Students bring music home
January 28, 2026 9:21 AM
With the atrophy of live music venues in Antigonish, the house at 37 St. Mary’s Street is emerging as a hip new venue for visiting musicians and Antigonish bands alike.
Ian Grant, a third year music student from New Glasgow, and his six roommates (four of whom are also in the music program) occupy the house, and have already put on three shows since moving in this past September.
Though putting on a concert in a house seems like a daunting task, the space is a perfect fit for the folksy, indie artists that have been playing there, and Grant and his roommates are up to the challenge.
“Having roommates in the music program definitely helps,” says Grant, who is primarily responsible for organizing the shows.
A large, somewhat foreboding structure from the outside, the rear portion of the building features a window-filled nook with a built in stage where the shows are held, one of the attributes that initially drew Grant to the house.
“When I saw the space I knew I wanted to have music parties here next year,” he says.
Old wood floors, tall ceilings, and Christmas lights that have “been up since Halloween” add plenty of ambiance and give the room an intimate feel. When the stage is not in use for a concert, Grant and his musical roommates use it as a practice space.
The idea to host concerts in the house took off in earnest last fall, after the roommates hosted a “very successful” Halloween get together featuring music from Moustache Pony.
Following the party, “a friend from home was looking for a place to host a Brian Borcherdt concert,” comments Grant, and that got the ball rolling on another concert. The November show featured Borcherdt, as well as Julie Fader and Mike Dalton.
Following the success of last semester’s show, he booked in Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees, AV, Jenocide, and Transatlantic Zodiac Band this past Tuesday, and has more big plans for the upcoming months.
On February 2, By Divine Right, The Danks, Mary Stewart, and Pat Lapoidevan are set to take the stage, and Grant is optimistic about holding one more show before the school year ends and the roommates have to say goodbye to the house.
So far, the venue has seen a fairly good turnout for shows but Grant is eager to spread the word to amp up attendance.