RPM Wins United Nations Gold Medal in New York

The New York Festivals Radio Program and Promotion awards, recognizing the World’s Best radio and podcast programs, took place last night in New York. We are thrilled to announce that Electric Pow Wow from the RPM podcast series has been selected as the recipient of the United Nations DPI Gold Medal as well as being awarded a Silver Medal in the Culture & The Arts, Audio Podcast category.

Holy smokes!

RPM/MBM Digital Inc.  is proud to be among this year’s winners, culled from entrants from 27 countries by an international jury of award-winning radio and podcast producers and industry experts. The United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI) Awards, juried separately from the festival by members of the UN, honour programming that “best exemplifies the aims and ideals of the United Nations.”

Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island have been dancing and drumming for generations but, in the 21^st century, that rhythmic spirit is finding new forms of creative expression. In the RPM podcast episode Electric Pow Wow, the powwow gets plugged in, mashed up and remixed, through an exploration of the work of three Indigenous artists – A Tribe Called Red¸the Ottawa-based DJ collective whose eponymous debut album was long-listed for the Polaris prize last week, Cris Derksen, the classically trained, Cree electro-cellist, and Indian Nick, aka Tlingit/Aleut visual artist and musician Nicholas Galanin.

We're so proud of our team! The podcast is produced by Paolo Pietropaolo¸ hosted by Ron Dean Harris, aka Ostwelve, with executive producer Lynn Booth, creative producer Jarrett Martineau, production manager Christa Couture and the amazing team at MBM Digital Inc.

You can read the official press release here: rpm.fm/NYGold.

DOWNLOAD: RPM Podcast #010: "Electric Pow Wow"

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Woot!

WCMA 2012 Nominees Announced

The Western Canadian Music Awards - aka WCMAs - announced the 2012 nominations today and here are the nominees for Aboriginal Recording of the Year.

The 2012 Western Canadian Music Award winners will be presented September 30 in Regina, Saskatchewan, as part of the BreakOut West weekend. In the running for Aborginal Recording of the Year are:

Jerry Sereda – Turn The Country Murray Porter – Songs Lived & Life Played Rellik – Mighty Mouth Tanya Tagaq – Anuraaqtuq Vince Fontaine’s Indian City – Supernation

Murray Porter also received a nomination for Best Blues Recording of the Year.

Congratulations to all the nominees!

For more information visit breakoutwest.ca.

Artist Call: Documentary Series Seeking Music Submissions

Attention musicians! The upcoming documentary series Watchers of the North is looking for music submissions for possible use in the APTN television series.

Watchers of the North is a 6-part documentary series that will be broadcast on APTN in 2013. In both English and Inuktitut, the series is about the Canadian Rangers in two communities who patrol areas Canadian Forces can't easily access while being first responders in their communities in search and rescue and emergency situations. It focuses on close to a dozen Inuit Rangers in two communities and how their way of life is changing on and off the job.

We can't wait to see it!

And your music could be a part of it! Here's more info from the producers:

• We’d love to feature Inuit musicians, whether they weave traditional sounds like throat singing into their modern music, or are creating unique sounds of their own.
• We’re also looking for a wide variety of musicians and musical styles by Indigenous artists – First Nations, Metis, Aboriginal especially instrumental, but lyrics may work, too because episodes and scenes focus on a wide variety of people and different moods- some sequences are more thoughtful, others more action-packed.
• At this point, we’d like to receive submissions as emailed links to EPKs and streaming audio.
• What we can offer to musicians in return for their musical involvement in the series is exposure for their music: profiles of them on our blog (www.watchersofthenorthblog.com) and website (to be launched in 2013 with the series), Facebook page, twitter etc., as well as credits on our TV credit roll and on the website.
• We’re also seeking a particularly versatile aboriginal musician or composer who has experience (ideally) creating music for film ,TV or theatre, to compose a few original short instrumental pieces that we will use regularly throughout the series. This would involve remuneration for that work.

To be considered, send your streaming audio links to Maureen Marovitch maureen@picturethis.ca.

Cris Derksen and Kristi Lane Sinclair on 2-Er

Electro-cellist Cris Derksen and smokey-folky Kristi Lane Sinclair are pairing up for the second year in a row on a Canadian tour - The Red Ride 2-Er.

With a kick-off party that took place in Vancouver last night, half-Cree Cris Derksen and Haida Kristi Lane Sinclair are now on their way to Toronto and back bringing their mix of music and style to Banff, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg (as part of 8 Days in May, eh!) and Regina.

