Formed in 2023 at Riverview high school osprey started off as a background band for the RHS cover of share the land. After that they’ve been playing school shows and are excited to fly together to ribfest and rock out there.

John Angus MacNeil-drums

Donovan Doyle-guitar and vocals

Colin Macaulay-bass

Cam is a singer/songwriter born and raised in Cape Breton. He has been playing music since his Mom put a guitar in his hands at the age of 12. When he is not playing shows around town, he can be found spending time with his beautiful wife and kids. Cam has a solid sound that spans many genres and does justice to them all.

Broken Road consists of four close friends: Brandon Bates (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Mike Gorey (Lead Guitar ) Alan Buckingham (Percussion) and Bill Jeans (Bass) Brandon started the band in high school, and after
several lineup changes met Alan while both were working together. The two discovered each other’s strong interest in music, and quickly started writing songs and booking gigs. The band has since gone on to showcase their talents on some big stages, opening for world-famous acts such as Slowcoaster, The Town Heroes and Pretty Archie. You can find
Broken Road playing at festivals and events throughout the summer or entertaining fans during local music events. Although they love playing cover songs the band strives to create original content for everyone to listen to and enjoy.

Broken Road released their Debut EP titled ‘Less is More’ on all streaming platforms on October 2, 2020.

Broken Road are set to being releasing new content from their upcoming project for Summer 2025

You’ve asked, so say hello to the Shipyard Dogs

Mike Buckingham – percussion

Charles Smith – guitar, vocals

James Eddy – guitar, harmonica, vocals.

Hailing from parts unknown, they write, record and produce their own material in a basement in the shipyard. Hence, ‘The Shipyard Dogs’.

Collectively, they carry a swagger, that showcases the musicianship of 100+ years combined.

Voted #72, out of thousands incredible musicians, in 2023 by the East Coast Countdown music chart. They shared stages with the best the east coast offers and also afar.

They provide a toe tapping, sit back  and sing along show.

Engaging every audience member to make everyone feel like part of the band.

A true listening experience with over the top musicianship.

Cape Breton Island is known for its songwriters and musicians – Bobby Currie is no exception. Bobby has been contributing to the music industry throughout the Atlantic Provinces for the past 30 years.

Bobby’s passion for entertaining shows on stage through his live performances. His natural talent to entertain is evident by his ability to perform with a variety of other musicians. Bobby has had the opportunity to play with musicians such as; Terry Kelly, Steven Page from Barenaked Ladies, J.P. Cormier, Buddy MacMaster, Jimmy , Dave MacIssac, Rita MacNeil, and Howie MacDonald to name a few. Bobby’s musical experience also includes band performances. He has played as part of Treazon, Tequila, and Lyin’ Eyes. After performing as a rock and country musician, Bobby’s heart has lead him back to his traditional roots and his first solo album – A Tribute to Grandfather Charlie MacKinnon.

Charlie MacKinnon has passed on but his music still lives on through the requests on radio stations throughout North America and Europe. Bobby was eager to record some of his grandfather’s most popular songs, allowing a whole new generation of music lovers to enjoy these timeless traditional classics. The Tribute Album features four generations of the same family. The song, Between Two Trees, features Charlie MacKinnon Jr., and Bobby. This was made possible through modern technology; vocal track of the late Charlie MacKinnon Sr. was lifted from his last recording made in 1982.

Spectrum Studios was able to trade verses and harmonize on the chorus in a recording that is nostalgic, yet modern in sound and concept! Keeping with family traditional, The Waters of Iona features the vocals of Bobby’s daughter, Allisha. The Recording Engineer and Record Producer of Spectrum Studios, Mike Wadden, has been quoted “The album was a joy to produce. It came together smoothly because Bobby is such a pro!” Bobby and his grandmother Marion MacKinnon of Howie Center accepted the Stompin’ Tom Award for Cape Breton on behalf of the late Charlie MacKinnon. Charlie MacKinnon is credited with 12 recorded albums in the famous Kelly’s Mountain and The Ghost of Bras d’Or. Bobby’s plans include attempting to match his Grandfathers success.

