This is the cover story from the fifth issue of CBC Music Magazine. To download the full issue for iOS — including the mapping of Grammy-nominated album Native North America and a look into the rise and fall of the Canrock revolution — click here. (For Android devices, click here.)

From outdoor festival to late-night bar show, Hey Rosetta!’s symphonic, hook-laden pop has been lifting hearts and leading sing-alongs for more than a decade.

The seven-piece from St. John’s will be in Sydney, N.S., this week for the East Coast Music Awards (for which they've gathered a whopping seven nominations), so we thought now would be a perfect time to ask the band members for a list of East Coast bands everyone needs to hear. Read their picks below, and get to listening.

Artist: Dylan Menzie
Song: “I Wanna Know”

Why: “He's got a huge voice and a knack for writing a hit. After hearing him a couple of times you can't help but sing along.” — Kinley Dowling

Band: The East Pointers
Song: “The Drift”

Why: “These three dudes are some of the best players around. They grew up listening and playing traditional music. They make it look cool.” — KD

Band: Glory Glory
Song: “Where the People Are”

Why: “These guys are new to me but I dig what I hear — playful and cool — like the perfect fun/nerdy dance party for their 2 a.m. Friday night slot.” — Tim Baker

Artist: Kat McLevey
Song: “Winter Shows Me”

Why: “Great young, talented songwriter, guitar player and singer from St. John’s. Such tasteful, cool arrangements. Yes!” — TB

Band: Mardeen
Song: “Silver Fang”

Why: “These Cape Bretoners have been crafting some near-perfect pop for about a decade! You need to hear them.” — Adam Hogan

Band: Steve Maloney and the Wandering Kind
Song: “Exaggerations”

Why: “Sure, I'm biased because he's my bro but he's got some solid tunes and his voice is as smooth as butter.” — Phil Maloney

Listen to "Exaggerations" via Bandcamp.

Hey Rosetta! plays the CBC Music Festival at Toronto’s Echo Beach on May 28. Get your tickets here.