Songwriters From Here And Away

Celebrating East Coast Music Awards and Looking Back at Music Nova Scotia's 2025 Award Nominees

As the East Coast Music Awards take place this weekend, we’re revisiting a special Songwriters From Here and Away episode featuring some of the remarkable artists nominated in last year’s Music Nova Scotia awards. We wish we could be there this weekend but local concerts took over! We send all the folks in Sydney, Nova Scotia our best wishes and hope they all have a grand old time!

This episode captures the depth, diversity, and heart of Nova Scotia’s music community — from roots and folk to jazz, blues, and contemporary songwriting. It’s a chance to look back at some outstanding songs and artists who helped shape our province’s musical landscape over the past year.

Featured artists include:

• Charlie A’Court
• 11th & Duke
• Terra Spencer
• Joe H Henry
• Kristen Martell
• The Jazz Enthusiast
• Morgan Toney
• Geoff Arsenault

 

Whether you’re following this year’s nominees or simply love discovering East Coast songwriting, this is a great listen for awards weekend. Tune in and celebrate the artists who continue to make Atlantic Canada such a vibrant musical home.

More East Coast Music, Concerts & Workshops @ www.SFHAA.ca

From Coffeehouses to Kerrville — Sam Robbins on Songwriting & Survival

This week on Songwriters From Here and Away, we welcome rising songwriter Sam Robbins for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about songwriting, touring, creativity, and his tunes.

Often described as an “old soul singer-songwriter,” Sam blends the warmth and storytelling tradition of artists like James Taylor and Jackson Browne with a modern folk sensibility all his own. A Berklee College of Music graduate and nationally touring performer, Sam has quickly become one of the most respected emerging voices in today’s folk community.

 

In this episode, Sam dives deep into the craft of songwriting — where ideas come from, how songs evolve, and what makes certain lyrics resonate long after the music ends. Along the way, he performs and we share tracks, tells stories from the road, and talks openly about the realities of building a career in independent music.

 

Sam’s accomplishments include:

 

• Winner of the prestigious 2021 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Competition
• “Most Wanted to Return” artist at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
• Main stage performances at Kerrville, Falcon Ridge, Philadelphia Folk Festival and more
• Over 200 live performances per year across North America
• Shared stages with artists including Jason Mraz and David Wilcox
• Named one of Atwood Magazine’s “Artists to Watch” for 2025
• Increasing recognition as an outstanding fingerstyle guitarist and songwriter

 

His latest album, So Much I Still Don’t See, produced by Seth Glier, captures the reflective spirit of a young songwriter shaped by thousands of touring miles, deep conversations, and a growing understanding of the world around him.

 

Find @SamRobbins ’ music, tour dates, and more at:

www.SamRobbinsMusic.com

https://www.facebook.com/sam.robbins.7777

@sam.robbins.7777

Insta: @samrobbinsmusic

#SamRobbins

#SFHAA

#SingerSongwriter

#FolkMusic

#AcousticMusic

#CanadianPodcast

#MusicPodcast

#FingerstyleGuitar

#MusicDiscovery

www.SFHAA.ca

 

Dave Gunning: Field Notes and Fine Songs

This week on Songwriters From Here and Away, I’m joined by one of Canada’s most respected and celebrated songwriters, Dave Gunning. In this special interview episode, we talk about his acclaimed new album Field Notes, the stories behind the songs, and the journey that continues to shape his remarkable career.

We’ll hear tracks from Field Notes including Vincent Coleman, She Is The Swan, Angels Share, World Of Make Believe, Sunrise Trail, Going Nowhere Tonight, The Cost, Blue Heart, Pursued By Grace, Raven’s Glen. Plus some vintage Dave: These Hands, Horse For Sale, Saltwater Hearts and a Terra Spencer song Dave produced.

 

Known for powerful storytelling, unforgettable melodies, and deep roots in Atlantic Canada, Dave remains one of the finest voices in contemporary folk music.

🎧 Tune in for songs, stories, and conversation with a true Canadian master songwriter.

🔗 Official Website: https://DaveGunning.com

🎵 About Dave

Dave Gunning is a multi-award-winning singer-songwriter from Pictou County, Nova Scotia whose songs have earned national and international acclaim for their emotional depth, social insight, and vivid storytelling. Over a career spanning more than two decades, he has released a celebrated catalogue of recordings and toured extensively across Canada, United States, United Kingdom, and beyond. A multiple recipient of East Coast Music Awards and Canadian Folk Music Awards recognition, Gunning is admired by audiences and peers alike for songs that honour working people, history, home, and the human spirit. Whether on festival stages, theatres, or intimate listening rooms, he delivers performances marked by warmth, humour, and authenticity.

