sean beaver is an independent techno/electronic artist based in Calgary. He incorporates his Indigenous heritage into music, with select Pow Wow elements, percussion, and vocal chants added throughout his high-energy hybrid performance of live loops and original produced music. He finds creativity and inspiration in the places where Indigenous culture and electronic music meet.
“It started in 2013 when I was a solo artist, but it goes back before then. Before 2013, I was in a Native hip-hop group called Reddnation. I had an interest in electronic and techno music. This is because of influences that have been built from my parents.”
beaver says his mother was into new wave and classical, while his father was into rock. He calls his own musical interests “an eclectic hodge-podge.”
One element ties it all together. “The heart of each song, the thumping kick, represents the heartbeat. That’s what I gravitate towards. I put projects together that incorporate that, and infuse it with my Indigenous heritage. That’s where I am now, as a solo artist. It’s starting to become my own sound.”
He adds, “I’ve come into my own, after 12 years as a solo artist, and it’s been a journey.”
beaver is originally from the Driftpile Cree Nation in Treaty 8 Territory. He describes the boreal forest and Lesser Slave Lake as his “backyard.” He speaks fondly about how often the Northern Lights fill the sky there. “It’s harder to see them in Calgary,” he laughs.
He’s getting ready to perform two shows with ASKO, a creative offering in the form of a soundscape echoing nêhiyaw life and ways of living. At the helm of ASKO is Marek Tyler. beaver says that although he and Tyler have yet to meet, they have friends in common. “Word of mouth brought us together.” He adds, “The Indigenous community is big, but also small. You know who’s out there, doing what.”
beaver says that he approaches each live show with excitement, but also a few jitters. “I don’t go into these shows thinking that it’s going to be a breeze. Every show brings that amped-up nervousness, but once the show starts and I’m playing, all the nervousness goes away, and all the excitement stays.”
He adds that the shows in Edmonton and Calgary will include drag, something he says brings great energy to a live music show. “I’m looking forward to that. The community is fantastic. The energy is amazing.”
Catch ASKO, with opener sean beaver, on April 3 at The Aviary in Edmonton and April 4 at Festival Hall in Calgary.
Tickets for the Edmonton show are available at The Aviary.
Tickets for the Calgary show are available on Eventbrite.
