JaM Sessions Podcast

JaM Sessions Podcast

JaM Sessions showcases musicians and music fans from all over Nova Scotia and abroad. Spanning all genres with in-depth interviews and in-studio performances. Subscribe today and we’ll keep your ear to the ground when it comes to what's hot, and who's upcoming in the eclectic musical landscape that makes up this beautiful part of Canada. Hosted by Jeph Balesdent and friends.

Episodes

September 26, 2025 64 mins

Our guest this week is Mitchell MacDonald, a singer-songwriter from the beautiful Garden of Eden in Pictou County. Mitchell got his start playing classic country at kitchen parties with his grandfather, and his love for music has only grown since. Inspired by artists like Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Zach Bryan, and Tyler Childers, his songs are heartfelt, honest, and rooted in real life. A devoted dad and lifelong storyteller, Mitc...

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We got a new Theme song from the folks at Saltwater Sound and a brand new guest!! Download now to hear Shaun Patrick's story and wonderfully warm voice that, as Jeph says is; "a hug for your ears"

Shaun Patrick is a folk singer from Pictou Nova Scotia. He plays sings, plays guitar & harmonica.  Todd Snider, Tyler Childers Guy Clark....and of course, the master,  John Prine are some of his influences. Hes been on t...

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This week we sit down with the busiest musician in Pictou County, Andre Pettipas and catch up with what's up, how yas been and all that! Check out the links below and get your ticket to Giantstock 3.0! They promise it to be BIGGER, BETTER and BADDER!

Check out all things Andre and the Giants here

Get your Giantstock Tickets here


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Season 4 Starts Now!
Jam Sessions is back!! Tune in to the Season 4 premiere featuring Katie and Cory of Saltwater Sound, recorded right in their east coast studio.
They'll dive into music, recording, gear, and the heart behind their sound.
Listen now on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.
And be sure to follow our Season 4 sponsor Saltwater Sound on all platforms: @saltwatersoundNS


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100 episodes!!?? That's right we're here! This episode features Lance and the Mallards! They are a high-energy blues and rockabilly band hailing from right here in Nova Scotia. Known for their infectious grooves and captivating stage presence, they've been electrifying audiences across the province. Their music is available on all major streaming platforms. Check them out Today!!

Spotify

Facebook

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Beach Babez is a punk band from Pictou County, Nova Scotia who as it would seem have chosen to go with a “z” instead of an “s” in the spelling of their band name. Tasteful. Edgy. Ahead of the curve. That’s Beach Babez with a “Z”, thank you very much. Beach Babez: humble yet sophisticated culmination of a wide range of classic influences spanning between artists such as Cher, Garth Brooks and G.G. Allin. 
Move over, New Glasgow ...

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Brand New Band Alert!!! 📢

Download and listen now to find out more about Pictou County's newest original band!! 

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This week's Guest is Luke Greencorn. I'm just going to let the episode tell his story, but here's his ig: https://www.instagram.com/stormyseastudios/


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Veteran metal warriors in the Halifax scene are ready to melt some faces with a new project. Black Spectre features Paul Beranger (vocals and guitar) and Frank Turgeon (bass) both formerly of Cottus and Inexorath. This powerhouse black metal writing duo are joined by William Grant on drums to create an intense metal trio.  They are gearing up to release their debut ep and have permitted J.a.M. Sessions an exclusive listen. Tune in ...

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Download and listen in now to get to know our neighbor and friend Katelyn Danielle, one of the newest singer songwriters to bless the stages of Pictou County. We had a lovely time so I'll be brief with notes and let the episode do the talking. A few special shout outs to former guests and good buds, Cory Mercer and Katie Macintosh of Saltwater Sound for helping Katelyn get to where she is today! 

Social Links:
In...

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From the age of 3 this performer has been GRACING stages and pleasing crowds for over 5 decades now. With over 3,000 shows under his belt you can say he's seen some stuff. From tiny stages in small towns in Nova Scotia to the big, bright cities of Tennessee you'll be sure not be disappointed when he opens his mouth and shares his story ad songs he loves. Download now and listen to his music journey and how he recently had...

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Halifax based alt-rock band with inspired sounds from artists such as Rage Against the Machine, Rise Against and Red Hot Chili Peppers to create a unique alternative rock sound.

 Featuring artists from across the Maritimes (Cape Breton, Newfoundland and PEI) these backyard heroes are fighting boredom one rock song at a time.

 Their debut album "Beyond the Fence" has been featured on Canadian Spotify Play...

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Nathan Gerrior, Meghan Watters, Justin & Corinne Johnson, Steve Bellefontaine: This is the formula that makes up 11th & Duke, Pictou County's newest lineup serving sick rhythms, heartwarming guitar licks and goose-bump-inducing vocal harmonies.
Download now and hear how they go from "Jimmy Rankin to Jimmy Hendrix"
Love what you hear? Go see the whole band here:
Aug. 11th @ Cold Stream Distillery...

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AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, but not really! 
This week Jeph catches up with long time friend and man of many hats and ties, The one, The only: Rick Anderson! Although we say Episode 90, it's actually our 91st! Oops!

Download now and hear some of the crazy stories of his life and what's brought him to this point of peace, creativity and Zen-like way of being. We get treated with an oldie but a ...

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Download now and meet my next guest, Promoter, Festival Planner and Executive, Singer, Music Maker, Fire Spinner, and now my buddy, Aaron MOTHER F@#KIN' Hayden!! 
Mayhem Mountain NEXT WEEKEND!! 
Contact Aaron, or any of the bands for tickets and we'll see YOU on the mountain! 

Wicker Casket: https://youtu.be/-Dr5aBAmtqQ 


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This week's guest John Scotto, lead singer of Dogs of Sun sits down with Jeph and lets us in on his musical journey up to now. 
Listen in and check out where you can catch this wicked 4-man eardrum attack (a good attack, let me be clear) PS it's all over everywhere this summer and we feature a few of their songs! 

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Don't feel bad if you stumble the first time on the name, but once you hear them and say it a few times, you'll never forget it.
Cory Mercer, Tyler MacIntosh & Steve LeBlanc have come together to form Pictou County's newest original band Cory & The Mercernaries.
Listen in on Steve's early beginnings and how he and Tyler became Mercernaries!
The fellas play a few tunes in the jams space @ Me...

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Cook, Drummer, Bassist, Artist, Hard Worker, Dad, call him what you will but I like Friend most. 
This week Jeph sits down with Matthew Smith, drummer for Only Vultures Left, Dogs of Sun and bassist for Korn Tribute band Ball Tongue.
We eat the spiciest curry we've ever experienced and talk about where he came from, why he does what he does and what's next for this absolutely prolific writer and superb performer. ...

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Nathan White is a locally grown and pandemic-inspired singer-songwriter.
I've been watching him learn and grow and fall in love with this art we call music over the past few years and to celebrate his very first original song, I've invited him on the show to share his story up to this point. We have the best mimosas I've ever tasted and lots of laughs. 
Download now to hear about the time he got to pilot the ...

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Unplanned episodes tend to be some of my favorites.
This week we sit down with Deacon Day, Bassist Extraordinaire and great friend!
Listen now to hear his journey

Links:
13 - Allegiance Video
AFTRR - Across From The Red Room
Non Stop Action - Masters of The Universe
Only Vultures Left - Kill Me In New Orleans

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