HGT Magazine #115 January/February 2022

All Things Music
The Studio Sessions
Wondering what’s up with the Haida Gwaii Coffeehouse
(HGC)? Well, if you must know, this fall the HGC began
collaborating with the Haida Gwaii Radio Society (HGRS)
and Haida Gwaii Arts Council (HGAC) to create the Studio
Sessions. The HGRS promotes and uploads the Studio Sessions
on their YouTube channel, while the HGAC finances
the artists. The two organizations work together to coordinate
the feature performances for each session, and the HGC organizes
the open mic part of the event. Some of the recordings
are done by the feature performers themselves, while some
are recorded by Jay Myers at his Alkemist Studio in Daajing
Giids Queen Charlotte.
I’ve been delighted to be able to tune into these recordings
at my own convenience, and look forward to more amazing
performances in the months to come. Stay tuned to the HGC’s
Facebook page for up to date information and dates of next
performances.
The November Studio
Sessions
The Rainmakers
“The idea behind the
creation of The Rainmakers
was to open up
a creative space for music,
with various musicians
coming in and
joining us for short periods,”
describes Mark
Baggaley, a founding
member of the Rainmakers. “Most of our songs are a mix of
rock ‘n roll and jazz, although our sound is ever-changing,
depending on who comes and joins the jam. We just have fun
making up a musical story and seeing if it goes somewhere,
without pressure or original intent.” We chatted about one
of the songs they performed at the Studio Sessions. “I wrote
the song Windows about the pandemic and how we are all
By Jamie McDonald
separated by windows. The song talks about a young girl being
isolated and remembering dancing around under the street
light. She comes out and no one is there, but she dances and
people come out on their balconies and join in by singing.”
Nathaniel Oliver White,
aka Nano White
This artist’s performance at
the Studio Sessions was a great
precursor to his EP release in
mid-December. “I am from Gaw
Tlagee Old Massett. I am from
the K’wíi Gandláas branch of the
Yahgu ‘Láanas Ravens. Audrey
Samuels was my grandmother.
Patricia Moore is my mother.
Echo of Our Ancestors came from
a transitory period of my life; it encapsulates the optimism,
excitement, and nervousness that arises when you move from
your home village to the big city. It’s my third instrumental
album. It wasn’t intended to be, but lyrics can be challenging
to find when there’s so much emotion to sort through.
Its release date of December 16th, 2021, also represents a
turning point in my life. It was my last day of classes before
I moved on from my program to pursue a new goal I have
set for myself: to go through life by my own means, creating
and collaborating alongside the many beautiful artists I have
come to know in my time.” You can find Nano White’s first
release on BandCamp, and subsequent releases on Spotify.
You can also find him on Instagram (@nanowhit).
The Winter Sessions
The last Studio Session of the year aired on December 26th
and was named The Winter Sessions. It did not include an
open mic, but there were four featured local performers…
what a treat!
Jason Camp and the Posers
Jason Camp and The Posers is
a two piece Punkabilly band
made up of two Haida Madmen:
SGaan Kwah. Agang
(James McGuire) on vocals
and guitar, and Jaahljuu (Graham
Richard) smashing his drums to bits. They added some
really fun footage to their Winter Sessions performance! You
can find their albums on Bandcamp – First Contact (July
2019), Silver Tongued White Man (January 2019), and Neat
Times and Family Values (2016). You can also find them on
Facebook under Jason Camp and the Posers.
Dominic Legault
Dominic, a well-seasoned
Tow-Hillbilly, has been playing
accordion and piano for
over twenty-five years. He
regaled us with a beautiful
performance on his accordion
and bandoneon. His songs
Where Home Is, Zero Hour,
and Agave were inspired by
Eastern European sounds,
underground Greek music,
and Gnawa music from
North Africa. Dominic has
produced a few great albums,
including Piano Songs,Volumes
1 and 2, which were written during the winters of
2012-2017 and released in 2017, as well as Breathing Bellows,
released in 2003. Earlier releases and videos can be found
on his website musicdominic.com, and his music can also
be listened to and purchased on Bandcamp (musicdominic).
The bandoneon (or bandonion) is a type of concertina
particularly popular in Argentina and
Uruguay. It is a typical instrument in most tango
ensembles. The concertina family of instruments
also includes the accordion, as well as other
instruments held between the hands and using
“bellows” to produce sounds.
Earle July
Spoken word artist Earle July
gave a stellar performance. As
he describes the experience,“I
enjoyed the Haida Gwaii Winter
Sessions… It’s encouraging
to see a response to limited
public gathering via streaming
live performances.” He also
told me about what else he’s
been up to, as well as his plans
for the future. “I’ve been able to
spend the last year or two focused
a little more inward and
in developing the space and
tools I need to make the music
I like to make. I’m always interested
in collaboration, and
Thomas Arnatt has been an
excellent match up. My goal for 2022 is definitely musically
oriented - more exploration around identity through word,
and movement through rhythm.” You can find some recordings
of Early July’s spoken word performances on the Cedar
House Sessions section of the Haida Gwaii Radio Society’s
YouTube Channel
Behn Cochrane
This singer-songwriter
from K’il Kun Sandspit
is a regular open mic
contributor, a teacher,
and a member of a
band called Spitfire. “I
started playing music
in my late twenties and
it’s been one of the best
things to ever happen
in my life,” says Behn. He mostly enjoys playing folk and
classic country cover songs, and for the Winter Sessions, he
covered Highwayman by The Highwaymen, as covered by
The White Buffalo. “It is a song close to my heart because
it was introduced to me by my friend Leo Putterill back in
1999. He passed away that year and we played the song at his
funeral. I hadn’t performed the song publicly until this year.
Over the past few years Sandspit has had a rash of young men
pass away, and I felt it was a good time to perform the song.
It helped us share in the grieving and remembrance process.”
He also offered his rendition of Early Spring Til by Nathaniel
Rateliff, Bring it on Home To Me by Sam Cooke, and Rock Salt
and Nails by Tyler Childers.
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