Despite most of the world coming to a halt in 2020, the music industry hasn’t exactly shut down. It has simply, as the kids say, pivoted. Rather than touring, musicians have used their time release an abundance on new material and left it in our inbox.
Through thorough research and the often uncomfortable use of democracy, The East’s staff have meticulously sorted through each song sent our way until we arrived at our list of The Best Music of 2020 (So Far). Please enjoy responsibly.
While the entire music industry is scrambling to come up with creative ways to keep business afloat and continue creating, My Black Ram has come up with a unique method of releasing their self-titled debut album. With a total lack of venues, the band has instead taken to serenading supporters at their doorsteps around the Fredericton area as they’ve gone about delivering purchased CDs, vinyl and T-shirts. Continue reading My Black Ram Takes to the Street with Driveway Delivery Concerts
Many of us tried to keep ourselves busy when the pandemic hit earlier in 2020; baking, gardening, and so on. Lunenburg-based singer, songwriter, and drummer Morgan Zwicker took this time to record his EP, Songs For No One, To You. Continue reading Morgan Zwicker is a Man Growing, Learning, and Navigating Life on ‘Songs for No One, To You’
It’s already been decided that Rich Aucoin’s new album, United States, is the most anticipated of the year. Having already released two slapping singles, “Reset” and “How It Breaks”, not to mention the current state of the album’s namesake we’re expecting something between a dance party and a riot. Aucoin’s latest single, “Dopamine” is more reflective of his manner for composing the album itself: through a two-year-long bike ride around the perimeter of the country with a camera in tow. Far more relaxed than the previous singles, “Dopamine” offers a mantra of mindfulness and introspective verses better suited to coasting through the countryside. Continue reading Music Video: Rich Aucoin Captures the United States via Bicycle for ‘Dopamine’
St. John’s, Newfoundland-based multiple Music NL award-winning Americana Folk duo Rube & Rake have been keeping relatively busy, or at least relatively productive, in the time of COVID. They’ve traded their long hauls on the road into something a lot closer to home via Home Routes and turned that time into songcraft. They’re releasing the first new material since their 2017 debut album, Back and Forth. On the heels of two previously released singles, “Fleeting Moment” and “What Will” comes “Somewhere,” a song about knowing where to rest your head. Continue reading Single: Rube & Rake Suffer from Bicoastal Heartache on ‘Somewhere’
