East Coast DNA

17/07/2025

📝 Thank You – Trenton Park Songwriters Summer Series Kickoff 🎶🌲

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the first night of the Trenton Park Songwriters Summer Series such a memorable one!

🎤 Our incredible performers — Nathan Gerrior, Meghan Watters (of 11th & Duke), and Autumn MacKay (joining us from Truro) — shared their stories and original songs with a warm and engaged audience at the Trenton Park Amphitheatre. Your talent and connection set the perfect tone for what this series is all about.

🎚️ Big thanks to Andre Pettipas for running sound and providing gear — and for capturing this great moment 📸 featuring myself, Darcy Walsh, alongside our amazing July 16 performers.

☕ Gratitude to our community sponsors:
– Express Yourself Café for treating the artists with fresh local drinks and snacks
– Big 8 Beverages for donating water to keep everyone cool
– Creative Pictou County for presenting the series and supporting the arts

🌲 A special thank you to Trenton Park staff and the Town of Trenton for your support and for welcoming us into such a beautiful space.

👏 And to everyone who came out — thank you for being part of it. Your support makes community music events like this possible.

🎶 Next Show: Wednesday, July 30 | 5–7 PM
Featuring Cory Mercer, Katie MacIntosh, and Kelsey Erskine
📍 Trenton Park Amphitheatre – where built-in benches line the natural incline by the pond, offering theatre-style seating, a cool breeze, and warm music to wind down a hot summer day.

This will be the second of three songwriter showcases curated and hosted by East Coast DNA host Darcy Walsh, as part of the Trenton Park Songwriters Summer Series, presented by Creative Pictou County.

09/07/2025

🎧 Andre Pettipas x Taylor Jensen: CHEAP DOPAMINE 🎧
Available July 10

At East Coast DNA, we had the rare opportunity to witness the full journey of this soon-to-be hit — from scribbled lyrics at a secret writing retreat to in-studio magic with Josh Kelly and intimate performances like this one at Fireloch. 🌲🎶

📸 The official single artwork? Designed by Andre Pettipas using photos captured by Darcy Walsh // East Coast DNA as the track came to life.

📷 All photos in this post are also credited to Darcy Walsh // East Coast DNA

Clocking in at under 2:40, Cheap Dopamine blends the grit of East Coast rock with the velvet smoothness of country-pop, evoking the vibe of Savage Garden, Our Lady Peace, and Kacey Musgraves in one catchy, emotional package.

🎤 Catch Taylor Jensen LIVE TOMORROW (July 10) at Cavendish Beach Music Festival — where we’ll be covering the festival and celebrating the official release in real time.
Stay tuned for more as this duo reunites at Giantstock later this summer!
—
✨ ABOUT TAYLOR JENSEN ✨
Cape Breton’s own Taylor Jensen is a “sappy cowgirl with a little spicy,” blending classic country storytelling with modern pop shine. Her debut single End the Road earned Spotify editorial placements, and her upcoming track “OVER” (coming Nov. 1) marks the next chapter in her evolving sound.

From Blueberry Jam to North of Nowhere, and now backed by The Renaissance Music and Shawn Moore, Taylor’s voice and vision are making waves across the Canadian country scene — and we’re here for it.

🎧 Pre-save Cheap Dopamine: https://orcd.co/cheapdopamine
📸 Photos from
📰 Coverage by
📍Cape Breton → CBMF → Giantstock

09/07/2025

🎤 New Episode Premieres Tonight, featuring Kendra Lyttle!

We’ve got a bonus drop for you as we continue our summer music coverage leading up to CBMF 2025 — rising artist Kendra Lyttle joins us for a heartfelt conversation ahead of her performance with the SOPA All-Stars this Friday in Cavendish.

At just 19, Kendra is carving out her own voice in the Canadian music scene with her debut single Angel Tunes, produced by David Rashed of Haywire. In our chat, she opens up about channeling real emotion into her songwriting, navigating the early stages of her solo career, and finding confidence in her sound.

🎧 Angel Tunes is out now
🎶 Catch Kendra live Friday at CBMF as part of the SOPA All-Stars showcase
📺 Full interview goes live tonight on YouTube:
👉 youtube.com/

✨ Also available on TikTok!

In this special bonus episode, East Coast DNA chats with Kendra Lyttle, a rising Canadian singer-songwriter set to perform as part of the SOPA All-Stars this...

09/07/2025

🌧️ Rain came down on Citadel Hill’s Garrison Grounds, but Alvvays lit up the night at Halifax Music Fest with one of the most memorable moments of the weekend.
As we previously posted, their cover of Sloan’s “I Am The Cancer” — pulled from the Halifax band’s debut Smeared — stirred something in the crowd. And when The Killers later jumped into “Underwhelmed”, the weekend became an unexpected tribute to East Coast alt-rock history.

