John McLaren

Introducing John McLaren, an award-winning violinist who has made a remarkable transition into the realm of guitar, captivating audiences with his distinctive sound and innovative approach. Known for his unique style that incorporates percussive elements and altered tunings, John’s guitar playing is a masterful blend of traditional and modern fingerpicking techniques, beautifully showcased in his original compositions.

With a rich musical background that combines Cape Breton fiddle and classical violin, John has amassed hundreds of thousands of views online and delivered captivating live performances across North America. His ever-expanding catalogue of recorded instrumental music firmly establishes him as a formidable force in the instrumental genre.

John's debut single, "The Pathless Path," was featured on the globally renowned Candyrat Records YouTube channel, setting a high standard for instrumental guitar music. His most recent album, "John McLaren Part II," has received enthusiastic responses from audiences around the world, even earning accolades from talk show hosts like those at Atlantic Axess, who featured the full album on CFTA 107.9 FM. Esteemed two-time Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist Raul Midon has praised John's guitar work as "Awesome!" and "Cool!"—a testament to his exceptional talent.

With the release of his latest single, "Turning Away from Sin," produced by the legendary guitarist Antoine Dufour, on May 31st, 2025, and the album "Part II" being nominated for Recording for the Year at the 2025 PRIX MNB Awards, John McLaren continues to push the boundaries of his artistry. Stay tuned to see what exciting new sounds and surprises this talented musician has in store—he's an artist you won't want to miss!