In late August of 2024, esdaile formed together, putting forth a new sound to the ears of listeners in the Dartmouth/Halifax area. The four boys (Colin, Ian, Leo, Keegan) translated their inseparable connection to a sound that people can resonate with. From their first show in the heart of downtown Dartmouth, there emerged a new beginning for the up-and-coming group. Since inception, they have brought authentic music and captivating, curated performances to stages all the way from the coastline of the South Shore to the mountains of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
In a world of cheap pleasure and viral antics, esdaile seeks to create real-life excitement, presence in moments, and a genuine artist-audience connection, a commonplace thing once again. Rooted deep with the connection of local heritage, taking in the moments that make us human and the love of good friends and family, esdaile combines the raw connection of a spoken tale with warm analogue sound, and unapologetic authenticity. Their music is steeped in soul, weaving Canadiana folk grit with the smoky sway of Roots and Blues. It is both storm and stillness, leaving a trace of longing in its wake.
Name:
esdaile
Genre:
Roots/Canadiana
Founded:
August 2024
Latest Album:
Upcoming release in late summer 2026
Latest Single:
Nova Scotia Sky
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
Some of our favourite artists and groups growing up include: Rush, Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, and Tupac.
Favourite musician now:
Some of our current favourite artists and groups include: The Tragically Hip, Big Wreck, Marcus King, and Sting.
Guilty pleasure song:
Nickelback – This Afternoon
Live show ritual:
Before each show, we gather in the green room about 45 minutes before we go on stage to begin preparation for the show. We will warm up together while sharing a few laughs before we join together for a final signature handshake as we take the stage.
Favourite local musician:
Some of our favourite local musicians are Joel Plaskett, Matt Mays, and Garrett Mason.
EP or LP?
Our intention for releases is to create a cohesive and curated collection of music that takes the listener through a story. Therefore, we’re team EP as they allow artists to create a smaller collection of pieces that can really be tailored to fit together within a single piece of work.
Early bird or night owl?
Firm believers that the earliest of birds gets the worm – we’re certainly early birds. Especially on the beautiful mornings in Nova Scotia during the summer, where the morning sun shines through the windows and the distant sound of waves crashing can be heard amongst the birds chirping.
Road or studio?
We’re big proponents of creating captivating live performances that connect the audience and the band and allow us to feed off of the energy from the crowd. When we play live, synergies are created between our members that cannot be replicated while tracking individually in the studio. Therefore, we certainly prefer the road!
Any shows or albums coming up?
We will be releasing our debut EP “Many Miles” in the late summer of 2026. Stay tuned for the release date announcement and a special release show to celebrate the occasion.
Where can we follow you?
Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
The Pleasant Street Diner is a classic for all Dartmouthians, and we’ve had memorable experiences there growing up – it’s still our favourite!
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
Esdaile Avenue is our favourite street in the city, as it where we started playing together and wrote our music. With a beautiful view of the harbour and merely a brisk walk from the Dartmouth waterfront, it is a very special place to us and was the inspiration for our name!
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
The Dartmouth Commons! This local space in Dartmouth has played a big part in all our lives growing up, as all of the band members attended Bicentennial Junior High School and Dartmouth High School, which are adjacent to the Commons. We will still meet here to play disc golf regularly during the summers.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
The Sanctuary Arts Centre in Dartmouth is our favourite venue to play in the city. The space is very unique and creates the perfect atmosphere for our shows.
What is your favourite music store in your city?
Halifax Folklore Centre!
