The Dawg Delivers
You never know where life will take you.
Hi, I’m Darren. Some of you know me as The Dawg. Some of you recognize me from my music project, A Port City Junk Band with local musician Ed Arseneau (and others). And some of you, in the New Brunswick music scene, know me as a mic hogging karaoke singer.
I need you to understand it wasn’t always this way. On April 6, 2022, I landed in Saint John, New Brunswick and began what has been nothing less than a magical musical journey; from the sidelines, straight into the trenches. My foray in the the New Brunswick music scene started at the R Bar, an old, dingy melting pot of talent in Uptown, Saint John. Well, I was never talented, but I was certainly hanging out. My neighbour, and now great friend, Wanda, started taking my wife and I there. I was reluctant at first to start karaoke at the R Bar because I was scared it would unleash exactly what it did.
Once I got my feet under me on the karaoke stage, I moved on to the open mics in Saint John. Specifically O’Leary’s on Princess Street. I don’t remember the date but I do remember the first time I stepped up on the front stage at O’Leary’s. It was terrifying in some ways. Brent Mason had just finished playing. He had no idea who I was, and I barely knew who he was. Yet I knew in that moment if I didn’t take that leap, I may never and, for the first time in my life, I wanted to feel what that leap felt like. So, against all odds, I began what has become my musical journey. I wasn’t a born performer, but it turns out I like to perform.
I’ve now spent months going in between open mics in Saint John and around New Brunswick, building my brand, writing songs, and cementing my bond with Ed. It’s introduced me to some incredible venues and fantastic people: all of which I’ll be sharing with you here in the months ahead. I met Ryan Gautreau at the McGill’s open mic. I’ve played on stage with Drake Tobias at Wasted Day. Ed and I even made the trek out to Hampton to play The Red Brick with Sarah Estabrooks. It will take several articles to discuss O’Leary’s and the impact of everyone there. All memories I can now cherish forever and share with you.
As the new music writer for Experience New Brunswick, I’ll be visiting various music venues, interviewing local musicians, reviewing shows across the province. Award shows. Songwriter circles. Special events. I’ll bring it all to you. Thank you for taking the time to check us out and I look forward to sharing with you everything the local music scene offers. Talk soon.
Darren “The Dawg” Robertson Born and raised in Moncton, NB, Darren has tried his hand at various business and political ventures over the years. It was only when he discovered his true raison d’être that life began to make sense. In April 2022 Darren moved to Saint John, NB with his wife Chrystal and launched his music career. You can catch Darren playing music in various venues all around beautiful Uptown, Saint John.
