Further along the artistic way

CBS musician Darcy Scott wins Music NL prize for folk music

By Chad Feehan
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
November 3, 2023

Conception Bay South resident Darcy Scott is this year’s recipient of the Music NL Folk/Roots Artist of the Year Award.

Despite grinding out about 75 shows over the past year and making other moves in his burgeoning music career, Scott was surprised to hear his name called out at the awards ceremony.

For Scott, just being nominated among a roster of other talented musicians was an honor.

“Folk music here in this province is such a prominent genre… there was a lot of great nominees and super talented musicians,” he said. “Hearing my name called was a huge treat. It was fantastic.”

The win is reflective of his recent output of work, including participation in the Folk Harbour Music Festival in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, and releasing his first EP.
“I’ve learned so much more about the music business side of the industry,” said Scott. “I’ve been treating music like a nine-to-five job working super hard to put myself out there.”

Winning a Provincial Arts and Letters Award for his song “Your Name” earlier this year was a turning point for Scott, and since then he’s signed with Sealey Cove records based in Winterton where he will work with Grammy Award winning producer Greg Wells.

“Having those people in my corner over at Sealey Cove records is going to push me into a new category and help me create some top quality music,” he said.
While Scott is heavily influenced by folk heroes like Gordon Lightfoot and Ron Hynes as well as newer artists including Zack Bryan and Tyler Childers, his influences reach farther than that.

“I’m also challenging myself to listen to the weirdest music I can possibly find, and find something in it that works,” he said. “I listen to a lot of Slipknot, I listen to a lot of Nirvana.”

Meeting and connecting with inspiring people has been one of the most important parts of his journey so far.
In addition to some planned collaborations, Scott wants to take these opportunities to learn from musicians who’ve been around the block with wisdom to share with aspiring musicians like himself.

Touring is high on his list of things to get primed for before embarking on a circuit of his own.
“Every little piece of advice that you can soak up from those people is super valuable,” he said. “There’s lots of do’s and don’ts, lots of places to recommend… I always appreciate when people look to help in that way.”

Likewise, Scott is only happy to give advice to anyone looking to start their own careers.

“We’re all musicians and we’re all looking to just create the best art,” he said. “We’re all on the same path.”