Mo Kenney, Carleton Stone & Molly Thomason - 3 Nova Scotia Musicians To Keep an Eye On

Nova Scotia has its share of great musicians (Joel Plaskett, Matt Mays, Christina Martin, In Flight Saftey...the list goes on and on).  Three young Nova Scotians are poised to enter the Nova Scotia musical elite with recent releases and constant touring.  They are Mo Kenney, Carleton Stone and Molly Thomason.  All three have their own unique style, but all three are heading for breakout careers.

I have been a fan of Molly Thomason's music since "All Down The Highway" became my family song of the summer in 2011.  All I need to do is sing "She says baby how about a night out just you and me" and I can get a family sing along started at any time. 

Molly, who only recently turned 18, already has two CD's under her belt (Through the Static, 2009 & Beauty Queen, 2011).   Some of my favourite songs are All Down the Highway, People Lie, Heroes, and One Anthem Girl.   I had seen her perform a couple of times, including once at the Cape Breton Fudge Company (wonderful place to see a show and great food too!).  In late August, the opportunity to see her at the Hydrostone Concert in the Park arose, so my two kids and I headed off to the park.  Molly was once again excellent.

Carleton Stone performed next and as soon as he played "Dominos", we were all hooked.  After he finished, my son spent his own birthday money on one of Carleton's CDs.  Carleton has two CDs (Carleton Stone Drives The Big Wheel, 2009 and Carleton Stone, 2011).    There is not a bad song on either of his releases.  Some of my favourites are the above mentioned Dominoes, Moving On, Last Thing, and the fast paced Strong Medicine.  Carleton has a great voice, which is perfectly suited for the style of music he performs.  I hesitate to describe him as country, because I do not propose to be a fan of country music.  But if this is country, then call me a fan.  I could listen to him all day.

Carleton & Molly just released a duet version of "Never Felt A Thing", a song they co-wrote. It is produced by Joel Plaskett.   This is a terrific version of the song (there is a version on Carleton's self-titled CD).  Their voices complement each other beautifully.

You can listen to it here. 





Mo Kenney was the last singer we saw at the Hydrostone.  I had heard a lot of buzz about Mo and was looking forward to seeing her play. I was not disappointed.  She had a very understated (kind of shy) style.  Almost like she didn't realize how good she is.  I think that will change with the release of her CD.

On September 25th, Mo Kenney released her first album.  It is produced by Joel Plaskett, who also co-wrote some of the songs.  Since purchasing this CD, it has been in constant rotation.  Mo is a great songwriter and has a terrific voice.  The album can be listened to in any situation (relaxing, walking, sitting at a desk working, or reading).  It is the perfect album for continuous rotation.  The songs Eden, The Great Escape and The Happy Song are some of my favourites.    I would describe the album as a pleasant and relaxing listen - with a kick.  Every time "Deja Vu" comes on, my ears perk up and my body starts grooving.  It is the "Joel Plaskett song" on the album because as with Joel's songs, this song will make the listener groove and dance. 

Mo Kenney is on tour now promoting her new album.   She is opening for Joel Plaskett on a number of Canadian dates and playing some of her own shows. Carleton has four upcoming shows in October and November.  Molly is attending university in Toronto and not touring at this time.    My advice is to catch them now if you can.  These three young Nova Scotia musicians will be playing bigger stages soon and then you can say "I say her/him when...".

Enjoy their music.  I do.