Morgan Toney on Circles, Elders, and Phil Collins, ep. 311

Morgan Toney on Circles, Elders, and Phil Collins, ep. 311

Author: The Bluegrass Situation May 22, 2025 Duration: 1:00:58

Circles have played a huge role in fiddler and singer Morgan Toney's life thus far: from drum circles, to talking circles, to the Earth itself (a circle!). In our Basic Folk conversation, Morgan talks about his L'nu (also known as Mi'kmaq) heritage and growing up on what's now called Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where his ancestors have lived since time immemorial. He elaborates on the significance of the terms 'Mi'kmaq' and 'Nu,' explaining the shift in terminology among his people. As a teenager, he discovered his Indigenous heritage and cultural roots from his elders after he moved to Wagmatcook (a First Nations reserve) and learned about how the power of music could shape his life. He shares the story of first hearing Phil Collins at his uncle's house after school, which inspired him to take up the drums. He soon discovered First Nations drumming by directly learning the songs from elders in talking circles. Morgan also talks about his transition from a shy teenager to a confident musician deeply immersed in both Mi'kmaq and Celtic musical traditions, creating a unique fusion which Morgan calls "Mi'kmaltic."

We also talk about Morgan's emotional connection to his community and the importance of music in rediscovering and celebrating his Indigenous heritage. He recounts how his exposure to traditional Mi'kmaq songs and ceremonies as a teenager was a transformative experience that reignited his cultural pride; in music and in our conversation Morgan pays homage to his family members, especially his elders, who played pivotal roles in nurturing his musical talents and helping him embrace his cultural identity. Finally, Morgan reflects on his musical collaborations, including his close partnership with producer Keith Mullins, and the creation of his new album, 'Heal the Divide.' He further explains the innovative process of blending Mi'kmaq and Celtic musical elements, the album's thematic focus on community and healing, and his aspirations to inspire the younger generation of his community. This was truly an inspiring conversation exploring the intersections of culture, history, and music with a very special musician!

Follow Basic Folk on social media: https://basicfolk.bio.link/

Sign up for Basic Folk's newsletter: https://bit.ly/basicfolknews

Help produce Basic Folk by contributing: https://basicfolk.com/donate/

Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods



Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

There's a certain magic that happens when musicians are given the space to talk not just about their craft, but about the life that feeds it. That's the heart of Basic Folk, a series of conversations that feel more like catching up with an old friend than a formal interview. Hosts Cindy Howes and Lizzie No bring a genuine curiosity and easy warmth to each episode, creating an environment where artists often share stories and insights they might not elsewhere. Since 2018, this podcast has carved out a vital niche, actively seeking to honor and platform the incredible, sometimes under-the-radar, voices within the roots music world. You'll find a beautifully diverse tapestry of sound and experience here, from technical wizards and Grammy-winners like Molly Tuttle to culturally pivotal figures like Leyla McCalla, all united by their connection to folk music's expansive tradition. Produced by The Bluegrass Situation, each episode digs into the personal journeys, creative struggles, and quiet triumphs that shape the music. It’s less about celebrity and more about substance, offering listeners a chance to intimately understand the people behind the songs. Tune in for thoughtful, humorous and deeply human dialogues that remind you why folk music, in all its forms, remains a powerful force for storytelling and connection.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 367

Basic Folk
Podcast Episodes
Emily Saliers, ep. 15 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:21
Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls graciously joins me on Basic Folk this week. An iconic figure in modern folk rock, Emily gets into it about the history of her guitar playing, expanding her horizons on her first solo album…
Peter Mulvey, ep. 14 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:13
Peter Mulvey's music is emotional, rousing, gritty and real. The Milwaukee singer-songwriter has been at it since the late 1980's playing in the streets of Dublin and Boston before starting his career proper in the early…
Rachel Sumner, ep. 13 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:42
California-born and Boston resident Rachel Sumner had an early interest in classical music that lead her to pursuing a career in film orchestration. After switching gears at Berklee College of Music, Rachel became intere…
Mark Dignam, ep. 12 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:55
This week I have Irish singer/songwriter, Mark Dignam, on the podcast! Mark grew up in the outskirts of Dublin, Ireland. It was in Dublin where he gained experience as a performer by busking around town with well-known f…
Maya de Vitry, ep. 11 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:39
Singer/Songwriter Maya de Vitry is on the podcast this week! Maya was a former member of the string trio The Stray Birds, but now she has stepped out on her own with her first solo album, Adaptations. de Vitry grew up on…
Eleanor Buckland of Lula Wiles, ep. 10 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:05
Originally from a rural Farmington, Maine, Eleanor Buckland of Lula Wiles grew up playing fiddle in her family’s jams. This week on Basic Folk, Buckland talks being a fourth generation musician, her rock guitar father, a…
Alex Stanton of townsppl, ep. 09 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:10
Alex Stanton is a Pittsburgh born singer/songwriter who heads up the indie folk band townsppl.Growing up Stanton spent a lot of time hanging out on the set of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. His mom worked in the art depart…
Anais Mitchell, ep. 08 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:10
Anais Mitchell is about to hit Broadway with Hadestown! But first! The Vermont songwriter is on Basic Folk. Her folk opera, Hadestown, set to open at the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway March 2019.Anais tells me about he…
Dawn Landes, ep. 07 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:58
Before becoming a fulltime performer/songwriter Dawn Landes worked as a sound engineer for many years. After studying for a bit at NYU she left school to pursue an internship at Phillip Glass' studio. Dawn tells me of th…
Mark Erelli, ep. 06 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:37
On Basic Folk this week I sit down with Mark Erelli, a singer-songwriter out of the New England area. Growing up Erelli did a little of everything: tennis, musicals, science, and then... he found rock music. This was all…