Artist Roster
Gladwyn Badger
Available now is the debut EP by Gladwyn Badger! An Indigenous surf rock-inspired artist originally from Grande Prairie, AB and a member of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, is marking a significant milestone in his musical journey with Renegade.
Known for his unique blend of surf rock, cinematic influences, and the moody tones of desert noir, Gladwyn first gained attention with his track Rez-Rok, which was featured on Triple Agent Records Vol. 5. Building on the success of that release, Renegade showcases new music that expands on the sound he began developing with Rez-Rok.
Growing up in northern Alberta, Gladwyn's music juxtaposes the surf rock genre’s coastal origins with his own distinct background. Infused with Indigenous storytelling and historical depth, his sound features reverb-soaked guitars that echo the genre's roots while intertwining with themes of identity and cultural fusion.
Raven Reid
Born in Yellowknife, NWT and a member of Mikisew Cree First Nation, Indigenous folk singer-songwriter Raven Reid has transformed her personal journey of hardship and resilience into evocative music that speaks to the heart of the Indigenous experience in Canada. As a survivor of the 60’s Scoop, Reid's music captures the raw and emotional facets of love, hate, depression, and happiness, drawing from her life growing up away from her biological family and community.
Adopted into a non-Indigenous family in Alberta, she faced abuse at the hands of her adoptive mother, later reconnecting with her biological mother, who struggled with, and ultimately passed away from, alcoholism. These personal battles and the generational trauma inflicted by governmental policies are central themes in her music.
Currently residing in Saskatoon, SK, she was recently signed to Merilainen Music Inc. Her first professional studio album, recorded in Toronto with producer Marc Merilainen, is set for release in 2024 and includes eight original songs that delve deep into her life experiences and the collective struggles of Indigenous communities.
The debut single "The Government Song" is a poignant and powerful anthem addressing the ongoing struggles of Indigenous peoples for equality and fair treatment. With compelling lyrics, Raven calls out the government's lip service and highlights the reality of Indigenous oppression.
Liv Wade
Liv Wade is a queer and two spirit artist with a mixed background of Metis and Scandinavian roots. Liv’s Metis family was from the Red River and travelled to Northern Manitoba where they had a Metis settlement in an area called Pine Bluff, just outside of The Pas. Liv is adopted and recently moved back to the hometown where she grew up in a small town on Vancouver Island.
Liv’s first studio record Resilience (2017), which speaks of loss and recovery from a car accident, garnered successes and helped propel momentum, receiving her first nomination for “Best New Artist” through CBC Indigenous Music Awards and had much success on IMC with songs reaching #1 on the chart. Liv wrote and recorded her 4th release Know Your Medicine (2019) in collaboration with Canadian record producer Winston Hauschild.
Liv is back with a brand new EP entitled Radios and Buffalos, to be released via Merilainen Music Inc. October 25, 2024, again teaming up with Winston Hauschild to bring lived experiences woven into stories to life, that are both cathartic and healing.
The latest single from the EP is “Slow Motion,” a heart-swelling, string-laden track that shows off Liv’s bell-clear voice and natural melodic gifts. The song exemplifies how Liv and her trusted producer Winston Hauschild (Hannah Georgas, Mike Edel, Hollow Twin) created a sound that is both cathartic and healing, weaving lived experiences into compelling stories that explore themes of reawakening and self-discovery.
Lancelot Knight
Lancelot Knight’s live performance is an electrifying fusion of music, storytelling, and activism that captivates audiences worldwide. With his towering 6'7" presence, Knight commands the stage, his powerful voice and masterful guitar skills drawing listeners into a mesmerizing journey.
Each performance blends original songs spanning genres, from soulful ballads to high-energy anthems, showcasing Knight's versatility. Beyond music, Knight delves into pressing social issues and celebrates Indigenous culture through storytelling, shedding light on topics like identity and political action.
Knight's show is an immersive experience, leaving audiences moved, inspired, and eager for change.
Bryden Gwiss
Pow-Wow singer/song maker and Men's Traditional Dancer, Bryden Gwiss grew up on the Pow-Wow Trail learning songs and drum teachings and has been dancing Men’s Traditional Style for over 30 years.
Bryden’s 2017 Juno nominated debut album Round Dance & Beats (Indigenous Album Of The Year) fused traditional pow wow songs with modern hip hop production. He was also nominated for Best Hand Drum Album and Best New Artist at the 2017 Indigenous Music Awards. Bryden’s second album released in August 2020, entitled The Forgotten T.R.U.T.H (The.Real.Un.Told.History) included 8 hip hop infused pow wow tunes and 2 brand new songs with a story to tell.