#DaveGunning #FieldNotes #SongwritersFromHereAndAway #CanadianSongwriters #NovaScotiaMusic #EastCoastMusic #FolkMusic #SingerSongwriter #CanadianFolk #MaritimeMusic #Podcast #MusicInterview #RootsMusic #SupportCanadianMusic

www.SFHAA.ca

The Weight of Words Across the Quiet Places: Canadian Songwriters

This week’s episode leans into the emotional core of songwriting—apologies, longing, connection, and self-reflection. From intimate acoustic moments to richly textured arrangements, these Canadian artists explore what it means to stay, to leave, and to be truly heard. There’s a quiet strength running through this set—songs that don’t shout, but linger—offering listeners a deeply human, coast-to-coast musical experience. www.SFHAA.ca

Jessie Bird – “If This Is How Sorry Goes”

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/jessiebirdmusic

A raw and reflective take on apology, questioning whether words alone can ever be enough.

 

Alick Mac – “500 Days”

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/alickmacmusic

A thoughtful, time-marked journey through love and distance, carried by understated storytelling.

 

Jon Martin and Lovers – “Little Heartbeat”

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/jonmartinmusic

A tender, rhythm-driven piece that captures the fragility and persistence of connection.

 

Thea Koper – “If I Were A Stone”

🔗 https://www.theakoper.com

A beautifully introspective song imagining emotional stillness as both refuge and burden.

 

Elisa Thorn – “My Moon”

🔗 https://www.elisathorn.com

Delicate and atmospheric, this track glows with harp-led textures and poetic lyricism.

 

Geoff Arsenault – “Two Bodies, One Soul”

🔗 https://geoffarsenault.com

A warm, roots-infused duet exploring deep connection and shared experience.

 

Cam Blake – “Endless”

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/camblakemusic

A smooth, contemplative song that drifts through themes of time and continuity.

 

Ian Sherwood – “Don’t Want To Leave”

🔗 https://iansherwood.com

Energetic and heartfelt, this track balances urgency with emotional honesty.

 

Jesse Bird – “If This Is How Sorry Goes”

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/jessiebirdmusic

A second listen that reinforces the song’s emotional weight and lyrical nuance.

 

Jim Henman – “Round In Circles”

🔗 https://www.jimhenman.com

A seasoned songwriter’s reflection on cycles—musical, personal, and universal.

 

Shirley Jackson – “Do You Want Me To Be Honest?”

🔗 https://www.shirleyjackson.ca

A direct and compelling piece that confronts truth-telling with clarity and courage.

From Coastlines to City Streets: Songs from Across Canada

This week on Songwriters From Here And Away, www.SFHAA.ca, a rich mix of Canadian songwriting voices spanning roots, folk, soul, and storytelling that runs deep.

Bishop J. Church – “Affection”
🔗 https://bishopjchurch.bandcamp.com
A gritty, soulful cut that leans into emotional vulnerability with a bluesy, late-night feel.

Denielle Bassels – “Songbird”
🔗 https://deniellebassels.com
Known for her vintage jazz-pop style, this track showcases her smoky vocals and timeless songwriting charm.

Don River – “Wool People”
🔗 https://donriver.bandcamp.com
A quirky, genre-blurring piece with poetic imagery and a distinctly offbeat indie sensibility.

Jason Wilson and Ashara – “Coal Dust Caruso”
🔗 https://jasonwilsonmusic.com
A cinematic, roots-driven narrative blending reggae influences with working-class storytelling.

Jason Wilson and Ashara – “The Shoemaker”
🔗 https://jasonwilsonmusic.com
Another evocative collaboration—rich in detail, weaving history and melody into a compelling folk tale.

Jess Knights – “I Know That I Love You”
🔗 https://jessknightsmusic.com
A heartfelt, modern folk love song with clear vocals and an intimate, confessional tone.

Julia Skye – “T-Shirt”
🔗 https://juliasyke.com (note: confirm URL spelling)
A light, catchy pop-leaning tune that captures fleeting moments and youthful nostalgia.

Malia Rogers – “I Could Barely Drive”
🔗 https://maliarogersmusic.com
A reflective piece with emotional weight, pairing understated instrumentation with honest lyricism.

Cam Blake – “Passenger”
🔗 https://camblakemusic.com
Smooth and contemplative, this track explores movement—both literal and emotional—through warm melodies.

Graeme Jones – “Ride Or Die”
🔗 https://graemejonesmusic.com
A roots-rock anthem about loyalty and connection, delivered with energy and heart.

James Harley – “Rock N Roll Man”
🔗 https://jamesharleymusic.com
A spirited nod to classic rock influences, celebrating the enduring pull of the genre.

Satellite Birdhouse – “One More Afternoon”
🔗 https://satellitebirdhouse.com
Dreamy and atmospheric, this song drifts through memory with layered textures and gentle hooks.

The Harpoonist – “Show Me The Green”
🔗 https://theharpoonist.com
Bluesy, groove-heavy, and unmistakably cool—an infectious track with swagger and bite.

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#SongwritersFromHereAndAway #CanadianSongwriters #IndieMusic #FolkMusic #RootsMusic #SingerSongwriter #NewMusic #MusicDiscovery #EastCoastMusic #SupportCanadianMusic

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April Wine co-founder, Jim Henman shares his stories & songs in Concert

Jim Henman www.JimHenman.com shares songs & stories in a live concert recorded in Musquodoboit, NS.

