WHERE IT BEGANThe fiddle was Cole's first instrument and adventure in music making. Starting at age five, it opened the door to a world of experiences that shaped his musical journey. By the age of 14, he was immersed in the local fiddle group, traveling from the quiet island he called home to the vibrant streets of Boston and even reaching the breathtaking scenery of Finland. These were huge adventures for a small-town boy, igniting a passion for performance and cultural exchange.
At 15, Cole Dine discovered a new element of magic in music when his father showed him some chords on the guitar. With the aid of YouTube tutorials, he quickly fell in love with the instrument. High school brought new opportunities for exploration in composition and songwriting. Attending the Gulf Island School of Performing Arts (GISPA) was a pivotal step, as it provided him with the mentorship and training necessary to hone his craft.
By 16, Cole had amassed a collection of original songs and was eager to share them. He performed whenever he had the chance—whether at school events, open mics, or local venues. With the support of his new guitar teacher and producer, Adam Dobres, Cole decided it was time to record his songs. At seventeen, he released his first album “Better Man,” marking a significant moment in his journey as an artist and giving him a glimpse into the realities of being a working musician.
At 18, he had aspirations of pursuing post-secondary in performance, taking him to Holland College—a Berklee partner school—on Prince Edward Island. It was there that Cole's passion for production and engineering blossomed, nurtured by jumping off the deep end and trying DIY recordings of songs, like his 2020 single “Smoke,” recorded in his dorm room closet.
After a year on PEI, Cole felt a sense of uncertainty about his journey in performance school. Seeking clarity and inspiration, he made the bold decision to relocate to the Yukon. During his time there, he worked in a quaint coffee shop, which provided him with a tranquil backdrop to write and reflect on his music.
After a year of contemplation, Cole returned to the West Coast and enrolled at Nimbus School of Recording and Media in Vancouver. There, he immersed himself in the world of music production, successfully earning a Diploma in Advanced Music Production and Engineering.
Amidst the challenges presented by the pandemic, Cole found resilience within himself. He adapted by engaging in online learning and gaining practical experience with the band, 29 East. This growth not only deepened his understanding of music, but also revitalized his passion for songwriting, positioning him for future successes in his career.
Cole's journey continued as he honed his skills in engineering, production, mixing, and performance with 29 East, a formative period marked by the recording of their EP "29E." It was the first recording of theirs not engineered by Cole, providing him with a deeper understanding of life on the "other side of the glass." This experience profoundly impacted Cole's practice as an engineer and producer, giving him a more holistic understanding of the recording process.
Balancing his time between mixing albums, recording ensembles, and nurturing his creativity and songwriting, Cole is poised at the precipice of a new chapter—one marked by passion, creativity, and an unwavering dedication to his craft and community. With each note he plays and each lyric he pens, Cole Dine remains in tireless pursuit of a sound that resonates with humble authenticity.
