Slowcoaster

Infobox musical artist
Name = Slowcoaster

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Img_capt = Steven MacDougall performing at the Shoreline Festival in 2005
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Origin = Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Genre = Indie rock
Years_active = 1999–present
Label = Company House
Associated_acts = The Squatters
URL = [http://www.slowcoaster.ca www.slowcoaster.ca]
Current_members = Steven MacDougall
Mike LeLievre
Darren Gallop
Brian Talbot
Past_members = Devon Strang

Slowcoaster is a Canadian indie rock band from Sydney, Nova Scotia.

The band's sound is essentially rock-based, with strong influences of reggae, ska, folk and jazz, combined with pop hooks and improvisation. [ [http://www.echoweekly.com/viewstory.php?storyid=5665 Echo Weekly online edition, Slowcoaster article] ]

History

Slowcoaster was formed in November 1999 by guitarist Steven MacDougall, drummer Devon Strang, and bassist Mike LeLievre. To promote themselves, they founded their own management company, House of Rock, which has since become influential in promoting a number of acts from Cape Breton Island. The band performed locally and toured the Maritimes, releasing two EPs, "Jody's Garden" and "Volume II". Slowcoaster added percussionist Darren Gallop to the lineup in 2002 and released "Leaves", with "Accidents & Excuses" following in 2003. [ [http://www.houseofrock.ca/slowcoaster.php House of Rock bio for Slowcoaster] ]

The band began touring nationally and their debut album, "Where Are They Going?" was released in 2004. [ [http://www.coastclassic.ca/issues/111804/thearts.html The Coast Magazine, November 18, 2004, online edition, article about Slowcoaster CD release] ] Steven MacDougall's song "Spanish Bay" placed second in the 16th Annual National Songwriting Competition the same year. [ [http://www.maplemusic.com/artists/slw/bio.asp Slowcoaster bio on MapleMusic's website] ] A video for the single "Patio" was released and saw national play on MuchMusic.

Slowcoaster came to the forefront of the Maritime live music scene in 2005 and 2006, touring relentlessly and headlining at Nova Scotia's Evolve Festival and Stan Rogers Folk Festival, New Brunswick's Sunseeker festival, the Canada Day Countdown and Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, and Prince Edward Island's Shoreline Festival. Slowcoaster won Music Nova Scotia's Alternative Group of the Year award in 2005, and an ECMA award for Alternative Recording of the Year in 2006. [ [http://companyhouse.ca/slowcoaster/slowco.html Slowcoaster's bio on the official website] ] Drummer Devon Strang left the band at this time, with longtime collaborator Brian Talbot replacing him.

In 2007 the band released "Future Radio". [Grant, Laura Jean. [http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=61924&sc=147 "Future Bright for Slowcoaster"] , "The Cape Breton Post", September 13, 2007.] A video for the single "Leave" was released in early 2008.

Discography

Albums

*"Where Are They Going?" – 2004
*"Future Radio" – 2007

EPs

*"Jody's Garden" – 2000
*"Volume II" – 2001
*"Leaves" – 2002
*"Accidents & Excuses" – 2003

References

External links

* [http://www.slowcoaster.ca Slowcoaster] official website
*myspace|slowcoaster
* [http://www.companyhouse.ca Slowcoaster] at Company House Records
* [http://www.maplemusic.com/artists/slw/default.asp Slowcoaster] on MapleMusic Recordings
*Internet Archive music|id= Slowcoaster