ALTERNATIVE

The music of Newfoundland date back to the 16th century when the European countries such as, Ireland, Scotland, France, and England, which came to the island for the search of northern cod fish. Overtime, the songs of their homeland were remade to fit their own experience, which they had in the province of Newfoundland about politics, humor, hope, tragedy, sea and the land around them.

It was in the 20th century, when Newfoundland folk music started to leave the kitchens and sitting rooms and emerged as the voice of Newfoundland. In the 1930's, the music that was played in the kitchens and sitting rooms were being heard on local radio stations shows such as, "The Big Six" and "The Irene B. Melon". This helped in the spread of Newfoundland music throughout the province, and making these singers and songs a household name throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

During the second World War (WW II), American soldiers came to the Newfoundland Island and set up several military bases; bring their own culture of the Western province and the United States and forming their own radio station. This radio station played the top hits of the United States in jazz, pop, and country music. All the Newfoundlanders could hear this radio station, and with confederation and the push for modernization, the Newfoundland moved back into the kitchen and sitting rooms.

In 1964, with the debut of the "All Around The Circle" aired on CBC and revived the interest in traditional music. This caused the young musicians and singers to take interest in the music of their own land. In the mid-70's, bands were back to playing the Traditional music, but with their own twist of Rock music they grew up with.

Since the early 90's to the present, the music of Newfoundland and Labrador has been more known throughout the world then ever before. This is mainly because of the "East Coast Music Awards" and the "Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador", they have helped in the promote of locate singers and songwriters to Record Company's and in receiving air play from TV and radio stations.

You will find different forms of music today in Newfoundland, from alternative, country, Irish traditional, progressive traditional, traditional, and rock/pop. You may think that the traditional Newfoundland music is being push back to the kitchen and sitting rooms, but you would be wrong. The traditional Newfoundland music is still just as strong as ever, because of bands like Great Big Sea, The Celtic Connection, The Irish Descendants, and many other bands that still play some traditional songs of Newfoundland culture along with their music.

I have enclosed links to the different forms of music that are found on the Newfoundland Island. On these pages, you will find a small list of Newfoundland bands that fall within these categories. I have given a brief description of each and also a link to their official website or a site with additional information about the band, group or singer. Please feel free to take a look .I will update the website with additional information every month. So please drop back at anytime to take a look at what new bands groups or singer I have added to the website.

Thank you!

COUNTRY

IRISH TRADITIONAL

PROGRESSIVE TRADITIONAL

ROCK AND POP

TRADITIONAL