Tom Colford

December 09, 2020. - Tom Colford is no stranger to the Cape Breton arts scene. The South Bar raised artist, now residing in Toronto, has danced for the likes of Shawn Mendes and Janet Jackson, as well as acted on network television shows like Backstage (Disney Channel and Family Channel), Mr. D (CBC), and The Strain (FX). Though Cape Bretoners are more likely to know him from his dance show Chiaroscuro, which raised nearly $50,000 to repair and support local dance studios back in 2017. While Colford continues to pursue many creative avenues, he’s bringing something new to the table: music.

On December 11th, Something About Expectations will be released. A four song EP featuring music written and performed under the pseudonym LEANDER.

Three of the tracks are produced and composed by Creighton Doane, another Nova Scotia bred artist, now residing in Toronto in the third decade of his music career. “I was really fortunate to have such a great mentor and collaborator in Creighton,” said Colford, “The guy knows so much about music and is still so persistently curious about what he’s yet to uncover. Coming from two very different generations and influences, we figured if we can come up with something we both like, it’s likely to be something with some broader appeal.”

Tom has always had a curiosity about music and grew up surrounded by musicians, but it wasn’t until 2016 when he was cast on the show Backstage that he considered putting any professional energy towards exploring it. “I was working day after day with these super talented musicians on the show who were my age. I got a very intimate look at what went into their art and their careers and how each of them found their path. It was inspiring to say the least and made releasing music in a meaningful way feel like something achievable.”

The notoriously turbulent nature of the music industry caused the young performer to keep the project on the down low. However, once he was ready to share the project, the first place he went was home. “My largest passion in life is film, so I knew I was going to want to do a video for one of the songs. I started brainstorming and gathering pieces of an idea, and I knew the places and people I wanted to make this with were on Cape Breton Island.”

Colford returned to South Bar in September and after his isolation period ended, he quickly got to work with some of his favourite performers and artists on the island. Many of whom, he’s worked with to different extents through the Highland Arts Theatre. The music video for the EP’s opening track, titled Adventure Song, features 27 local artists in front of and behind the scenes. It’s due to release on YouTube December 13th at 8pm AST.

What’s next for Colford? He’ll be moving to New York City in January to further pursue his training at the renowned Terry Knickerbocker Studio in their acting conservatory program.

Production Media Reference: Chantelle Good

Phone: (416) 573-6654

Email: [email protected]