teenagers.

That last song deals with the headlines this very weekend. The Floyd George Murder. 

Full disclosure – I jumped the gun on the release date. It’s not coming out until October 1  but as Leeroy says “the whole model of what is an album release has changed. Given Covid, lockdown, and technical innovations it’s a whole new format. So, run with it.”

 

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June 26th, 2021 –  4th Annual Cowichan Valley Wine Festival!

June 25, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:48:17

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Cowichan Wine Festival Aug 1-31.   12 wineries – 31 days – 36 wines to be discovered.

THE SHOW

2021 –  4th Annual Cowichan Valley Wine Festival

Sunday, Aug 1 High Noon –  Tuesday, Aug 31, 5 PM.

 

It is so nice to be able to share this week’s Tasting Room Radio with our friends from the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. The good news they bring is that The Cow is open for business.

They will be adhering to covid guidelines and practices.

In all,  12 wineries will be open and welcoming. (reservations are highly recommended)

You’ll want to make plans early because last year was a complete sell-out.

Tickets are $35.00.

Your handsome glass is the ticket that allows you to get into all 12 participating wineries.

Visit as many wineries as you like and collect stamps in your passport. If you collect all of them you can enter a draw for a Grand Prize.

For more info www.tourismcowichan.com

For all the dark news of 2021 it’s nice to be able to share this week’s Tasting Room Radio with our friends from the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. The good news they bring is that The Cow is open for business. They will be adhering to covid guidelines and practices.

In all,  12 wineries will be open and welcoming. (for some,  reservations are highly recommended)

You’ll want to make plans early because last year was a complete sell-out.

 

Tickets are $35.00. Your gorgeous glass (and passport) is your ticket. That allows you to get into all 12 participating wineries.

Visit as many wineries as you like and collect stamps in your passport. If you collect all of them you can enter a draw for a Grand Prize.

Historic Faces of Cowichan

For more info www.tourismcowichan.com

unsworth wines

Unsworth Winery

 

The stories and the pours from 6 valley wineries. Our guest list includes:

 Jim Moody – Owner and Winemaker at Zanatta Vineyards (Duncan)

Bailey Williamson – Winemaker at Blue Grouse (Duncan)

Bailey Williamson Blue Grouse

Lorin Inglis – Manager of Enrico Winery (Mill Bay)

Brent Rowland – Winemaker Averill Creek and Joue (Duncan)

Brent Rowland Winemaker Averill Creek

Michelle Schulze –  Management  Venturi-Schulze (Cobble Hill)

Dan Wright – Winemaker Unsworth (Mill Bay)

www.tourismcowichan.com 

bluegrouse.ca

enricowinery.com

zanatta.ca

AverillCreek.ca

venturischulze.com

unsworthvineyards.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Spring Releases from:

2House

Gold Hill

Cedar Creek

Home Block Restaurant

Little Engine Virtual Tasting

Breaking Ground at Unsworth

 

EP 161 | Romi Mayes – Curbside Concerts

June 18, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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This weeks guest is singer/songwriter Romi Mayes (Winnipeg)

But she’s not introducing a tour or a new album. In 2021, she’s the Senior Producer for Curbside Concerts.

A company started in 2020 by  Matt Masters and Amanda Burgener.  They could both see, because of Covid,  that artists in Canada were going to have a hard time working,  gathering together, and paying the bills. Also, music fans were going to lose their live music.

So they created Curbside Concerts. A safe way for musicians and audiences to get together during these many months.

You chose the artist, date & time. One of their producers will work with you to make it all happen.

The stage (if required), microphones, battery-powered speakers, and anything else needed will show up with your artist.

Want some names?

 

Paul Pigat. Joe Nolan. Petunia (solo). Jay Semko (N Pikes) JD Edwards (Small Glories) Ridley Bent. 

All safety standards are met and everyone enjoys the music.

Curbside has been a success. Now in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and BC

Over 100 artists have signed up. Concerts big and small have taken place.

Audiences have gone away with memories to last a lifetime.

Curbside Concerts have been nominated for four Western Canadian Music Awards.

