Stream the Roots/Folk Rhythm of William Prince's New Single, "7"

Winnipeg-based singer/songwriter William Prince sent the Peguis First Nation graduating class of 2016 off with a nostalgia-inducing track embedded with the seven sacred teachings.

William Prince is storytelling singer/songwriter from Peguis First Nation who sidesteps clichés to provoke thought and facilitate discovery. His baritone vocals pay tribute to his late father and his genuine delivery acknowledges the hundreds of hours he’s spent on stage. Writing songs since the age of thirteen, he produced and played all the instruments on his father Ed Prince’s acclaimed gospel album …it’s Supper Time at the age of fifteen. The two went on to record two more albums, On Christmas Day and Won’t That Be A Morning!, for Arbor Records and Sunshine Records, respectively, in Winnipeg.

A recent alumni of the tri-annual Planet IndigenUS Music Festival, William Prince was named the 2014 Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year at the Indigenous Music Awards. His lead single “The Carny,” from his debut album Earthly Days, had been featured as Manitoba Music’s Download of the Week, and he has been featured in numerous showcases for Manitoba Music, Aboriginal Music Program, and the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Prince is also a veteran to the APTN Aboriginal Day Live stage and his performances still garner rotation on APTN’s Solstice Concert Series.

Prince gained nationwide attention writing music for a CMT reality show and later went on to write songs for Jason Kirkness’ debut album Life On The Road, which scored three top 20 singles on Canadian country radio. To this day, he is still an active member of the First Nations supergroup Indian City. Their albums Supernation and Colors have received international acclaim and numerous Indigenous Music Awards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icHiB66oeiQ

"7" is William Prince's first track release since Earthly Days dropped in December 2015. The song is a lovely reminder to graduating native youth to always carry your teachings with you as you make that great leap forward into the next phase of life.

LISTEN: William Prince - "7"

"Earthly Days"and "7" are available now on iTunes and GooglePlay  For more visit: www.williamprincemusic.com Check out William Prince on Facebook: facebook.com/williamprincemusic

Nick Sherman Heads Out on Summer 2016 Tour

Nick Sherman kicked off his 2016 Summer Tour last week in Peterborough at the Garnet. Check out his full summer tour below and catch a show near you.

Anishinaabe singer-songwriter Nick Sherman has long been an RPM favourite and he's out on tour through Canada this summer, heading out from Ontario to BC and back by end of August. Check the full list of shows below and catch him when you can.

Sherman will be touring in support of his most recent album, Knives & Wildrice, which you can stream right here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uobG4h6lA8g

Nick Sherman - Summer 2016 Tour Dates

July 6 | Toronto, ON - The Central July 7 | Orillia, ON - The Brownstone July 8 | Kitchener, ON - The Boathouse July 9 | Six Nations - 6 Arrows Media July 23-24 | Bella Coola, BC - Bella Coola Music Festival July 26 | Port Alberni, BC - Char's Landing July 27 | Nanaimo, BC - The Nanaimo Bar July 28 | Ucluelet, BC - Black Rock Resort July 29 | Ucluelet, BC - Black Rock Resort July 30 | Vancouver, BC - Skwachays Lodge & Gallery August 5 | Sioux Lookout, ON - The Legion August 12-14 | Ear Falls, ON - Trout Forest Music Festival August 24 | Thunder Bay, ON - Live on the Waterfront

For more details visit www.nicksherman.ca

Silver Jackson Premieres New Music Video for "Starry Skies Opened Eyes (Pt.II)"

Silver Jackson drops a video for the title track from his latest album, Starry Skies Opened Eyes.

One of our favourite releases of 2014, Silver Jackson's Starry Skies Opened Eyes is a bold imagining of an Indigenous future found in the reclamation of life and the rediscovery of present possibilities in the here and now.

Collaborating with Diné filmmaker Dylan McLaughlin, the Tlingit Unangax̂ artist has released an evocative black and white music video for the album's title track, "Starry Skies Opened Eyes".

