By Gary Wien
originally published: 07/11/2011
Joel Plaskett is a Juno Award-winning artist from Nova Scotia whose band's set at the 2011 Southern Shore Music Festival in Millville was one of the highlights of the day. I was able to catch up with Joel after his set to talk about his band, Canadian music, opening for Paul McCartney, and building an audience in the States. His band will be returning to the area on Thursday, August 18th when they take part in the Philly Folk Festival in Schwenkesville, PA.
How did it feel to be called back for an encore? I was here last year and I don't think there was an encore all day.
That was really cool. I love playing and reaching out to a new audience. I really feel like we built it slow and steady in Canada and I like the idea of getting something happening in the States -- especially on the Eastern Seaboard. It's right down from Nova Scotia and makes a lot of sense; it's a lot closer than Vancouver. There's a lot of people down here and I think there's a lot of shared tastes.
Believe it or not, but I became a fan of your band from Iceberg 85!
Right on!
I was wondering if Canadian bands are finding a lot of fans from satellite radio these days?
It's hard for me to tell how many... has satellite radio grown in popularity? It might have bubbled a bit, I'm not sure.
Well, every new car has it now...
Right! We haven't been to the States a lot over the past few years, but I see stuff posted online at Facebook and get requests for us to come play in a particular place in the States. I figure a lot of that is from people finding us from satellite radio like Sirius or the CBC station. Those stations are cool because their mandate is to support Canadian artists.
Iceberg has been very good to me and my profile in Canada has been steadily building, but that border -- unless you get radio support, it's a different world as soon as you step across that border.
The CBC is a national station in Canada, but thanks to satellite radio it's like a North American station as well.
Absolutely. It's very cool. I did a bunch of shows in the UK last year and people are finding music in a lot of different ways. That's the first thing you notice. Everybody has their own "go to" station. I still like radio as a way to discover new stuff if it's good. The problem is most radio is so poorly curated.
I actually didn't know where your band was from when I checked out the websites for the bands playing the festival, but I really dug your sound and made a note to check out your set. I'm not sure why it is, but I have a habit of liking Canadian bands. If you played me ten acts, I'd almost certainly be able to pick out the one from Jersey and the one from Canada.
Forgetting about any accents, do you think there is a particular Canadian sound?
I would say there's some stuff in common. I think there's a shared sense of melody. It's influenced very much from the States and from England. It's a real hodgepodge for us because where we're from in Halifax there's a Celtic music influence and a real traditional music influence, which touches down to my music a little bit. But rock and roll is a huge part of my world and I get it from American and British records.
There's definitely a bit of a Canadian sound with bands like Sam Roberts, us, and Sloan.
In a weird way, Canadian music always reminds me a bit of 80s rock.
It's pretty tough to generalize completely, but I do think that Canadians like choruses -- they like big choruses and the records are not really clean, but they're sort of like square in the way they hit you.
I've always been able to find bands like Sloan, The Weakerthans,The Trews -- I never understood why, but maybe there is some sort of connection with them all.
It could be the shared influences. We all grew up within the same area. I've played with all of those bands and we all know each other; it's a small scene.
Well, actually the only band I've never seen or even cross paths with are The Weakerthans. I know we basically know each other without knowing each other, but they're always on tour when we are.
You said on stage that this was your first time actually in New Jersey. I bet this area here isn't quite like you see on TV.
We've driven through it a bunch, but we've never stopped and played Jersey. I actually played Hoboken once years ago with my old band, Thrush Hermit. That was at Maxwell's, maybe 1994. I've been touring since 1993. I was with Thrush Hermit until 1999 and then we broke up and I started doing stuff under my own name. I've been at it a long time.
Tell me about the band, how long has this group of guys been together?
Dave Marsh who plays drums with me has been on deck since 1999 where it first started; Chris Pennell who plays bass joined around 2007; and Peter Elkas who plays guitar didn't make this trip.
I also do a lot of solo shows and play a little with my father. There are a few gals who sang on my last record who've done some shows with us as well. There's kind of an extended family, but the core of the band is me, Dave, and Chris.
We opened for Paul McCartney in Halifax, which was a really big outdoor show and we had a seven-piece that night.
Did Paul choose your band specifically for the show?
That's what we were told. We got the email from his management. It was like "Paul would like to invite you" so let's go!
He probably doesn't get turned down very often.
It was a super cool show.
Do you have any plans to be back in the area anytime this year?
We'll actually be back in August... let me check the date. It's August 18th for the Philadelphia Folk Festival.
One final question, who's a Canadian artist on the rise that we should keep a look out for?
Hmm... Do you know Two Hours Traffic? They're a really good band from Prince Edward Island. I'm a little biased because I produced a couple of records for them, but I think they're a pretty great band.
There's a lot of good stuff happening out there. Canada's got a real happening scene right now.
Photo by Mat Dunlap
About the author:
Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of
Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and
Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station
The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at
lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at
[email protected].
Griffin House
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ“If you are looking to be blown away by raw talent, then look no further than Griffin House.” —American Songwriter
Floyd Pink - Celebrating The Music Of Pink Floyd
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJFLOYD PINK is a Pink Floyd tribute band from the New York metro area, celebrating the music of Pink Floyd.
Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJMulti-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate is best known for his 30-plus years as the creative and driving force behind the progressive metal band Queensryche. Since its inception with Geoff at the helm, Queensryche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has performed in upwards of fifty countries. Geoff is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him and his former band as a major influence. Combining social consciousness and expertly crafted lyrics with high-energy, melodically complex music, Queensryche with Geoff Tate at the forefront became internationally recognized as the thinking man’s rock band. The band’s first three albums — their self-titled EP (1983), The Warning (1984) and Rage for Order (1986) — all hit gold status selling over 500,000 units each.
Jesse Cook
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
NJPAC - Victoria Theater
1 Center Street, Newark, NJA global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music’s power to connect people across cultures and continents. The Paris-born, Toronto-raised master of the Spanish guitar weaves together flamenco, samba, jazz and world folk traditions into something spellbinding and uniquely his own. On stage, Cook radiates infectious energy — collaborating with his band to craft immersive experiences celebrated for their warmth, precision and emotional depth. With over a billion streams and views across platforms, his sound remains as relevant as it is revered.
Don Mclean & Lee Greenwood
Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJTwo iconic singers perform their hits and celebrate America’s 250 birthday! Singer/songwriter Don McLean is best known for the classic hit “American Pie,” as well as “Vincent” and “Castles in the Air.” Country superstar Lee Greenwood has seven top charting singles, including “I.O.U,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” and the patriotic favorite, “God Bless the U.S.A.”
EVENT PREVIEWS
NJPAC presents Gregory Porter with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell
(NEWARK, NJ) -- With a voice that can fill a concert hall and make every listener feel personally embraced, Gregory Porter has become one of the most beloved artists in contemporary jazz. On Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm, the two-time GRAMMY® winner returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell for an evening of soulful expression, exquisite storytelling and remarkable vocal artistry, presented as part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:30pm. Griffin House is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller who has been making records for over 20 years.
KANSAS to perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- One of classic rock's most iconic bands, KANSAS, will perform at the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. This "garage band" from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner, and have gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. A limited number of tickets remain.
NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.
Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios
(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- You can get your holiday shopping done on Sunday, November 15, 2026 when Anchor Rock Club hosts the Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition. The event runs from noon to 6:00pm.
Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell
(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.
Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither
(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.
Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 7:30pm, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright takes the McCarter stage for one night only with the Princeton Playhouse Sinfonia, a dynamic new collaborative ensemble created specifically for this concert.
