The Gordie Sampson Songcamp

11/10/2020

This Saturday ! 😱😍😎

08/05/2020

Catch the incredibly talented Songcamper ZamaniMusic this Friday, August 7 LIVE on the Halifax Waterfront (Salt Yard) at 5PM for Youth Art Connection's Salt Yard Sessions! Develop NS Vitamin Dee Entertainment

07/29/2020

Songcamp Spotlight: Nicole Ariana

Looking back in celebration of 10 years of Gordie Sampson Songcamp, we asked Songcampers to share their experience and some memories from their time spent in Ingonish, as well as how they've been keeping busy since their last time attending!

Q. What have you been up to since Songcamp 2019?
A. Since Songcamp 2019, I've been keeping busy preparing my upcoming EP release and writing lots of songs for others. In January of 2020, a song I co-wrote and sang the hook on called "Patience", was released on American Hip-hop/RnB artist Russ' Billboard charting album, Shake The Snowglobe, which he performed live on Jimmy Kimmel (check it out below). It was my first major songwriting "cut" and super exciting!

https://www.facebook.com/JimmyKimmelLive/videos/214321836363454/

I've been writing lots here at home (especially with Songcamp friends Corey Lerue and Kayleigh O'Connor - we have a few big cuts coming out in the next few months!!), and I also traveled to London and Berlin just before the pandemic for my second time in the past year for a songwriting trip via my publisher, Budde Music, writing lots of songs for pitch and for other artists.

Q. What is your favourite song from Songcamp? One you wrote, or one you just love.
A. It's so hard to pick a favourite song, but some of my favourites would have to be "Everyone Loves Me, But You", by Jodi Guthro, "Trouble" by Dave Sampson, and "In My Dreams" by Mo Kenney. A favourite song I wrote would have to be "Half the Way" by Port Cities. Dylan Guthro, Gordie Sampson and I wrote this at my first ever Songcamp in 2013. I remember being so nervous to write with them, and the song ended up being on Port Cities record, so it's definitely a song I am very proud of, and it was super fun to write with them and helped break me into the songwriting world!

Q. Share a memorable Songcamp experience/memory.
A. I have so many amazing memories from 5 years at Songcamp. Singing around the fire, hanging out finishing songs late at night up at Cabin F & G, having soo many laughs while eating amazing food put together for us by Wayne, Sheri, Ruby and so many other amazing people over the years, and just listening to everyone's songs every night outside Cabin K. Songcamp is an experience like no other. There will never be a Songcamp I could love as much!!! I am so grateful to be a part of it. My songwriting career would not exist without it and the friendships and network I've built as a result. I am forever grateful to Gordie, Sheri, Wayne, and everyone who has made Songcamp a possibility!

Keep up with Nicole on social media () and stay tuned for her new music - coming soon!!!

07/28/2020

Songcamp Spotlight: Jodi Guthro

Since Songcamp 2019 I have done a tour through Germany and Denmark with my father and brother, performing songs such as “Everyone Loves Me, But You” and “Feels So Good” both of which were written during Songcamp 2019.

I have been constantly in the studio writing and working on new music that will be released in 2020!

Song Camp has nurtured my love for songwriting more than anything else. Each year I walk out of that camp completely humbled and fuelled with new perspectives. The connections and friendships I have built there mean the absolute world to me!!!

Listen to "Everyone Loves Me, But You" here:

Jodi Guthro · Song · 2019

07/27/2020

Songcamp Spotlight: Rankin MacInnis

Looking back in celebration of 10 years of Gordie Sampson Songcamp, we asked Songcampers to share their experience and some memories from their time spent in Ingonish, as well as how they've been keeping busy since their last time attending!