• Co-founder of April Wine
• installed into the Canadian Music Industry Hall Of Fame, along with April Wine
• Juno award, commemorating April Wine’s  induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Writing his first tune, at age 12, Jim spent much of his youth strumming a Stella acoustic guitar on the sandy shores of Clam Harbour, Nova Scotia. Jim wrote his first song on this Stella. Jim, with high school friends Myles Goodwyn, Greg Stephen, Dave Dodsworth & Doug Grace started the top 40 band, “Woodies Termites”. Jim and Myles went on to co-found the Canadian rock band, April Wine, in the fall of 1969 with Jim’s cousins, David and Ritchie Henman.  Shortly after the release of their debut album in 1971, Jim decided to leave the band, moving back to the East Coast to start a family and pursue a career in Medical Technology.

Jim officially re-emerged onto the East Coast music scene in the 90s, co-writing and co-producing the album,” More Than My Share” for Cape Breton singer, Jeannie Beks. He also co-wrote the music for “Death the Musical”, a stage production performed both at Halifax’s Neptune Theatre and in French, at Théâtre Génération in Montréal. This musical score was later released on CD and you can hear it at https://open.spotify.com/album/393fHJBKi7G7O5IUlYjU68

In keeping a promise to his late friend, Canadian blues artist, Rick Jeffery, Jim completed and produced Rick’s final album, 13 Vultures in 2009. 

 

Jim is accompanied by keyboardist Robert Campbell for this concert. www.RCampbell.com 

Songwriters From Here And away www.SFHAA.ca 

The Leaving & The Staying - Great Tracks from Canadian Songwriters

This week on Songwriters From Here and Away, we’ve got a beautiful mix of thoughtful writing, great voices, and songs that stick with you:

Alanna Sterling – Everything’s Gonna Be Just Fine – A warm, reassuring song that leans into hope and the quiet strength of simple words.
Eddy Currents – It's A Jungle Out There – A sharp, observant take on modern life, full of energy and edge.
Coraline James – Maybe – A tender, reflective song that captures the uncertainty and vulnerability of love.
Five.X.Five (feat. Billy the Kid) – Before You Leave – A powerful collaboration about holding on, letting go, and the moments in between.
Jordyn Pollard – If I Got You – A heartfelt song about love being the one thing that makes everything else make sense.
Tom Eastland – Rest Your Head – A gentle, comforting song that feels like a late-night conversation with an old friend.
Rachel Therrien – Beauty Free – A bold and uplifting song celebrating self-worth and breaking free from expectations.
Leanne Lightfoot – Unsettled – A beautifully honest song about change, uncertainty, and finding your footing.
Wallgrin – To Be a Creature – A poetic and atmospheric song that explores what it means to be human in a complicated world.
The Johnsons – Fast Food Coffee – A vivid, down-to-earth snapshot of everyday life and the stories hidden in ordinary places.
11th & Duke – Snow Down – A moody, evocative song that paints a picture of winter, memory, and distance.
Aaron English – Leaving Train (Live) – A live performance that captures the lonely, timeless feeling of leaving and moving on.
Alanna Sterling – Goodbye – A touching farewell song that closes things out with honesty and heart.

#SongwritersFromHereAndAway #Songwriting #NewMusic #IndieMusic #FolkMusic #RootsMusic #SongwriterLife #OriginalMusic #CanadianMusic #EmergingArtists #ListenLocal #MusicPodcast #RadioShow #StoryInSong

From the Stage to the Page: Brent Mason Live in Concert

This week’s episode of Songwriters From Here and Away features a live concert recording with New Brunswick songwriter Brent Mason, recorded in an intimate setting where his songs and stories really get room to breathe.

Brent has been writing, recording, and performing for more than three decades. Based in Saint John, New Brunswick, he has released over a dozen albums of original material and has built a reputation as one of the region’s most respected songwriters and live performers. Over the years he has received multiple East Coast Music Awards and Music New Brunswick awards, including Folk Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year, and he is also the youngest recipient of the Stompin’ Tom Award for his contribution to Atlantic Canadian musical traditions.

Brent is known not just for his music, but for his storytelling and his role in the New Brunswick music community. He has hosted a weekly open mic in Saint John for more than 25 years, mentored younger songwriters, toured across Canada and internationally, and performed at festivals including Harvest Jazz & Blues, Stanfest, and many others.

In addition to his music career, Brent is also a published author and writer. His debut novel Midway was released in 2024 and draws on his experiences working with travelling carnival midways in his younger years. He has also won awards from the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick for his fiction and poetry, and he writes a regular column called Mason’s Jar.

Whether on stage or on the page, Brent Mason is a storyteller at heart, and this live concert recording captures both the songs and the stories that have made him such an important voice in Atlantic Canadian songwriting.

• Midway (Novel, 2024)

Brent has also published short fiction and poetry in literary journals and newspapers, including his Mason’s Jar column.

• Website: https://www.brentmason.ca
• Music: https://brentmasonmusic.bandcamp.com

Please visit www.SFHAA.ca for more podcasts, workshops and meetups.

#BrentMason #SongwritersFromHereAndAway
#NewBrunswickMusic #CanadianSongwriter
#EastCoastMusic #FolkRoots #LiveMusic #CanadianAuthors