Here's what he had to say about the clip and the album:

"Starry Skies Opened Eyes features" vocals from multidisciplinary Métis artist Moe Clark. The album was recorded over a three year period that saw Jackson narrowly escape death in a hunting accident, and traces his path to newfound perspectives on life through love and gratitude…friends and family.

Watch the video below and stream the full album, Starry Skies Opened Eyes, right here on RPM.

Silver Jackson - Starry Skies Opened Eyes (Pt. II) from Dylan McLaughlin

DOWNLOAD: Logan Staats' "Running Like the River"

Download "Running Like the River", the lead single from Logan Staats' debut solo album, Goodbye Goldia.

Mohawk singer Logan Staats is about to take over Indian Country.

The Six Nations musician, born and raised in Brantford, Ontario, has emerged on the Indigenous music scene bearing his guitar like a weapon, and his raw talent and emotion like a suit of armour in a war of heartbreak and redemption.

Staats, who first became known to us as the frontman for Ghost Town Orchestra, has been making waves with his solo work, after debuting a few solo tracks, performances, and videos through his label, 6 Arrows Media.

His debut album, Goodbye Goldia, is set for release on June 21st, and here's a first taste of what to expect: the clarion call of emotional immediacy, a singularly identifiable gift for melody, and an impassioned vocal delivery that overflows with joy, sadness, pain, and power.

This is acoustic music that explores the depths of human experience at its most honest and vulnerable. And Logan Staats is a conduit for that special magic that music holds—a transformative force for remaking pain into pure artistry.

Incredible.

DOWNLOAD: Logan Staats - "Running Like the River"

Buffy Sainte-Marie Continues to Push Boundaries on New Album, "Power in the Blood"

At age 74, activist, artist, and icon Buffy Sainte-Marie remains refreshingly forthright, not to mention downright danceable, on her new album, Power in the Blood.

A collection of originals and cover songs, the album includes the techno-laced, anthemic title track (the result of a collaboration with electronic group Alabama 3) Power in the Blood, the reiteration of the longevity and diversity of Buffy's career in the re-imagining of the title track from her 1964 debut album It's My Way, her take on UB40's Sing Our Own Song, and the fiery reworking of her 1972 released break-up song Not the Lovin' Kind.

In addition to the updated spin on existing material, the stand out new songs Carry it On and We Are Circling celebrate the sanctity and beauty of life and nature and, what we know and love Buffy best for, scathing political and social commentary.

Of seeming unending energy to speak and perform, Buffy is currently touring in support of the new album throughout the UK, the US, and Canada - check out the full list of tour dates below.

Listen to the title track now, actually don't just listen, stand up and join in, "there's power in the blood, justice in the soul."

STREAM: Buffy Sainte-Marie - "It's My Way"

Tour dates:

03/18 Cardiff, UK - Motorpoint Arena * 03/20 Leeds, UK - First Direct Arena * 03/21 Glasgow, UK - The SSE Hydro * 03/24 Belfast, UK - Odyssey Arena * 03/26 London, UK - The Tabernacle 03/27 Birmingham, UK - Barclaycard Arena * 04/26 Sidney, BC - Mary Winspear Centre 04/29 Campbell River, BC - The Tidemark Theatre 04/30 North Vancouver, BC - Capilano University Centre for the Performing Arts Theatre 05/01 North Vancouver, BC - Capilano University Centre for the Performing Arts Theatre 05/06 London, ON - Aeolian Hall 05/07 Toronto, ON Koerner Hall 05/09 Burnstown, ON - Neat Coffee Shop 05/15 Lincoln, NE - University of Nebraska Lincoln 05/17 Chicago, IL - City Winery 05/18 Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live 05/19 Washington, DC - The Hamilton 05/20 New York, NY - Highline Ballroom 07/16 Grass Valley, CA - California Worldfest 08/07 Little Current, ON - Manitoulin Country Fest

Buffy's new album, Power in the Blood, is available now on iTunes.

STREAM: Nick Sherman's "Knives & Wildrice"

Nick Sherman's much-anticipated new album, Knives & Wildrice, is finally here.

