Back in 1975, Waylon Jennings asked the musical question, "Are you sure Hank done it this way?" In this case, yes, I'm sure. This is Hank Williams the way he was done back in the 40's and 50's, an acoustic... more »

Ho-hum, another week, another major announcement of acts for this year's Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, coming up in September. This time, it's an all-England final, as two bands, one veteran and one newcomer, are heading this way. World Party... more »

Alyson Hubbard's music students at Woodstock Middle School in New Brunswick had a problem. Most of their instruments had seen better days. "The majority of our instruments are over 15 years old," says the music teacher and band director. "Some,... more »

This rich-voiced Newfoundlander is always a joy to hear sing, with songs deep in emotion and strong in story-telling. Album #2 sees him transplanted to the mainland, and teaming up with roots-grass musicians, sympathetic to this collection of powerful, timeless... more »

This snowy start to spring may be getting you down, but consider this: It's only 173 days until this year's Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival. That's September 10 - 15, in Fredericton, of course. And to get the excitement started,... more »

It's always humbling when you make a mistake, and I've made the occasional one along the way covering music. Usually it's due to a faulty memory, forgetting which band did what song, that sort of thing. This particular one was... more »

Not so quiet any more, now that Trevor Murphy's Halifax project has gelled into a full band. This latest E.P. sees the five-piece add some meat and a little volume to his mellow march. Produced by Daniel Ledwell (Jenn... more »

I'm off to my favourite Friday night activity of late, a house concert. These have become popular everywhere now, and all that's holding them back is a shortage of people to host them. It takes a lot of commitment,... more »

I don't know where the idea of a collective rock band started a few years back, but certainly Canada led the way. You had the New Pornographers out of Vancouver, a side project for A.C. Newman and Neko Case... more »

A new, young voice on the East Coast music scene made her ECMA debut this past week in Halifax. 18-year old Caroline Savoie of Dieppe was on hand to perform some numbers from her brand-new 6-track E.P., Laisse-moi rêver, that's... more »

Not only did she co-host the Gala Awards show at for the 25th Anniversary East Coast Music Awards, she was the big winner in the trophy race. Rose Cousins took home three awards, for her disc We Have Made A... more »

There are two ways you can do the ECMW. You can go crazy running from venue to venue, grabbing a set here from one group, catching another act at a different club. Or, you can find a comfortable spot, sit... more »

More trophies were handed out at the East Coast Music Week in Halifax Friday, included the first one for a New Brunswick artist. Saxophonist Joel Miller of Sackville took home the Jazz Recording of the Year award for his album,... more »

One of the most important moves for a young band at the ECMA's is to make yourself visible. You can't sit back and wait for an invitation. Even if you don't have a manager or someone working for you, you... more »

The first awards of the East Coast Music Week were handed out Thursday night. Like many awards shows of late, the ECMA's has picked up on the trend of spacing out some of the genre-specific trophy presentations throughout the event.... more »

I'm off to the East Coast Music Week with the news of the passing of Dr. Stompin' Tom Connors. No doubt it will be the main conversation of the weekend, and many a glass will be raised in his... more »

The East Coast Music Week kicks off today (Wednesday) in Halifax, with the usual hubbub, and lots and lots of concerts and showcases. I'll be getting there Thursday night, with a few work commitments to finish up before hitting... more »

With the East Coast Music Awards starting Wednesday and running all this week, I'll be knee-deep in all things Atlantic Canadian for the next few days, giving you the highlights from the event, and some New Brunswickers making their presence... more »

You can't accuse Sarah Slean of going lean. Her latest album, Land & Sea, was an ambitious double-disc, with one side pop/rock tunes produced by Joel Plaskett, and the other a string-laden affair, reflecting on the sea, and with... more »

Mandolin music here, but hardly strictly bluegrass. It's the main axe of Vancouver's Lydia Hol, currently touring her EP Boats through the Maritimes. Accompanied by her group The Barefoot Boys, this is acoustic music, with the mando, banjo and... more »

It's a big stinkin' country, you know? And I don't to hear everybody from way across the land, or pick up all the buzz. Still, I'm a little bummed I haven't checked out Winnipeg's JP Hoe until now. After all,... more »