Along the Shores of Hogoma with Hearts of Kin and Aaron MacDonald

Warm up with some live music this winter at the Whycocomagh Waterfront Music Circles. Along the Shores of Hogoma features some of Cape Breton’s finest songwriters and performers. 

Out of the woods of Mabou, a town that beats in the musical heart of Cape Breton, comes the soulful, ever captivating, Americana singer Aaron MacDonald. It’s this small-town lifestyle that inspires songs for this ECMA nominee. Aaron’s matured blend of country and rock, all lovingly leaning towards roots and blues, carries the feel of familiarity while experiencing new songs for the first time. The authenticity of MacDonald’s live performances is magically captured as he lays out his life’s story with each song. His music comes across as something between the rhythmic soul of Nathaniel Rateliff mixed with the superb simplicity of John Prine. 

Hearts of Kin is redefining East Coast Americana with a fresh, yet timeless sound. Fronted by sisters Danielle MacDonald and Shellie Ann Tobin, this dynamic duo blends soul-stirring harmonies with their signature slide guitar, crafting music that feels both intimate and cinematic. Their songwriting, rich with raw emotion and storytelling, echoes the spirit of their early influences—Sheryl Crow, Jewel, The Chicks, and the legendary John Prine—while carving a distinct path of its own. Reunited in their Cape Breton hometown, the sisters have wasted no time making waves. Their debut full-length album, "Beautiful Burn" (2023), was met with widespread acclaim—ultimately earning them Music Nova Scotia’s Country Recording of the Year in 2024. With authenticity at their core and a sound that bridges the classic and the cutting edge, Hearts of Kin is proving that sibling harmony isn’t just something you hear—it’s something you feel.

The Whycocomagh Waterfront Music Circles winter 2026 season is sponsored by AA Munro Insurance.

8-10pm | $20 | 19+