‘Indescribable’ is not an appropriate word to begin an artist’s bio, nor is it suitable as
a description of a musician. The problem is this: when Tanya Tagaq Gillis’ music fills
your ears—either in person or on her new CD Auk—she is genuinely one of those rare
artists whose sounds and styles are truly groundbreaking. ‘Inuit throat singer’ is one
part of her sonic quotient. So are descriptions like ‘orchestral’ ‘hip-hop-infused’ and
‘primal’…but these words are not usually used collectively. In the case of Tagaq,
however—especially on her sophomore disc Auk—they are.
So much has happened to Tagaq since the release of her debut CD Sinaa (meaning
‘edge’ in her ancestral language of Inuktitut) in 2005. The Nunavut-born singer has
not just attracted the attention of some of the world’s most groundbreaking artists,
they have invited her to participate on their own musical projects, not just singularly,
but repeatedly. Tanya has recently recorded once again with Björk (specifically on
the soundtrack for the Matthew Barney film Drawing Restraint 9) having already
appeared on Björk’s Medúlla CD in 2004 and accompanied her on the Vespertine
tour. In 2007, another monumental collaborative project came to fruition
when the world-renowned Kronos Quartet invited Tanya to
participate—as co-writer and performer—on a project aptly
titled Nunavut, which has been performed at select venues across
North America, from its January 2008 debut at the Chan Centre
in Vancouver, BC through to New York’s Carnegie Hall. Acclaim
and respect has followed Tagaq on her solo ventures as well:
Sinaa was nominated for a Juno Award (Best Aboriginal
Recording) and won in three categories at the Canadian
Aboriginal Music Awards, including Best Female Artist.
With Auk (meaning ‘blood’ in Inuktitut) Tanya has taken her love and
respect of the ancient musical tradition of throat singing and mixed it with
a powerful infusion of contemporary—and contemporary classical—styles.
This new CD is a considerable expansion upon the work she created with her
debut, Sinaa; while that was largely focused on her individual chants and
vocals, this new record is perhaps more reflective of what Tagaq brings to
her passionate and powerful live performances, specifically the energy and
beauty that comes from collaboration. Respected West Coast musicians
Jesse Zubot (violin) and Cris Derksen (cello) form the backbone of the
melodic instrumentation, while Graeme Peters and Mike Clark contribute
the drums and electronic beats/samples respectively. Additionally, Auk
contains an assortment of esteemed guest vocalists, from Juno Awardwinner
Buck 65 to Faith No More/Lovage frontman Mike Patton (who
is releasing Auk in the U.S. on his own Ipecac label) to dynamic human
beat box artist Shamik. Juan Hernandez once again contributes his
production skills to the mix, as he did for Tanya’s debut. The collaborative
process is like oxygen for Tagaq, who hopes to continue making music
with others—both in the studio and on tour—for years to come.
“In my head, I have 500 records and I don’t want to do that alone! I want to embrace the other beautiful musicians to help me pursue my goal of making all the music I dream of making. When I do music with somebody, it is so intimate and beautiful to find people that think the same way that I do.”
Auk is truly the culmination of Tagaq’s still-young but full career of music-making. Throat singing was something in her periphery while growing up in the incredible, extreme conditions of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. When Tanya left home to attend art school in Halifax, Nova Scotia, however, she found herself homesick for her family and friends. In a care package sent from her mother, Tagaq discovered the inclusion of throat-singing tapes and found herself mesmerized by them. “My mom was sending me these packages with tapes of people throat singing on it because she knew I missed home. I was crying, put it on and listened and just thought ‘how are they even doing that?’ I couldn’t even wrap my head around it, I was just amazed! So I tried to pick it apart and I found that the noises came quite easy to me. I’d sing in
the shower every day, teaching myself and playing with the sounds. Prior to that, I had never even sung before.” While the basis of throat singing is
usually a back-and-forth play between two people, Tagaq was
literally and figuratively on her own. Her debut of throat singing in
public occurred when taking the stage along with a DJ at a friend’s
post-wedding rave, then subsequently winning a local talent show
with a friend in 1999. Those humble beginnings contributed to
a chain of events and experiences that brings Tanya to where
she is today: an exciting, full-bodied live performer that is able
to move fluidly between genres, from a night of classically-infused
music to an active participant in a rhythm-pumping house music
party.
The diversity and sum composite of creative collaborations have clearly
provided Tagaq with the opportunity to grow and expand the musical
landscape upon which she treads; Auk is proof positive of that. Ranging
from whispers and haunting melodies to full-force passion and power, the
diversity and depth on Auk is self-evident: the thread that ties it all together
is Tagaq’s candor and passionate commitment to her music. “I’m interested
in baring everything…that to me is reality, and hopefully other people can
sense that.”
Come check out our music if you get a chance. We are a female fronted duo. Our sound is dark electronica with a rock edge. Hope you enjoy what you hear. Come have a listen! :)
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