St. John, New Brunswick: land of an age-old oil monopoly, beautiful architecture, and some of the most immediately friendly people I have ever met. I’ve brought back photos, vintage records, and a highly unsocial, congestive head cold with astonishing potency. But a few glasses of water and many garlic-induced twitches later (my roommate’s secret cure), and with the help of a few Atlantic-coast artists, I’m inspired to show these tissues who’s boss.

Holy Fuck was one of the helpers. They’re an instrumental five-piece hailing from South Ohio, Nova Scotia. Despite the fact that they’re classified as electronica, the band steers clear of laptops and programmed backing tracks in favor of live drums, bass, keyboards, and other offline gadgetry, all of which makes for an inspiring departure from their Powerbook-strapped peers in the genre. In an era where live electronic shows too often take the shape of unintentional Apple product placement, Holy Fuck’s focused, gritty delivery of improvisational electronica makes for an infectious, danceable soundscape that is about five times more refreshing than downing chunks of raw garlic.

Infectious dance sensibilities continue with Buck 65 (Richard Terfry), who was raised in Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia. He has stood at the helm of Canadian hip hop since he started recording in the early nineties. Restless and innovative, Buck 65 consistently casts aside the labels that critics try to stabilize him with; the only static thing about him is his lyrical eccentricity. He’ll rap about cheese and crackers, feeling awkward, and jumping fences, all the while incorporating violins, harmonicas, and country spoons in his live performances.

Country spoons aside, Joel Plaskett Emergency has garnered a considerable amount of public attention as of late, chiefly in the form of a Juno nomination and an East Coast Music Award. Still, Joel and his band The Emergency play their cards close to their chests, and it shows in Joel’s introverted songwriting and hushed instrumentals. The single “I Love This Town” is an ode to Plaskett’s hometown, written on the road while lonesome for the familiarity of his roots in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Sample songs from each artist below.