Wintersleep Talk Halifax, Belle & Sebastian and East Coast Music Awards

Nova Scotia indie rockers Wintersleep have been doing everything but hibernating since the release of 'New Inheritors.' Upon wrapping up their latest tour next month with a couple of weeks in the Eastern US, they hope to get to work on their next record. And if it's anything like their last two collaborations with Glaswegian producer Tony Doogan (Mogwai and Belle and Sebastian), Wintersleep will continue to evolve their epic sound.

"It was pretty bold of us to start this record with the strings, but I guess the idea was Tony's," guitarist Tim D'Eon tells Spinner. "We got Mick Cooke from Belle and Sebastian to arrange the strings ... and we ended up really liking it. That was definitely a different aspect to this record for sure."

One wouldn't blame the members of Wintersleep for constantly pinching themselves considering the momentous year they've had, including performance at the Vancouver Olympic Games and on 'Late Show With David Letterman,' opening for Sir Paul McCartney, and covering Robbie Robertson's 'Broken Arrow' at his induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame last month.

Most recently, the band got wind that they're up for four East Coast Music Awards -- the award ceremony takes place Sunday night in Charlotteown, PEI -- including the major honour of Group and Recording of the Year.

"Getting recognized for anything, no matter what it is that you do, is pretty cool, especially from back home," says D'Eon.

Watch Wintersleep's Video for 'New Inheritors'
Wintersleep's hometown of Halifax has always been a close and fertile music community -- back in the mid-90s it even earned "Next Seattle" status -- but D'Eon admits there are many underrated artists who don't get the recognition they deserve.

"I have always been a really big fan of stuff that Seth Smith has done, [projects like] Dog Day or the Burdocks. I feel like they should be more well-known than they are. They are still making great records and have been for about 15 years!"

With acts like Sloan, Eric's Trip and Brian Borcherdt's metal project Burnt Black originating in Halifax, it's no surprise that D'Eon and his bandmates look up to these pioneering groups who helped to put the East Coast music scene on the map. And judging from the handful of awards Wintersleep are up for this weekend, the band has done their own share to bring acclaim to the region.