Recording: Charter of the Forest

Artist: Charter of the Forest

Songs: Come All Ye [Fairport Convention cover] + Big White Cloud [John Cale cover]

Recorded in The Sun Room at 918 Bathurst, January 18, 2026.

Charter of the Forest - Come All Ye

Charter of the Forest - Big White Cloud

Opening up an afternoon of investigations into folk music, this was a real all-star group, bringing together Isla Craig (voice), Karsten Stryker (acoustic guitar), Kurt Newman (low-volume electric guitar), Pete Johnston (bass), and Blake Howard (percussion). The musical approach was a jammy take on folk-rock, though more Fairport Convention (whose Liege & Lief was a primary touchstone) than Grateful Dead — though also with some bluegrass flourishes. The material also hewed towards "traditional songs of the British Isles", though in some cases the traditions reached back to more recent rolling minstrels such as those heard here.

You can check out some more from this set over on youtube:

Recording: Karsten Stryker

Artist: Karsten Stryker

Song: Nine Pound Hammer [traditional]

Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (Ayal Senior & Friends), May 12, 2024.

Karsten Stryker - Nine Pound Hammer

Leading off an afternoon of contrasting guitar styles, Karsten Stryker offered some nimble bluegrass picking, his astonishing runs giving a spark to some classic pieces.

[Ayal Senior & Friends returns to the Southern Cross this Sunday afternoon (June 9th) with sets from Senior/Newman, Drew Smith, Nick Flanagan and Michelle Breslin & Ayal Senior's Nocturnes.]

Recording: Kurt Newman & Karsten Stryker

Artist: Kurt Newman & Karsten Stryker

Song: Cherokee Shuffle

Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (Ayal Senior's Monthly), April 10, 2022.

Kurt Newman & Karsten Stryker - Cherokee Shuffle

Ah, another pleasant and cozy moment, reminiscent of the beforetimes, as Ayal Senior's monthly Sunday afternoon showcase at The Tranzac made its return. Like a pastry stuffed with savory fillings, the slot included three musical performances as well as some comedy from Nick Flanagan. (Mark a note in your calendar to be there on the next second Sunday of the month!)

Frequent guest Kurt Newman brought a newer collaborator, guitarist Karsten Stryker, for a quick acoustic set of bluegrass-informed duets. It's instructive to listen here for a hint of how the collaboration and improvisation in this music works in the moment, with the first pass through being a tentative "here's what I'm doing" communication before it starts to build up steam.

Kurt Newman is now also hosting the participatory Saturday Bluegrass Casual at The Tranzac every weekend, from noon to two.