In a recent interview with Music CBC, the girls talked travel and touring with Kim Wheeler. Like "What is the one thing you cannot live without on the road?"

Cris: Always pack a swimsuit, you never know when you're gonna be in a hot tub or by a lake, and sometimes wearing your undies in said scenarios just doesn't work! Also, swimming is great for stretching those car muscles after sitting for hours and hours. Kristi: Dry shampoo! Most days we would have to spend the whole day in the car and then perform right after. The ability to go from greasy to glam is a pretty awesome option!

Check out the full interview here: http://music.cbc.ca/#/blogs/2012/5/QA-Cris-Derksen-Kristi-Lane-Sinclair-talk-travel-and-touring

And check out the Red Ride 2-er dates:

May 18 Banff AB. House Show! Tanglewood Cabin,208 Beaver St 7pm $10 May 19 Edmonton AB. The Empress. 9912 – 82 Ave 3pm May 23 Ottawa ON. The Mercury Lounge w/ guest Bear Witness. 56 Byward Market Sq. early show. 7pm-10. $8 May 25 Toronto ON. Red Revue @ The Sister. 1554 Queen St W. 9:30pm May 26 Winnipeg MB. 8 Days of May Eh! Marlborough Hotel Hall. $35 May 28 Regina SK. Artful dodger. Doors 7pm Show 7:30. $15

Event details on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/345143342205544/

Wawatay News with Robin Ranger

There's not a lot of jazz players in Indian Country, but musician and composer Robin Ranger, from Fort William, Ontario, is blazing a trail of change. He talked with Wawatay News about his love of the genre, his goals as an artist, and what album got him hooked on jazz in the first place.

In Ranger discovers voice with jazz, Wawatay News writes:

While walking the streets of Toronto in his early-20s, Robin Ranger heard a guitar-playing busker hit a chord that captivated his ears. Using some of the $40 he had that was to last him three days in the city, the Fort William First Nation member paid the guitarist to play the song again.

“I paid attention while he was playing the song and waited until that chord rolled around,” the 39-year-old recalled. “Then I went back to the hotel, picked my guitar up and made the same chord, and it completely affected the way I played music.” Up to that point, Ranger was into rock and heavy music like Tool and Ministry. But the chord – a B-flat minor6 – converted him to a new style. He began to mess around with seventh, ninth and major-seventh chords and wrote songs based on them.

“After a while, another musician friend of mine said, ‘Wow man, this sounds a lot like jazz,’ and I’m like ‘Jazz? I don’t listen to jazz.’

Based on the comparisons, Ranger decided to give the genre a listen. He asked a friend that since jazz is a 100-year-old medium, where should he start. He was recommended Miles Davis’ 1959 album, Kind of Blue. Ranger was immediately obsessed with the album, considered the best-selling jazz record of all time...

Being a First Nations person, Ranger gets a lot of comments about the oddity of being an Aboriginal jazz musician. Ranger estimates there are about six or seven that perform regularly in Canada.

“Jazz chords aren’t something we hear a lot in our communities,” he said. “As a culture, we’re not big jazz appreciators. I hope that’s changing, because jazz is cool. More people should listen to it."

Read the whole article here.

And watch Robin's This Endless Night:

Speaking Out + RPM

Since 1990, Speaking Out has been airing weekly on Australia's ABC. Now, once a month, RPM will also be contributing to the show!

Speaking Out was the first radio program of its kind - a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs show produced and presented by Indigenous broadcasters. It continues to present culture, lifestyle and political issues affecting Indigenous people in Australia.

As part of a new segment each month, RPM's Ostwelve will be showcasing the latest music from Turtle Island for Speaking Out's audience, on behalf of RPM. We're thrilled to be part of it.

Check out and listen to Ostwelve's first report at abc.net.au/speakingout/stories/s3482444.htm.

Artist Call: Asinabka Festival Residency in Music Production

Calling First Nations, Métis and Inuit musicians between the ages of 18 and 30! The Asinabka Festival is offering a one-week residency in music production. Apply now.

Asinabka is a festival of film and media, but they are also presenting a residency for emerging and aspiring musicians and those interested in music production. The deadline for applications is April 30th, so read on and submit soon.

From Residency in Music Production, Call for Applications:

Are you an aspiring First Nations, Métis, or Inuit musician? Are you between the ages of 18 and 30? Do you want to learn how to produce your own music?

