OHSOTO’KINO: PiQSiQ on Tradition and Innovation

Recipients of NMC’s OHSOTO’KINO Recording Bursary, PiQSiQ, discuss their northern upbringing, finding inspiration, and their contemporary adaptation of Inuit throat singing with David McLeod, Chair of NMC’s National Indigenous Programming Advisory Committee.

PIQSIQ’s Inuksuk Mackay and Tiffany Ayalik grew up in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Inspired by the haunting northern beauty, the sisters blend their ancient traditional form with contemporary technology to create haunting soundscapes and improvisational compositions that change with every show. In 2023, they received studio time at Studio Bell to record a commercial album. Stay tuned for the release of this special project!

With support from TD, National Music Centre (NMC) is creating more opportunities for Indigenous artists through the OHSOTO’KINO initiative. OHSOTO’KINO is an Indigenous programming initiative focusing on three elements: creation of new music in NMC’s recording studios, artist development through a music incubator program, and exhibitions via the annually updated Speak Up! gallery.

Learn more: studiobell.ca/ohsotokino

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