Prince Edward Island singer-songwriter Shane Pendergast shares “She Could Be Waiting for You,” a warm, rustic folk single that explores the fragile space between hope and heartbreak. Rooted in vivid storytelling and timeless songwriting, the track captures the emotional push and pull of a relationship caught between uncertainty and possibility, offering a poignant reflection on love and loss. It’s the first single to be shared from his upcoming fifth album, Jack Pine, set for release on October 23rd, 2026.
Inspired by the familiar saying, “You don’t know what you have until it’s gone,” the song emerged as Pendergast imagined the story of a turbulent relationship shaped by longing, regret, and the possibility of reconciliation. Written while reading Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, the track draws on the novel’s restless spirit while remaining grounded in the intimate, character-driven storytelling that has become a hallmark of Pendergast’s songwriting.
Listen to “She Could Be Waiting for You” HERE.
Rather than offering certainty, “She Could Be Waiting for You” embraces the uneasy balance between optimism and doubt, exploring the emotional cycles that often accompany love and the quiet questions that linger long after a relationship begins to unravel. At its heart, the song speaks to an experience that feels both deeply personal and universally familiar.
“I am constantly inspired by the folk music of the past, and songs that tell a story,” Pendergast explains. “I spend a lot of time on every word in my songs.”
Musically, “She Could Be Waiting for You” stays true to Pendergast’s commitment to authentic folk music. Recorded live off the floor in a rural Prince Edward Island church, the performance captures the warmth and spontaneity of musicians playing together in a shared space. Jack Pine was tracked over five days while the band camped inside the church itself, with drummer Connor Nabuurs positioned behind a glass entryway and engineer/co-producer Mark Westberg (known for his work with acclaimed Canadian folksinger David Francey) helping shape the recording.
“I’ve really become committed to recording tracks live off the floor,” Pendergast says. “It just feels right for my style of music, and it’s so much more enjoyable. More and more I am conscious of avoiding a ‘generated’ sound.”
Sharp thorn, jacket’s been torn
No use in chasing a changed heart
Shane Pendergast has folk music in his blood. Hailing from a long lineage of storytellers and musicians in Prince Edward Island, he is carrying the Maritime folk tradition forward through honest, insightful songwriting rooted in place and lived experience.
From an early age, Pendergast performed in community halls throughout PEI, developing a deep appreciation for the region’s rich folk traditions before moving to Toronto in 2016 to study documentary filmmaking at York University. While earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts, he began writing original songs and performing regularly throughout the city’s clubs and taverns, while his documentaries John Bil and Song of the Stevedore screened at festivals across North America.
Since returning home to Prince Edward Island, Pendergast has become one of Atlantic Canada’s most compelling contemporary folk voices. His debut album, Place to the Name, earned a Music PEI nomination, while Second Wind received Contemporary Roots Album of the Year at the 2021 Music PEI Awards. His fourth album, Winter Grace, released in 2025, earned him a 2026 Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for Songwriter of the Year, further recognizing his gift for timeless storytelling.
With “She Could Be Waiting for You,” Pendergast continues to honour the traditions that shaped him while crafting songs that feel unmistakably his own. Rich in narrative detail, emotional honesty, and understated beauty, the single is another reminder that the strongest folk songs don’t simply tell stories; they invite listeners to find themselves within them.
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