artist Wabanag

Yovan Nagwetch is a Canadian Metis from Gaspesia. He grew up in Quebec and Europe where his family emigrated in the 70s. While a teenager, he got a guitar and tarted to write his own songs. Convinced that the music was the best way to express himself, he took part in several musical projects that brought him to Finland where he actually lives most of the time. There he founded Wabanag in the end of the 90s. With Wabanag, Yovan Nagwetch is exploring the musical heritage of his Wabanaki ancestors. The band released their first album ULODI (Box, Finland) in 2004. There is a clear focus on traditional and natural sounds - seeds, stones, woodden sticks, framedrums, flutes, musical bows - which together with intense vocals combine with elements of rock. The result is a unique and organic sound that puts a spell on the listener. In Finland, where the band is regularly on tour, the press has depicted Wabanag as a symbol of cutural pluralism. YLE national tv and radio channels have produced several programs about the band. Experts find similarities between Wabanag and the new Sami (indigenous people of Northern Scandinavia) music of Marie Boine and Ulla Pirttijarvi.

eric e. van monckhoven cultural producer