Impact on

-Live Music

-Artist Development

-Music Marketing

-Community Excellence

We welcome the Senior Producer for Curbside Concerts – excellent singer/songwriter Romi Mayes.

If you’re an artist or want to be a Host – Romi has all the info.

www.curbsideconcerts.ca

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EP 160 | Terry Wickham-Producer Edmonton Folk Music Festival-Taking It To The Streets

June 12, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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This week’s guest is Terry Wickham. The hard-working and much-admired Producer of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival.

Thing is – there is no Festival this year.

However, after much discussion, they have come up with a Plan B.

To quote The Doobie Brothers they’re Taking it to the Streets.

It reminds me of Dan Mangan’s Sidedoor concept.

Hosts need artists. Artists need hosts.

So, Terry and his team have come up with Taking it to the Streets.

Music fans can offer their street, lawn, backyard, deck, pier.

Artists will all be from the Edmonton area.

Terry explains how you can apply to be a host.

Find the complete details so you can consider them wisely.

And check out the playlist below – Lots of new tunes from

Applications are open for Edmonton-area residents to host a street concert and enjoy the sounds of the folk fest with their neighbors from the comfort of their own front yards. Artist fees, programming, and production are covered by the festival – hosts just need to step forward to organize their street with neighbors. Information, guidelines, and forms can be found at www.edmontonfolkfest.org. The deadline to apply is June 30.

Subscribe to the MulliganStew podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify

June 12th, 2021- New Spring Releases from Birch Block & Chef Jeff Needs a Miracle!  

June 11, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 01:00:19

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New Spring Releases from Birch Block and Chef Jeff van Geest Needs a Miracle!

 

THE SHOW

 

Its International Rose Day – pour some, buy some, gift some. (It’s a year-round delight, friends)

 First up Block Party 3 from Sarah and Murray Bancroft at Birch Block Vineyard (Kaleden)

 

The Block Party concept came about when Sarah and Murray told me several garagistes ago that they had located a fruit, lamb, and llama farm in Kaleden that was going to be perfect for vineyards and they were starting their winemaking journey.

Because they are such interesting people who lead interesting lives I thought it would make for a journey I’d like to follow.

The ups and downs of winemaking  – starting from scratch – gathering knowledge as you went – sustainable farming – what wines do you want to make.  So many decisions you have to live with.

We covered those subjects in Block Party one and two. Now comes three…

They’ve released the Birch Block Vineyard Pinot Noir Rose.

“We call this rose Endless Summer to enjoy all year long”

It comes beautifully presented. The color is Provence Pink. Unfined and unfiltered in the regular 750 ml format and a stunning Magnum. Mellon and strawberry on the nose. A palette of various citrus stars. Grapefruit, ripe mandarin, and a mouth full of yummy.

WoW!!

You’re going to have to do some serious seeking on both these releases. It’s hugely popular right out of the box.  It’s well worth the homework.

Murray and Sarah also talk about their new canned release Pop Up Piquette (PeeKett)

 

It’s a born again Rose. As Murray explains they get their hands on the Grenache/Mourvedre skins  after they’re pressed .  The take the skins and add water, honey and perhaps more rose and leave it soak for a bit.

What comes out is a lighter Rose. 8% alcohol that originally was intended for the field and cellar workers to have with lunch and not get slower as they rest of the day went on.

It’s called a wine “for the people”

The Birch Block Piquette comes in a 473 ml can. $10 each. It’s going to be wildly popular.

 

Today Sarah and Murray are at a  UBC  fundraising event with Alumni Grads..one of four wineries pouring Rose.

Sarah and Murray

August 20th they’re pouring at a Joy Road Catering  Al Fresco event on Main in downtown Penticton and a virtual wine tasting for a very cool seniors center in Vancouver.

There’s a Pet Nat coming plus other surprises.

You’re going to really like Murray and Sarah. Whether in person or through their wines.

THIS is a winery you really want to follow. The end result is always delicious!

