We Are Wharfbound
Saint Andrews Music For Dummies
It’s pretty sweet when a friend makes music.
We’ve all had that friend. She/he/they play(s) in a cool band, or releases some great new music, making us semi-cool by association. It’s a nice perk of being able to cohabitate with creative types. It’s not easy, after all, so there should be some “reward”.
Recently, Saint Andrews, a small coastal town of approximately 1500 people, has been awash in new releases by local songwriters.
In the last week, alone, The Chickahominy Mountain Band has released the first single, Ballad of No-Toe Joe, from their upcoming full-length LP. Superfluous U (musical project of Ryan Buckley) released their Floyd-esque new album, Songs For Losing. Both records produced by Jordan Grant and Kerri Bullis at Outsiders Recording Studios, a new recording studio located in Saint Andrews.
In a small town, everyone knows one another. Sam Astorino, lead singer and songwriter in Chickahominy, built my new front steps last week. Ryan Buckley lives across the street from me, not 50 feet from the steps that Sam built.
Hating to miss a party, I released my first solo single last week - Be With You.
Additionally, a new Earthbound album is said to be on the horizon, a band helmed by Saint Andrews’ own Dwayne Doucette, with drums by local homesteader Mike (Mumble) Humble (also of Chickahominy). Shawn Richard continues to write and record affable and authentic country sing-a-longs. He is impossible not to like.
Expanding the net slightly, a mere couple of months ago saw the release of Wharfbound (Jacob’s Version) - also recorded at Outsiders - a song that Jacob Rose, Jordan Grant, and I wrote together. Jacob lives in St. Stephen, but he manages the taproom at Saint Andrews Brewing Company. Besides, St. Stephen is also in Charlotte County.
Jacob spent last week in Halifax recording songs for his upcoming release.
Speaking of Charlotte County, have you heard Hayden Wiebe’s (St. Stephen) single, Another End? How about Justine Richardson’s (Deer Island) single Independence? I think you should.
Going deeper, Saint Andrews ex-pats continue to make musical hay. Kendra Gale appeared on Be With You, and she has her own thriving musical career with her solo show, Kendra Gale Band, Poets and Liars, and Kover Gale. Prolific much?
Owen Steel released his lilting, haunted LP, Combe, in 2023. That dude.
Then there are the singers, songwriters and artists who are likely soon to release music on a streaming service near you - Charlotte Bartlett, Joshua Osborne, Laurie Zwarych, John Martin.
All the while, Jamie Steel and Luke MacDonald continue the heroic work they have always done, promoting live music, and organizing shows, shows, shows. Periwinkle Productions, Paddlefest Music & Nature Festival, Huntsman Marine Science Center, Oktoberfest, Winter Warmer…where do they get the time? Saint Andrews thanks them. I thank them.
And let us not forget the folks who make open mic come alive every month at Saint Andrews Brewing.
It’s not so bad. “So you see, George Bailey, you really have had a wonderful life,” says Clarence, in It’s A Wonderful Life. And when you live in Saint Andrews, that’s how it goes.
I’ve created an Apple Music playlist in an attempt to feature some of these wonderful folks. I have undoubtedly overlooked some people. Please let me know so I can add them. And enjoy!