Inn Echo: P.E.I. instrumental trio earns JUNO nomination

Three musicians who met while studying music at P.E.I. have formed “Inn Echo.”

Three musicians from across North America have found a home—and a sound—on Prince Edward Island.

Together, they form Inn Echo – a genre-blending trio that’s gaining national attention with their latest album, “Hemispheres.”

Fiddler Karson McKeown grew up in Ottawa, Ont., guitarist Tom Gammons comes from Butte, Montana, and Tuli Porcher, who plays both fiddle and cello, hails from Victoria, B.C.

“We play traditional tunes, but we also write a lot of our own compositions,” says Porcher. “We all went to music school, so we pull from jazz, blues, and rock, blending it into something new.”

The band formed in 2019 and credits Prince Edward Island’s tight-knit music scene for shaping their sound.

“There’s a great community of musicians of all genres here, but especially traditional music,” says McKeown. “We’re always learning from our peers, picking up new tunes, and growing as musicians.”

Their latest album, “Hemispheres,” is influenced by their experiences abroad.

“We took a lot of inspiration from our travels for this one, trips across Canada, as well as a huge tour in Australia,” says Gammons.

The album is turning heads in the industry, earning two nominations at the Music PEI Awards, along with a nomination for Instrumental Composer(s) of the Year at the Canadian Folk Awards.

And, the biggest recognition yet, Inn Echo is nominated for Traditional Roots Album of the Year at the JUNO Awards.

“Every musician has doubts about their own playing, but to have that recognition, you’re like, OK, I guess we’re kind of good now,” says McKeown.

“It’s a lot of hard work—writing, arranging, putting it all together,” says Porcher. “So for it to get picked up like this… it’s really special.”

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