Prince Edward Island trio The East Pointers have been causing quite a stir since they dropped their debut album Secret Victory. There must be something magical in the East Coast air of Canada as one of the great facets of the album is that all ten tracks are original. You’d swear they were part of a long tradition handed down but they were in fact written by guitarist Jake Charron, fiddler Tim Chaisson and his cousin, banjoist Koady Chaisson. Not only that, there is a definite air of coolness about their folk music, something that possibly stems from their attitude towards it as revealed by Tim who said ‘Folk music is equivalent to soul music in my mind. It can take you to another place even if you haven’t heard it before.’
Well you can all witness this first hand as they hit the UK shores this month touring through December, dates for which you can find below. But before that here they are performing The Drift live in a Sofar Session:
Tim also reveals in their PR some of bands multi-tasking talents that help to create a sound which makes it hard to believe there are only three players. ‘Jake has two pick-ups on his guitar allowing him to play guitar and bass at the same time, creating a big sound. I play a stomp-box with one foot and a tambourine with the other to add rhythm. And Koady usually step dances during that tune live – another tradition in our family.’
Both Tim and Koady Chaisson confirm they were encouraged to preserve and uphold East Coast folk music tradition by members of the sprawling Chaisson clan. (The Chaissons’ grandfather Joe Pete Chaisson co-founded the Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival in 1976 to promote and fund fiddle playing across Canada’s Prince Edward Island.) ‘Everyone in my family either plays fiddle or dances. Music was always around us, and it was just a way of life.’ Koady says. Tim adds, ‘Growing up, I was playing fiddle before I realized I was playing fiddle if that makes any sense. I think with any family tradition, it’s introduced so young that it almost becomes second nature.’
UK Dates:
Sat Nov 28 – Maverick Festival Thanksgiving Party, EASTON, SUFFOLK
Tue Dec 01 – Millenium Centre, CARDIFF
Thu Dec 03 – Victoria Hall, KIRKGATE
Fri Dec 04 – The Met, BURY
Sat Dec 05 – The Hothouse, MORCOMBE
Sun Dec 06 – Square Chapel, HALIFAX
Tue Dec 08 – The Stables, WAVENDON
Wed Dec 09 – The Islington, LONDON
Fri Dec 11 – Talbot Theatre, WHITCHURCH
Sat Dec 12 – Forest Arts Centre, NEW MILTON, HANTS.