At this year’s Port Fairy Folk Festival I was blown away by Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys who come from Prince Edward Island in Canada. There must be something in the water over there as Prince Edward natives The East Pointers serve up exciting folk music on their debut album Secret Victory.
The band features the talents of cousins Tim Chaisson (fiddle, percussion and lead vocals) and Koady Chaisson (banjo and vocals), plus Jake Charron (guitar and vocals). It’s perhaps unsurprising that the youthful Chaisson cousins should sound so good considering they’re the sixth generation of folk musicians in their family. Highlights of the album include the foot stompin’ rhythm of the energetic title track; the dramatic changes in pace and mood that characterise the sizzling instrumental The Drift, which manages to achieve epic status in just over six minutes; the evocative vocals and atmospheric feel of Cold, which possesses a stark beauty; and the slow-burn power of Work That Way, a track that eloquently embraces elements of both indie pop and folk.
On the strength of this excellent debut album, The East Pointers will be a must-see when they return to Australian shores.
BY GRAHAM BLACKLEY
