Two Cape Breton artists nominated for New music Nova Scotia Award

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ESKASONI, N.S. — With the modern announcement of this year’s Tunes Nova Scotia award nominees, Eskasoni musicians are in the highlight.

Rap-rocker Gearl (pronounced “jurl”) and Drives the Popular Man have each acquired nominations for Indigenous Artist of the Yr. This Music Nova Scotia award nomination is Drives the Frequent Man’s 1st, though Gearl was nominated in the same category at past year’s award display.

Gearl said far more and much more music functions of all genres are coming out of the neighborhood.

“I experience like songs is expanding in Eskasoni. More youthful individuals are commencing to get impressed,” Gearl claimed. “ I want young ones to see what I’m undertaking and do it superior.”

Gearl, whose complete title is Gearl Robert Joeseph Francis, is a former member of the hip-hop team Metropolis Natives but has been focusing on a solo occupation for the previous 3 many years. He says he started out tunes at age 12 when his cousin bought a drum set for his birthday.

“When I was a little child, I began a band with my cousin. He’s the a person taking part in drums on my new album. I started out composing music, like guitar tabs, but I felt I had much more to say, so I began rapping,” he reported.

The rapper not too long ago unveiled his next solo hard work, “Extensive Not comfortable Pauses,” a 5-tune EP that includes a complete band with Sean Lewis on guitar and bass and Ayvery Norman and Austin Sylliboy (Gearl’s cousin) investing off drumming duties. Gearl describes the record’s sound as a mix of his rap-rock influences developing up in the 90s.

“It’s my model of regular rock-rap, I guess,” said Gearl. “Like P.O.D., or Limp Bizkit, Rage Against the Machine, of program. Even Eminem experienced some rockin’ rap tracks.”

Gearl is up against stiff competitiveness for the award. Fellow nominees include things like very last year’s winner, Deedee Austin, Pictou Landing’s Angel Ann Julian, Metis country musician Joe H Henry and fellow Eskasoni solution, alternate pop artist Drives the Widespread Gentleman. 

DRIVES THE Popular Guy

Andrew Stevens III, far better recognised as Drives the Popular Person, has experienced a chaotic calendar year foremost up to this nomination. He’s carried out at the Makin’ Waves competition in Sydney and this year’s North American Indigenous Games’ opening ceremony in Halifax. Stevens phone calls London, Ont., his home but the Mi’kmaw pop-rocker never ever forgets his Eskasoni roots. 

“My father is Mi’kmaw. He’s from Eskasoni,” Stevens explained. “I attempt and get back again three or 4 times a year.”

Stevens, like Gearl, commenced generating new music youthful. He fashioned his initially band at 13 and has manufactured hardcore punk new music most of his everyday living.

He stated his the latest alter to a pop audio was catalyzed by the pandemic forcing him to perform solo.

“I was constantly a punk/hardcore variety of guy but when the pandemic happened, I began executing this electrical power-pop matter,” he mentioned. “It’s way unique but I attempt and hold the punk energy.”

The Songs Nova Scotia awards ceremony will be in Yarmouth this 12 months as aspect of Nova Scotia Music 7 days. The five-working day celebration of Nova Scotian tunes, musicians and industry experts takes place Nov. 2-5. 

– Mitchell Ferguson is an Indigenous Affairs reporter for the Cape Breton. Follow him on X (Twitter) @CBPostMitchell.