VIDEO: Jerry Sereda - "That'll Get You Drinkin'"

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Here's Métis country-rocker Jerry Sereda's brand new music video - a tale of tying one on at the end of the week, to start off your week.

From his album Turn the Country On, Jerry Sereda's That'll Get You Drinkin' is likely not lyrically something you should take to heart on a Monday morning, but the music has enough groove to get you rolling, if you need a boost!

Watch: Jerry Sereda - "That'll Get You Drinkin'"

National Aboriginal Day Celebrations 2012

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National Aboriginal Day in Canada means a lot of live Indigenous music and parties will be taking place across the country. Here are RPM's pick for music to check out this Abo day.

National Aboriginal Day is June 21st in Canada, but you'll find celebrations happening all month long. Here are our picks for live Indigenous music to see, but there will also be gatherings, powwows, parades, and more happening across the country, so check out what events are happening in your community!

June 21st

The feature performance at the day long festival at the Squamish Lil'Wat Culture Centre in Whistler, BC, is roots infused traditional group Kalan Wi. Info: slcc.ca/explore/events-and-workshops.

Red Power Squad, Wab Kinew and A Tribe Called Red's Electric Powwow will rock Sir Winston Churchill Square in Edmonton, AB. Info: theworks.ab.ca.

In the Centennial Plaza from 4pm-9pm, Edmonton, AB, performances will include Will Belcourt, Shawn Benard and Nathan Cunningham. Co-presented by creatinghopesociety.ca.

Brandy McCallum and Norine Braun are among the performers at the Vancouver, BC, celebration that takes place at Trout Lake. Info: bcnationalaboriginalday.com.

Don Amero, Whispering Loons Drum Group, and more will be at the Dauphin Friendship Centre in Flin Flon, MB. More info: aboriginalmusic.ca.

See Crystal Shawanda at the Red River Ex in Winnipeg, MB. Info: qx104fm.com/Concerts.

June 21st-24th

The Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival in Ottawa, ON, is going to be thumping with a powwow - host drum Bear Creek - and main stage performances by Amanda Rheaume, Donny Parenteau, Crystal Shawanda, Leanne Goose and Vince Fontaine’s Indian City. Info: nadottawa.wordpress.com.

June 23rd

Asani will headline the festivities at the Alberta Legislature grounds in Edmonton, AB. Info: sunandmoongallery.com.

APTN's Aboriginal Day Live will be taking place in both Winnipeg, MB, and Regina, SK, as well as broadcast live on ATPN, with Kashtin, Indian City, Christa Couture, Inez, Joey Stylez Buffy Sainte Marie, The Local Onlyz, Samian, Plex and even more. Info: aboriginaldaylive.com.

From last year's Aboriginal Day Live celebration, here's Winnipeg's Most:

A Tribe Called Red Calls the Shots

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These days, it's hard to keep track of one of Indian Country's favourite contemporary electronic music producers A Tribe Called Red as they take leaps forward into renown and reputation. They've just released a new video, announced summer tour dates, and are celebrating one of their member'sThre3Style.

[UPDATE] Who knew when we published this story this morning that when today's Polaris Prize long list nominees were announced, A Tribe Called Red would be among them! Congrats fellas - the recognition is well deserved. - Editor

Yes, Cayuga DJ Shub has recently earned the reputation of Canada's top party rocker, according to Redbull Thre3Style - a title won in Halifax late last month. DJ Shub also won the top spot at the DMC DJ Battle in 2008, becoming the first Aboriginal DJ to win the DMC Battle. I think the author speaks for Indian Country when he says, bigups Shub - keep killing it! To quote a Justice vs. Simian track, "We, are, your friends! You'll never be alone again!"

Aside from pioneering the Aboriginal Canadian electronic music scene and establishing the presence of Indigenous players as a serious force in the game, A Tribe Called Red has been busy. Bear Witness has been creating a series of videos set to Tribe's music which acts as a commentary on myths and misconceptions regarding today's Canadian, "post-colonial" identity, unveiling both truths and untruths through visual art. Media artists like Bear Witness are an emerging breed and hold a unique talent to be watched closely in the near future. As this exciting field evolves, its people motivated to push like Bear that are evolving it.

