From his album Turn the Country On, Jerry Sereda's That'll Get You Drinkin' is likely not lyrically something you should take to heart on a Monday morning, but the music has enough groove to get you rolling, if you need a boost!
Watch: Jerry Sereda - "That'll Get You Drinkin'"
National Aboriginal Day is June 21st in Canada, but you'll find celebrations happening all month long. Here are our picks for live Indigenous music to see, but there will also be gatherings, powwows, parades, and more happening across the country, so check out what events are happening in your community!
June 21st
The feature performance at the day long festival at the Squamish Lil'Wat Culture Centre in Whistler, BC, is roots infused traditional group Kalan Wi. Info: slcc.ca/explore/events-and-workshops.
Red Power Squad, Wab Kinew and A Tribe Called Red's Electric Powwow will rock Sir Winston Churchill Square in Edmonton, AB. Info: theworks.ab.ca.
In the Centennial Plaza from 4pm-9pm, Edmonton, AB, performances will include Will Belcourt, Shawn Benard and Nathan Cunningham. Co-presented by creatinghopesociety.ca.
Brandy McCallum and Norine Braun are among the performers at the Vancouver, BC, celebration that takes place at Trout Lake. Info: bcnationalaboriginalday.com.
Don Amero, Whispering Loons Drum Group, and more will be at the Dauphin Friendship Centre in Flin Flon, MB. More info: aboriginalmusic.ca.
See Crystal Shawanda at the Red River Ex in Winnipeg, MB. Info: qx104fm.com/Concerts.
June 21st-24th
The Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival in Ottawa, ON, is going to be thumping with a powwow - host drum Bear Creek - and main stage performances by Amanda Rheaume, Donny Parenteau, Crystal Shawanda, Leanne Goose and Vince Fontaine’s Indian City. Info: nadottawa.wordpress.com.
June 23rd
Asani will headline the festivities at the Alberta Legislature grounds in Edmonton, AB. Info: sunandmoongallery.com.
APTN's Aboriginal Day Live will be taking place in both Winnipeg, MB, and Regina, SK, as well as broadcast live on ATPN, with Kashtin, Indian City, Christa Couture, Inez, Joey Stylez, Buffy Sainte Marie, The Local Onlyz, Samian, Plex and even more. Info: aboriginaldaylive.com.
From last year's Aboriginal Day Live celebration, here's Winnipeg's Most:
[UPDATE] Who knew when we published this story this morning that when today's Polaris Prize long list nominees were announced, A Tribe Called Red would be among them! Congrats fellas - the recognition is well deserved. - Editor
Yes, Cayuga DJ Shub has recently earned the reputation of Canada's top party rocker, according to Redbull Thre3Style - a title won in Halifax late last month. DJ Shub also won the top spot at the DMC DJ Battle in 2008, becoming the first Aboriginal DJ to win the DMC Battle. I think the author speaks for Indian Country when he says, bigups Shub - keep killing it! To quote a Justice vs. Simian track, "We, are, your friends! You'll never be alone again!"
Aside from pioneering the Aboriginal Canadian electronic music scene and establishing the presence of Indigenous players as a serious force in the game, A Tribe Called Red has been busy. Bear Witness has been creating a series of videos set to Tribe's music which acts as a commentary on myths and misconceptions regarding today's Canadian, "post-colonial" identity, unveiling both truths and untruths through visual art. Media artists like Bear Witness are an emerging breed and hold a unique talent to be watched closely in the near future. As this exciting field evolves, its people motivated to push like Bear that are evolving it.
Busy is good, because busy means you'll have a chance to see A Tribe Called Red on tour with electronic music favorite Javier Estrada in a town near you. Check these dates including the Winnipeg Jazz Festival below, and don't forget to watch Bear Witness's latest video, part 1 of the Javier Estrada Trilogy, Soprano Azteca.
