14 | NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY FRIDAY, JUNE 21
MUSIC
Musical motivation
BY JENNIFER MCFEE
INDIGENOUS MUSICIANS CONTINUE TO HIT A HIGH NOTE WHILE DRUMMING UP SUCCESS ACROSS THE INDUSTRY. L ast month, Juno-nominated Winnipeg musician Don Amero brought home the Indigenous Music Award in the category of Best Country Album for Evolution . A mix of roots, pop, country, rock and even a hint of soul influences his sound as it evolves. “My parents played and sang a lot when I was growing up,” said Amero, who is Cree/Métis on his mother’s side and French Acadian on his father’s side. “That background and their love of music has had an enormous effect on how music formed in me. I’d say it’s kept me rooted and connected.” If he’s in the right frame of mind, almost anything can act as an inspiration. “I know this sounds like a Hallmark card, but there is beauty all around us. There is a story — or a song — constantly unfolding before our eyes. We just need to tune into it,” he said. “For something more tangible, I’d say most of my musical inspiration comes when listening to new music. When a song comes on that shakes me at my core, often my response is to pick up my guitar and write something new.” As a father of three children, Amero’s family plays a pivotal role in all he does. To celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, Amero will be closer to home performing with his band at the Riverbank Discovery Centre in Brandon. “I take the most pride in watching these little humans explore the world through our views and stories,” he said, “and then having the gift of watching them as they become more and more courageous to then go out and discover the world on their own.” Musically, Amero is most proud that he has persevered and stayed the course. “It’s extremely hard in this business to have a lasting career,” he said, “and to say I’ve been doing it full time for almost 13 years is a testimony to my perseverance.” Coming up, he’ll be on the road to share new music with radio stations and perform at summer festivals across the country. To celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, Amero will be closer to home performing with his band at the Riverbank Discovery Centre in Brandon. “It’s always a great day to perform and celebrate the Indigenous community nationally,” Amero said. Meanwhile, for drummer Charnelle Menow of Norway House Cree Nation, it was music to her ears when she was offered a spot in the all-Cree group Midnight Shine. The roots rock band, which formed in 2011, also features lead guitarist/vocalist Adrian Sutherland of Attawapiskat First Nation, along with bassist/vocalist Stan Louttit and guitarist/vocalist Zach Tomatuk, both of Moose Factory First Nation. They incorporate hints of powwow chants and Cree language into their music to create a distinctive sound. The band recently performed at the Indigenous Music Awards, and Sutherland co-hosted the show. Although they didn’t take home any awards that night, they earned recognition as nominees in the categories of Best Rock Album for High Road and Best Producer/ Engineer.
Musician Don Amero will perform at the Riverbank Discovery Centre in Brandon for National Indigenous Peoples Day.
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