Mark Hiscock's death has punched a 'hole' in N.L. music community, say musicians

CBC

08-05-2025

Hiscock of Shanneyganock died suddenly at age 53
Some of Atlantic Canada's best musicians are in St. John's this week for what is usually a celebration of excellence. This year, though, the sudden death of Newfoundland and Labrador musical legend Mark Hiscock has left the crowd remembering the life and legacy of a musical giant.
Hiscock, a founding member of the well-known folk band Shanneyganock, died on Tuesday. He was 53.
"It is a sombre day," said Con O'Brien of The Irish Descendants, while paying tribute on-stage to his long-time friend.
O'Brien dedicated a performance of 'Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary's' to Hiscock's memory and asked people to take out their cellphones and turn on the flashlight because "a little beacon of light might help," he said, "And let Mark know that you're here."
Image | Mark Hiscock
Caption: Mark Hiscock, a founding member of Shanneyganock, has died. He was 53. (Courtesy Mark Hiscock)
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With Violet's Sarah Newell says Hiscock's death is a major loss for the province, but said the ECMAs are an opportunity for the musical community to remember him together.
"There's not a household that wasn't touched by him and his music, so it's definitely going to be a big hole," Newell told CBC News.
Shanneyganock, which was formed more than 30 years ago as a musical duo with Hiscock and Chris Andrews, have a strong following and regularly perform across Canada.
WATCH | The East Coast Music Awards kick off, with sombre undertones due to the death of Shanneygannock member:
Media Video | The East Coast Music Awards kick off, with sombre undertones due to the death of Shanneygannock member
Caption: After a decade, the East Coast Music Awards are back in St. John's. On Wednesday night, performances kicked off the five-day event, and there were tributes to Mark Hiscock, a founding member of legendary N.L. band Shanneyganock.
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Pete MacDonald, also part of With Violet, says Hiscock left a strong impression on other musicians.
"Shanneyganock is just a huge part of the Newfoundland music scene and you rarely have a party without it so he'll be missed," said MacDonald.
Jordan Coaker, one half of the duo Quote the Raven, says Hiscock's music was instantly recognizable because of his style.
"You recognize people as instrumentalists and vocalists and stuff like that, and Mark is instantly identifiable from the first note that he played on the accordion or the first note that he sang," said Coaker.
Coaker says Hiscock's legacy "resonates throughout all of us" and the moments he shared with Hiscock were special.
Speaking before the ECMAs, life-long friend and band member Chris Andrews says the band will perform at the ECMA gala scheduled for Thursday night.
"We're going to play and we think we've done it in a way that is very respectful of Mark and will let people appreciate Mark," said Andrews.
He says Hiscock's death isn't the signal of the end of Shanneyganock.
"And also to show that, you know, even though Mark is gone and it'll be different, but the band will continue."