Bobby’s history in music goes back to his childhood. One of his favorite memories is being asked to join kitchen parties and perform with family and friends. These experiences and his ear for music have given him the ability to play with any individual or band and contribute to the performance very easily.

The success of his solo album and the desire to entertain with his peers, he decided to put together the “Charlie MacKinnon Music Festival” in memory of his grandfather. Held in East Bay in July it was enjoyed by tourists and residents alike. A quote such as “To say we were impressed by the array of talent would be an under-statement, it was great and we plan to attend next year” was one comment submitted to the Cape Breton Post.

Bobby will not pass up an opportunity to perform and has been found performing in songwriters’ circles, festivals, Ceilidhs, and intimate settings.

Bobby’s plan is to write, record, and perform his own music and have it played to as many people as he can through radio and live performances. He is willing to go the distance to make this happen and doing so by  followed up by 2^nd album Evolving and included mostly all original songs including Big City Small Town and caught the attention of radio stations across the east coast and landed in the top 10 for weeks and  it was also used for a production for MTV

following that the 3^rd album was a live CD recorded at a local pub of a mix of traditional songs and added was a recording writing by bobby called The Clipper that he wrote for the Cape Breton Clipper that represented Cape Breton in the around the world yacht race and was played when arriving to each port his song was picked from hundreds of submitted  songs from the crew and organizers in England.

He is now in the plan on working on his 4^th album and expanding live performances across Canada

For booking information please contact,

cabotmusicp@gmail.com

The MacLean brothers come together for your listening pleasure. The band consists of Larry (drummer, vocals), Dave (bass, vocals), Blaise (rhythm guitar, vocals) George (lead singer, guitar) and his best friend Paddy Carroll (guitar, vocals). They perform party music from the 60s and 70s, and specialize in fun and more fun! 

Robbie Simms. A veteran of Cape Breton’s local rock scene who’s been slinging tunes since the 90s. If there’s a nook or cranny he hasn’t played even he’d be surprised. Wither it’s a basement hall floor or the Savoy stage, he’s been there belting his brand of soulful, grungy, alt driven songs as well as his favourite classic covers from all decades.

With plans to release his first collection of songs later this year, you can catch them live before they’re canned.

Jud has a genuine love for playing music and has been making a name for himself in the Nova Scotian music scene. With performances at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival, the Pictou Lobster Carnival and the New Glasgow Jubilee under his belt, Jud has captivated live audiences across the Maritime provinces, and has only just begun.

Dedicated to the craft of guitar playing, with an appreciation for artists such as Chet Atkins, Doc Watson, John Allan Cameron, Buddy Holly, Roger Miller, Hank Snow, Stompin’ Tom Connors and the Delmore Brothers, Jud Gunning has been building up a strong repertoire of classic songs and instrumentals.

He looks forward to following in the footsteps of his musical heroes, and taking his talent wherever the road may lead him.

Backhouse Brass is a six piece brass band that reimagines traditional brass chamber music by performing upbeat, funky arrangements of songs everyone loves. Originally envisioned as a one-off act for a senior high school concert, 2020’s Covid pandemic meant that the group had to get creative or give up. So, they took the extra free time to buckle down, practice, and arrange music. They began busking at their local boardwalk in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, entertaining crowds with their high energy, and unique sound. Now, the Canadian band is out with a vengeance, playing in festivals, bars, weddings, and anywhere they can get the masses moving, while still leaving time for shows by the water. With their debut cover of Full Heart Fancy, Backhouse Brass showed they can take their enthusiasm to the digital world. Since then they have had the honour of being part of many events and festivals in their home island of Cape Breton including but not limited to Blueberry Jam, Rankin’s Winter Warmers, Sydney Ribfest, Louisbourg Crabfest, Rock The Fiddle, and many more! They have shared the stage with large names is Canadian and Nova Scotian music such as Jim Cuddy, Joel Plaskett, Classified, Rankin MacInnis and The Broken Reeds, The Barra MacNeils, and Gordie Sampson. Their travels have taken them to Halifax where they have busked at the waterfront and Argyle St as well as partaking in the 2025 Rankin’s Winter Warmers festivities at The Marquee Ballroom. In May of 2024 Backhouse Brass gained a lot of media interest when they played five days of not-for-profit shows at 15 Cape Breton Regional Centre for Education schools to give back to the music program that they all passed through, and to help inspire the next generation of musicians. Backhouse Brass has a big summer of gigs planned, and is excited to have a 5th year of sharing their music with all of you!