June 19 Winnipeg – Winnipeg Jazz Festival June 21 Edmonton – The Works Festival June 22 Ottawa – Special Event June 23 Peterborough – Ode’min Giizis Festival June 29 Montreal - Parc Jean Drapeau June 30 Toronto - Hard Rock Café July 01 Gatineau - Piknik Electronik July 08 Ottawa – RBC Ottawa Bluesfest Aug 03 Montreal – Presence Autochtone Aug 10 Toronto - Planet Indigenous
Kudos to these guys for staying in touch with, and contributing to contemporary narratives about #decolonization and Indigenous rights while pushing the electronic music scene through thoughtful fusions and modern dance floor remix revelations - but mostly for still managing to have fun while they do it:
Cab ride wind breaker fun. With @djshubinstagr.am/p/LiWPm-M2_6/
— Dee Jay NDN (@deejayndn) June 6, 2012
The new video for Q Rock's track 52 Hands is a trip from the Bronx to Brooklyn which remembers the grafitti writers that once ruled the NYC subway lines.
The track 52 Hands is available on The Graffiti Mixtape Volume 3 - check it out here: soundcloud.com/doughlowrock/vol3.
Watch Q-Rock - "52 Hands":
Directed by Dough Low Beats by Phantom Turntable by DJ Dough Low Rock BBoys: Floor Phantom & Nasty Yass © RTR MUSIC / CLUTCH FILMWORKS 2012
Born in 1989 in Seattle, Keefe is currently a senior studying jazz performance at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, though it's been since grade seven that Keefe has been singing jazz. She has performed on the East and West coasts and if you've seen her live, you've noticed that she typically dedicates a song to the legendary Mildred Bailey at every performance.
Bailey was a groundbreaking and influential blues and jazz performer in the 30s and 40s, and a Coeur d’Alene tribal member. Early in her studies Keefe was drawn to Mildred's life and work and in 2009 performed her musical tribute Thoroughly Modern: Mildred Bailey Songs at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in 2009. But her passion for Bailey didn't stop there.
In Indian Country Today's Jazz Vocalist Julia Keefe 'Just Likes to Sing' Keefe describes to Jack McNeel her experience visiting the Jazz Hall of Fame for the first time at New York's Lincoln Center:
“It was beautiful and I loved it,” she said, “But I noticed there were only four women in the Jazz Hall of Fame and Mildred Bailey wasn’t one of them.” Those four are Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Bessie Smith and Mary Lou Williams.
She doesn’t question that those four belonged — but says she “sort of realized there was a great injustice being done. I feel without Mildred Bailey and what she did, we wouldn’t have Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holliday. She was the one who kicked open the door and made way for those amazing vocalists to get the stature they got.”
This past winter, Julia was home in Spokane on break and was asked to do a gig at the Coeur d’Alene Casino. “It was a private event for the Idaho State Legislature and some of the tribal council,” she explained. “I brought some of my Mildred Bailey stuff and said a few words about her, the things she had done for women in jazz and Native Americans in jazz.”
“The Idaho Legislature was just completely engrossed,” Keefe says. “They were talking like they loved it. They came up afterwards and said they’d like to help any way they could. I told them I was hoping to get Mildred Bailey into the Jazz Hall of Fame.” This March, both the Idaho House and Idaho Senate passed resolutions to honor Mildred and to support and encourage induction into the Hall of Fame.
Julia Keefe put her idea into action. Her open letter to the Jazz Hall of Fame selection committee can be read at whereismildred.com and while you're there, be sure to sign the petition!
Check out Mildred Bailey's swinging rendition of Georgia on My Mind:
And here, listen to (and download!) Julia Keefe's sweet take on the classic song:
Mildred Bailey died at the young age of 44 - her story and her songs are truly worth digging into, if you haven't already. As for Julia Keefe, she reports on ICTMN:
“My plan for the future is just to perform as much as possible. I love it. I love singing. I love entertaining people so that’s where my life blood is, where my joy comes from. My plan is just to go out there and do it whatever way I can.”
