Taking a short break from their busy touring schedule in North America, just so they can appear at the Shetland Folk Festival, are award-winning Canadian trio The East Pointers from Prince Edward Island. Their slew of tunes carries a diverse mix of influence, but what the band members all share in common is the undeniable ability to get hands clapping, feet stomping, and bodies of all ages bouncing in harmony.
Formed in 2014, The East Pointers are three young men whose talent and penchant for traditional Celtic tunes of decades past greatly belie their respective ages. And while each member of the trio – banjoist/vocalist/step-dancer Koady Chaisson, fiddle player/vocalist Tim Chaisson, and guitarist/vocalist Jake Charron – is an accomplished musician in his own right, their union produces a blend of Celtic tunes, songs and step-dances moulded into something uniquely Canadian through a history which goes back generations.
The Chaisson cousins hail from Prince Edward Island, with Tim touring the world as a performer/songwriter with a pop and country-tinged take on contemporary folk, and Koady often at his side or supporting other touring trad acts with his banjo, bass, and six-string. Jake, on the other hand, is based in Ontario and has strummed, plucked, and played piano alongside a laundry list of award-winning performers from around the globe.
As their trunk of traditional and original tunes – some with an Irish influence, some Scottish, others rooted in the Maritimes – started to fill up, the trio realised it was time to put some to tape and take them on the road. They’re currently on an extensive tour of Australia and the UK and will be appearing at this year’s Celtic Connections. Last year saw appearances at the infamous Tonder Festival in Denmark, Woodford Folk Festival in Australia and Celtic Colours International Festival in Cape Breton.
The Shetland Folk Festival committee is absolutely delighted to be welcoming these guys in 2016!
Furiously energetic yet organic, celebratory yet cool, this is an impressive calling-card for a band who are soon likely to be making waves around the world
Songlines
Just a powerhouse live – one of the tightest bands I’ve seen in a very long time and so charismatic!
Timber and Steel (Australia)
Find out more at eastpointers.ca.
Find them on Facebook, X, SoundCloud and Vimeo.