Website:

https://linktr.ee/backhousebrass?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=ad1d32c6-a2de-4652-8524-b027e5e0221a

Slowcoaster is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1999 in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. They are known for their energetic live performances and a unique blend of rock, reggae, ska, funk, hip-hop, and jazz. The band’s core members are Steven MacDougall (guitar, vocals), Mike LeLievre (bass), and Brian Talbot (drums). 

Slowcoaster’s music incorporates diverse influences, creating a distinctive sound that has resonated with audiences. They have released several albums and EPs, including “Where Are They Going?” and “The Darkest of Discos,” and have toured extensively throughout Canada and beyond, including performances in Japan. The band has also been recognized with East Coast Music Awards, including one for Alternative Rock Album of the Year. 

Beyond their musical output, Slowcoaster is known for its independent spirit and innovative approach to music distribution. They founded their own management company, House of Rock, to promote not only their own music but also other artists from Cape Breton. 

Coastline is a young, high-energy band from Cape Breton made up of talented Cape Breton University students. With a mix of folk, country, pop, rock, and traditional Cape Breton tunes, they bring something for everyone and always keep a gig fun and lively. The band includes Breagh Kelly (lead singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist), Ryan MacNamara (lead singer and guitarist), Luke MacKinnon (banjo, mandolin, guitar, electric guitar, vocals), Ben Smith (Cape Breton fiddle), and Cameron Sollazzo (drummer). They play at venues all over the island, and if you find yourself at a Coastline gig, you’re in for a great time!

Grasshopper consists of veteran musicians Angelo Spinazzola and Bryan Picard. The boys would jam late night after chief Bryan Picard closed This restaurant he Bite House until sunrise. Those jams turned into the foundation of the band. Their styling are of musician J.J Cale with a twist of Americana and blues. After time they started writing and recording together and have released their solo full length album titled Southern Bones which gained attention from radio stations across the country and garnered them an ECMA nomination.

Esteemed Cape Breton singer-songwriter Buddy MacDonald has been entertaining audiences for more than 45 years. The 2022 East Coast Music Association (ECMA) Stompin’ Tom Award-winner was exposed at an early age to the singing and storytelling of some of the great singers of his native Island. Much of his songwriting is still influenced by this style that he was so familiar with as a young boy on the North Shore, and his songs have been performed and recorded by artists around the world. Buddy has entertained audiences throughout Canada, the United States, Germany, Scotland and the Scandinavian countries, performing as a solo act and in different combinations with other musicians from Cape Breton including Natalie MacMaster, Howie MacDonald, Ashley MacIsaac, Dave MacIsaac, and John Allan Cameron among many others. Buddy was host of the late-night Festival Club at Celtic Colours from 1997-2022 and has performed all over the Island with musicians from both sides of the Atlantic including Scotland’s Dougie MacLean and Archie Fisher, and Ireland’s Tommy Makem and Michael Black. Buddy’s iconic song, “Getting Dark Again”, was inducted into the Cape Breton Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2023. Whether in a small country hall, pub, festival or concert theatre, Buddy’s love of writing, singing and entertaining comes across to bridge the gap between performer and listener.

Bethany June is a folk singer songwriter from Ontario. She found her love for sharing her music while busking in Ireland. You can find her music on all music streaming platforms and catch her playing live around Cape Breton at various locations. You can follow her @bethanyjunemusic on Instagram or Facebook to keep up to date with her upcoming shows and events.

A 5 piece rock band hailing from Sydney, NS, with a vast array of musical influences. Borrowing from classic rock, prog rock and modern metal, and incorporating a blend of groove and technicality, darling Octane creates a catchy, original sound.