Nêhiyaw Blues-Rocker Bebe Buckskin on her Favourite Sources for Indigenous Fashion

With her new EP, Asiskiy (Cree for “dirt”), out now,
Metis blues-rocker Bebe Buckskin has fully embraced her reputation
as a show-stopping fashionista. 

Buckskin sat down with us to share some of her favourite sources of inspirational Indigenous fashion; including up-and-coming and established designers, artisans, and jewelry makers. 

By Christine Leonard

Indi City

Fashion is an expression and Indi City wants to be part of how you express yourself. Offering an array of contemporary Indigenous designs made 100 percent by Indigenous hands. 

“We take pride in our ancestral connection to this land. Everything we create is intended to be a mindful acknowledgment to the bloodlines we come from, and the Grandmothers and Grandfathers that made it possible for us to be here to share Indigenous fashion with you.”

“My Blood Memory is Couture. I am the eldest daughter of the eldest daughter of the eldest daughter.” (INSTAGRAM)

Rezin Babe

Danni Suitaakii is a Calgary-based local Indigiqueer/2S artist & filmmaker. “All her pieces made with love and resistance. Handmade and imperfect,” says Buckskin. (INSTAGRAM)

Moonstone Creation

Calgary’s Moonstone Creation Native Gallery and gift shop is an internationally known gallery for authentic Native art. Owner, traditional artist, designer, and spiritualist, Yvonne Jobin, is Cree First Nations originally from High Prairie, Alberta.

Yvonne’s considerable knowledge of Indigenous culture and spirituality is reflected in her artwork. Whether her work is for traditional use, collectors, museums, or major motion pictures, all of her art reflects a respect for the gift of nature, the land and humankind’s need to live in balance with creation. Yvonne is much in-demand as a seminar leader and is dedicated to preserving and teaching her culture through the arts and with the use of authentic materials of her ancestors. (INSTAGRAM)

Sage Paul 

Sage Paul is an urban Denesuliné tskwe based in Toronto and a member of English River First Nation. She is an award-winning artist and designer and a recognized leader of Indigenous fashion, craft, and textiles. Her work centres family, sovereignty, and resistance for balance. Sage is also Founding Collective Member and Artistic Director of Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto. (INSTAGRAM)

Native Diva Creations

Handmade beaded jewelry and accessories for both men and women. Native Diva Creations makes wearable art with techniques, patterns, and designs in an updated and contemporary way that is wearable for all peoples.

Based in Calgary, Melrene Savoy-Eaglespeaker is a member of Alberta’s Blood Tribe. Melrene was inspired to work for herself after participating in the entrepreneur symposium in Morley, a First Nations settlement within the Stoney Nakoda Nation. Products she makes in her thriving home-based business include Indigenous earrings, necklaces, body jewelry, hats, and jackets. (INSTAGRAM)

Heather Crowshoe Couture 

Heather Crowshoe designs Blackfoot Pikanii Nation Couture. She began professionally designing and creating dresses and overcoats for the Calgary Stampede Indian Princess. Since childhood, she has been immersed in traditional Northern Piikani clothing and textile knowledge of her parents, aunts, and grandmothers. This experience ignited her passion to become a Couturier. Heather and her daughter Karli’s couture, streetwear, and modern regalia designs were inspired by their upbringing. Both were raised by Piikanisinni, the Piikani way of Life. (INSTAGRAM)

Danzig "Sings Elvis" - Album Review

Danzig
Sings Elvis

Elvis died in 1977. That very same year a 22-year-old Glenn Anzalone started a remarkable journey that would see the aspiring singer-songwriter from Lodi, New Jersey morph into one of the most beloved and recognizable characters in American music.

Glenn Danzig has left his mark as the penultimate gothic rock musician and record producer. His eponymous band, Danzig, has become an internationally recognized symbol of hyper-masculinity and old-school bravado, while his horror punk exploits with outfits Samhain and Misfits have secured his spot in rock and roll infamy.

Well into his sixties, it’s only fitting that the golden-throated crooner should pay homage to one of his greatest influencers from the 50s and 60s by crafting an ‘easily listenable’ tribute album.

A more than capable vocalist, long renowned for his deep throaty tones and powerful “Evil Elvis” bellows, Danzig’s baritone treatments alternate between smooth and chunky when emulating the king of fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

Embracing his cardigans-and-cats side, Danzig lavishes his tenor tones upon popular and forgotten classics including “Lonely Blue Boy,” “Pocket Full of Rainbows,” and a tiki lounge-worthy “Fever.”

Vacillating between Quaalude piano-sprawlers like “You Are Always on My Mind” and “Loving Arms” and the amphetamine-fuelled rockabilly hoppers “Baby Lets Play House” and “When It Rains It Really Pours,” it’s easy to see how the life of an entertainer can take its toll.

Toss back a shot and get on that redeye, Bubba. You’ve got a show to do.

Best Track: “One Night”

By Christine Leonard

Black Dahlia Murder "Verminous" - Album Review

Black Dahlia Murder
Verminous

A thrilling leap forward from 2017’s Nightbringers, the ninth album from Michigan’s The Black Dahlia Murder is arguably the melodic death metal band’s greatest accomplishment since forming almost two decades ago.

Chiefly recorded in the home studio of guitarist/vocalist Brandon Ellis, who joined up in 2016, Verminous benefits enormously from BDM’s claws-on approach.

The dripping caverns of the gatekeeping title track unleashes an army of orcs that surge forth from their subterranean lair like a scene ripped from Ralph Bakshi’s animated Lord Of The Rings feature. Galloping guitars keep pace as the infestation races along a path studded with crucified skeletons. Suddenly one of the corpses breaks into song. It’s lead vocalist Trevor Strnad! And, he is relentless.

The nigh celebratory mission continues as the face-flaying “Godlessly” tears open a circle pit hell-mouth that is as dramatic as it is gratifying. Military precision, gridline grinds and glorious double-kick machinations? They’ve got all that, but with painterly aspirations.

Medieval tapestry weavers whose hands fly with a modern momentum on cuts like “Removal of the Oaken Stake,” “The Leather Apron’s Scorn” and “The Wereworm’s Feast,” BDM isn’t afraid to throw itself headlong through a stained-glass window. Forgive them, Father.

Best track: “The Wereworm’s Feast”

By Christine Leonard