DOWNLOAD: IsKwé - "Another Love Song"

It's #RPMDownload Tuesday, and this week we're sharing an eloquently tenebrous, downtempo track from Winnipeg-born symbol of resplendence IsKwé.

"Smooth. Sultry. Salacious." The self-described Hip-hop and R&B vocalist proves to be just those things with her latest release. IsKwé's smooth voice and sultry lyrics drift over a deep, dark, and salacious dubstep beat like mists drifting off of rivers during hot summer nights.

Another Love Song begins as a whisper and gradually becomes a slow, rocking composition. Nothing but honey and smoke can describe this song's pace, flavor and feeling. The author can't help but think that Another Love Song ends too quickly; it's the kind of song that you want to go on for tens of minutes. Enjoy it while it lasts.

I'll write for you...write love I do...I'll write you love...Love you I write. Iskwe - Another Love Song soundcloud.com/iskwe/iskwe-an… on #SoundCloud

— isKwé (@isKwe) August 9, 2012

Download: IsKwé - "Another Love Song"

DOWNLOAD: The Medics - "Joseph"

Australian band The Medics are hot right now - with their recent new album, new videos, and now multiple NIMA nominations.

To get a taste of why this band's "rock songs with a melodic pop heart" are catching on fast, download this track, Joseph. The Medics' passion and drive is infectious - turn it up and enjoy.

DOWNLOAD: The Medics - "Joseph"

DOWNLOAD: Street Pharmacy - "Make You Well"

From alternative-rock-reggae band Street Pharmacy, turn up this week's RPM download - Make You Well - from the band's most recent album Divorce.

Street Pharmacy is a 5-piece band hailing from Welland, Ontario, and lead by Métis singer-songwriter Ryan Guay. Ryan started the band after he was released from the Hamilton Mood Disorder clinic due to a misdiagnosis of Schizophrenia. The experience inspired the band's name and a lot of their early songs. With four albums now under their belt, Ryan and the band are just getting better - Divorce is a polished, solid mix of passionate and driven alternative rock, laced with reggae grooves. Get your prescription filled and download Make You Well now.

DOWNLOAD: Street Pharmacy - "Make You Well"

DOWNLOAD: Honey Dawn Karima - "Beautiful Warriors"

Dr. Honey Dawn Karima  is a prolific Creek/Cherokee recording artist, novelist, poet, fiction writer, journalist, filmmaker, playwright and radio host - ie an artist and creator regardless of the medium. Check out this track Beautiful Warriors, featuring Cloudwalker.

Honey Dawn Karima's achievements in her many pursuits are remarkable. Among them is her music and her latest album The Desire of Nations which features a mix of her unwavering, serene and pitch perfect vocas soaring over beats with rhymes from numerous guest hip-hop, alternative and dance artists. Through her music, Honey aims to honour her culture, language and traditions, while also inspiring dance, reflection and joy.

DOWNLOAD: Honey Dawn Karima - "Beautiful Warriors"

DOWNLOAD: Indigie Femme - "Am I Ready"

We're showcasing a gem from the Navajo and Aotearoa Maori Country Rock duo Indigie Femme by giving you their track called Am I Ready.

Based out of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Tash Terry and Elena Higgins have been making music since November of 2006. Indigie Femme, the child of collaboration between the two singer-songwriters, released the song Am I Ready on the album Indian Souvenir in 2010. That year saw many miles for the musical duo who toured both the West Coast of North America as well as much of Australia.

The tour payed off when in 2011 the duo received several awards for their music, including a Native American Music Award (NAMMY), double New Mexican Music Awards (NAMA) and becoming Sacramento Community of Color Diversity honorees.

The band is coming off of a few months of performances, but if you're in the area of Santa Fe in the month of August be sure to catch them at Cowgirl Santa Fe on Saturday, August 18th from 2-5pm, and tweet about it!

I uploaded a @YouTube video youtu.be/tG-8fL6GDEY?a Am I ready?

— Indigie Femme (@indigiefemme) June 17, 2012

DOWNLOAD: Indigie Femme - "Am I Ready"

DOWNLOAD: Siren Call - "Lastone"

From a network of new emerging, electronic artists that includes Black Hands and Stone Mathers, this week's featured artist is Siren Call, of Wasauksing Nation.

Trevor Tabodandung, aka Siren Call, grew up taking in rap, rock and metal music, but it was an album by German elecro-house Digitalism that set him on path to exploring and creating his own house tracks. "I'm still learning lots about how to make music, but I like to make sounds I want to hear" says the young artist from Parry Sound, Ontario. Well Siren, we like the sounds too. Download this track to sweeten up your summer listening.

DOWNLOAD: Siren Call - "Lastone"

Willie Lowery's Plant and See Album to be Reissued

Lumbee musician, songwriter, mentor and visual artist Willie Lowery passed away two months ago after a career of over four decades in art, music and community involvement. The psychedelic swamp rock, eponymous LP from his 1969 band Plant and See, is now set for reissue by Paradise of Bachelors.