Busy is good, because busy means you'll have a chance to see A Tribe Called Red on tour with electronic music favorite Javier Estrada in a town near you. Check these dates including the Winnipeg Jazz Festival below, and don't forget to watch Bear Witness's latest video, part 1 of the Javier Estrada Trilogy, Soprano Azteca.

June 19 Winnipeg – Winnipeg Jazz Festival June 21 Edmonton – The Works Festival June 22 Ottawa – Special Event June 23 Peterborough – Ode’min Giizis Festival June 29 Montreal - Parc Jean Drapeau June 30 Toronto - Hard Rock Café July 01 Gatineau - Piknik Electronik July 08 Ottawa – RBC Ottawa Bluesfest Aug 03 Montreal – Presence Autochtone Aug 10 Toronto - Planet Indigenous

Kudos to these guys for staying in touch with, and contributing to contemporary narratives about #decolonization and Indigenous rights while pushing the electronic music scene through thoughtful fusions and modern dance floor remix revelations - but mostly for still managing to have fun while they do it:

 

DOWNLOAD: Plex - "Chasin'"

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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.

VIDEO: Q-Rock - "52 Hands"

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Check out the latest Q Rock music video from Ready to Rock Crew/Mighty Zulu Kings.

The new video for Q Rock's track 52 Hands is a trip from the Bronx to Brooklyn which remembers the grafitti writers that once ruled the NYC subway lines.

The track 52 Hands is available on The Graffiti Mixtape Volume 3 - check it out here: soundcloud.com/doughlowrock/vol3.

Watch Q-Rock - "52 Hands":

Directed by Dough Low Beats by Phantom Turntable by DJ Dough Low Rock BBoys: Floor Phantom & Nasty Yass © RTR MUSIC / CLUTCH FILMWORKS 2012

Flying Down Thunder Dreams Big with Culture

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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

WCMA 2012 Nominees Announced

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The Western Canadian Music Awards - aka WCMAs - announced the 2012 nominations today and here are the nominees for Aboriginal Recording of the Year.

The 2012 Western Canadian Music Award winners will be presented September 30 in Regina, Saskatchewan, as part of the BreakOut West weekend. In the running for Aborginal Recording of the Year are:

Jerry Sereda Turn The Country Murray Porter Songs Lived & Life Played RellikMighty Mouth Tanya TagaqAnuraaqtuq Vince Fontaine’s Indian CitySupernation

Murray Porter also received a nomination for Best Blues Recording of the Year.

Congratulations to all the nominees!

For more information visit breakoutwest.ca.

DOWNLOAD: Robbie Antone's Blues Machine - "Piece of Mind"

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This kind of laid back blues always makes me think of summer, which makes it the perfect pick for the first RPM download of June. From Oneida Nation on the Thames, Robbie Antone's Blues Machine sent us this sweet track to check out and we highly recommend you do too.

With lead singer and harmonica ace Robbie Antone at the helm, he and his Blues Machine have been racking up recognition in the industry and their community, from winning Best Blues at the Jack Richardson Music Awards to the Memphis International Blues Challenge. It's no wonder - their smooth and soulful style will whisk you away like a warm summer breeze.

DOWNLOAD: Robbie Antone's Blues Machine - "Piece of Mind"

Artist Call: Documentary Series Seeking Music Submissions

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Attention musicians! The upcoming documentary series Watchers of the North is looking for music submissions for possible use in the APTN television series.

Watchers of the North is a 6-part documentary series that will be broadcast on APTN in 2013. In both English and Inuktitut, the series is about the Canadian Rangers in two communities who patrol areas Canadian Forces can't easily access while being first responders in their communities in search and rescue and emergency situations. It focuses on close to a dozen Inuit Rangers in two communities and how their way of life is changing on and off the job.

We can't wait to see it!

