DOWNLOAD: Sean 'Blues Puppy' Riquelme - "Licked"

We'd guess that Sean Riquelme earned his Blues Puppy title for the fact that he first started playing guitar at age 6 - as soon as his hands could reach the frets - and was performing for crowds at age 11. A young pup indeed, and now only at 15 years old he's ready to take the music world by storm with his first EP Licked. The title track is this week's #RPMdownload.

Guitar phenom Sean "Blues Puppy" Riquelme (Cree/Quichaua) is at the start of his career. His show “Tribute to Guitar Legends” runs at local venues, festivals, fundraisers and coffee shops with his band in British Columbia and it's no surprise his influences include such legends as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Buddy Guy, BB King and Eric Clapton.

Riquelme is on the path to greatness himself with his clear dedication to his craft.

The new EP Licked is Riquleme's first foray into original material and includes tracks written by Riquelme and co-written with producer Michael Burley. We've got the exclusive download of the title track for you this week - get it now and say you knew him when.

DOWNLOAD: "Licked" - Sean "Blues Puppy" Riquelme

DOWNLOAD: Arthur Renwick - "Do the Bukowski"

Arthur Renwick, of the Haisla First Nation in Kitimat, BC, is a photo-based artist, independent curator, professor, AND musician. His new album, The Cigarbox Chronicles, is killer and we've got a download of our current favourite track for you.

These days Arthur lives and works in Toronto, dedicating most of his time to his work in music. He sent us a couple tracks from the Ken Whitely produced The Cigarbox Chronicles to check out and it was hard to choose one to feature - but this waltz has grit, wit, beauty and charm and showcases Arthur's songwriting, voice and guitar chops so perfectly we couldn't resist sharing it. It drifts down a dark alley, over a woman's shoulder, past a bottle of whisky, into your ear and right to your bones where it will stay until you raise a glass or sing along, or both. Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD: "Do the Bukowski" - Arthur Renwick

DOWNLOAD: Crystal J - "Beat the Odds"

Earlier this year RPM tagged Crystal J from the Nuxalk Nation as one to watch. Since then this young artist has released her debut album, the dance, pop and R&B laced Love, and we've got the first track to get you hooked.

Singing since the age of five Crystal J discovered R&B and hip-hop in her teens and currently calls Bella Coola her home. Take this song at its word and you'll know that Crystal is filled with dedication, strength and talent. Or just get up and dance. Either way, Crystal is an exciting new voice!

 DOWNLOAD: "Beat the Odds" - Crystal J

DOWNLOAD: Ill Citizens ft. Darkside - "Sweet Dreams"

We have another hip-hop track for this week's #RPMDownload Tuesday from Ill Citizens featuring Darkside.

These Winnipeg, Manitoba, Natives Ill Citizens remixed a track from well-known Shock Rocker Marilyn Manson, overlaying it with their flowing lyrics and Indigenized touch.

Keep an eye out for these up and comers as they release more singles in the future.

DOWNLOAD: Ill Citizens ft. Darkside - "Sweet Dreams"

DOWNLOAD: NiiKO - "Hit Me With The Lights"

We have a fresh new single from 20-year-old R&B/Soul/Pop Singer-Songwriter, NiiKO, formerly known as Lil' Pappie.

NiiKO, the young prodigy formerly known as Lil Pappie, has been busy creating tracks under his new moniker since July of this year. This tune demonstrates NiiKO's ability to produce seamlessly tight numbers without the support of a management team or label backing. One might think to themselves, Why aren't we picking this artist up?

Definitely an up and comer to keep an eye on. We're happy to share his latest tune with you.

DOWNLOAD: NiiKO - "Hit Me With The Lights"

DOWNLOAD: A Tribe Called Red ft. Boogat - "Morire Otra Dia"

A solid Trap-inspired co-lab between Ottawa favourites A Tribe Called Red and Montreal-based producer Boogat.

This week's #RPMDownload Tuesday features a recently released collaboration between Ottawa-based producers A Tribe Called Red and Montreal-based vocalist/writer/producer Boogat. This track is already a couple weeks old and you may have already seen it floating around the interwebs, but we couldn't pass up a chance to share it with you.

From Boogat's website, "A few weeks back, my friends from A Tribe Called Red sent me an awesome Trap-inspired beat and we teamed up for this great collabo: Morire Otro Dia.The song is about the daily doubts of human beings and the fact that we just need to keep it going, day after day."

Translated, 'Morire Otro Dia' becomes 'Die Another Day.'

Don't forget to catch A Tribe Called Red with Zuzuka Poderosa and Kush Arora on November 2 during Aboriginal Music Week in Winnipeg, MB.

@abmusicweek Wish I could be in #Winnipeg for #ElectricPowwow @atribecalledred facebook.com/abmusic.week

— Amber-Dawn Bear Robe (@ADBearRobe) September 21, 2012

DOWNLOAD: A Tribe Called Red ft. Boogat - "Morire Otra Dia"

DOWNLOAD: Beaatz - "One Last Time"

We have a download from Beaatz featuring Speechless, Gearl and Ill Fundz for their new politically charged track One Last Time.

