We all remember the moment we discovered that secret song on one of our favourite albums. Often, those hidden gems provide a revealing peek behind-the-curtain, leading us to new insights about the artists and recordings we thought we knew.
CKUA's Hidden Track podcast aims to do the same, by bringing you stories that change the way you experience music. Any given week, we'll get to the heart of the song with the musician who wrote it, reflect on a landmark recording with the producer and engineer who helped shape it, or examine the legacy of a musical icon with the critic, biographer or industry player who knows them best. Whoever the guest may be, each episode will provide a moment of discovery you won't soon forget.
Music Yukon Collaboration 2026 Part 2 | Hidden Track Ep. 120
This episode wraps up our third annual collaboration with Music Yukon. This session of the Hidden Track podcast brings in two more artists from Canada's north. Ryan McNally and Claire Ness & The Rubies are the featured artists for this edition of the podcast.
First up is Ryan McNally. His distinctive brand of timeless roots-based music draws on his time growing up in a beautiful part of rural Southern Quebec.
Then it is Claire Ness, a multi-talented artist who describes her genre of music as "country meets jazz cabaret" and "playfully original folk-blues nostalgia from a wild Yukon wordsmith."
CREDITS
Executive Producer: Arianne Smith-Piquette
Senior Producer: Jasmine Vickaryous, Bronson Kashino
Associate Producers: Scott Zielsdorf
Host: Grant Stovel
Music: Doug Hoyer
Graphics: Tomas Spasiuk
Special thanks to CKUA's events and marketing teams!
The Hidden Track Podcast is a CKUA production, made possible by the generosity of our donour community. Thank you for your support!
18 Sept 2026
Music Yukon Collaboration 2026 | Hidden Track Ep. 119
This episode marks the start of our third annual collaboration with Music Yukon, where we feature the talented Northern artists they support in heading down to perform as part of the Edmonton International Fringe Festival. We're starting off strong with a two-part episode featuring two amazing Yukon-based acts!
Up first is John from Dawson, whose fun brand of boom-bap hip-hop has made him a CKUA and Music Yukon favourite. He is joined by DJ PJ, a new partnership that has added experimental electronic and drum'n'bass elements to his sound. The two are set to release an album together this year.
Major Funk is up next with a performance of "Starlight," featuring founding members Etienne Girard and Adrian Burrill alongside a talented group of musicians including new band members.
Executive Producer: Arianne Smith-Piquette
Senior Producer: Jasmine Vickaryous, Bronson Kashino
Associate Producers: Scott Zielsdorf
Host: Grant Stovel
Music: Doug Hoyer
Graphics: Tomas Spasiuk
Special thanks to CKUA's Events and Marketing teams.
The Hidden Track Podcast is a CKUA production, made possible by the generosity of our donor community. Thank you for your support!
4 Sept 2026
Valerie June | Hidden Track Ep. 118
Valerie June's music is grounded in blues, country, Appalachian folk, gospel, and other veins of earthy roots music; but at the same time, it reaches for the heavens.
She's been deeply rooted in rural Tennessee her whole life, yet her music has also been informed by being based in Brooklyn for many years, and by travelling prolifically all across this world.
As Valerie chronicles in "My Life Is a Country Song," a track from her acclaimed latest album Owls, Omens, and Oracles, she faced great hardship personally and professionally early in her life.
Her latest record, her sixth, continues in what's now a long tradition of Valerie working with great producers, having M. Ward in the production chair, and calling in fabulous collaborators like her pal Norah Jones, and all-time gospel greats, The Blind Boys of Alabama.
CKUA's Grant Stovel caught up with Valerie as she was making her way towards Alberta for some summertime 2026 shows, including at the beloved Calgary Folk Music Festival.
CREDITS
Executive Producer: Arianne Smith-Piquette
Senior Producers: Jasmine Vickaryous, Bronson Kashino
Associate Producer: Scott Zielsdorf
Host: Grant Stovel
Music: Doug Hoyer
Graphics: Tomas Spasiuk
Special thanks to CKUA's Events and Marketing teams.
The Hidden Track Podcast is a CKUA production, made possible by the generosity of our donor community. Thank you for your support!
Who has been a guest on Hidden Track
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Reuben Bullock
The Bullhorn Singers
Amy Millan
Rose Cousins
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
1,027,220
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 66 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
66
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
81
Contact Hidden Track
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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