The McDades – Thread The Light (Free Radio Records, 2026)
Thread The Light finds The McDades in exceptional form: agile, inventive, and vividly alive. The remarkable Canadian ensemble’s new album offers a spirited set grounded in Celtic tradition, lifted by dazzling fiddle, elegant flutes and whistles, uplifting lead vocals, and beautifully crafted vocal harmonies.
Across more than two decades, The McDades have built a restless musical identity. Celtic and Canadian folk remain the foundation, but jazz’s quick-witted freedom, world music influences, deep rhythmic drive, and a familial musical language give the band its distinctive flavor.
“Dance Around The Spinning Wheel” captures that approach with particular brightness. Farhad Khosravi’s Persian santur lends the track a glinting, hypnotic feel, while the surrounding arrangement surges with communal lift.
The group’s core remains the highly talented siblings: Shannon Johnson on fiddle and vocals, Solon McDade on bass, and Jeremiah McDade on whistles, saxophones, and vocals. With Andy Hillhouse on guitar and Eric Breton on percussion, the band plays with a knowledgeable and proficient attitude. Their interplay highlights their musical finesse, which is polished, ingenious and enduring.
Winners of a Juno Award for Best Roots Album (Group) and multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards, The McDades are still curious, asking tradition to move forward.
Cover artwork by Roberta Landreth.
Buy Thread The Light.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.