A violinist turned self-taught guitarist.

Everything you hear on the acoustic guitar has no loops, tracks or other instruments. John McLaren's style of playing is his own modern fingerstyle approach.

With his violin being a mix of classical technique and Scottish traditional fiddle playing.

The journey began at seven years old, when he took up playing classical violin and Scottish fiddle music. Winning First place at The Toronto Kiwanis Festival in 2000 was one of many awards won across the Greater Toronto area. Which was also featured in the Toronto Star newspaper. John also had the privilege of playing for public figures such as Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman and David L Gunn. 

His families east coast musical roots come from Cape Breton Island. His Grandfather Dan J Campbell and uncle John Campbell were both professional fiddlers.

By the age of fifteen, John lost interest in the violin altogether. Instead, he decided to teach himself how to play the guitar by reading books and watching many hours of video.

In John's twenties, he was performing mostly electric guitar session gigs alongside various artists in the Greater Toronto area. It was Brittany McLaren, John's wife, who encouraged him to start recording and releasing his original music to the world in his thirties. Many of his songs were inspired by years over the road driving an 18 wheeler and travelling North America with his wife.

John’s debut single “The Pathless Path” in 2020 was featured on the prestigious Candyrat Records Youtube Channel which has over 700k subscribers and is known for many famous international guitar players.

In May of 2021, John collaborated with Indiana-based singer/songwriter Stephanie Heitz to release the single “Any Other Way” with the rising star. Buzz Music LA writes that "Creating a lifelike narrative that practically leaps out to your ears, "Any Other Way" provides all the emotion you need.”

John McLaren's debut, self-titled album in 2023 was mixed by himself in his home studio, and mastered by the legendary guitarist Antoine Dufour. 

The official music video for "Innocence", off his first album was released through Candyrat Records which makes this his second video release by them.

He has received praise by many professional guitarists in the industry including, two time Grammy nominated jazz guitarist Raul Midon who commented on one of John's Instagram reels by saying "Awesome! Cool!"

He has also written music for the international documentary film, "Pilgrimage to Enlightenment" directed by Luke Chadwick Jones. The movie was nominated for best documentary at The 2024 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival.

John continues to perform his original compositions on a regular basis throughout Eastern Canada.

His second album "John McLaren Part II" was released in November of 2024 and already has received great responses from audiences around the globe and not to mention talk show hosts such as Atlantic Axess featuring the full album on CFTA 107.9 in February 2025.

A third album is currently in the works so stay tuned...