Folk and fiddle at Motel Chelsea

Tashi Farmilo

Singer-songwriter Chris Ronald will perform a matinee concert at Motel Chelsea on October 12, alongside fiddle player Nathan Smith of Smiths Falls. The performance marks a new cross-country collaboration between the Vancouver-based musician and the Ontario fiddler, featuring a mix of original songwriting and traditional folk instrumentation.

The collaboration began in 2022 when Ronald heard Smith perform with his band, The Barrel Boys, at the Folk Music Ontario conference. Impressed by what he described as Smith’s “sensitive and intuitive fiddle playing,” Ronald invited him to join a showcase at the event. The two remained in contact and have now teamed up for a short tour.

Audiences at Motel Chelsea can expect a range of material spanning Ronald’s discography, including reimagined selections from his 2014 album Fragments, where fiddle plays a prominent role, as well as new songs being developed for an upcoming project. Ronald said he is currently halfway through writing the next album, which he aims to complete and record in the coming year.

Ronald’s music blends British and North American folk traditions, shaped by his upbringing in England and his life in Canada since 2002. His work has earned national recognition, including a nomination for Songwriter of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. His albums Fragments and Light & Dark both reached the Top 10 on the Folk Chart following their release on the Borealis Records label.

The performance will feature a variety of instruments, including guitar, ukulele, harmonica, mandolin, and fiddle. Ronald said the duo plans to deliver “relatable songs spanning the folk spectrum with a sprinkling of entertaining stories,” in a format that highlights both musicians’ versatility.

Reflecting on the post-pandemic recovery of live music, Ronald described small venues like Motel Chelsea as vital to Canada’s cultural ecosystem. “At the moment it seems the big names and venues have no problem attracting audiences and huge revenues, but it’s been a struggle for the grassroots scene,” he said. “Venues like Motel Chelsea are community hubs that work hard to present high-quality and affordable live music, and public support is crucial.”

Ronald’s most recent album, Light & Dark, was recorded during lockdown and released in 2021, when live touring remained limited. “I did what I could to reach my audience online,” he said, adding that he temporarily returned to teaching while the music industry recovered. “I’m glad music momentum is picking up again.”