Showcase PEI 2024

Sam Langille, Josh Langille, and Daniel Hartinger are Absolute Losers, a rock trio based in Charlottetown, PEI. Since forming in 2019, the band has camouflaged their pop sensibilities with wiry guitar work, intertwining bass and drum parts, and hook-laden, nonchalant vocals. In their latest efforts, Absolute Losers shed the camouflage and proudly bear their knack for catchy melodies, soaring harmonies, and straight-to-point pop songwriting. 

Alicia Toner is an award-winning singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the East Coast of Canada. Her latest album, “Joan”, marks the arrival of a truly remarkable artist. Nominated for two East Coast Music Awards (Rising Star and Solo Recording of the Year) and winning Solo Artist of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, “Joan” is full of hooks, masterful vocals, compelling lyrics and top-notch production. It is a collection of songs that demands your attention.

Aubin pi la S.C.B. (Sea Can Band) is an Acadian rock n’ roll band from Abram-Village, Prince Edward Island. Formed in 2019 in Iqaluit, Nunavut by Riel Gallant and Dave White, the group is now based in PEI and is comprised of Riel Gallant (guitarist, singer), Robbie Gallant (guitar), Shane Arsenault (drums). and Dawson Arsenault (bass). The group recorded and released its first album Yousque l’hell with Remi Arsenault in 2022. Their live show is loud, funny, and full of energy. The group was nominated for the Prix de L’Acadie at the 2024 PEI Music Awards and will be releasing new music during the year.

Brad Milligan is an award winning Singer/Songwriter from Charlottetown, PE, well-known for his golden voice and impassioned stage presence. Previously of the group ‘Arsenal Mills’, with whom he won a Music PEI award in 2022, Brad has more recently began his solo career. Releasing his Debut EP “Gettin’ Better’ in June of 2023 to great acclaim, garnering him another award nomination, ECMA showcases, and opening slots for artists like; Brett Kissel, The Trews, and Buckcherry.

Brooke MacArthur is a country singer/songwriter who was recently a double nominee at the 2024 Music PEI awards. Over the last year, she released two singles and had the honor of sharing stages with artists such as Brett Kissel and Alan Doyle. Driven by her passion for songwriting, Brooke has been refining her skills in the studio, collaborating with songwriters across the nation and evolving her sound.

Catherine MacLellan is a singer-songwriter from Prince Edward Island. She is a JUNO award-winning artist and respected songwriter with seven albums and a global fan base. Catherine’s heartfelt music takes you on a journey through life’s ups and downs. Her dedication to songwriting and her engagement with her audience is at the heart of her craft.

Dennis Ellsworth is a songwriter, performer, sideman, and record producer from Charlottetown, PE. He has collaborated with Josh Finlayson and Andy Maize from Skydiggers, Gord Downie from The Tragically Hip, Joel Plaskett, Donovan Woods, Rose Cousins, John Smith, and David Barbe. Dennis is signed to CYMBA Music Publishing who have been placing his songs in a variety of television and film. His latest album, Modern Hope, was releases in March 2024 on Tonic Records

Since 2013, Dylan Menzie has been building a catalogue of acclaimed, award winning music. Drawing inspiration from acts like Wilco, Fleet Foxes, and Vampire Weekend; Menzie is a combination of folk, rock, and pop elements best described as Indie Pop Americana. His dynamic, powerful vocals and compelling songwriting have allowed him to tour countries around the world. Constantly moving forward, Menzie is gearing up his next release “North American Dream Kid” – set for September 6th, 2024.

Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys electrify audiences worldwide with their energetic blend of roots, folk, and traditional music. Hailing from Prince Edward Island, Canada, MacKeeman’s masterful fiddling and dynamic step dancing lead the charge, backed by a talented ensemble of musicians on guitar, bass, and percussion. Their high-energy performances and infectious stage presence have earned them acclaim at festivals and concerts, captivating audiences with their boundless charisma and virtuosic musicianship.

Formed in 2022, PEI based alt-rock up-and-comers Hit the Coast have begun making an impact with the release of 3 singles, high quality live performance footage, and most recently their first music video. While the band is newly formed, its members have participated in ECMA winning projects like Coyote and Sorrey. Hit the Coast’s alt-rock sound lands somewhere between Our Lady Peace, Big Wreck, and Foals.

Tuli (BC), Karson (ON) and Tom (USA) came to Prince Edward Island as music students and became Inn Echo in 2019, closely weaving what is now their distinct symphony of living tradition. From the Woodford Folk Festival in Australia to the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Scotland, The Calgary Folk Festival to their hometown PEI Festival of Small Halls, Inn Echo have a reputation as tradition keepers and tune makers that will take you to dawn.

Juno nominated and Multi Award winning artist Irish Mythen isn’t just a singer songwriter. Their live performances are known for so much more than just their songs. The delivery and interaction between the stage and crowd are always something to behold. Irish has taken their solo show to some of the biggest festivals in the world including Glastonbury where they were announced as a not to be missed act on the Avalon stage, three time act at The Byron Bay Blues festival, the Sydney Opera House and many many more throughout Europe the Americas and Oceania.