We look forward to it.
Russell Wallace has been a composer and traditional performer on the west coast of Turtle Island for a couple of decades. He continues to release material from his early catalogue - which both was before its time and has stood the test of time. Recently he released a brand new video for his song entitled Indian Head.
I asked him what his inspirations for the music and video were, he replied:
"It was written around the time of the 500 year anniversary of Columbus' 'discovery'. At that time there was a lot of house and acid house music with the sound of the whistle so I thought of the eagle whistle and thought it would be cool to have a techno song with that in it as well as singers. I liked the idea of gated sounds and thought that our voices have been cut out of history many times. For the video, I thought about the images of 'Indians' and most of them are are men and they usually are just heads which says a lot about what American history thinks about us....a bounty on our heads.....Indian heads.....my head."
Watch "Indian Head" by Russell Wallace here:
Check out more of Russell Wallace and his work in the RPM Podcast #004: “New Traditional”.
I imagine game trails, hunting and rabbits. Images of wolf cubs come to my mind, and then young pups testing their strength against the others'. If The Caley Watts Band from Bella Coola drew inspiration for this song from the wild, it's worked to bring the author back into the woods in his imagination.
Bella Coola is the traditional territory of the Nuxalk Nation, who have been there for an estimated 10,000 years, if not longer. There is a rich culture of storytelling there. In traditional narratives told by Aboriginal peoples of the Pacific Coast, supernatural beings were known to take the form of animals, birds or fish in the human world. In their own villages, these beings lived among the people as humans. Many stories tell of the encounters between humans and animal or supernatural beings, sometimes even with traditional masks and dance that were preserved through the times, even though potlatching and masks were at one time not allowed.
Is Caley Watts really a wolf being, singing the songs of her ancestors?
Watch: The Caley Watts Band - "The Wolf Song":
Co-founded by Isuma Productions and Guillaume Saladin, Artcirq blends techniques of modern circus like juggling and acrobatics with aspects of Inuit culture including drum dancing and throat singing.
At first, the group formed in reponse to local tragedy. From articirq.org:
Summer 1998, Igloolik, Nunavut. Two teenagers commit suicide, once again shattering this small island community of 1500 residents. Every time a suicide occurs, feelings of despair and powerlessness resurface in this world where two cultures collide. In the Arctic, loss of sense and sorrow are real facts of life. Based on government statistics at the time, 4 to 6 young adults commit suicide every year in Igloolik, which represents a rate seven times higher than in Montreal.
Following the recurrence of such tragedies in Igloolik, some concrete actions are taken to give children and teenagers a medium to express themselves. The initiative of Isuma Productions (movie Atanarjuat, the Fast Runner) forms a group of eight young people, intended to prevent suicide in this small community. The organism Inuusiq, which means “Life” in Inuktitut, is created, and its first mission is to realize and produce, with the help of ISUMA production, a television series about the youth’s life in the Canadian Arctic of today. Guillaume Saladin was a member of this organism, “Inuusiq youth drama group”, and a co-writer and actor of the series. Furthermore, studying at the National Circus School of Montreal at that time, he implements the circus project Artcirq with six others students of the circus school, including Karine Delzors.
The group and work evolved from there. Members of Artcirq have performed in Timbuktu, Mali, Mexico, Greece and France. Six members were part of the Canadian Arctic performers representing Nunvut at the 2010 Olumpic Winter Games and this month, the group will travel to Windsor, England, to represent "The Americas" in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant.
Both of Artcirq's musical albums - Artcirq Jam and Made in Igloolik - are credited to be by "various artists" and accordingly it's difficult to describe the diversity on both albums which showcases various permutations of the groups contributing members. In style, language and instrumentation, they are both delightfully varied and interesting collections of songs. It's also difficult to pick a favourite, but for a taste, check out this track Anuri from Made in Igloolik:
STREAM: Artcirq - "Anuri"
Both Artcirq albums are available on CDBaby and iTunes.