Q. What have you been up to since Songcamp 2019?
A. Around the time of the last Songcamp, I was just coming off a freshly released album, 'House Party', with the band, Party Boots. Since, I've been writing, experimenting and have formed a new group called Rankin & the Broken Reeds. Currently, we are preparing for the studio to record our debut EP. Earlier this year, we put out an instrumental jam to sort of introduce ourselves to the world. It's called Beatrixx - check it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJsN-YbkN3o

Q. What is your favourite song from Songcamp? One you wrote, or one you just love.
A. My favourite tune that was written at songcamp, which is incredibly hard to pick out of so many greats, is a song called Belvedere. It was written by Brandon Davis, Willie Stratton and Cameron Nickerson at last year's camp. It's a tear-jerking, letter of a song penned to a late father and every time I listen to it, I break down. I'm honoured and looking forward to getting into the studio with Brandon on this one 'cause it needs to be heard. So, stay tuned!
The favourite song I ever wrote at songcamp would have to be Hardly Ever Happens. Written with Dave Sampson and Carleton Stone on the deck of the main cottage, it went on to become the anthem for Party Boots. I think everybody remembers the first time they see a stranger singing their lyrics back to them, and, the first time that happened for me was to Hardly Ever Happens. It was a special moment, during a special song which was created during an incredibly special experience.

Q. Share a memorable Songcamp experience/memory.
A. Picking a favourite memory is tough as every camp is jam packed with "mini-big" memories, lessons and new friends. But! If I had to go with one, without getting into all the details.... Mo, Seamus, Chris and I can definitely confirm that there ARE ghosts at the Keltic Lodge.... BOO!

Check out "Beatrixx" by Rankin & the Broken Reeds here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJsN-YbkN3o

Rankin MacInnis - Piano Calen Kinney - Fiddle Luke Levy - Guitar James Shaw - Saxophone Trevor Wentzell - Saxophone/Synth Luke Arsenault - Bass Shane Martin ...

07/24/2020

Carleton Stone has been an integral part of Songcamp since it's beginnings. An award-winning artist, he has three solo records under his belt, and has co-written songs with Ria Mae, Neon Dreams, Reeny Smith, Mo Kenney, Donovan Woods, and many more.

Songcamp is where his band Port Cities was formed. They have gone on to win a number of awards, tour internationally, and have been leaders at Songcamp for many years.

Today, they released a new song into the world alongside Nashville-based artist and songwriter, Emma Lee! Listen to "I Still See You At Parties" here: https://ffm.to/istillseeyouatparties

07/23/2020

Songcamp Spotlight: Maura Whitman

Looking back in celebration of 10 years of Gordie Sampson Songcamp, we asked Songcampers to share their experience and some memories from their time spent in Ingonish, as well as how they've been keeping busy since their last time attending!

Q. What have you been up to since Songcamp 2019?
A. Since attending songcamp, I released a single ‘Roulette’ in August that I wrote with Fellow Songcampers Corey Lerue, Dylan Guthro, Jodi Guthro and Nicole Ariana. I also worked on a project with Corey and Karate Kactus which involved featuring on a song called ‘Wildfire’ which was released in November. We performed it live at the Loud Luxury concert in the fall and it was definitely a cool opportunity getting to perform for an energetic crowd at the Cunard Centre! I plan to release more music throughout this year which I am looking forward to! You can find my music on Spotify and Apple Music.

Q. What is your favourite song from Songcamp? One you wrote, or one you just love.
A. My favourite song written at songcamp is ‘Confessions’ that Quake released. It’s one that brings people together and is always one that all of us enjoy singing along to.

My favourite song I wrote at songcamp was with Tawgs and Thomas called ‘Golden Ticket’ my first year at camp. We had lot of fun writing about the idea of love at first sight but more so in love with the opportunities that person can give you because of their wealth. It was definitely a creative session and was so great getting to work with such talent!

Q. Share a memorable Songcamp experience/memory.
A. There are so many amazing memories if I had to choose a few, one of my favourites was meeting Makayla for the first time when we we both became roomies and the youngest to attend songcamp in 2018! We’ve been best friends ever since and I’m forever grateful for songcamp bringing us together! Another memory was from last summer when everyone gathered around the campfire and sang along with Dave to his song ‘Trouble’, which we all know and love. Just hearing all of us harmonize with each other was awesome. There were many moments throughout the songcamp experience that really made it unforgettable and created a big family.

Listen to “Wildfire”, Roulette” and “Heartbreak Easy” (from our Songcamp Compilation release) here:

Maura Whitman, Category: Artist, Singles: Roulette, Top Tracks: Roulette, Heartbreak Easy - Songcamp Demo, Biography: Maura Whitman combines modern pop sensibilities with edgy undertones, "Roulette'' is an to addictive anthems that is driven by Maura's fierce vocals., Monthly Listen...

