From Moosonee, Ontario, Clint Hamiltonis a guitar slinging, gritty rock n' roller with the songwriting heart of a poet.
Clint Hamilton generally writes and records in his home studio, utilizing loops and samples but with an eye on keeping the sound as natural as possible. "Writing, recording and producing has a pretty steep learning curve but it is getting easier as I go along, picking up tricks and experience along the way", says Hamilton of working as a DIY artist.
This track was written in response to a request for a "love song" from his wife and at first listen, the song has all the rock must haves - back beat, skilled guitar solos, a rough-around-the-edges lead vocal. But listen closer, and again, because if you missed it the first time, you'll find it also has the more intangible qualities of poetry and passion that make good songs great.
Mother Jorie and daughter Christie West make up the duo Sayani(meaning Zion). Together, their heartfelt and spiritual music shares their family stories of the past and present.
NAMMY winners in 2010 for Best Gospel/Inspirational Album, they are Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Irish and English and their work reflects their cultural blend, with a strong traditional Native influence. That blend is featured in this track with both the hand drum and sampled percussion under their rich, building and beautiful vocal harmonies. Close your eyes and listen.
Hailing from Tuscon in the land of Arizona, Mixed Breed is a new rap collective fresh out of the halls of high school, making some amazing music.
Consisting of Ali Baby, Chino, Annalex and Lil Shugz, Mixed Breed is a new group to keep your eyes and ears on.
From their debut album Ali Baby presents Mixed Breed: The BEGINNING, this track shares elements of dirty south with some hype 808, and a touch of EDM with the dirty wobble behind their slick lyrics.
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.
This week we have some killer electronic house from Oneida/Chippewa artist Stone Mathersto sink your teeth into and move your feet to.
Marshall Stonefish, aka Stone Mathers, has been driven to create his whole life. He cites Lego as his first medium of choice and has dabbled in all art forms but "music," he says, "of all things made me." In high school he discovered how to make beats, and his creative passion found a new outlet in electronic music, but his work today travels electronic, house, noise, pop and soundscapes.
"I know what i like to hear and but i don't know what i like to create. Creativity is a monster, it needs to be wrestled into the dirt. And I'm the Creator."
I recently had the pleasure of hearing Ojibway singer-songwriter Nick Sherman, from Sioux Lookout, Ontario, perform live, and I'm thrilled that this week's RPM download is a track from his brand new album, Drag Your Words Through.
Sherman's poetic and honest lyrics, paired with his warm, rich voice had the room near tears when he performed, and luckily the depth and emotion that he so beautifully conveys live is captured well on all the tracks of Drag Your Words Through. Described by Sherman as music rooted in contemporary folk, the sentiments on the album span the best and worst days of four years in his life - so hearts are moved not only to sadness, but to smiles too. Be sure to check out the album at www.nicksherman.ca and get started by downloading the title track here.
In the 14th episode of the RPM Podcast, host Ostwelve speaks with two musical architects of the Mexican Indigenous revival - Yaotl of Aztlan Underground and Zero from El Vuh.
On the flags of Canada and U.S.A. there’s nothing that speaks of pre-colonial times - nothing to symbolize the long history of Indigenous peoples on these lands. But look at the flag of Mexico and see smack in the middle a golden eagle with a serpent in its claws. That is an Aztec symbol.
Scholars like to talk about the Aztec civilization as though it’s a thing of the past, but as the flag suggests Aztec culture is alive and kicking with a rhythmic revolution.
Yaotl shares how being Indigenous has shaped his experiences, identity and music, and how he seeks to "see tomorrow". Zero describes the magic that happened when creating music joined his cultural knowledge and where to El Vuh has taken their work.
Check out their music and conversations with Ostwelve and share this post!
From the community of Atikameksheng Anishinawbek in Ontario, Ojibway Lisa Marie Naponse's path as a soulful rhythm and blues artist began with a bet against her mother. Lisa Marie pocketed 100 bucks when she learned to play and master Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues. Since then, she has continued to share and make music, like this track Spell that so perfectly highlights her powerful blues vocals.
Listen, download, sing along at the top of your lungs and enjoy.
Chilcotin rap artist King Hood out of Toosey Reserve near Williams Lake, British Columbia, sent us some new music and we picked our favourite, So Bizzarre featuring Alley Way King, to share with you.
Kyle Houde, aka King Hood, is an underground rap artist who first got hooked on the genre when his Dad played him some Eminem and 2pac as a kid. Since then, he's been focused on getting his own voice heard and released his first mixtape last year, Rise of a Soldier. Download the track and keep an eye on King Hood - there is more great things to come from this artist!
Despite being born and raised in the Alaskan town of Sitka, Strummin' Dog (aka Dave Galanin, father of Nicholas Galanin) plays the blues like he's from down the bayou. His newest album, Signify, is a mix of original tunes and his own spin on works by the greats like Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and Charley Patton.
Locked Into Something is a Strummin' Dog original and it has me feeling my East Van desk chair is leaned back in a smokey blues bar, or maybe rocking on a Southern porch... either way it's just what you want from the blues - hazy, hot and hitting the low notes of your soul with a steel guitar and a rich deep voice.
So far in 2012 the new releases in Indian Country span the genres of folk, americana, flamenco, traditional and pop/rock... something for everyone! Here are the new Indigenous music releases of January and February, 2012.
Right out of the gate, Samantha Crainreleased her new 7" single A Simple Jungle on January 10. Produced by John Vanderslice the two new tracks on the single are exactly what you love about Samantha already - her from-another-time vocals and indie-spun american vibe. Get A Simple Jungle here: samanthacrain.com/store.
On January 20, Gabriel Ayala of the Yaqui tribe released his ninth album, Shades of Blue. Ayala's virtuosic guitar playing is at its flamenco-flavoured best on this album and you can find it on CDBaby here: cdbaby.com/cd/gabrielayala3.
On the same day, newcomer Nick Sherman, from Sioux Lookout, Ontario, released his debut album Drag Your Words Through. Rooted in folk/rock, the songs are earnest yet thoughtful and Sherman's rich, textured vocals will rip your heart out. In a good way. Listen to his track Winterdark here and get the whole album on iTunes at itunes.apple.com.
Comprised of composer and multi-instrumentalist Colin Farish and Native American flutist John-Carlos Perea, Coyote Jump "sculpts a musical tribute to Native America with the sound of the cedar flute at its core." We've known for awhile that this debut album, Waking From the Rocks, was on the horizon and are glad to announce it's now available from Canyon Records. Find it at store.canyonrecords.com.
Last but not least, this month Vince Fontaine's supergroup Indian Cityreleased their first album, Supernation - contemporary pop and rock with a hint of traditional layers. Envisioned by Fontaine, the collaborative Indian City includes Don Amero, Pamela Davis, William Prince, Ray "Coco" Stevenson and others. Killer! Get Supernation on CDBaby here: cdbaby.com/cd/vincefontainesindiancity.
Listen to the first single from Indian City, Stand:
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.
