artist M'Girl

M'Girl [pronounced ma-girl], an Aboriginal Women's Ensemble is: Renae Morriseau, Tiare LaPorte, Tiffany Moses, Tracey Weitzel, Una-Ann Moyer and Jen Brousseau The group's first recording entitled Fusion of Two Worlds (independent) was produced by Kat Hendrix (session drummer on Heart's 'Dreamboat Annie' and Terry Jack's 'Seasons in the Sun' albums).

In the studio, M'Girl was joined by an all-star cast of players: multi-instrumentalist Joseph Pepe Danza (Soulstream), guitarist George Leach, Juno nominee & guitarist Jason Burnstick, Juno nominee Murray Porter (Pappy Johns) on keys, spoken word artist/vocalist Skeena Reece, bassoonist Antonio Gonzalez (Guadalajara Philharmonic Orchestra) as well as important contributions from keepers of traditional, ceremonial and social songs: Shirley James (Nlakapamux), Frank Settee (Saulteaux) and Joseph Naytowhow (Cree).

Already Fusion of Two Worlds has garnered M'Girl the 2006 Female Traditional Cultural Roots Album Award and the 2007 Best Group Award from the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards; two nominations from the 2006 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards for Best New Artist and Best Group and a nomination from the 2007 Canadian Indie Awards for Favorite World Artist/Group of the Year!

M'Girl's harmonies incorporate the sounds of R&B, blues, folk/roots, house and world beat with traditional Aboriginal melodic phrasing, songforms and rhythms. Though officially performing together now for over three years, their personal artistic and musical histories spans throughout each of their lives - they were so born to do this! The message in the music is an emergence of cultural ideals and worldviews from the perspectives of their Metis/Cree (Nêhiyawin), Ojibway and Mohawk backgrounds.

Stories and narratives within the lyrics are poignantly amplified via dynamic harmonies, spoken word, woodwinds, keyboards, guitar, bass and driving rhythms. The mix created is eclectic, urban worldbeat with aboriginal sensibilities at the core of the overall sound that keeps it honest and true to their voice & hand drum roots.