Any and every major Indigenous arts event feels like Christmas.
At least the part where it brings everyone together. (My favourite part.)
A couple years have passed since the last Indigenous Music Awards I attended — the time the name was changed from Aboriginal People’s Choice Awards — but Long Time Leaving being nominated for Best Folk Album and asked to perform were the two best reasons to go.
Here I am on the red carpet before the event — I come in around 19 minutes in:
Being on a break from singing, I was nervous about taking the stage — I figured, it’s just one song, though, so if it goes horribly wrong it won’t last long!
Of course, once I was up there, I wish I could have kept playing. I invited these three fine folks to accompany me:
Daniel Roi, Jason Burnstick, and Don Benedictson. AKA the most ace Winnipeg band possible.
And we played Alone in This:
The things you can’t tell from a moment like that is how I had done everything humanly possibly in the previous 24 hours to battle a bad cold and sore throat and how poor Jason’s heart was racing off the top when his amp wasn’t plugged in…
What you can see is just how glowy happy I am to be on stage — and… the baby bump!
I came off stage to a handful of messages, “um, do you have news?!”
I do: that’s a five-month preggo belly just adding to the happy glow!
I didn’t win Best Folk Ablum (congrats Logan!), but I got to be filled to the brim with friendship and music. The Indigenous music scene is a such a supportive bunch, and I love every chance we have to come together and celebrate.
Hiy hiy!