Check out the website and sign up for the newsletter.

www.birchblockvineyard.com

 Executive Chef Jeff van Geest – Miradoro Restaurant. Tinhorn Creek Winery  (Golden Mile)

In the middle of this week Chef Jeff posted on Instagram

Exec Chef Jeff van Geest – Photo The Great Lionel Trudel

 

“ Friends, I need a miracle”

“Things keep going from bad to worse for staffing. I’m willing to work a lot for my business and my kitchen and my team. But I can’t make any more sacrifices and I don’t want to ask more of the staff that I do have. I need a CDC a junior sous and more line cooks. If you know anyone please put them in contact with me. I hate to sound desperate, but I am.


Ironically, St. Anthony died three years ago today and all I can think about is our collective mental and physical health I just want to create a kitchen environment where people can cook with joy and passion. Where are these people? The people I do have are fantastic, but I don’t want to crush their spirits. Please help me spread the word. I’m Looking for people ready to take the next step. I’m willing to take a chance on the right people.”

 

The response was immediate. To count almost 150 replies have come in.

However, the post highlighted two serious problems the culinary industry has to overcome.

An almost complete lack of skilled workers are applying and as mentioned in comments. the toxic environment of some kitchens.

That toxicity has been handed down from kitchen to kitchen over many years. It’s disappearing but not nearly fast enough.

We have two interviews for you.

 One with Chef Jeff at Miradoro and in San Francisco, The Foodie Chap Liam Mayclem who has interviewed 100’s of the best chefs.

From San Francisco to Oakland,  Napa, and Sonoma

Liam reveals that these same conditions and problems exist in Northern California.

I’m asking both guests “what is the role – if any – for the food/wine fan to play”

This is serious gritty stuff. It involves people’s careers and lives but a solution can’t be found until everyone involved – kitchen staff, culinary team, and customers – do their part to make things right.

Please have a listen to these hard-hitting interviews and be aware of the crisis in your kitchens.

More interviews on this crisis next week starting with Chef Michael Allemeier –team leader at one of Canada’s premier culinary training institutes – SAIT in Calgary.

 

https://www.tinhorn.com/Restaurant

https://www.instagram.com/jeff_van_geest/?hl=en

@quintoquorto

@liamMayclem

https://www.facebook.com/FoodieChap/

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Crisis in the Kitchen

Michael Allemeier – Sait Calgary

Anthony Buchannan – Fine Spring Wines from his 2020 growing season.  Fabulous!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP 159 | Bruce Cockburn – Celebrating 50 Years of The Junos.

June 5, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast, Uncategorized

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Canada’s Music Awards – The Junos – take place Sunday night.

50 years ago,  the first-ever Folksinger of the Year Juno Award went to Bruce Cockburn. Also nominated were Joni Mitchell and Great Speckled Bird (featuring Ian and Sylvia)

 Bruce Cockburn won 12 more Juno Awards  over the past 50 years. He’s nominated again this year for his brilliant instrumental album Crowing Ignites.

We have much to talk about.  Those very early days when he was just starting. “I wasn’t me yet”.

How he has sustained a songwriting and performing career, the moment when he thought perhaps he wouldn’t/couldn’t  write another song and what project changed that possibility.

He touches on the state of radio, folk music, how he stayed engaged as an artist, his instincts that told him  – when writing a new song – that he had already said what the song was about and finding a new way to continue saying what was in his heart,  why he never entertained the idea of being  star and how the songs would come to him if he just “waited for the flash”

The interview includes  Bruce’s personal thoughts on the tragedy unfolding at the Residential School in Kamloops, BC.

This is the complete conversation with music included.

www.brucecockburn.com

June 5th, 2021- Spring Releases from Alderlea, Mt Boucherie, Rust Wine Co, and Modest Wines

June 4, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 01:00:24

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2021 Spring Releases from Alderlea (Cowichan) and Mt Boucherie/Rust/Modest Wines (Okanagan)

 

Every spring brings a flood of new wines and always a few surprises.  This week our guests are

Zac Brown and Julie Powell. Co–owners and winemaking partners.

