Anyone that’s ever had the chance to talk music with Dartmouth’s patron saint of rock n’ roll knows how much music – the process, the creation, the curation, and the collection – means to Joel. It was with that in mind that Plaskett launched a series of 45s recorded at Scotland Yard with a collection featuring artists he hand picked.

The collection is a timeline in the truest sense. The artists range from up and comers to people that JP first met when he was still french inhaling. Names like Elkas, Gunning, Grimson and Messick have been around since Shane was shaving Saints logos into the back of his head, but over the years Joel has become more involved in production and sonic relationships with newer artists like Mo Kenney and Myles Deck grew from hours spent together finding the sound.

The final installments of the 45s collection go from coast to coast, with songs from Vancouver’s Jeremy Fisher and Dartmouth’s Mo Kenney.

Over the last few years, Fisher has become a CBC darling and his contribution, “Paper Crown”, proves why. It’s light and breezy, and incredibly infectious and Fisher could easily find a home with fans of Josh Rouse or Rhett Miller. When he and Joel toss in some harmonica and add backing vocals that sound like they are boomed from the next room, you can feel the ice caps start to melt. Paired with another gem from Plaskett, this vinyl will fly off the shelves.

The real shock for me was the immediate impact of Mo Kenney. (more…)

Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Mo Kenney recently released a seven-inch single featuring the tracks “Eden” and “The Great Escape.”

The single is out now on Joel Plaskett’s New Scotland Records, and the Canadian rocker is set to produce Kenney’s debut album later this year. The two will also be sharing the stage in Plaskett’s hometown of Dartmouth, NS, on June 9 as part of the Exclaim! 20th Anniversary Concert Series.

Enter the Exclaim! contest for a chance to win tickets to the intimate, sold-out show, where Kenney will be sharing the bill with Plaskett and the Scoop Outs.

Listen to Mo Kenney’s “The Great Escape” here.

Exclaim! turns 20 years old this year and to help us celebrate, Canadian indie rock favourite and two time Exclaim! cover star Joel Plaskett has curated an intimate night of great live music in his home town. The show will be taking place in his East coast home of Dartmouth, NS on June 9. Joel Plaskett will be joined by singer-songwriter Mo Kenney, who will be releasing her Joel Plaskett produced debut later this year, along with Joel’s Dartmouth punk rock faves The Scoop Outs. It’s all going down at Ship Victory, which can only accommodate a small crowd.

We’re giving away tickets to the show (advance tickets have SOLD OUT, so this is the only way to get tickets), plus one grand prize winner will be flown out to Dartmouth from anywhere in Canada to see the show and stay in the city. If that’s not enough, you’ll be given the opportunity to sit down for a coffee with Joel and check out his studio, where his latest album Scrappy Happiness was laid down.

For your chance to win this awesome grand prize and the opportunity to celebrate with Exclaim! and Joel Plaskett in his hometown of Dartmouth, NS, correctly answer the skill testing question, which you can find here.

Mo’s showcase on the ECMA Breakout Stage was recorded live. Watch the video on Vimeo at:
http://vimeo.com/41298899

Hellllllo,
I got back from ECMA’s a couple weeks ago, they were in Moncton! I was pretty busy this year with showcases and stuff. I got to play on the CBC Live stage and it was awesome.
I had to venture back to NB last weekend to play at the Vintage Bistro in Hampton! I think I know the way there pretty well now. I played that show with one of my song camp pals Molly Thomason. We shared the stage and it was a lot of fun.
Did you see that I have vinyl singles out now?? I’ve always wanted to have my own vinyl. It was pretty cool hearing my songs through the record player.
Joel and I are in the studio again in May to finish off the album, not much longer now.
Hope you’re doing well, summer is sneaking in.
LOVE MO

On April 24, Mo released a 7″ vinyl single on New Scotland Records with her songs “Eden” and “The Great Escape”.

The 7″ vinyl single is available to purchase online at MapleMusic. Ask for your copy at these fine independent record stores across Canada. Click here for the list of record stores.

Hello friends,
I was in Toronto for Canadian Music Week a couple weeks ago, it was a damn good time. I think that there are more sushi restaurants in Toronto than there are Tim Hortons in all of Canada, it was extremely convenient. The weather was like summer while I was there too, it closely resembled paradise. I played a few showcases in between eating and exploring. My favorite venue that I played was Cameron House. It was nice and intimate, just the way I like it. The room had a great sound and everyone was quiet and attentive.
Seems like I just got home and now I’m getting ready to hit up the ECMA’s! I’ll be in Moncton showcasing there next weeeeek! I can’t wait.
Hope all is well, love you to bits.
MO
PS I paid a visit to sad clown the other night, he says hi.

Mo Kenney – Great Escape – Live at CMW by JonesandCo

Mo’s music video for “Eden” was produced by Greg Jackson for the Atlantic Film Festival’s 10×10 Music Video Mentorship Program. The music video is screened at the prestigious Chicago International Movies & Music Festival (CIMMfest); the Halifax Independent Film Festival; the Island Media Arts Festival in PEI; the Park City Film Music Festival in Park City, Utah; and at Nickel Fest in Newfoundland.

Mo Kenney on “Eden”

“I wrote this song when I was 17. I’m happy with the way it turned out. I was sitting in my living room fiddling around with a guitar part I had come up with a while before, and after coming up with a melody words sort of just appeared. I like it because it came about pretty effortlessly and naturally. It was like the song already existed and I just had to pluck the words out of the air. I love when songwriting happens like that, it’s very satisfying.”

by Chad Pelley, Salty Ink

Hiiiii!!!
Did you have a nice Valentines Day?? My mom bought me chocolates and I ate every single damn one of them. Then I watched Gone With the Wind. I love that movie. Anyway, I hope yours was better..
I’m going to be doing some songwriting over the next three days, starting tomorrow!! It’ll be nice to get on the go with some co-writing again! Maybe I’ll have some new tunes after it’s all done.
No date set for album release yet, but I’ll have one for you soon! We’re on the home stretch!
I just wanted to say hello really. I hope the transit strike isn’t affecting you too adversely. I also hope you’re not taking Whitney Houston’s passing too terribly. Or Wheels from the original Degrassi. Although I guess he’s been dead for 5 years and no one even knew!!
I have to end with something happy now, because I can’t send you away with those bad things to think about.
I got this sweater at Value Village for only ten dollars: