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In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, La Scena Musicale presents the second edition of its Indigenous Playlist. We invited several Indigenous artists to select one song by an Indigenous musician or composer and explain why they chose the piece. Discover what some of Canada’s incredible Indigenous creators are listening to right now!
Aysanabee
Aysanabee is a four-time Juno Award-winning Oji-Cree artist, who made history as the first Indigenous artist to win the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, as well as the first Indigenous artist to reach No. 1 on the Canadian Alternative Rock chart. He has released four albums and performed more than 400 shows across the globe.
Song: “Sundog” by Wyatt C. Louis
“There is a beauty and simplicity in this song. Wyatt has captured that ‘timeless’ tone we all hope to capture in certain songs. To me, it feels like a song about finding clarity through long conversations and feeling more secure in an uncertain situation. But it can also be a long drive, it can be a bike ride with your friends, it can be laying in the sun watching clouds, it can be introspective moments alone. It is fresh air. There is a joyful lightness to it that feels very much welcome, to me, in the Indigenous music space.”
How did you discover this artist?
“I first discovered Wyatt’s music on [Spotify’s Indigenous] music playlist, and then had the pleasure of meeting them several times since then, and I can say with certainty there is sincerity in their music that also exists within them. Good people making good music.”
Evan Korbut
www.deanartists.com/evan-korbut
In 2023, Anishinaabe baritone Evan Korbut sang the title role of Weisensel’s Li Keur: Riel’s Heart of the North at Manitoba Opera, which received the Nada Ristich Change Maker Award. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Musical Arts, focusing on the creation and interpretation of Indigenous opera. In the upcoming season, Korbut makes his Canadian Opera Company debut in the world premiere of Ian Cusson’s and Cherie Dimaline’s The Empire of Wild.
Song: “The Devil’s Language” from Five Orchestral Songs on Poems of Marilyn Dumont for mezzo-soprano and chamber orchestra by Ian Cusson
“I work mostly in contemporary Indigenous opera and art song so, of course, that’s something I have the privilege to hear often. This song and the poetry are so striking, and [it]really brought home to me the importance of language preservation as an act of resistance.”
How did you discover this artist?
“I first met and worked with Ian years ago in Edmonton, workshopping some of his compositions, and [I] have the tremendous privilege to continue working with him today. His music continues to inspire me.”
Julie Lumsden
A proud member of the Manitoba Métis Federation, Julie Lumsden is an actor, opera singer and audiobook narrator who works in classical and contemporary theatre and opera. Lumsden has spent five seasons at the Shaw Festival and two at the Stratford Festival. In 2022, she was nominated for a Juno Award for her performance in the Against the Grain Theatre (AtG) and Toronto Symphony Orchestra production of Messiah/Complex.
Song: “Sage My Soul” by Tia Wood
“This song is full of soul, a beautiful message, a soaring melody and my personal weakness: a background chorus with uplifting harmonies. This song makes me want to roll down the windows, take my hair out of my claw clip, feel the wind on my hand and the sun on my skin!
“It’s a joyous call to action, of missing home, missing community, while reaching for growth for oneself. My favourite line that sends chills into my bones is: ‘I wanna be the whole of me / the best of me / all that you deserve …’
“I dare you to not sing along after one listen—go ahead, try.”
Morgan Toney
Mi’kmaq fiddler and singer Morgan Toney merges Cape Breton’s fiddling style with ancient Mi’kmaq melodies. His latest album, Heal The Divide, earned him a Juno Award for Roots Traditional Recording of the Year. His previous two albums were similarly well-received, having earned a Juno nomination, two ECMA awards and the East Coast Music Award for Indigenous Artist of the Year. With “Resilience,” he explores the stories of the Mi’kmaq People.
Song: “Red River Jig” by Alex Kusturok
“I am a fiddle player from Cape Breton Island. Our style is influenced mostly by the Scottish style of playing … as they were one of the first settlers that arrived on the shores of Nova Scotia. A couple of years ago, I decided to see if there were other fiddle styles across Canada. I was amazed to discover the Ottawa Valley and the Métis fiddle styles. When I listened to Alex play for the first time, I was instantly hooked, and I took it upon myself to learn as many Métis fiddle tunes as I can, which is kind of unusual for a traditional Cape Breton fiddler. The style, the crooked timing, the rhythm is a must-hear!”
How did you discover this artist?
“When I researched more about Métis fiddle players, I discovered Calvin Vollrath, Patti Kusturok … and Alex Kusturok. I listened to Alex’s album Phoenix a lot, which was followed by another album titled Wedged in Tradition. The ‘Red River Jig’ is played in a variety of ways, but this arrangement by Alex has horns, a drum kit, and other instruments that complement the tune. Enjoy!”
Violent Ground
www.instagram.com/violent_ground/
Violent Ground are brothers from the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach, Que. The independent artists blend rap, hip-hop and dark trap with elements of folk, rock and traditional music as well as singing in their Naskapi language. In 2019, they won three awards at the Teweikan Indigenous Music Gala, including Best Album of the Year. They were also nominated for Album of the Year at the inaugural International Indigenous Hip Hop Awards (2021).
Song: “Rez” by Mattmac
“The song just reminds us of home, our rez of Kawawachikamach. It talks about the struggles … we’ve faced and the everyday life of Natives in an isolated community. That isolation can feel heavy at times, but there are many good times in the rez, too; that’s where family, our land and our home is. We feel it brings people together in a way because those who are from reservations know how it is. This song is a remix of Akon’s ‘Ghetto,’ which is a song that is still relevant today and also hit close to home for us growing up.”
How did you discover this artist?
“[We met] this artist through a mutual colleague. This introduction gave us the opportunity to make a song together called ‘Capture The Flag,’ which was entirely produced by Mattmac.”
Listen to this year’s Indigenous playlist here.
This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en:
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