DiggingRoots, are an innovative and dynamic young group of indigenous artists who bring a message of empowerment to roots and blues music. DiggingRoots combines the talents of Berklee music graduate, guitarist and composer, Raven Kanatakta with those of writer and Carleton educated musician, ShoShona Kish. Together, they create what they call "Odeimin Music" or heartbeat music, a genre that draws inspiration from the land and presents the history of indigenous people in a stirring, and uplifting way.
Their current CD 'seeds' is an album of soulful, spiritual roots/blues music with touches of reggae, jazz and traditional First Nations music mixed in. "Rebel" and "Wake Up and Rise" are reggae-influenced pieces that urge First Nations people to be proud of their identity and stand up for what they believe in. "Going Back" is a gospel tribute to Raven's grandfather, while "Memego" combines 'spoken word' with a traditional First Nations compositional style. The piece is about the consequences of the residential school system on relationships between different generations. The lyrics on 'seeds' touch on a variety of First Nations issues from racism to the 2002 conflict in Burnt Church NB. However, the over-arching themes of identity, self-determination and courage in the face of struggle speak to all listeners, regardless of background. And the easy-going, positive vibe is infectious!
As to their own backgrounds, Raven Kanatakta was born and raised on a settlement/reserve in Winneway, Quebec. He grew up listening to First Nations icon, Willie Dunn, as well as traditional pow-wow music and old country, gospel and spirituals that were popular in the community. After writing jazz compositions for a big band and receiving his full scholarship degree at Berklee he still counts Son House and Jimi Hendrix as two of his musical heroes. ShoShona Kish is a self-described 'city girl' of Anishinabe heritage who grew up in the Toronto area in a family that was part of the 70's First Nations cultural revival. She earned a University certificate degree in creative writing in Penticton and was musically educated at Carleton University. It was during her time at Carleton that courses in ethnomusicology permitted her to deepen her studies of traditional music. She immersed herself in early recordings of '49ers', pow-wow songs with English lyrics that were popular among Native war veterans. She also earned a Chalmers Fellowship and has recently been nominated for the H.M. Hunter Artists Award.
The two first collaborated in 1997 and they knew they had a good thing going when their very first gig together, a showcase for the organizers of the Ottawa Folk Festival, resulted in their winning the much sought after final slot on the Festival line-up that year. Together as DiggingRoots since 2002, they continue to devote themselves both to indigenous culture and to the music that has evolved out of the cultural exchanges that have taken place in North America over the decades: blues, jazz, southern gospel and North American folk music. Their performances have taken them to New Zealand, Hawaii and Spain, as well as to prestigious North American festivals like the Toronto's Harbourfront, the Detroit Festival of the Arts and the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival. Last November, a performance with Willie Dunn at the 2005 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards earned a standing ovation.
"I first heard DiggingRoots at the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival and immediately became a fan," says JBM president, Jack Schuller. "Raven impressed me as a guitar player and I loved ShoShona's singing. So, when the group came to our label with the rough mixes to their new recording, I was very excited. Having now heard the band perform a number of times since last summer, I think they are the best of a great new generation of First Nations artists. With their combination of talent and dedication to their culture, I'm convinced they could become, like Buffy Ste. Marie and Robbie Robertson, artists whose impact will go far beyond First Nations music."
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