Coming from Cape Breton, Slowcoaster offers an alternative to the traditional Celtic tunes for which the area has become so well known - something which reflects another side of the island's music scene. The band represents a younger generation who has grown up with the honesty and sense of tradition so evident in the Celtic scene, but also with the 1960's pop and country records of their parents, the flashy sounds and visuals of music videos, and the unique, original sounds coming from the vibrant local underground scene. This mish-mash of influence and style produces irresistibly catchy songs which are both honestly written and undeniably danceable. The music is a fusion of funk and reggae, with hints of rock, jazz, hip-hop and Latin rhythms forming a distinct original sound.

Slowcoaster started to take shape in November 1999 when singing, songwriting, guitarist Steven MacDougall and drummer Devon Strang returned to Cape Breton Island from Vancouver, BC and hooked up with Mike LeLievre, a well-traveled guitar player who took to playing bass guitar like it was his birthright. MacDougall brought with him a lifetime of tales which came alive in his songs. LeLievre's innovative grooves blend with MacDougall's guitar work and vocals weaving complex counterpoint melodies. In the summer of 2002, percussionist Darren Gallop joined Strang and set into motion another interweaving duo, both offsetting and supporting the strings. Congas accentuate syncopated funk-leaning songs and add a well-considered fullness to an already rich sound.

2004 saw Slowcoaster perform hundreds of shows throughout Eastern Canada; honored with two East Coast Music Award nominations - "Best New Group" and "Alternative Recording of the Year"; and featured in the Bravo! documentary Air Guitar in Oulu, while singer MacDougall placed second in the 16th annual National Songwriting Contest. The band is currently touring in support of their brand new release Where Are They Going?