Watch Leonard Sumner Perform 'Best of Me' on AMP Sessions

Manitoba Music kicked off a fantastic new video series this week, AMP Sessions, with a spotlight on Anishinaabe artist Leonard Sumner. 

Leonard Sumner has been working hard the past few years, steadily spreading his rezpoetry and song to and more inspired ears and hearts. This year he won an Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award for Best New Artist and the Winnipeg Arts Council's On the Rise Award, and recently opened for A Tribe Called Red at The Danforth Music Hall in Toronto.

Meanwhile, Manitoba Music's Aboriginal Music Program has launched a month long weekly feature of live performance videos by four acclaimed acts, the first being Mr. Sumner himself.

I've seen Leonard perform this song a number of times over the past few years - it is definitely one of my faves - and I think it's perfectly captured here by director Chris Gaudry at Winnipeg's Bedside Studios.

AMP Sessions will rollout on Wednesdays for three more weeks and "Best of Me" is from Sumner's 2013 album Rezpoetry. Get it on iTunes and watch it now.

Leonard Sumner - "Best of Me"

Fall in Love with Spencer Battiest's New Video

Seminole R&B artist Spencer Battiest is falling in love and you will too, in his new video "Love of My Life."

Things are getting hot in the lastest track from Los Angeles based pop/r&b artist Spencer Battiest. Get your groove on with "Love of My Life."

LOVE OF MY LIFE from Spencer Battiest on Vimeo.

VIDEO: Elisapie Isaac - "Life is What You Make It"

In the new charming video from Inuk Elisapie Isaac the Polar Pop artist braves life's perils for love.

Of her most recent album's title Traveling Love Elisapie has said “love cannot be owned. It is something that is always moving, always flowing" and in this video, lyrically and visually, Elisapie seems to be celebrating love within that changing flow, and the risks one might encounter along the way. Like open flames and snakes - eep!

Directed by Iouri Philippe Pailé for the peppy track "Life is What You Make It", watch the new video now:

VIDEO: Shawnee - "Burn Baby"

Monday blues? Shake 'em off with this brand new video from Shawnee (formerly She King.)

Released this week, check out Shawnee rocking out in the recording studio with her newest track "Burn Baby:"

VIDEO: Bonnie Couchie - "Niin dia maade - I am here" ft. Binaeshee-Quae

In October of this year, the small community of Pic River lost four members in a tragic accident. Pic River resident Bonnie Couchie wrote this beautiful and stirring song for those four and her community.

The video also features Bonnie's daughter Binaeshee-Quae. Of the song's creation Bonnie wrote "in the week following the accident I sat by one of the sacred fires and wrote a song that I found some comfort in. This song is about the many ways that these young men were here for us as family and friends. It is also about all the ways that they as spirits, and we as physical beings continue to be here for one another in good times and in bad. The phrase "Niin dia maade" was taught to Binaeshee by her late grandpa Lambert Nabigon" and it means I am here.

Watch "Niin dia maade - I am here" by Bonnie Couchie:

VIDEO: She King - "This Is Me"

We've got a new video from Six Nations rocker Shawnee Talbot of She King for her acoustic expression This Is  Me.

She King, based out of Toronto, is mostly known for their hard-hitting, glam-rock style of music and performance along side the ever-classic rock ballad format. This time we get up close and personal with Shawnee Talbot, the bands lead singer, in this intimate and acoustic performance of her song This Is Me.

She King will be touring with Glass Tiger and Roxette this summer and you can check out the tour schedule at sheking.ca.

Artist Call: APTN First Tracks

Each year, APTN First Tracks produces up to six music video for emerging Indigenous artists or groups in Canada. Join the ranks of First Tracks artists like Derek Miller, Joey Stylez, George Leach, Cris Derksen and Kristi Lane Sinclair and apply now.From APTN First Tracks:

APTN is providing an opportunity for up to six emerging Canadian Aboriginal musicians or musical groups to have a music video produced. APTN First Tracks will provide a contribution toward the production of a music video to be filmed in the spring/summer of 2012. All genres of music videos in English, French or any Aboriginal language are accepted and requests may come from Canadian record companies, record producers, managers or artists. The criteria for selected songs will be based on the overall quality of the submission, with consideration given to music, lyrics, quality of performance and production, and market potential. Applicants must submit a master of the song (only one song per artist or group) to be considered. Please refer to the Application Form for a full list of requirements.

To submit your song for consideration download, and complete in full, the APTN First Tracks Application Form before 5:00 PM Central Standard Time on July 31, 2012. Incomplete applications are automatically deemed ineligible. Be sure to read the Rules and Regulations before submitting your application.

Apply now! For more information, visit: aptn.ca/pages/firsttracks.

From the 2011 First Tracks, watch: Cris Derksen - "Pow Wow Wow", directed by Lisa Jackson:

Video: Lisa Jackson's "Savage"

This five minute short film Savage, from award winning Anishinaabe filmmaker Lisa Jackson is a unique exploration of the first day of school for a young First Nations child set in the 1950's.

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:

VIDEO: Shy-Anne Hovorka - "What About Me?"

Here's a new music video from Shy-Anne Hovorka featuring some of her vocal students and dedicated to the children and youth of the world.

Shy-Anne Hovorka, originally from the Matachewan First Nation, took inspiration from her elder, Dave Courchene, in carrying on the teaching that change will come from youth by relating the needs of the world through music.

Working with some talented young musicians from northwestern Ontario and a group of her vocal students from Coran's Music Store, Shy-Anne has put together this inspirational project called What About Me?.

Armed with a small budget and a strong vision, Shy-Anne wrote and co-produced the track with Rob Benvegnu. The song was recorded at Dining Room Studios and the video was produced by Spun Photography.

The singers in order of appearance are:

Cassidy Reznik, Starr A, Kaitlyn Hienz, Madison Elliott, Brooke Rajala, Shy-Anne Hovorka, Taylor Facca, Chrstine Arnold, Morningstar Desrosier, Larissa Desrosier, Jada Bailey, Lauren Kaus, Jasmine Klassen, Jessica Elliott, Katie Maki, Genelyn Garcia, Olivia Boake, Allison Shortreed, Faith Russel, Jesse, Nathan Ogden and Allyssa Ireno.

VIDEO: Kool Krys - "Show Stopper"

Here's a great video that came across our desks here from the AB-originals Podcast on CBC3 by Kool Krys.

RPM YouTube Playlist - Six Nations

As always, accompanying our RPM Podcasts, here’s a YouTube playlist on our RPM YouTube Channel featuring some very awesome and amazing Six Nations Indigenous artists.

Derek Miller - Devil Come Down Sunday APTN - The Mix - Murray Porter Profile Robbie Robertson - Fallen Angel Pappy Johns Band - Them Changes (LIVE) Tru Rez Crew - I'm A Lucky One Charlie Hill at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival

VIDEO: Wanbdi - "On The Upside"

Wanbdi, who you may know as the drummer for the Nakota group, Indigenous, shows us that she has real vocal talent with this video for her song On The Upside. Shot on an iPhone, she lets us know that great music and visuals can be achieved despite your budget.

We’re more than pleased to hear some beautiful female rock music here at RPM! This is a great introduction to Wanbdi’s solo material. Now based in the United Kingdom, be on the lookout for more coming from this multi-talented drummer and vocalist.

Get Wanbdi's solo EP Where The Fishes Go at wanbdi.bandcamp.com.

Got an Indigenous music video you'd like to see featured on our website? Drop us a line to: info@rpm.fm