July 1, 2006

Tanya Tagaq

Performing today on Parliament Hill then a few dates across the country is Inuit artist and throat singer Tanya Tagaq. I came upon her delicately designed website from the CBC's page about a collection of Canadian and Canada-related songs for the summer. She did a collaboration with Bjork on the song "Ancestors" which some of you may have heard.

I've never heard her music, though perhaps I'll be fortunate enough to see her at the Folk Fest in Vancouver in a couple of weeks. I missed her on TV as the performances at Parliament Hill were in the early afternoon. Do look at her artwork on her website though (under pictures); her paintings are absolutely fabulous and breathtaking.

Throat singing was one of the unique methods we briefly "learned" in Choir 8 many years ago. Her bio says that her way, which is solo (the technique is traditionally done in pairs), is different and emotional, making an eclectic contribution to today's experimental music. I hope you like it.