Back in the mix again is Tobique First Nation hip-hop artist Beaatz with his new track One Last Time featuring fifteen-year-old Tobique First Nations MC Speechless, Eskasoni MC Gearl and Ill Fundz also out of Tobique First Nation. One Last Time speaks on the injustices suffered by Indigenous cultures around Turtle Island through the eyes of these young hip-hoppers coming out of the east coast of Canada.

DOWNLOAD: Beaatz - "One Last Time"

DOWNLOAD: KodeRed - "My Eyes Are On You"

Cop this new single entitled My Eyes Are On You from Fort Erie Native KodeRed.

You don't need to listen to this song for too long before you think to yourself, Why is this not in my headphones?

KodeRed has been laying it down, and you can clearly hear the production that went into tracks like My Eyes Are On You, which was produced by none other than DJ Shub of A Tribe Called Red.

feelin super tierd and still gotta do some writin and recordin...but its all worth it!

— KodeRed (@KodeRed4us) July 20, 2012

From what we can tell, the hard work pays off. Don't miss your chance to download KodeRed's free mixtape, either. Get it while it's fresh.

DOWNLOAD: KodeRed - "My Eyes Are On You"

DOWNLOAD: Christa Couture - "You Were Here in Michigan"

We have a download of You Were Here in Michigan from RPM's own Christa Couture from her newly released album The Living Record.

RPM's own Christa Couture has endured her share of hard work and hardships to complete her latest project The Living Record. A survivor of cancer and the passing of her infant son, Christa has turned these dark moments into her own musical medicine. This week we have a download of her song You Were Here In Michigan which captures the moment this medicine inspired her on the road at an artists' retreat. We're very happy to have Christa on our team and even happier to be sharing this first single off her album with you.

Christa is also heading out on a cross country tour so be sure to check out her show dates here: http://www.facebook.com/events/291501224290697/ 

DOWNLOAD: Christa Couture - "You Were Here in Michigan"

To listen to and support the rest of The Living Record, head to christacouture.com

DOWNLOAD: Desiree Dorion - "Soul Back Jack"

Desiree Dorion sings with passion and sass. It's kick-ass pure country - get into this week's RPM Download Soul Back Jack.

Soul Back Jack is the title track from Desiree Dorion's most recent, critically acclaimed, and award-winning fan-favourite album. It's polished, vibrant, catchy, impassioned country  music at its get-up-and-dance best. Throughout the album, the real highlight is truly Dorion's incredible voice. Damn, girl can sing and she just nails it in this track. Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD: Desiree Dorion - "Soul Back Jack"

DOWNLOAD: Michael Archibald - "Leave it All Behind"

Rock singer-songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Michael Archibald (Cree) brings it home with Leave it All Behind.

Born on Moose Factory Island, Mushkegowuk Territory, Michael Archibald has been making music since his pre-teen years. Since then he has honed his skills as a songwriter, guitarist and vocalist - hear all three at work in this track with its mix of traditional vocals within the driving rock rhythm sound.

DOWNLOAD: Michael Archibald - "Leave it All Behind"

New Indigenous Music Releases - Summer 2012

It's been a hot, hot summer for new Indigenous music! Here is RPM's summer round-up of the latest new releases you'll want to check out.

Without further ado, here are the hottest new releases this summer in Indian Country:

RedCloud and Crystal Lightning have joined forces as Lightningcloud, an explosive mix of hip-hop and electro-house. Get their eponymous album on Bandcamp and check out the opening track Zoom to get the party started:

Following the success of their debut album last year, WorldHood is back with a new EP, Mundo Libre. From downtempo soundscapes to club-ready electrobeats, you can download Mundo Libre for free here and listen to the track Mi Pueblo now:

Demons is the latest from Canadian hip-hop veteran Plex. Self-produced, the album highlights Plex's chops as a story-teller and features guest appearances from D-Sisive, Rellik and B-Brown. Get Demons on Bandcamp and listen to the title track now:

Shy-Anne Hovorka is back with her third album Interwoven Roots. The album brings a country flavour to the pop singer-songwriters work. Get it on CDBaby.

Urban pop artist Lil' Pappie put out his new EP Indian Summer to the delight of his dedicated fans. The release marked a name change for the artist too, who henceforth will be known as Niiko. Get Indian Summer on iTunes and watch the official video for the opening track:

Speaking of Niiko, he makes a guest appearance in the title track on J Dizzay's sophomore album Reckless. Rap, club, pop, electro - you'll get it all from this Cree artist's latest. Get the album on iTunes and check out the title track here:

To celebrate their appearance at the Mad Decent Block Party, A Tribe Called Red created the mix Ever Sick for Scion Sessions. ATCR - need we say more? Download here or from the player below:

And last but not least, rising star and APCMA Best New Artist 2011 Ali Fontaine has released her second album Diamond in the Rough with 10 brand new original songs. Visit alifontaine.com to get yours!

Now that's enough music to get you through what remains of summer - and it's not over yet! See you in the fall for more new music releases.