The Asinabka Festival is partnering with Sign Star Records, an Aboriginal owned Record Company based in Ottawa, and the Saw Video Media Arts Centre, to offer a one-week residency in music production.  This residency is for beginners and emerging artists, who will learn and work hands on with one of the music industry’s top production/recording software’s.  Participants are encouraged to have a draft of a song, either partially or fully written, so that they can incorporate their own music into the workshops.  After the residency, one applicant will be given the opportunity to continue working with Sign Star Records to produce their music!  Non-musicians interested in the post-production of music are also welcome to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

1. A brief bio: Tell us about yourself! Where are you from? Where did you go to school? Where have you worked or volunteered?
2. A letter of intent (1 page): Tell us why you want to participate in this residency, and how you think you will benefit! What type of music do you play? Do you have a specific song that you’d like to work on?  Do you have any performance experience?
3. Support material: Please submit a demo, a recording of your music, or music you’ve helped produce (MP3 or CD format, or an Internet Link to the works online location).

Email submissions are welcome!

DEADLINE:  Friday, April 30th 2012

For more information visit asinabkafestival.org/asinabkafestival/Events.html.

Artist Call: APCMA Now Accepting Submissions

The Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards (APCMA) are now accepting submissions for the artist and industry categories.

The Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards celebrates the best in Aboriginal music from across Turtle Island and around the world. The yearly event is one of the biggest music parties in Indian Country to be sure, and this year the APCMAs have established a new voting process for selecting nominees.

• Round 1 of all APCMA categories will be juried by industry professionals. Each category jury will select up to five nominee.
• The general public will select the winners in each category by voting on the aboriginalpeopleschoice.com website in Round 2.

Applications are now open!  Apply by Friday, June 29, 2012 at 5:00PM (CST).

Download the APCMA Entry Form here: http://aboriginalpeopleschoice.com/umedia/2012_APCMA_Official_Entry_Form.pdf

The artistic/genre categories are:

• Best Blues CD
• Best Country CD
• Best Fiddle CD
• Best Flute CD
• Best Folk/Acoustic CD
• Best Francophone CD
• Best Gospel CD
• Best Hand Drum CD
• Best Instrumental CD
• Best Inuit CD
• Best Peyote CD
• Best Pop CD
• Best Pow Wow CD – Traditional
• Best Pow Wow CD –Contemporary
• Best Rap/Hip Hop CD
• Best Rock CD

The specialty categories are:

• Aboriginal Female Entertainer of the Year
• Aboriginal Male Entertainer of the Year
• Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year
• Best Aboriginal Music Radio Station/Program
• Best Album Cover Design
• Best Duo or Group
• Best International Indigenous Artist(This category for Indigenous Artists from  outside of North America)
• Best Music Video
• Best New Artist
• Best Producer/Engineer
• Best Television Program/ Promotion of Aboriginal Music
• Single of the Year

Mail submissions to: Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards 509 Century Street Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 2J2

For more information: aboriginalpeopleschoice.com Jacquie Black or Sandy Fox Toll Free: 1-866-449-0251 Email: info@aboriginalpeopleschoice.com

Holly McNarland "Run Body Run" and NXNE Contest

Métis singer-songwriter Holly McNarland's new album Run Body Run, her first since 2007's Chin Up Buttercup, is set for release in June. To celebrate, she is running a contest that there will be 11 winners for! Not bad odds - so get your entry in there!

To enter, submit a short 200 word (or less) essay or two minute YouTube video about one Holly McNarland song that impacted your life and why. Personally, Numb was a fixture in my high-school soundtrack, but that's me!

The top 10 entries will be selected by Holly herself, posted on her blog and will each win a pair of moccasins from Manitobah Mukluks, hand-written (by Holly) lyrics of the song they entered the contest with and a signed/numbered copy of her new album.

One grand prize winner will really score with:

• the 1st signed copy of the new album
• transportation for winner and a friend to Toronto for NXNE Festival
• a hotel in Toronto for 2 nights
• 2 festival passes to NXNE
• 2 pairs Mukluks from Manitobah Mukluks
• meet and greet during soundcheck of Holly's NXNE showcase at The Rivoli
• pre-show dinner for 2 at The Rivoli Restaurant.

Sweet, right? For more info visit hollymcnarland.net and send your entries to songcontest@hollymcnarland.net.

While you're thinking about Holly songs of the past you love, also check out this preview of Dig a Little from her upcoming album Run Body Run.

VIDEO: Young Jibwe Speaks

Last year, Ojibwe hip-hop artist Young Jibwe attended the Mayday: No One is Illegal gathering in Toronto - an annual march and protest that takes place around the world in pursuit of equality and justice for immigrants and refugees. There, Young Jibwe was inspired to make an impromptu speech from the stage. A year later, he is sharing more of that story and inspiration.