Since last year, Indian and Cowboy have been chronicling the lead up to the album's release through their Knives & Wildrice podcast and now the album is ready for the world.

It's beautiful. You need it in your life. Listen below.

Stream Knives & Wildrice on Spotify and download it now on iTunes.

https://open.spotify.com/album/0cx2nSqLHYT7RAXIYmoOxF

Samantha Crain Premieres New Video for "Outside the Pale"

Watch an acoustic performance of Samantha Crain's new single, "Outside the Pale".

Although Choctaw singer Samantha Crain's new album, Under Branch & Thorn & Tree, isn't coming out until July, the anticipation is already building.

After premiering the lead single, "Outside the Pale", earlier this month (grab the audio here)—this week Crain premiered a new video of an acoustic performance of the song over at Diffuser.fm.

Crain's incredible voice easily carries the tune, accompanied only by her acoustic guitar work, alongside bandmate John Calvin Abney. Minimal, hypnotic, and moving, "Outside the Pale" is a very good sign that Under Branch & Thorn & Tree will be another stellar release from one of our favourite Indigenous artists.

WATCH: Samantha Crain - "Outside the Pale"

Samantha Crain's Under Branch & Thorn & Tree will be released July 17, 2015. Preorder the album here.

Listen to the Final Episode of Nick Sherman's 'Knives & Wildrice' Podcast

Here it is: the final episode of Nick Sherman's Knives & Wildrice podcast—celebrating the successful completion of his new album. 

Appropriately titled "I Can't Believe We Did It", the episode brings together all previous 12 parts in Anishinaabe singer Nick Sherman's journey to bring the album to fruition, while offering some insider insight into his creative process and project.

Oh yeah—and, of course, the episode features some samples of new music from the album (check out the lead single "Ghost Town" here, if you haven't).

Indian and Cowboy break it down:

In this conversation Nick and Ryan break down the making of Nick's new album, Knives & Wildrice, the process of documenting the journey of making the album through a podcast and what it was like to crowdfund & create this album with very little resources and the good graces of his friends and family.

Sherman's new album, Knives & Wildrice, drops May 23rd, 2015. He will be out on tour with the Greenbank Trio all summer and all over Canada. Tour dates and album release info below.

Listen to Knives & Wildrice EP#13 - "I Can't Believe We Did It"

NICK SHERMAN - SUMMER 2015 TOUR DATES

May 23 - Thunder Bay, ON - Red Ride Tour May 29 - Sudbury, ON - NOMFA Showcase June 05 - Winnipeg, MB - Maw's Beer Hall June 06 - Regina, SK - McNally's Tavern June 10 - Golden, BC - Rockwater June 12 - Kamloops, BC - Chances Casino June 13 - Vancouver, BC - Heartwood Cafe June 16 - Kelowna, BC - Minstrel Cafe June 17 - Golden, BC - Rockwater June 19 - Fernie, BC - Brickhouse June 20 - Calgary, AB - Wine Oh's June 21 - Edmonton, AB - TBA June 24 - Red Deer, AB - Ross St. Patio June 25 - Red Deer, AB - Velvet Olive June 26 - Lancaster, AB - Lancaster Taphouse June 27 - Kenora, ON - Lake of the Woods Brewery July 06 - Peterborough, ON - Red Garnet July 08 - Kingston, ON - The Mansion July 10 - Ottawa Bluesfest July 11 - Montreal, QC - Brutopia July 14 - Windsor, ON - Pan Am Games July 17 - Toronto, ON - Pan Am Games July 18 - Harmony of Nations Festival July 24 - Sioux Lookout - Centennial Centre August 05 - Lac Seul FN Youth Conference August 06 - Lac Seul FN Youth Conference August 07 - Red Rock, ON - Live from the Rock August 08 - Red Rock, ON - Live from the Rock August 09 - Red Rock, ON - Live from the Rock August 13 - Toronto, ON - Celebration Zone August 15 - Subbury, ON - UP Fest

Listen to "Ghost Town", the Lead Single from Nick Sherman's New Album

Stream Nick Sherman's "Ghost Town" the first single from his upcoming album, Knives & Wildrice.

