Nova Scotia·East Coast Music HourThe East Coast Music Hour commissioned members of the band Lane Hall, JRDN and Richard (Nulo) McNeil, along with Kailin Glasgow, to co-write a new song fitting the theme of community. This is Glasgow’s first-person reflection of the experience. How a songwriting collaboration helped me overcome my shyness and make new connections Kailin Glasgow · for CBC News · Posted: Nov 01, 2025 5:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesKailin Glasgow and JRDN during a live performance of their commissioned song Come on Over. (CBC)CBC Radio’s East Coast Music Hour commissioned members of the band Lane Hall, JRDN and Richard (Nulo) McNeil, along with Kailin Glasgow, to co-write a new song fitting the theme of community. This is Glasgow’s first-person reflection of the experience. My journey as an artist has been filled with personal challenges, but one particular project marked a significant turning point in my life. It all began when I was commissioned by East Coast Music Hour to create a song about community. At first, I felt both excited and nervous. The idea of working on such a meaningful project was thrilling, yet I couldn’t shake off the feelings of loneliness and isolation that had been my companions for so long. The project kicked off with a Zoom call where I met the other artists and producers involved. I was incredibly nervous during that first call. Everyone else seemed to have established relationships, and I felt like an outsider. The concept of community was something I hadn’t fully experienced before, and I was unsure how I could contribute. Despite my initial reluctance, I was encouraged to share my ideas. This encouragement was new to me, and it sparked a small flame of confidence.As the project progressed, I found myself in the studio, working closely with the producer, Nulo. He had a way of making me feel involved and valued. Nulo’s encouragement helped me open up, and I began to contribute more actively. It was in this collaborative environment I met JRDN, another artist on the project. Our collaboration was harmonious, and together, we created a safe space for creativity to flourish.The culmination of our efforts was a performance and a music video for our commissioned song called Come on Over. The song highlights the value of having a community that accepts you for who you are. It also touches on the loneliness so many of us experience in an increasingly online world. It’s so easy to like someone’s picture or send a quick text and keep on scrolling. Come on Over encourages us to reach out and to really connect with one another. I saw the value of this myself working on this project. Going into the co-write, I felt isolated but by the end, I felt like I was part of a family that valued my contributions. This experience was transformative, providing me with a newfound sense of belonging and support.WATCH | Kailin Glasgow and the band Lane Hall perform Come on Over live:Reflecting on this journey, I realize how much I have grown both personally and professionally. The project taught me the true meaning of community and the power of collaboration. It showed me I am not alone and that there are people who appreciate and value my work. Writing this song was more than just a commission; it was a journey of self-discovery and growth. It helped me overcome my shyness and isolation, and it connected me with a community of like-minded individuals who share my passion for art. This realization has been empowering, and it has given me the confidence to pursue my artistic endeavours with renewed vigour.MORE TOP STORIESABOUT THE AUTHORKailin Glasgow is a Halifax-based R&B pop singer, songwriter and performer.
Finding community through artistic collaboration