Music is just a part of what the group creates. This short doc is a great introduction to the breadth of the work of Artcirq. I love co-founder Guillaume Saladin's definition of circus in it. He says "circus is a pretext - a pretext to create a circle of trust, a space where people can communicate with each other, an area where you can work on yourself, trust the other, and dream."
Indeed it seems that in its 14 years so far, the group has maintained this practice of creative, communicative, and collaborative process. From the heartbreak of a community's loss, to the empowerment of movement, music and exploration, their work continues to inspire, represent, delight and move anyone it engages. Keep an eye out for more from Artcirq, and for additional video and music check out their Isuma channel at isuma.tv/hi/en/artcirq.
The film, featuring Ta'kaiya Blaney, Skeena Reece, Doug Blamey, and Jennifer Jackson, won a 2010 Genie award for Best Short Film, a Golden Sheaf Award for Best Multicultural Film, the ReelWorld Outstanding Canadian Short Film, and the Leo Awards for Best Actress and Best Editing. Fond memories of high school musicals resurfaced during the film for this writer - in Grade 12, Eugene taught himself how to dance the lead from Michael Jackson's Thriller during his lunch hours in the black box, to then teach his classmates the dance which went on to open their end of term shows.
From Lisa Jackson's website:
On a summer day in the 1950s, a native girl watches the countryside go by from the backseat of a car. A woman at her kitchen table sings a lullaby in her Cree language. When the girl arrives at her destination, she undergoes a transformation that will turn the woman’s gentle voice into a howl of anger and pain.
In a place like this, there aren’t many chances to be a kid. But, when no one’s watching…
A residential school musical.
Light-hearted as the video is at times, it commands the use of humor, thoughtfulness, dance and music to make a statement on the reality of a First Nations legacy which we all live with today. This stunning video is polished and beautiful, and leaves room for the viewer to reflect on the lived reality of First Nations children taken to boarding schools, while remaining accessible for people from any community.
Watch Lisa Jackson's 'Savage' here:
NRG Rising is Benita Tahuri, her two daughters, Anahera-Pono Tahuri-Whakatope and Honey Tahuri-Whakatope, Bevin Hira and Trinity Blake. Their music is conscious, soulful, Indigenous.
Watch NRG Rising - "From Darkness to Light":
Forever C-Weed Band The legendary C-Weed Band released their 17th album this month and the lead single, Can This be Love, is already climbing the charts on the National Aboriginal Music Countdown. Get it on iTunes.
The Philosophers Stoned Mixtape Ill Citizens Winnipeg's Ill Citizens have released their third mixtape - the first of two they'll put out this year - which features all original material with beats produced by Walter "DJ Wawa" Lounsbury and Sebastation Gaskin. Download it from hotnewhiphop.com.
I am Woman. Kwe Lena Recollet Anishnaabe poet, actress, vocalist and visual artist Lena Recollet has released her first full-length album featuring her mix of spoken word, soul-jazz, traditional native music and folk. Get it on iTunes.
Listen to Lena Recollet's Personal Power:
Indio 808: Global Mixtape Volume 2 DJ El Indio of World Hood This compilation features tracks by Rita Indiana, Sonora, Zuzuka Poderosa, Major Lazer, and many others. If you love to dance, download the mixtape from soundcloud.com/world-hood.
Garfield Street (The Mixtape: Vol. 2) Young Jibwe The ever prolific producer, rapper and activist Young Jibwe of Dog Creek First Nation keeps it coming with his latest release. Get the free download here.
Beauty and Hard Times Mama D With a sound that draws from blues, folk, rock, gospel, country, Eastern European, and classical styles Mama D delves into hard times lyrically, but delivers it all in musical beauty. Get it on iTunes.
Red Makaveli Joey Styelz The first full-length rap/hip-hop release from Joey Stylez of Moosomin First Nation can be yours for free! Download it from datpiff.com.