Joce Reyome discovered their true passion in the world of music, blending classic blues with raw vocals while tapping into the sweet origins of folk. In 2022, Reyome was honored as Music PEI’s “Entertainer of the Year” and received multiple nominations. They’ve performed on the Confederation Centre of the Arts main stage, JUNOfest 2024, East Coast Music Awards and had collaborations with artists like Erin Costelo, Greg Alsop, Logan Richard. Reyome, a genuine soul, brings authenticity to their performances, turning audiences into active participants in a journey through heartbreak, humor, and the essence of love itself.

Lawrence Maxwell’s album “Ballad of Miles” received seven Music PEI Award nominations and airplay on platforms like Sirius XM’s ‘Top of the Country,’ Country Hits Radio UK, and CBC’s ‘Q.’ Lauded by Roots Music Canada as “the first great Canadian alt-country album of 2022,” the record’s neo-traditional production draws comparisons to John Prine and Merle Haggard. An ECMA award nominee and two-time Music PEI award winner, Maxwell will tell it to you like it’s folk, and sing it to you like it’s country.

Internationally known PEI songwriter Lennie Gallant has released fifteen albums of original songs which have won him a host of awards and nominations. Gallant is a much-respected songwriter by fans and artists alike and not long ago he was asked to write songs with the late great Jimmy Buffett for his last album, Equal Strain on All Parts. His song “Peter’s Dream” was inducted in the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and he is a member of The Order of Canada. 

From the corner stages of low-lit blues bars, to the spell-binding spectacles on theatre bills, Logan Richard’s beckoning melodies have swiftly risen to prominence in the Canadian music scene. As a Prince Edward Island-born songwriter, guitarist, and producer, Richard has built and continues to hone his catalogue of original music, the likes of which have already been featured in noteworthy TV and film sync placements, such as: Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia, City TV’s Hudson and Rex, and Hockey Night in Canada.

At just 17 years old, Luka Hall stands as a prodigious fiddle-playing virtuoso hailing from Prince Edward Island. Since the age of 9, Luka has been captivating audiences with his mesmerizing performances, establishing himself as a rising star in the vibrant island trad music scene. With his latest release, “When I Saw You”, Luka’s new self penned single, he steps into a brighter spotlight as not only an instrumentalist but also a vocalist.

Nick Doneff’s stock-in-trade is an unassuming marriage of warm nostalgia and gallows humour delivered with a wringing grip on his scratch-and-dent Fender Mustang. Tom Power, host of CBC’s flagship arts and culture program “Q”, describes him as a cross between John Prine and Joel Plaskett and an artist that “you need to hear.”

With 5 Music PEI and 2 ECMA nominations in 2024, Island singer-songwriter Noah Malcolm is making his mark. Oozing originality on stages like M for Montreal, Lunenburg Folk Fest, Cavendish Beach Music Fest, JUNOFest, ECMA’s, or with the PEI Symphony, Malcolm’s array of influences are revealed in his predominantly folk-pop sound. His grungy 2024 release ‘January’ earned his first Spotify Editorial playlists, catching new ears around the globe. Signed to CYMBA Music Publishing.

A classical pianist with a wry wit, pianist Sarah Hagen enjoys a rich and diverse concertising life in Europe and across Canada and the US including twice to NYC’s Carnegie Hall. Awarded as Artist of the Year by both Ontario Contact and the BC Touring Council, her interpretations have been described as “outstandingly inventive” [University of Waterloo Gazette], ”played flawlessly” [ReviewVancouver], “with great sensitivity and heart” [Vernon Morning Star]. Highlights of recent seasons include solo sets at Tønder Festival in Denmark, Mariposa Folk Festival, and Vancouver Island Music Fest.

Tara MacLean is an award winning, internationally renowned Canadian singer/songwriter, touring artist and now author. She is currently working on her 9th studio album. Her memoir, Song of the Sparrow, became an instant best seller. This year, she won Song of the Year at the PEI Music Awards and was nominated for 3 ECMAs. She is looking forward to her first UK tour summer of 2024.

The Burning Hell is the musical project of songwriter Mathias Kom and multi-instrumentalist Ariel Sharratt, often including additional collaborators. Their genre-shifting music is packed with literary and pop-cultural forebears, incorporating a fixation on apocalypse into exuberant, participatory songs which have taken them all over the world. ‘Garbage Island,’ their newest album, was released in 2022 on You’ve Changed Records in North America and BB*Island elsewhere, and their next record will be released in early 2025.

The Umbrella Collective is a six-piece band based in Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island). Diverse in their life experiences, these six musicians have united in Charlottetown to create a unique sound and believe that “UC IS ON THE RISE”. The Umbrella Collective defies the boundaries of musical genres and is on a journey radiating love and integrating community through their music. UC is building themselves as individuals, as a group, and working together with creatives from the community. Fresh off the November 2023 release, they are all set to perform and tour their debut tape “WELCOME TO STUDIO UC!” which won R&B/Soul Recording of the Year 2024 and Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year 2024 at the Music PEI Awards 2024. They have also been at ECMA 2024 nominated for the Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year 2024. performing at festivals across Turtle Island (Canada), primarily in Epekwitk (PEI) for their debut tour “WELCOME TO STUDIO UC! Summer Tour 2024”.

Tiffany Liu, an accomplished Pipa player from China, seamlessly blends traditional Chinese music with global influences. Recognized for her exceptional skill, she captivates audiences worldwide. A nominee for prestigious awards like ECMA and awarded for the ‘Achievement of World Music’ at the MusicPEI Awards in 2024, Tiffany bridges cultures through her artistry, sharing the beauty of the Pipa with a global audience.