Young Jibwe didn't plan on speaking at the March, but among the many placards and signs with messages of anti-poverty, environmental justice, and health for all, one sign in particular grabbed his attention: "Gay people are killed in Iran".

It's a true and disturbing fact.

Fueled by that information, Young Jibwe asked if he could speak from the stage and, mic in hand, he delivered spontaneous, impassioned and inspired words.

Later, he wanted to share more of the story behind his speech. "I wanted people to get a good insight of me, so they can see and hear the inspiration for themselves", he told RPM.

The result is this video with live footage of Young Jibwe's speech intercut with a candid and open offstage interview about his life experiences - including forced gender reassignment at birth, enduring harassment and abuse as a youth, discovering his past, and sticking with his music despite the difficult times. Through it all, Young Jibwe continues to transform his experiences into music - surely the best medicine of all.

Watch and listen here and be inspired to share your story too. I think whenever anyone is honest about their experiences, it can be healing for all of us.

For more of Young Jibwe's beats and music, go to reverbnation.com/youngjibwe (you can also hear some of his work in every episode of the RPM Podcast - yup, we're big fans!).

VIDEO: Young Jibwe Talks Success

Lisa Jackson & The Making Of "Pow Wow Wow"

The new Cris Derksen music video, Pow Wow Wow, was directed by Lisa Jackson and RPM talked with Lisa about the experience, inspiration and production of the video.

As a part of the Aboriginal People's Television Network's "First Tracks" initiative, Cris Derksen traveled out to Toronto to work with Big Soul Productions and renowned director Lisa Jackson for her newest video project Pow Wow Wow.

I asked Lisa about her experience and inspirations for making this amazing video.

"When Big Soul Productions approached me to work on Cris' music video for APTN's 'First Tracks,' it was an instant yes. I love Cris' music and her style and could see my film sensibilities blending with her genre-blending approach. Plus, I was just finishing a year doing the Directors' Lab at the Canadian Film Centre where I had intensively trained in straight-up narrative filmmaking, and I was ready to bust out and do something totally creative and experimental.

Making Pow Wow Wow, I was inspired by Norman McLaren's beautiful 1968 dance film "Pas de Deux" as well as Dr. Who. Cris' whole cello-keyboard-pedals setup made me think of a plane's cockpit and I realized the video had to be set in outer space. And what a great place for fancy dancing! I wanted to capture a sense of a child's fantasy world, but with a steampunk edge. In my mind, Cris' playing is fuelling the ship and the dance, like some kind of imagination generator.

Cris and Shyama (the dancer) were great to work with - both in planning and especially as our shoot day stretched past the 12-hour mark. Poor Shyama had to go and go and go, and she's a raw foodist, so we kept her supplied with carrot sticks and fruit so she didn't pass out.

I originally wanted to shoot Cris playing inside a shiny white futuristic pod that was to be built from a complex papier mache plan, but when the pod broke in transport to the studio on shoot day, we switched to Plan B and shot Cris against a green screen. A lucky accident as Luis Almazan's space pod graphics turned out amazing (you can see his effects process on the video in action at youtube.com/watch?v=d1fb7zlAjag).

One of my favourite parts was working with a couple of designers to come up with Cris' supercool spacesuit. Cris was a trooper, as it was a super form-fitting, non-stretchy, hot outfit she was strapped into for hours. She kept it so I hope she at least got to wear it on Halloween or something, but maybe she's too traumatized.

So yeah, it was a great collaboration all around, Cris and I jamming on ideas, Shyama bringing it dance-wise with grace and energy, and Big Soul Productions skillfully facilitating all my crazy ideas. I would do more Cris Derksen videos anytime."

Watch Cris Derksen, Pow Wow Wow here:

Pow.Wow.Wow Cris Derksen Video from Lisa Jackson on Vimeo.

Red Man Laughing Featuring Wab Kinew

In the most recent, brand spankin' new episode of Red Man Laughing, Ojibway comedian Ryan McMahon interviewed hip-hop artist and CBC journalist Wab Kinew.

Wab Kinew has been making waves in Indigenous music for a decade and more recently in the journalism scene on air and on camera at the CBC.

Our great friend Ryan McMahon had a chance to sit down with Wab for a candid, in-depth interview getting the story on Wab's beginnings in music, journalism and his involvement in the 8th Fire documentary series on CBC.

Shouts out to Ryan and Wab for their great storytelling and sharing in this podcast!

Listen now:

Red Man Laughing - EP#14 The Wab Kinew Interview

Hear the first 13 awesome episodes and download the NDN Comedy app at redmanlaughing.com.