After more than 15 years of recording and nearly-constant touring across the country and around the world, Slowcoaster has become one of Cape Breton music’s most well-known and loved groups. Catchy tunes, outstanding musicianship, and a highly-entertaining live show have endeared this award-winning trio to music fans and industry insiders alike. With a sound that has been described as “essentially rock-based, with strong influences of reggae, ska, folk and jazz, combined with pop hooks and improvisation”, Slowcoaster offers a little something for almost everyone.
Jordan Musycsyn is a classic songwriter and his band—Mike LeLievre (bass), Glen Bourgeois (keyboards), Jordan Bruleigh (drums), and P.J. Confiant (guitar)—creates just the right country-folk fusion to take his songs to the next level. These musicians met through countless run-ins on the local music scene and decided to work together towards a common goal of good music, resulting in their debut album The Pitch, which has drawn wide-spread praise. A masterful storyteller, Musycsyn writes songs about life and love with pathos and humour. Drawing on his own life experience, Musycsyn has the ability to take his audience from laughter to tears and back again.
Strong songwriting is a trait shared by many of Cape Breton’s most popular acts and Dave Sampson certainly fits well in this category. The Sydney native writes heart-on-your-sleeve folk/pop songs, delivered with a captivating and authentic voice that could blow down a brick house, and that’s attracted some pretty high-profile attention. Sampson worked with producers/collaborators Carleton Stone, Gordie Sampson and Dylan Guthro on his debut album, No Pressure, No Diamonds, released in 2014, and has been a regular at the Gordie Sampson Songcamp over the past couple of years. Most recently, Nova Scotia hip-hop star Classified released a version of Sampson’s song “No Pressure, No Diamonds” featuring none other than Snoop Dogg.
Cape Breton’s music scene is a diverse one, ranging from some of the best traditional music in the world to top of the international pop charts songwriting, and everything in between. CBMIC works tirelessly to ensure that the music industry in Cape Breton is a sustainable one. Fundraisers like Ice Breaker help CBMIC by raising money for operating expenses. CBMIC is then able to support Cape Breton talent, through its Cape Breton Music Export Programs, showcasing Cape Breton artists at festivals and events like Showcase Scotland in Glasgow and the annual East Coast Music Awards, or presenting Cape Breton artists to Cape Breton audiences with events like Ice Breaker.
Don’t miss this opportunity to see some of Cape Breton music’s top contemporary acts during the CBMIC Ice Breaker, Saturday, February 13, at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre. Showtime is 8:30pm and admission is restricted to 19 years and over (ID required). Tickets are $20 (+ applicable fees) and are available at the Membertou Box Office 902-539-2300 and online at membertoutcc.com. For more information on CBMIC visit cbmic.ca.