And your music could be a part of it! Here's more info from the producers:

  • We’d love to feature Inuit musicians, whether they weave traditional sounds like throat singing into their modern music, or are creating unique sounds of their own.
  • We’re also looking for a wide variety of musicians and musical styles by Indigenous artists – First Nations, Metis, Aboriginal especially instrumental, but lyrics may work, too because episodes and scenes focus on a wide variety of people and different moods- some sequences are more thoughtful, others more action-packed.
  • At this point, we’d like to receive submissions as emailed links to EPKs and streaming audio.
  • What we can offer to musicians in return for their musical involvement in the series is exposure for their music: profiles of them on our blog (www.watchersofthenorthblog.com) and website (to be launched in 2013 with the series), Facebook page, twitter etc., as well as credits on our TV credit roll and on the website.
  • We’re also seeking a particularly versatile aboriginal musician or composer who has experience (ideally) creating music for film ,TV or theatre, to compose a few original short instrumental pieces that we will use regularly throughout the series. This would involve remuneration for that work.

To be considered, send your streaming audio links to Maureen Marovitch maureen@picturethis.ca.

New Indigenous Music Releases - May 2012

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Another month of Indigenous music! Here are four new releases from The Medics, Holly McNarland, Burnt Project 1 and Arvel Bird.

The Medics have released their much anticipated debut LP Foundations. In the two years since the release of their first EP they have gained a reputation for passionate and energetic live performances and it seems they've managed to bottle that vibe nicely here. With a "frenetic mix of distorted guitar and wall of dominant percussion" (indieshuffle.com) it's a brilliant album from one of Australia's brightest new bands. Order the CD or Get it on iTunes.

Listen to the opening track Beggars:

Also greeting eager ears is the new album The Black List from Burnt Project 1. It's been six years since their sophomore release and founder David Boulanger told CBC Music we can expect to hear "love, pain, truth, fear, happiness, honesty, time, hope, knowledge, courage, humility, respect, forgiveness, healing, understanding" in the new tracks. I like it already. Burnt Project 1 released the album at The Pyramid in Winnipeg this week, stay tuned for links to get it online!

Singer-songwriter Holly McNarland has, after years of working with major labels, launched her first independent release this month, Run Body Run. Culled from five years of songs, McNarland picked her favourites to record and spent a year in and out of the studio to get it made. The time and labour paid off. Get Run Body Run on iTunes and listen to Alone's Just Fine now:

And from renowned violinist and flutist Arvel Bird, Titanic Centennial: Commemorative Special Edition. The hour-long musical voyage of new and original music is dedicated to "the passengers, musicians and crew of the RMS Titatic". Get it at arvelbird.com.

A Radio Documentary by Dustin McGladrey - "Into The Roots"

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New across our desk is this radio documentary by journalist Dustin McGladrey on Indigenous musicians in rock and blues.

A young, new journalist, Dustin McGladrey, recently shared a radio documentary which features insights from several Indigenous artists like Murray Porter, Derek Miller, and John Kim Bell.

In this documentary, Dustin talks to numerous Indigenous artists about the state of Indigenous music now and what might come in the future, with a majority of the interviews having taken place during the weekend of the 2012 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards in Vancouver, B.C.

Great interviews with some of Turtle Island's greatest artists make this a great addition to the journalism section of Indigenous music culture. Props out to Dustin for stepping up and sharing this piece with us.

Full interview credits include:

Derek Miller  Murray Porter  Sean Riquelme  Elaine Bomberry  Evan Adams  Sarah Yankoo  Ray Thunderchild  Michelle Thrush  Adrian Duke  Chief Shane Godfriedson  Robert Simpson  John Kimbell  Chris Louis  Dustin McGladrey

DOWNLOAD: NWK & Gameboy - "Ghost Dance"

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Here's a download of a powerful track Ghost Dance by Gitanmaax Nation musicians NWK & Gameboy of the Mob Bounce collective.

NWK & Gameboy are new musicians hitting the scene out of Vancouver B.C. with an electronic style of music mixed with a colour of traditional sounds and revolutionary words.

Here they share their track Ghost Dance which is a call out to colonial forces here on Turtle Island.

DOWNLOAD: NWK - "Ghost Dance"

Also check out Mob Bounce here: DOWNLOAD: Mob Bounce – “Mixed Blood” Mix Tape