November 27, 2020: Music and Storytelling (part 1)
Some readings, art, music, and other resources. These are not required readings. They have been shared with us by our guests, or are things we have looked up after an interview for further information or just because we were curious.
We share these materials with you for interest and pleasure’s sake.
If you missed this week’s class, you can listen to it here:
This week we meet Kris Harper from nêhiyawak and Ag47. You know Ag47 as the band that wrote the theme music for the course. Here are a few videos from nêhiyawak. Kris talks about the first one, “page”, in our interview. In it you meet local Métis poet Marilyn Dumont (who Kris speaks about in the interview). The visuals come from Conor McNally (also mentioned in the interview). Kris talks of how the themes in “page” were inspired by Magna Carta coming through town. Here is a link with an incredible amount of information about the Magna Carta: https://www.bl.uk/magna-carta
You can find more videos and music on the Arts and Crafts label website: https://arts-crafts.ca/artists/nehiyawak.html#956
Kris talks of how The Ethiopians looked to their elders for a name and because it is a music class, here is a link to hear some of their music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYXcpyrIgF8
The picks from Kris are Fats Domino, “Walking to New Orleans“. Before hitting play, we think it is important to share with you that this song is the story of the theft of Indigenous children and culture. While Archie Roach is singing as an Indigenous person from Australia, many listening know intimately the intergenerational impacts of stealing Indigenous children and culture here in Canada. Kris mentioned in the interview that he cried when he first heard the song. This song may be hard to get through. “Took the Children Away”.
In Kris’ interview he talks of the impact of colonialism on recorded American music. Here are a few articles that highlight the history and impact of white settlers on American music. And, more specifically, the theft and appropriation of Back music.
Baruti N. Kopano, “Soul Thieves: White America and the Appropriation of Hip Hop and Black Culture”
Wesley Morris, “For centuries, black music, forged in bondage, has been the sound of complete artistic freedom. o wonder everybody is always stealing it.”
Here is an interactive and very informative website, The Black Music History Library, exploring the role of Black culture in American music, which continues to financially benefit white people: https://blackmusiclibrary.com/Library
Over-representation of white cis-gendered voices in music is not just a problem in America, it is a problem everywhere, including our own city! In recognition of this Not Enough Fest happened. This was a festival in, what is now known as Edmonton, that was made entirely of first-time bands comprised of queer, non-binary, women,and trans artists. Here is a short documentary about the festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j31mElEtJuU&list=PLWSjEJ5Z-OIoP_p4i4c9ajHmHWoebzjWz&ab_channel=JennaTurner
Leila Sidi, our second guest this week, is committed to getting more stories in music by prioritizing accessibity in her guitar making. Here is a great article, “In the Pink” written by Steph Wong Ken that explores some of Leila’s journey as a luthier (guitar maker).
You can find our more about Leila Sidi’s work by visiting her website, https://tunatoneinstruments.com/
Watch a demo of TunaTone Teeny Tuna, one of Leila’s guitars:
Leila also shared a favourite music pick with us! “Survival” by Wares.
You can read a quick review of the new Wares record “Survival”, https://exclaim.ca/music/article/wares_survival_album_review
Wares is a local band, check out more of their work on their bandcamp site and on their facebook page.
HUM 101 On Air! 