Anyone following the Knives & Wildrice podcast knows two things: first, that Anishinaabe musician Nick Sherman has had a hell of a time making this record; and, second, that the record in question is going to be amazing.

Last week, I&C Media dropped the first single from said album, which shares its title with the eponymous podcast in question, and we were, of course, instantly hooked.

Sherman has the unique talent of being able to take his smoky, raspy vocals and pairing them with mostly acoustic elements and thoughtful lyrics, while managing to avoid the pitfalls of the corny "Cafe Radio", satellite channel-styled associations most often made with "singer-songwriter" music.

"Ghost Town" rings out with the personal, intimate touch that Sherman is already known for, and builds the song into a heartfelt plea for solace and "mercy from the storm".

Check Nick out this summer as part of the Red Ride Tour starting May 23rd in his hometown of Thunder Bay, ON.

STREAM: Nick Sherman - "Home Town"

Knives & Wildrice drops worldwide on May 23, 2015. 

PREMIERE: Stream Raye Zaragoza's Debut EP "Heroine"

Stream Raye Zaragoza's debut EP, Heroine, a beautiful collection of hypnotic love songs.

Raye Zaragoza's music is an effortless mix of old world charm and contemporary sonic seduction. On her debut EP, the New York-based, Pima singer channels both chanteuse and lovestruck acoustic balladeer.

At the heart of the EP is its title track, "Heroine", which as we reported recently, is a lush and nostalgic honeyed love song evoking past and present simultaneously. Zaragoza has a knack for strong hooks and a commanding vocal presence that elevates her most pop-oriented track on the record, "Sleeplovers", to sublime heights as it glides into the captivating hook: "falling in love / would be as easy as falling asleep".

But wrapped around the melodic heart of this release, Zaragoza soars between the EP's slow-burning, hypnotic opener "Wintertime" and the simple acoustic guitar accompaniment of closing track, "Crazy Eyes".

Heroine is an assured debut that offers a glimpse into a rising talent in Indian Country—and the emergence of a compelling artist coming into her own. Highly recommended.

STREAM: Raye Zaragoza's Heroine

Pre-order Heroine on iTunes. The album will be available worldwide on May 11, 2015. 

Listen to Kait Angus' "Drive", the Perfect Soundtrack for a Lovers' Escape

San-Francisco-based, Cree/Mohawk singer Kait Angus drops her latest single, "Drive"—a road trip ready, acoustic anthem of love and longing.

Kait Angus has a unique talent for sculpting sound into subtle shapes of desire. Often mixed with a touch of sadness, her melancholy love ballads crackle and fade like dusty old photographs, the receding view of a horizon caught at sunset in the reflected light of the rearview.

"Drive" is a lovers' soundtrack for a road trip into the unknown: an all-night drive, the yearning for perpetual movement to that "somewhere in the in-between". So fill the tank, kick back, and let go. That's just the sound of the rain coming in through the windows.

DOWNLOAD: Kait Angus - "Drive"

Stream Raye Zaragoza's New Single, "Heroine"

Listen to the lead single from up-and-coming singer-songwriter Raye Zaragoza's debut EP, "Heroine."

Drifting into view like a sun-soaked, summer sunset lullaby, Raye Zaragoza's beautiful lead single "Heroine" from her forthcoming debut EP, immediately caught our attention.

"Heroine" is a lush, soulful blend of Zaragoza's gentle vocals and lovelorn nostalgia, with its honeyed accompaniment of lilting guitar, piano, bass, and brushed percussion.

Zaragoza, a Pima artist based in New York, is a rising star on the Manhattan music scene and is currently getting set to perform at the 2015 Gathering of Nations before heading out on tour in support of her EP, which drops May 11th.

Raye is one to watch. Keep an eye for more...and in the meantime, enjoy a taste of what's to come.

STREAM: Raye Zaragoza - "Heroine"