We’re revisiting the performance through the stunning 📸 photography of Marissa Rosaleen, whose images capture not just the performance, but the feeling — the soaked clothes, stormy sky, and wide-eyed connection between band and crowd. Shooting from Front of House is always a fun challenge, and Marissa made sure to include captures of some media friends sharing the joy. Her work brings the experience back to life.

—

If you’re new to the band, Alvvays (pronounced “always”) started out in Charlottetown, PEI, and eventually rooted themselves in Toronto’s indie scene. But their East Coast identity runs deep — especially in lead singer Molly Rankin, daughter of the late John Morris Rankin of Cape Breton’s beloved Rankin Family.

That legacy hums quietly beneath their shimmering pop melodies, giving Alvvays’ sound a texture that feels both nostalgic and brand new. Their Sloan cover on the Halifax stage wasn’t just a performance — it was a powerful tribute to a lasting East Coast musical legacy.

🛎️ Subscribe for more interviews, photos, and festival coverage from across the East Coast and beyond.

09/07/2025

🎤 BIG BOI LIVE IN HALIFAX – TD HALIFAX JAZZ FESTIVAL 2025 🎤
Tickets ON SALE NOW → halifaxjazzfestival.ca

Big Boi, GRAMMY-winning rapper, producer, and one-half of the legendary duo OutKast, hits the TD Main Stage on Saturday, July 19!
From Ms. Jackson to The Way You Move and All Night, Big Boi’s influence on hip hop and Southern rap is undeniable — and this is your chance to catch a true icon live at the 2025 TD Halifax Jazz Festival.

🗓️ Saturday, July 19, 2025
📍 TD Main Stage – Halifax Waterfront
🎟️ Get General Admission, Premium Seating, or a Festival Pass now at halifaxjazzfestival.ca

🔥 WHY YOU NEED TO BUY EARLY:
✔️ Saturday night headliner – high demand!
✔️ Limited premium seating and passes
✔️ Festival Pass = early entry + access to other shows (subject to capacity)

🎷 FULL FESTIVAL LINEUP – JULY 15–20
🎶 July 15 – Femi Kuti & The Positive Force (Lighthouse)
🎶 July 16 – FREE NIGHT: Adam Baldwin & The Jenny Wren (Main Stage)
🎶 July 17 – Iron & Wine w/ Sarah Harmer (Main Stage)
🎶 July 18 – The Decemberists w/ Goldie Boutilier (Main Stage)
🎶 July 19 – Big Boi (Main Stage)
🎶 July 20 – St. Vincent (Main Stage)

Also featuring: Renee Rosnes + Mike Murley Trio, Bill Frisell Trio, Endea Owens & more!

🎫 Festival Pass: $215.55 | Tickets range from $37–$97
📲 Tickets & full schedule at halifaxjazzfestival.ca

09/07/2025

Our pre-festival coverage of Cavendish Beach Music Festival (CBMF) continues today with Nate Haller!

Breakout Canadian country star Nate is back with the undeniable chart-topper “Backfire,” a duet with 2x ACM Award winner Tenille Townes. This gritty, stomp-clap anthem dives deep into the struggle of holding on when letting go might be the only way forward.

Nate and Tenille’s collaboration follows their successful 2022-2023 tour together, sparking a lasting friendship and powerful musical chemistry. Produced by longtime collaborator Todd Clark, Backfire delivers raw emotion and an infectious energy that’s capturing fans coast to coast.

We often reflect on how CBMF promotes the growth of emerging artists, and Nate is a shining example — returning this year to CBMF’s main stage, a testament to his continued evolution as an entertainer and performer.

Catch Nate live this summer as he brings his unmatched vocals and high-energy performance to major festivals across Canada, including CBMF, Smoke 'n' Spurs, Pigeon Lake Concert Series, Misty City Music Festival, Tailgate Music Festival, and more.

About Nate Haller:
Since launching his solo career, Nate has become one of Canadian country’s premier talents, amassing over 28 million global streams and numerous accolades. Known for his energetic live shows and Top 10 Canadian country radio hits, 2025 promises even bigger things for Nate, including new music and key festival appearances.

More to come from CBMF 2025. Subscribe today so you don't miss a thing!

East Coast DNA sits down with Canadian country sensation Nate Haller at Cavendish Beach Music Festival 2025.With over 28 million streams, a Top 10 radio hit,...

08/07/2025

Our CBMF 2025 coverage continues! 🎶

We first met Mackenzie Critch during our Newfoundland trip for the ECMAs — and it was clear right away she was a force to watch. Now, she’s bringing her powerhouse vocals and fearless songwriting to two performances this Saturday at Cavendish Beach Music Festival!

In our latest interview, Mackenzie talks about her debut album Just Having Fun, blending classical training with raw emotion, and what it means to represent her home province on one of the country’s biggest stages.

📺 Watch the full episode now on YouTube:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/
✨ Now also available on TikTok!