As Zac explains he learned his winemaking outside of Vienna and then Western Australia.

After he and Julie met and married they became  Garagistes.  Making wine and learning at home.

Julie

Julie came from the large corporate side of life, in human resources. She now counts tractor driving as a serious skill and recently made a white blend called Valerie, named in honor of her late Mother. Zac says it’s the first step into winemaking for Julie.  We talk about all of these moments and milestones.

We also talk about these Spring Releases

2018 Rose- Yup! Get this one. A blended Rose!!

2019 Bacchus $21.90

2019 Valerie (80% Ortega and 20% Viognier) $23.10  (Yummy)

2019 Pinot Gris $23.19

2016  Pinot Noir Reserve $39.80

2018 Pinot Noir $26.00

2018  Contraband (Merlot driven blend) Coming Canada Day $34.60

2016 Matrix (nice blend . Dark fruit. Cassis, Prune. Coffee, licorice) $24.75 WoW!

 

2017 Clarinet  Old Vines Foch. Beautifully grown and blended.

www.alderlea.ca

Jeff  Hundertmark  – Director of  Winemaking  Mt Boucherie / Modest Wines (West Kelowna) Rust Wine Co  (Golden Mile Bench)

Jeff Hundertmark Director of Winemaking / Mt Boucherie. Rust. Modest Wines

I first met Jeff in Niagara where he was holding down multiple winemaking roles and seemed like one busy guy.

He did take time out to ask a series of questions about the Okanagan. As I left the interview we agreed to meet in the Okanagan down the road.

Well, the road has been down.

Jeff is currently the Director of Winemaking at Mount Boucherie, Modest Wines, and Rust Wine Co.

All very distinctive – one from the other.

I do believe with this interview we have set an all-time mark for bottles reviewed or discussed in one interview.

Here’s the road map that Jeff talks us through.

Mt Boucherie  (West Kelowna)

Original Vines Series

-2020 Gewurztraminer  $30.  Impressive  Planted 1986 South Rock Vineyard. Golden Mile Bench

-2020 Semillon OK Falls Lost Horn Vineyards  Block 12. Planted 1990

-2018 Summit  Bordeaux Blend Planted 93/96/97

-2019 PTG (Similkameen) $35. 45% Gamay 36 P.Noir 20% P.Gris. Lazy River Vineyard. Block 17/18/22 (Planted 93/96/97)

 

Modest Wines

Mt Boucherie are growers first. They have the vineyards to play with concepts.

Modest Wines is an edgy experimental label, trying out various vineyards and blends. Affordable.

– 2020 la graves robber.  $27.  81% Sem 19% Sauv. Ok, Falls. Inspired by Left Bank. Raised in the  Westbank. Loved this.

-2020 Eye of the Partridge Rose $25 – Pinot Noir. Similkameen.

-2018 Zed’s Dead Zinfandel  $30 (Similkameen Valley) You may not see this one again. Story on back label.

-2020 The Elder Vicar $22  The Battle in a Bottle Muscat. Pinot Gris. Gew. Riesling. The Vicar is Father Pandosy.

Soaked on skins for 8 hours. 5 minutes and 24 seconds.

2019 By Jove  Sangiovese  $30  Black Sage Bench.  Bravo!

 

Rust Wine Co

Golden Mile Bench – formerly Rustico.

One of the most amazing tastings I’ve taken part in.

From Rust Wine Co Jeff sent

–2018 Syrah GM Bench.  $44 American/French Oak. (42% new) Clones 977/2002  Gravely clay. Mtn rock

-2018 Syrah  Ferreira Vineyard $44 Black Sage Road  Clones 7/2001  Am/French Oak (46% New) Volcanic ash & fine granite sand.

-2018 Syrah Lazy River Vineyard Similkameen. $44  (40% new) Clone 877 Sandy clay loam with limestone and granite

 

Do your own tasting…Everybody pitch in. Gather on the patio or table and decide which one hits the mark. Your mark.

They each have different clones, different soils, different vineyards.

