Kat Harlton
Photo: Robin Gessy Gislain
JUNO and ECMA Award-winning folk-pop band, The East Pointers, recently released their highly anticipated new EP Safe In Sound via Nettwerk Music Group on November 3, 2023.
The band has also been busy bringing their fiddle-forward, indie-folk pop across Ontario and the Atlantic provinces since August.
Since forming in 2014, The East Pointers have remained furiously energetic, musically complex, and technically brilliant. They’re grounded in family, as the seventh generations of traditional PEI and Ontario-based Celtic players and writers, and have effortlessly parlayed into the folk-pop arena.
Boasting over 28 million career streams, The East Pointers rose to global acclaim as music pioneers. Their debut album, Secret Victory, clinched a JUNO Award in 2017 for Traditional Roots Album of The Year. Further achievements followed, including a JUNO nomination for “What We Leave Behind” (2018) and seven East Coast Music Awards, three this year for Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year, Group Recording of the Year, and Pop Recording of the Year. The band were also nominated in 2023 for the JUNO Award for ‘Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year.’
In January 2022, the band suffered an unimaginable loss with the sudden passing of beloved member Koady Chaisson, but Tim Chaisson and Jake Charron have continued to carry on. Before his passing, Koady, Tim and Jake recorded new music together and Koady’s spirit lives on with this new music.
I had the opportunity to chat with Tim Chaisson, about their musical journey so far, what fans can expect from the new EP and more.
Kat: Can you share the inspiration behind your new album “Safe In Sound”?
Tim: Safe In Sound is a continuation of and the “B” side to House Of Dreams. After losing our bandmate and best friend, Koady in early 2022, we’re grateful to continue creating with him in spirit. Every track on Safe In Sound, is either something we’ve written while he was with us in person, or developed from one of his musical ideas. It’s cathartic. The title, Safe in Sound, refers to being home, in the safety of a harbour, or entranced by music, as Koady often was.
Kat: What do you hope fans take from the new EP?
Tim: We hope folks feel something when listening to this EP – whether it’s a little dance or a cry! We’ve put our whole hearts into this EP, so we hope you like!
Kat: What do you find is the most challenging part of your creative process?
Tim: Sometimes, it’s hard to know when a song is done! It’s so easy to second guess yourself, your artistic decisions and whether you’re making the right calls. At some point, you just have to let go and trust the process!
Kat: What has been a career highlight for you so far? What have you learned along the way?
Tim: I’d say a career highlight for us has been winning a JUNO award for our first album, Secret Victory. It was a total shock that felt like a million miles away – a pleasant surprise!
Kat: What’s next?
Tim: We’re heading on a Canadian Tour this November with our Newfoundland buds, Fortunate Ones. Then we’re off to Australia and the UK in 2024 :)
The East Pointers Upcoming Tour Dates
November 5 – Fredericton, NB – Playhouse Theatre
November 8 – Kingston, ON – Grad Club
November 10 – Toronto, ON – The Rivoli
November 12 – Guelph, ON – Royal City Church
November 13 – London, ON – The Aeolian
December 16 – Charlottetown, PE – Confederation Centre of the Arts
For more information on The East Pointers and their upcoming tour dates, please visit https://www.theeastpointers.ca.