Look for East Coast DNA and Darcy Walsh on site this weekend at CBMF 2025

East Coast DNA catches up with powerhouse singer-songwriter Mackenzie Critch at Cavendish Beach Music Festival 2025.We first crossed paths during her standou...

08/07/2025

It is Cavendish Beach Music Festival Week! East Coast DNA is here to kick off our coverage of this year's event. First up our annual chat with Ben Murphy.

Ben sits down with East Coast DNA to share behind-the-scenes insight into organizing one of Canada’s biggest country music events. We talk lineup decisions, festival growth, community impact, and what fans can expect this year.

🎤 Hosted by East Coast DNA // Darcy Walsh
🎪 Filmed in the lead-up to CBMF 2025
📍 Cavendish, PEI

▶ Subscribe for more exclusive interviews from the festival grounds.

Stay tuned for more advance interviews and then the big event comes this weekend, sure to provide tons of content to share with you over the weekend and the coming weeks

🔗 Follow us: | linktr.ee/eastcoastdna

To kick off our CBMF 2025 coverage, we're joined once again by Ben Murphy, the driving force behind Cavendish Beach Music Festival.In what’s become an annual...

05/07/2025

Last-Minute Rendezvous at Pictou Lobster Carnival 🦞🎶

After missing a few years in Pictou, including some awesome times spent at Cavendish Beach Music Festival, we made a surprise return to the Pictou Lobster Carnival — a festival I’ve personally been attending for more decades than I care to share. With one of our favorite East Coast-connected bands on the lineup, the timing was too perfect to pass up.

Photographer and friend of East Coast DNA, Marissa Rosaleen, received a message from Gina Kennedy of Altered By Mom. Gina, originally from New Glasgow, wanted to reconnect for a live shoot after working together on a beach session last year — a photograph from that shoot is even featured on the inside sleeve of the band’s vinyl release of Better. The Ontario-based band continues to keep one foot firmly planted in Atlantic Canada, and we’re here for it.

Marissa was on site shooting alongside East Coast DNA as I joined her to capture video of both Altered By Mom and Cape Breton’s Elyse Aeryn. Elyse has been a long-time friend of East Coast DNA, and while she’s been featured in early content, this marks our first full capture of her performance since leveling up our gear and creative skillset — bucket list item checked ✔️

We didn’t have access to the pit for the headliner The Trews, so we wrapped up our coverage after Elyse Aeryn’s set. Hopefully we’ll have another chance to catch them soon — they always bring a powerful close to any East Coast stage. As for us, this dynamic media duo quietly slipped away, like Batman and Robin disappearing into the night, to start the editing grind and avoid the post-show rush.

Both acts delivered high-energy sets full of familiar favorites and fresh selections from their latest albums. Keep an eye out for upcoming content featuring footage from this show.

📸 Photo Credit: Marissa Rosaleen
Next stop: CBMF 2025 featuring Shania Twain — look for us on the ground with camera and mic in hand 🎤🎥

05/07/2025

FOMO Alert: New Maritime Music Festival 2025 🎶🌊

We initially had plans to attend the New Maritime Music Festival — a show we sadly missed last year when Sloan and Matt Mays headlined. This year’s lineup is just as stacked for the second year running, featuring acts like July Talk, The Trews, Joel Plaskett Emergency, Wintersleep, and more.

While our FOMO is definitely real this weekend, we connected with a friend of East Coast DNA, PEI-based Shannon Smith. Shannon is working at the festival and soaking in the sounds of one of her favorite bands, The Trews. She was on site last night for the kickoff and kindly shared some highlights from the night — captured here for you all to enjoy!

While Shannon is visiting New Brunswick this weekend, East Coast DNA is gearing up to travel to Prince Edward Island next weekend for CBMF 2025 featuring Shania Twain.

🎥 Video Credit: Shannon Smith

04/07/2025

Kelly McMichael x John Moran x Jake Nicoll – “Nothing Can Hurt Me (Euro Mix)”
Out now via LHM Records 🎧

Velvet synths. Ghostly harmonies. Unshakable emotion.
This stunning new collab emerges from the fog-soaked shores of Newfoundland just in time for Kelly McMichael’s European tour 🌍✈️ + Canadian summer festivals 🇨🇦

✨ Recommended if you like:
Beach House, Chromatics, Bat for Lashes, Cocteau Twins, Ci******es After S*x.

Written by John Moran and co-produced with Jake Nicoll (who also layered in his signature vocals and production magic), Nothing Can Hurt Me (Euro Mix) explores grief and rebirth through dreamy textures and haunting clarity. Kelly’s harmonies seal the track in a supernatural glow 💫

🗓️ TOUR DATES:
🇩🇪 July 5 – Wismar
🇩🇪 July 8 – Cologne (w/ Allie X)
🇳🇱 July 9 – Amsterdam (w/ Allie X)
🇨🇦 July 17–31 – Peterborough, Perth, Guelph, Owen Sound & Toronto