07/22/2020

Songcamp Spotlight: Chris Brown

Looking back in celebration of 10 years of Gordie Sampson Songcamp, we asked Songcampers to share their experience and some memories from their time spent in Ingonish, as well as how they've been keeping busy since their last time attending!

One memory we will never forget is Chris proposing to his wife Sarah at our Songcamp concert in 2013!!! Catch up with Chris here:

Q. What is your favourite song from Songcamp?
A. Favourite written songs... “The Nights You Stay Home”, “Girlfriends” and "Bout You Baby”.

Q. What's your favourite song you wrote at Songcamp?
A. Favourite song I co-wrote- “The Getaway” and “Wishing Well”.

Listen to "The Getaway" here:
https://gordiesampsonsongcamp.bandcamp.com/track/the-getaway

Q. Share a memorable Songcamp experience/memory.
A. Favourite moments were getting engaged and all the bonfire Jams!

07/21/2020

Songcamp Spotlight: ZamaniMusic

Looking back on 10 years of Songcamp, we asked Songcampers and some of our special guest writers/producers to share their experience from their time spent in Ingonish.

Q. What have you been up to since Songcamp 2019??
A. Since Songcamp I’ve been keeping in touch with some of the members I already knew/met while there and participating in co-writing sessions much more than I probably ever would have before having gone to Songcamp. Songcamp gave me a new perspective on collaboration in music not just as a singer, but as a writer and producer as well, I’ve become a lot more open to sharing my musical ideas with other artists and getting used to building concepts in a collaborative space. I have had the chance to perform many of the songs I wrote while at Songcamp. One of the most exciting performances was singing “Playin it Cool” (written by Gordie Sampson, Ria Mae and Myself) at the Roots & Soul music festival in St. Lucia, where I did a set opening for Mýa, Ginuwine, and UB40. I have also since been working with some musicians/producers/engineers in Montreal as well as local Halifax artists, largely making connections with artists my age here in Halifax. I plan to continue expanding my music circle and keep on creating.

Q. Share a memorable Songcamp experience/memory.
A. The most memorable thing from Songcamp was the truly inspiring environment the camp takes place in. For me the location at Keltic Lodge was the ideal place for clearing the mind and gathering inspiration to write music. The water and the cliffs we’re unlike anything I’ve seen before and personally I feel like the natural Beaty and being able to sit with nature far from civilization enhanced my creativity.

On July 6, Zamani released a song that she wrote and produced and accompanying video entitled "Outside" - check it out below!!

Keep up with Zamani here:
https://www.facebook.com/zamanifolade/
https://www.instagram.com/zamanifolade/

Original composition written, produced, engineered by African Nova Scotian R&B Sensation, Zamani. For information check out Zamani at: Web: http://www.zamani...

07/20/2020

Songcamp Spotlight: Andrew Austin

Andrew Austin is a Canadian Producer and Indie Pop/Alt-Rock artist based in Toronto. We were so happy to have him join us at Songcamp as one of our special guest producers/writers for a few of our camps in the last few years!
Andrew has produced and written many songs for film and TV, released multiple albums (check out his most recent release, "Starts and Fits" on Spotify!), and has also been a close friend and co-writer of one of our Songcamp success stories, Port Cities over the years, co-writing three songs on their debut, self-titled album!
Thanks for joining us, Andrew!

07/17/2020

Songcamp Spotlight: Breagh Isabel

Looking back on 10 years of Songcamp, we asked Songcampers and some of our special guest writers/producers to share their experience from their time spent in Ingonish as well as what they've been up to since last attending!

Breagh Isabel has been hard at work writing and producing songs since Songcamp last summer. Some of her most recent musical endeavors include her new song with Classified and O'Sound "Good News" (Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtChOhgJSpA ), and a cover of Selena Gomez' "Lose You To Love Me", alongside her friends and collaborators Ria Mae and Rose Cousins, which you can check out here: https://youtu.be/gEEfwTJBoQU

Breagh has been a vital member of our Songcamp community for many years, and was a founding member of Port Cities, the wonderful Nova Scotian band which formed from relationships built at Songcamp alongside Dylan Guthro and Carleton Stone.

Breagh sent in some photos of some of her favourite memories from Songcamp - check them out below!