I have been living in BC since 1992. I just finished a 5 year stint in television production, had my fingers in 50 episodes worth of TV Shows. Liked it, learned stuff, but I always felt weird when I was behind the camera asking questions. Wished mostly to be out in front, so I decided it was time for me to focus 100% on my music and really get me out there.
The past years as a songwriter have been spent learning about my Métis roots as well as raising a daughter on my own, making sure I give her all I can to help her navigate our world, mostly that is love& time. I have been meticulously documenting my songwriting, taking pictures, doing stuff, while playing my guitar (girl guitar hero woo). I figure this is why I have enjoyed a curious and strong, slow building working relationship with the music industry
I love to write and have almost 100 songs recorded so far, in my “indie” career that spans over a decade (sounds epic). I have been encouraged by a couple number one hits on aboriginal and college radio, My songs have been featured on Madison, Queer as Folk and recently Mixed Blessings. I have toured Canada, and performed on the 2009 Canada’s National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, I also played a drummer in a Nicholas Cage film – I am of the red river Métis descent, a true Canadian to the soft chewy 7 layer center.
Guitarist Stevie Salas, accepted my invitation to perform together at The Dreaming Festival this June in Australia. He and I first got acquainted working together on an APTN music series, he is also featured in my new music video, “Out on a limb”. It was produced in collaboration with APTN and FACTOR. It is a song that claps for the hand that helps it .
Over the years I have been garnering support and encouragement from some spectacular people such a Dan Lanois, Bruce Allen, Neill Blomkamp and the late Floyd Red Crow Westerman and many brilliant folks in the aboriginal and mainstream music community. The mad support of my die hard fans have inspired me ... and taught me to follow my heart and that great success takes all forms. Big and Small.
In 2011 I am planning to use the momentum created to perform at a music festival in New Zealand and one in South Africa that are both celebrations of the music people of indigenous and colonial decent. This summer I will be producing a new 14 song recording and have plans to tour the world and win a Grammy.
So as you can see and read my bio is nowhere near complete, a work in progress.
Meegwetch
Jp