The bonus is – they’re all fantastic.

www.mtboucherie.com

https://mtboucherie.com/collections/modest-wines-1

www.rustwine.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

The return of Birch Block

Anthony Buchannan

2House

Gold Hill

Summer Spirits Special

 

 

 

–

EP 158 | Daniel Lanois Revisited (and Recut)

May 29, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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We first interviewed singer/player/producer/writer Daniel Lanois last November.

(7 Grammy Awards. Juno Winner. Order of Canada)

At that time he had recorded his next album Heavy Sun but only the first single (Under a)  Heavy Sun had been released.

That was  all the new music we could talk about so we headed off into his amazing influence on a wing of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

U2, Dylan,  Neville Brothers, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Robertson, and many more. (Neil Young. Emmy Lou Harris, The Killers, Willie Nelson, Brian Eno,)

This coming week he’s headed for a gig on the 10th  in NYC with his band to perform The Songs of Red Dead Redemption 2, the soundtrack to the popular game.

They’re playing in  The Battery and it’s sold out.

Now that Heavy Sun is released we decided to go back and re-cut  the full interview and include  several of the new tracks from the amazing album.

Tree of Tule

Dance On

Mother’s Eyes

Along with the great single (Under a) Heavy Sun

Meet the man who has shaped a huge amount of the music many of us grew up with. And he’s Canadian.

May 22nd, 2022 –  4th Annual Cowichan Valley Wine Festival

May 21, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:48:29

hello

Cowichan Wine Festival Aug 1-31.   12 wineries – 31 days – 36 wines to be discovered.

 

THE SHOW

2021  4th Annual Cowichan Valley Wine Festival

Sunday, Aug 1 High Noon –  Tuesday, Aug 31, 5 PM.

For all the dark news of 2021 it’s nice to be able to share this week’s Tasting Room Radio with our friends from the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. The good news they bring is that The Cow is open for business. They will be adhering to covid guidelines and practices.

In all,  12 wineries will be open and welcoming. (for some,  reservations are highly recommended)

You’ll want to make plans early because last year was a complete sell-out.

 

Tickets are $35.00. Your gorgeous glass (and passport) is your ticket. That allows you to get into all 12 participating wineries.

Visit as many wineries as you like and collect stamps in your passport. If you collect all of them you can enter a draw for a Grand Prize.

 

For more info www.tourismcowichan.com

unsworth wines

Unsworth Winery

 

The stories and the pours from 6 valley wineries. Our guest list includes:

 Jim Moody – Owner and Winemaker at Zanatta Vineyards (Duncan)

Bailey Williamson – Winemaker at Blue Grouse (Duncan)

Bailey Williamson Blue Grouse

Lorin Inglis – Manager of Enrico Winery (Mill Bay)

Brent Rowland – Winemaker Averill Creek and Joue (Duncan)

Brent Rowland Winemaker Averill Creek

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michelle Schulze –  Management  Venturi-Schulze (Cobble Hill)

Dan Wright – Winemaker Unsworth (Mill Bay)

www.tourismcowichan.com

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Spring Releases from

Clos du Soleil

Alderlea

Fort Berens

2House

Gold Hill

Mt Boucherie

Rust Wine

 

 

EP 156 | Holger Petersen – Doctor of Blues

May 15, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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Our CKUA Radio Network Neighbour has always been Holger Petersen’s Natch’l  Blues.

It’s the greatest lead-in any show could have. Two hours of blues.

Holger celebrated 50 years of Hosting Natch’l Blues in 2019

But that’s not all Holger has accomplished.

He co-founded Edmonton Folk Festival

Co-founded Stoney Plain Records. (Over 400 releases)

Founded Alberta Music

Sat on Board of Directors for Socan

Inducted into  Folk DJ Hall of Fame  in New Orleans

1st non-American to win Best Public Broadcaster.

Hosts Saturday Night Blues on CBC

Now Holger has been awarded The Alberta Order of Excellence.

And he’s our guest on the Mulligan Stew Podcast. Amazing storyteller.

Here’s the complete interview with the iconic Holger Petersen.  Doctor of Blues