Arnarulunnguaq
(Grise Fiord)
Arnarulunnguaq is a throat singer from Grise Fiord making waves on the internet for her katajjaq style.
The Jerry Cans
(Iqaluit)
One of Nunavut’s most famous bands, The Jerry Cans have been nominated for multiple Juno Awards and they recently released their latest album Echoes this summer. It’s full of electric guitar, violin, throat singing and synth swirled drone tones; and their music video for the song Swell is also full of epic swirled drone footage shot last fall on location in Iqaluit!
FXCKMR
(Iqaluit)
From one of the most cold and isolated places on Earth, Iqaluit, Nunavut, is MisterLee Cloutier-Ellsworth (FxckMr). Bringing light to the epidemic of suicide in his hometown as well as giving way to release his own inner demons, Mister finds his niche vividly describing the hardest parts of living in his home on club and psychedelic punk trap beats. FxckMr’s debut LP “1997” is out now.
Joey Nowyuk (Pangnirtung, NU)
Joey Nowyuk of Pangnirtung, has his own unique style of singing. With Inuktitut lyrics and his guitar he brings us alternative-pop tunes. He was recently a featured artist for Nunavut Music Week and is a multiple time winner of the Qilaut Song Writing Contest. Joey’s debut album, Tumitit, is slated to be released in 2021 and this summer he gave us a sneak peak with the single Nalligigakku.
Kariya Naullaq
(Sanirajuk)
I did a different song because this song inspires me alot. Gives me an opportunity to respect & give a hand when people of my community needs help with something they need help with.
Lucien Taleriktok
(Chesterfield Inlet)
Lucien Taleriktok has been making music since his was a child, following in the footsteps of his late uncle Charlie Panigoniak. He finds healing and solace in music and reaches for his piano whenever he needs a boost. Originally from Arviat, he now finds a home in Chesterfield Inlet, although he is currently with his family in Cambridge Bay.
Pasha Kooneeliuse & Laila Alookie
(Qikiqtarjuaq)
Pasha and Laila are self-taught throat-singers from the island of Qikiqtarjuaq. In order to learn they had to spend hours practicing daily until they mastered each song. Although they haven’t performed together much in recent years, they greatly enjoy every moment they can get together and sing.
Princess Mia Autut
(Rankin Inlet)
Princess Mia Autut is an emerging artist from Rankin Inlet. Her love for music started in grade 5 where she first learned the ukulele. In 2019 she learned how to play guitar from a family friend and hasn't stopped playing music since!
Qiqirtaq Band
(Gjoa Haven)
The Qiqirtaq Band is composed of four members; Brad Tiriraniaq, Jimmy Tavalok, and Cory Putuguq who were in the same class, as well as bassist Inigo Kaloon who joined the band shortly after it’s inception. The band started with a performance of Tupiq Tupiq by Northern Haze and One Woman Man by Johnny Horton at the Gjoa Haven talent show several years ago. Their covers were so well received they decided to devote more time to their band and keep performing and playing music whenever they can.
Riit
(Pangniqtuuq)
Riit is known for her electro-pop beats and catchy Inuktitut lyrics. She has been making headlines across the nation ever since her debut EP in 2017. This summer Riit was longlisted for the Polaris Music prize and a finalist for the prestigious SOCAN Songwriting Prize.
Shauna Seeteenak
(Baker Lake)
Originally from Baker Lake Shauna Seeteenak began making music when she was just 11 years old. Before she discovered hip hop she didn’t know of any other ways to express how she felt. She fell in love with the emotional outlet and began recording and making beats. Shauna has produced and released many songs on her own. She is currently working with Hitmakerz to produce her debut album set to be released this year. IN the next few years, Shauna hopes to begin working as a full time artist. She is currently living in Iqaluit, NU.
Silla and Rise
(Ottawa/Pangniqtuuq/Igloolik)
Silla and Rise blend Inuit throat-singing and futuristic dancefloor beats. Silla is what surrounds us; it is what connects us to our land, to the moon, sun and stars, the ocean and the air we breathe. In respecting and honouring the need to preserve Inuit culture and paying homage to our land and the strong connection to its spirituality, they experience and perform the sounds of traditional and contemporary throat songs. Silla and Rise were nominated for a Juno for Indigenous Music Album of the Year in 2017 for their self-titled Debut: Silla + Rise, as well as an Indigenous Music Award for Best Inuit, Indigenous Language, or Francophone Album. They won the Stingray Award at Mundial Festival in Montreal in 2018 and their new album Galactic Gala was just nominated for a Juno for World Music Album of the Year.
Taluqruak Band
(Taloyoak)
The Taluqruak Band is from Taloyoak, formerly known as Spence Bay. They play lite rock, country and gospel Inuktitut Music. The band is led by Joe Tulurialik with original members Paul Ogruk, Joline Ashevak, Sonny Kootook and Lloyd Saittuq, as well as the next generation of musicians in Taloyoak, daughters Jada and Jody Tulurialik.
Tauryuit Numiqtiit
(Kugluktuk)
Pamela Inuktalik-Bernhardt is the leader of the Copper Inuit Drum Dance group Tauryuit Numiqtiit located in Kugluktuk. She is originally from Ulukhaktok(formally called Holman Island). Five years ago she started singing Copper Inuit Pihiit in order to keep the traditions and culture of the Copper Inuit alive, as well as to pay homage to her late father, Roy Inuktalik, a great singer and dancer. Pamela writes “Our style of song and dance almost vanished now we are flourishing and becoming a strong group”. She loves to teach and encourage others in her community to learn the songs, while continuing to practice herself.
Timothy Qaminiq
(Pond Inlet)
Music is all about family, friends and community for Timothy Qaminiq, the eldest of 5 siblings. He was born in an outpost camp called Nalluat twenty-five miles outside of Pond Inlet. His family subsequently moved to Aullattivik. Here he lived in a qarmaq with magazine wall hangings and country music from winding record player. Timothy first learned to play gospel tunes on accordion at the age of six by holding it between his feet and hands. He progressed to pump organ and finally the guitar, playing in the band Siqiniit for several years until 1995. In 1996 he starting writing his own music and hasn’t stopped since!