Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Laura Merriman

The ninth annual Close To The Coast music showcase will take place at Babas  in Charlottetown starting August 24 and through August 29. A record number of local bands have been scheduled for the event this year.

Bands showcasing this year include Smothered In Hugs, The Danks, Boxer The Horse, Shotgun Jimmie, Grass Mountain Hobos, The Baketones from Halifax, In Flight Safety, North Lakes, Fugato, Laura Merrimen, Death Avenger, Pat Deighan & The Orb Weavers, Sister Jack, Battery Point, Dan Currie Band, Racoon Bandit, Haunted Hearts, John Connolly, Milk & Rectangles, The Lodge with more to be announced.

Dan Currie Band Battery Point

New faces of interest this year  include retro garage rockers The Baketones and  Americana/Alt Country singer-songwriter Laura Merrimen whose recently released album Love Letters For Lonely Hunters is winning over fans of those genres to her smokey vocal stylings. Shotgun Jimmie make his first appearance at Close To The Coast this year.

Some newer Island acts will be North Lakes, Leroy James, Racoon Bandit, Sister Jack and Sweetheart Jim & The Brothers Grimm, a new band that James Phillips has put together that also features Nathan Wiley.

Shotgun Jimmie In Flight Safety

In Flight Safety return to the Close To The Coast stage at Babas this year following on the heels of their latest album We are An Empire My Dear. Their 2006 release The Coast Is Clear earned them 3 ECMAs and was nominated for a Juno and a Much Music video award. Pat Deighan has recently joined the band as a second guitarist for select dates.

At press time several bands remained to be confirmed. Check the posters and Face Book page for an update as to who else will be playing. Music will start at 10 pm each night. Admission at the door.