YK the Mayor Young Kidd Winnipeg-based emcee Young Kidd actually released this mixtape at the end of March, but we didn't get a chance to tell you about it then! The album includes 16 tracks with guest appearances from Keisha Booker, Shai, Quick Cash, Lotto, Terell Safadi, Fresh IE, and Critical. Download it from datpiff.com.
Upright & Locked Position Don Ross The 14th solo recording from finger-style guitar heavyweight Don Ross is a melodic collection of new original songa and new recordings of some of his early compositions. He's an incredible player, be sure to take the time to listen and get the album from candyrat.com.
Watch the title track from Don Ross, The Upright & Locked Positon:
We found this new video here at RPM by Leonard Sumner aka Lorenzo for his song called Questions which was released recently on Vimeo. Shot by Jordan Molaro in a hotel room unplugged and in one take, I had to ask Lorenzo one question myself before posting this video - "what do you want the people to know about it?"
Here's what Lorenzo had to say:
"I just hope people enjoy it. It came to me after the spring equinox and we had a feast at work. I was listening to a traditional person speaking, and I heard them say 'will there be any questions for you from the creator?' in their speech. It may not have been in that exact phrasing. But something along those lines.
It set off a chain reaction in my mind..
'Will there be questions for me, like I've had questions for you.'
To me it meant when our time is done here, will the Creator ask me questions as to why I made different choices in life. Or why I hadn't embraced or used my gifts and talents completely. I'm sure we've asked why we've faced different obstacles in our lives or felt like we weren't chasing our dreams hard enough.
So after about a week of digesting that phrase, on the night before the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Youth Secretariat's 'Regional Youth Gathering' (I work for AMC's Youth Secretariat) held in Fisher River Cree Nation, I couldn't sleep. My guitar was calling me, but not my usual guitar. It was a new Fender Acoustic I Picked up from that Future Shop on the Rez in Vancouver. I had stored it in my closet, but something was drawing me to it. Almost like it wanted to write the song. I picked it up and started strumming, and almost immediately there was a chord progression I had never used.
I got familiar with it quickly and grabbed a note-book. The first line was already there, 'Will there be questions for me, like I've had questions for you?' The rest of the lyrics flowed out seamlessly, I just had to write them down. It felt as if I wasn't the one writing them.
It feels like I may not have been the one writing it all, but I was. I think these questions I have asked in the song are things I have been wondering for a long time. Having just been introduced to some different Anishinaabe ceremonies just recently, I haven't been comfortable enough in my own spirituality to ask them. But after having been through some sweats and other ceremonies, I feel comfortable enough to do so now.
I grew up in a very Christian reserve, and for a long time had conflicting thoughts about religion which lead me to have conflicting thoughts on spirituality as a whole.
Some of the lyrics of the song reflect that mentality.
'Will I see a sign of clarity, for all those moments in the fog?'
But even since I wrote the song, I feel a little bit like I've grown from it. I understand that people all have their own idea of The Creator, or God. If that's making them a better person in their time here, nobody should have any say in what they want to believe.
Just want to add, Miigwetch for everyone who listened to the song.
Also a special thanks to Jordan Molaro at Interactive Design for shooting and uploading the video."
Watch "Questions" by Lorenzo:
Questions by Lorenzo from Interactive Design on Vimeo.
Revolutions Per Minute is a global new music platform, record label, and boutique agency for Indigenous music culture. RPM’s mission is to build a visionary community of Indigenous artists and to introduce Indigenous music to new audiences across Turtle Island and around the world. Our main site, RPM.fm, has featured the work of more than 500 Indigenous artists and shared their music across our social networks of more than 275,000 followers.
RPM Records is the first of its kind: a label for contemporary, cross-genre Indigenous music, run by Indigenous people. Selected by The FADER as one of “5 New Canadian Record Labels The Entire World Should Know”, RPM Records artists include Ziibiwan, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Exquisite Ghost, and Mob Bounce.
