Wondering what’s up with the Haida Gwaii Coffeehouse (HGC)? Well, if you must know, this fall the HGC began collaborating with the Haida Gwaii Radio Society (HGRS) and Haida Gwaii Arts Council (HGAC) to create the Studio Sessions. The HGRS promotes and uploads the Studio Sessions on their YouTube channel, while the HGAC finances the artists. The two organizations work together to coordinate the feature performances for each session, and the HGC organizes the open mic part of the event. Some of the recordings are done by the feature performers themselves, while some are recorded by Jay Myers at his Alkemist Studio in Daajing Giids Queen Charlotte.

I’ve been delighted to be able to tune into these recordings at my own convenience, and look forward to more amazing performances in the months to come. Stay tuned to the HGC’s Facebook page for up to date information and dates of next performances.

The November Studio Sessions

The Rainmakers

"The idea behind the creation of The Rain-makers was to open up a creative space for music, with various mu-sicians coming in and joining us for short periods,” describes Mark Baggaley, a founding member of the Rainmakers. “Most of our songs are a mix of rock ‘n roll and jazz, although our sound is everchanging, depending on who comes and joins the jam. We just have fun making up a musical story and seeing if it goes somewhere, without pressure or original intent.” We chatted about one of the songs they performed at the Studio Sessions. “I wrote the song Windows about the pandemic and how we are all separated by windows. The song talks about a young girl being isolated and remembering dancing around under the street light. She comes out and no one is there, but she dances and people come out on their balconies and join in by singing.”

Nathaniel Oliver White, aka Nano White

This artist’s performance at the Studio Sessions was a great precursor to his EP release in mid-December. “I am from Gaw Tlagee Old Massett. I am from the K’wii Gandlaas branch of the Yahgu ‘Laanas Ravens. Audrey Samuels was my grandmother. Patricia Moore is my mother. Echo of Our Ancestors came from a transitory period of my life; it encapsulates the optimism, excitement, and nervousness that arises when you move from your home village to the big city. It’s my third instrumental album. It wasn’t intended to be, but lyrics can be challenging to find when there’s so much emotion to sort through. Its release date of December 16th, 2021, also represents a turning point in my life. It was my last day of classes before I moved on from my program to pursue a new goal I have set for myself: to go through life by my own means, creating and collaborating alongside the many beautiful artists I have come to know in my time.” You can find Nano White’s first release on BandCamp, and subsequent releases on Spotify. You can also find him on Instagram (@nanowhit).

The Winter Sessions

The last Studio Session of the year aired on December 26th and was named The Winter Sessions. It did not include an open mic, but there were four featured local performers…what a treat!

Jason Camp and the Posers

Jason Camp and The Posers is a two piece Punkabilly band made up of two Haida Madmen: SGaan Kwah. Agang (James McGuire) on vocals and guitar, and Jaahljuu (Graham Richard) smashing his drums to bits. They added some really fun footage to their Winter Sessions performance! You can find their albums on Bandcamp – First Contact (July 2019), Silver Tongued White Man (January 2019), and Neat Times and Family Values (2016). You can also find them on Facebook under Jason Camp and the Posers.

Dominic Legault

Dominic, a well-seasoned Tow-Hillbilly, has been play-ing accordion and piano for over twenty-five years. He regaled us with a beautiful performance on his accordion and bandoneon. His songs Where Home Is, Zero Hour, and Agave were inspired by Eastern European sounds, underground Greek music, and Gnawa music from North Africa. Dominic has produced a few great albums, including Piano Songs, Volumes 1 and 2, which were written during the winters of 2012-2017 and released in 2017, as well as Breathing Bellows, released in 2003. Earlier releases and videos can be found on his website musicdominic.com, and his music can also be listened to and purchased on Bandcamp (musicdominic).

Earle July

Spoken word artist Earle July gave a stellar performance. As he describes the experience,“I enjoyed the Haida Gwaii Win-ter Sessions… It’s encouraging to see a response to limited public gathering via streaming live performances.” He also told me about what else he’s been up to, as well as his plans for the future. “I’ve been able to spend the last year or two focused a little more inward and in developing the space and tools I need to make the music I like to make. I’m always interested in collaboration, and Thomas Arnatt has been an excellent match up. My goal for 2022 is definitely musically oriented - more exploration around identity through word, and movement through rhythm.” You can find some recordings of Early July’s spoken word performances on the Cedar House Sessions section of the Haida Gwaii Radio Society’s YouTube Channel

Behn Cochrane

This singer-songwriter from K’il Kun Sandspit is a regular open mic contributor, a teacher, and a member of a band called Spitfire. “I started playing music in my late twenties and it’s been one of the best things to ever happen in my life,” says Behn. He mostly enjoys playing folk and classic country cover songs, and for the Winter Sessions, he covered Highwayman by The Highwaymen, as covered by The White Buffalo. “It is a song close to my heart because it was introduced to me by my friend Leo Putterill back in 1999. He passed away that year and we played the song at his funeral. I hadn’t performed the song publicly until this year. Over the past few years Sandspit has had a rash of young men pass away, and I felt it was a good time to perform the song. It helped us share in the grieving and remembrance process.” He also offered his rendition of Early Spring Til by Nathaniel Rateliff, Bring it on Home To Me by Sam Cooke, and Rock Salt and Nails by Tyler Childers.