From Indian Country Today Lumbee Rocker Willie French Lowery’s 1969 Psychedelic Album to Be Reissued:

...some music experts consider [Plants and See] a lost (or at least hard-to-find) classic of psychedelic swamp-rock. On July 3, Carrboro, NC-based record label Paradise of Bachelors will give the album its first proper re-issue, on vinyl, in a limited edition of 1000 copies. Plant and See dissolved soon after the album came out, then largely reformed as Lumbee, which also put out just one album, Overdose.

Interviewed for an article in Indyweek.com written soon after Lowery’s death, Brendan Greaves of Paradise of Bachelors offered his thoughts. “What’s really fascinating about him,” said Greaves, “is that he put out these two LPs that are classic to the canon of psychedelic music, if little known beyond that, but then turned his career into a vehicle for articulating American Indian identity and politics.”

The band Lumbee also was short-lived as Lowery's muse took him in varied directions. Lowery published over 500 songs that have been recorded by acts as diverse as gospel, country and R&B artists.

Paradise of Bachelors has not only reissued Plant and See but has plans to release more of Lowery's catalogue, including recordings from Lumbee, his later solo work and previoulsy unreleased recordings.

So if you weren't tuned into the work of Willie Lowery before now, there will be opportunity to delve into more! You can order Plant and See here, and stream the track  below. Dig it.

STREAM: Plant and See - "Put Out My Fire"

DOWNLOAD: Rex Smallboy - "Children Of God"

Here is new music from hip-hop veteran Rex Smallboy, his track Children Of God. Keeping along the lines of his pure hip-hop style, this track hits the ears and heart with real energy and focus.

Rex Smallboy is no newcomer to the art of hip-hop here in Turtle Island country. From the pioneering rap group War Party, Rex has been influencing and trailblazing Indigenous hip-hoppers here in Canada and beyond for years, and now shares with us a new track entitled Children Of God, which takes us on a real journey through the eyes of an observer of life and love.

DOWNLOAD: Rex Smallboy - "Children Of God"

DOWNLOAD: Jace Martin - "Falling Stars"

Falling Stars is the title track from the upcoming album by Mohawk Six Nations Jace Martin. Produced by Crystal Shawanda, the track is just what you'd want out of a Nashville pop-country song - catchy, sweet and danceable. So grab your partner and download it now.

Following his years in blues band The WolfPack, Jace Martin developed his solo style with his 2008 APCMA "Best Blues Album" nominated eponymous album. Now signed to NewSun Records, and with country-star Crystal Shawanda in the producer's seat, Jace is branching out into new musical territory.

DOWNLOAD: Jace Martin - "Falling Stars"

DOWNLOAD: Cheryl L'Hirondelle - "Wishful Heart"

In Wishful Heart, Métis award-winning, multi-disciplinary artist Cheryl L'Hirondelle speaks from her heart for those who may seem to have drifted from view.

I'm a big fan of Cheryl L'Hirondelle's work and was thrilled when she offered to share this track with RPM, and with you! This song in particular is one of my favourites - her poetry, her voice, the steady rhythm of the piano and horns that carry the otherwise delicate song with strength, move me every time.

Cheryl says of the song "Wishful Heart is my homage to all the people on the streets who, though they may seem to fall between the cracks of society and our fast paced world, are beautiful and perfect beings! While walking around Vancouver composing the songs from my songlines project, I was reminded how we all endure pain and misfortune and this is what hopefully helps us to stay compassionate so we can truly care for one another."

It's a beautiful piece. Sit, listen, and then listen again.

DOWNLOAD: Cheryl L'Hirondelle - "Wishful Heart"

DOWNLOAD: Plex - "Chasin'"

We have an exclusive new download of Plex's track Chasin' from his upcoming album Demons.

Plex is an award-winning Canadian hip-hop veteran based out of Toronto but originating from Edmonton's north end. Known first for his role in the rap collective Won 18, Plex has since surged out on his own solo ventures, receiving critical acclaim and awards on his journey.

Soon to be releasing his newest project entitled Demons, Plex shared with us this preview of one of the new tracks, Chasin', which focuses on the societal ailment facing the music industry's materialistic conscience.

This is another deadly banger by Plex, and will sure to be gracing your playlists this summer. Boom.

DOWNLOAD: Plex - "Chasin'"

Keep an eye on RPM for more info on Demons, and visit iamplex.com.

Flying Down Thunder Dreams Big with Culture

Kevin Chief, aka Flying Down Thunder of the Juno-nominated duo Flying Down Thunder and Rise Ashen, speaks on the origins of their cross-cultural collaboration and inspirations.

I got a chance to pick the brain of Ottawa-based artist Kevin Chief aka Flying Down Thunder of the Algonquin Nation, Loon clan, about his inspirations for his musical process, how the group Flying Down Thunder and Rise Ashen formed, and his words of advice for youth.

STREAM: Flying Down Thunder Dreams Big with Culture