We were saddened to hear of the passing of Koady Chaisson of Prince Edward Island trio The East Pointers, who was just 37 years old.

The band posted on their Facebook page:

“It was 8 years ago that Koady turned his life around. He got sober, changed his habits, and dove into healing himself — the kind that many run away from. Just after this, when times were especially tough for him, the three of us made it a point to build on our musical friendship that had been stewing in the background for a few years prior. There was no intention to take it any further than our living rooms — just hearing Koad’s tunes, collaborating and laughing with him was rejuvenating, electric and so special.”

The East Pointers have built up an amazing community around them, not just in Canada but across Europe, in the UK, and Australia where their live performances have always gone down a storm. They have an infectious energy that always finds its way to the heart of an audience.
 
The East Pointers emerged to rapturous applause, and seemed genuinely at home with the crowd, reminding everyone that dancing was positively encouraged.   A show of hands revealed that at least half of the room had been to an East Pointers’ gig there before, and the band set off with a blistering reel set…
 
Folk Alliance Australia acknowledges the many friends and fans that Koady and The East Pointers had in Australia and especially pass on our most sincere condolences to his life-partner Chloe Goodyear, program director of the Woodford Folk Festival.

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