‘Tis the season for giving. That’s challenge enough. You’ve already got plenty of stuff to worry about, like getting winter tires on the car, stringing up the Christmas lights and deciding which Holiday tunes should be banned. You don’t have time to go looking for local, organic, ethically-sourced Christmas gifts for every last person in your life. So we’ve made it easier for you.
Here’s our list of gifts available from local creators. Remember, when you buy local it’s like you’re giving two gifts! Except one person actually worked really hard to create something special and totally deserves to be compensated for their time and effort. So, it’s not really a “gift,” per se, you’re just paying them. But let’s not downplay this entirely. Good for you for shopping local! Gold star, you Super Santa!
For The Musically-Inclined
Hopyard – The Taproom Anthology Vol 1.
Early this year, Hopyard released a compilation album full of great east coast musicians, including Sorrey, Stabbing Joy, Little Cities, Liam Corcoran and more. Presumably, as the name suggests, this is just the first of several in a series. Right now the vinyl can be purchased through either of the Hopyard locations in Halifax and Charlottetown or shipped via Back Alley Music.
Cost: $35
Where to buy: Hopyard in Halifax and Charlottetown or online at Back Alley Music’s Facebook page HERE
Roots & Soul Season Pass
This year, Roots & Soul Music Promotions in Fredericton is offering a Winter Pass, valid from January 1st through March 31st, 2019, that will give pass holders $10 off each Roots & Soul show they go to. If the people in your life love seeing well-curated live local music, this pass will provide them with a winter full of cozy live music at Grimross Brewing Co and more.
Cost: $50
Where to buy: online through the Roots & Soul etixnow portal HERE
Shepody House Season Pass
Parkindale Productions have got a season pass available for both their Parkindale Hall and Shepody House shows. If you’re in the Greater Moncton area, this is a great deal. You get $70’s worth of live-music for $50 at award-winning venues!
Cost: $50 (or get 10% off when you support The East’s Patreon!)
Where to buy: Parkindale Productions’ Facebook page HERE
New Scotland Yard Emporium
For the ultimate music fan in your life, there’s always Joel Plaskett’s beautiful 1979 Gretsch Country Club archtop hollowbody electric guitar. Maybe it’s a little bit ostentatious as far as Christmas gifts go, but this might be a genuine bargain—not to mention the added luster of coming from the collection of one of Atlantic Canada’s most famous rockstars. Just be sure to ask the staff before grabbing this one off the wall.
Cost: $2850
Where to buy: New Scotland Yard Emporium in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Forward Music Group Box Set
This year, Forward Music Group is bundling any four albums of your choice from their offered selection on either vinyl or CD. And since everyone enjoys listening to music, this box set can be customized to suit the preferences of the music lovers in your life while introducing them to and supporting local musicians.
Cost: $35 – $50
Where to buy: online at Forward Music Group’s Bandcamp page HERE (CD Bundle) or HERE (Vinyl Bundle)
The Black Top Ball Early Bird Passes
August might seem like a long way off, but there are plenty of people out there who love a bargain just as much as they love a good gift, and now is the time to get it. The Stanfields have broken out their early bird tickets for their Black Top Ball extra extra early. If you know someone who made the Nice List this year, treat them to this music festival in Ponds, Nova Scotia.
Cost: $60 – $85
Where to buy: online via Eventbrite HERE
Jeremy Dutcher – Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa
If you’re looking for music, you’d be hard pressed to find anything better than Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa, the Polaris Prize-winning album from Fredericton’s Jeremy Dutcher. If a Polaris Prize isn’t enough to convince you that this album is amazing, we’ve got all kind of reasons for you in our review. From Dutcher’s beautiful tenor, to the album’s historical context, to its absolutely massive sound, this cultural phenomenon belongs on your Christmas list.
Cost: $20 – $43
Where to buy: Jeremy Dutcher’s Bandcamp page HERE