Sweet Marie: In Studio with Erin Costelo

One cold and blustery Nova Scotia winter, Erin Costello challenged herself to write an entire album at an isolated home in the country for 10 days. Funnily enough, the lovely timber frame home she plays and records in is my own, belonging to my parents. It is the childhood home I grew up in and where I currently reside while waiting out the pandemic.

Her assembly of musicians includes an ace group of Canadian players for the album, including Glenn Milchem on drums (Blue Rodeo), Anna Ruddick on bass (Randy Bachman), Leith Fleming-Smith on organ (Matt Mays, Hawksley Workman) and her long-time partner, Clive MacNutt, on guitar.

Erin sings with a smooth and deep soulfulness that makes you want to sing along. The bopping melodies with R&B, blues and pop undertones usher all to dance with swaying ease. Her inspired poetic lyrics gracefully touch on the topics of love, life, relationships and beyond.

One particular song “All In Your Head,” she describes an uncanny feeling, which is illustrated in the documentary by its inspiration; a glowing green light that emanated one mysterious night from outside the upstairs bedroom. Something paranormal and eerie which doesn’t sit well her. A feeling that she can also relate to by navigating the music industry from her own, female perspective. As a multiple award winner for several albums, as well as Producer of the Year (2019), Erin is a true gem to the east coast music scene. Do yourself a favor and vibe along to this funky gal’s tunes and if you have a chance, check out the documentary about the creation of her latest album, Sweet Marie: In Studio With Erin Costello by Amelia Curran on CBC Gem.