Bryden is back with a brand-new single from his upcoming 3rd album! Veering away from infusing traditional pow wow songs with modern hip hop production as in his last releases, the new album has him experimenting with genres such a hip hop, R&B, reggae and new age country with pow wow infused vocals, and features artists such as Leonard Sumner, HellNBack and Niibishens.
The debut single “Feel Alive Ft. Leonard Sumner and Niibishens” is a reminder to himself when dealing with mental health, depression and anxiety, to not fall back into self-medicating with heavy drugs and alcohol. He wishes to inspire his listeners to keep a positive mind and take one step at a time when going through hard times.
The new song is available everywhere on June 21, 2024 with an accompanying official music video!
Kind Of Sea
Kind of Sea is an exciting new music project from acclaimed Indigenous musician & producer Marc Meriläinen (aka Nadjiwan) and his 2 sons, Fox and Cole. This collection of songs has the classic sounds of 70’s disco and hints of Daft Punk on the tracks, which can be heard in the first single “Across the Divide”.
Former Indigenous male model for Elite, Fox Meriläinen sat in on drums while his younger brother Cole Meriläinen provided the bass lines as well engineered and mixed the album.
The idea for the project first began during the Covid lockdowns when we were all hunkered down in our residences. During the recording of the Nadjiwan album Star Nation, Marc and his 2 sons recorded several tracks of instrumental dance music for fun to pass the time. It was later that they realized they had a collection of songs that could use lyrics and a vocal melody.
The name “Kind of Sea” comes from language translation software. In the early days, before the programming for the translation was fully realized, some of the words entered came back with strange results. The last name “Merilainen” was typed into the translator and the response back was that it translated to “kind of sea”.
Cliff Cardinal & The Sky-Larks
Toronto based post punk/reggae band Cliff Cardinal & The Sky-Larks, honed by their hilarious and nefarious style, produce protest songs, love ballads and existential raps through an Indigenous lens.
Substance abuse, self-loathing and plenty of catchy hooks are rife within their music including their newly released album Suicidal Valentine.
Written while stuck at home during the Covid lockdowns Cardinal’s contemporary life became the subject of the latest release. In the title track “Suicidal Valentine” Cliff pours out his heart over guitar and drum beat that offer a fuzzy sound matching the chaos of his mind at that stage of his life. The artist declares himself his lover’s sacrificial lamb through distorted vocals that display desperation.
Cliff Cardinal, the polarizing, Indigenous writer and performer known for his black humour and compassionate poeticism is joined by multi-instrumentalist producer/songwriter Justin McWilliams on bass and scene-heavyweight Patrick Ferrigan on drums.
Plex
Truly a visionary in his craft, Barrie, ON based award-winning hip-hop artist and producer Plex consistently releases hard hitting hip-hop anthems reminiscent of old school hip-hop that progress the civil rights agenda. His latest album Who Am I To Judge carries this banner proudly.
Plex has raised the bar amongst his Indigenous peers, while building a strong and relevant presence in Canadian Hip Hop. Since releasing his debut solo album in 2009, Plex has toured across the US and Canada performing, teaching workshops to Indigenous youth and running his independent record label, New Leaf Entertainment.
Following the release of “Great Ones (E’s Up)”, a track that topped the Indigenous Music Countdown, the critically acclaimed rapper debuts his newest project, Who Am I To Judge. The 12 track LP is curt – corporate greed and manufactured hate are a toxin in the veins of society. The uncompromising production features tracks condemning corrupt governments, cultural appropriation, uncanny wealth, and the toxic remnants of fake news and sinister intentions.
Who Am I To Judge is a polished example of professionalism and musical integrity. Each song is built from the bottom up with a pure-heart filled with discontent about worldly and civic issues.
Sandy Scofield
Red Earth is the latest and much anticipated release from multi award winning and Juno nominated composer, musician and singer Sandy Scofield.
A Métis from the Saulteaux and Cree Nations (she is also French) from Treaty 1 Territory, Sandy hails from 4 generations of fiddlers, singers and musicians.
Produced by Scofield and Shael Wrinch, joining Sandy on this recording are Randall Stoll on drums, Brian Minato on bass, and Stephen Nikleva on guitar.
Sandy also peppered the record with special guests Cree/Métis actor Tantoo Cardinal, Métis singer Andrea Menard, Finn Manniche, Sto:lo vocalist Deanna Newton-Gestrin and Mohawk hip-hop rapper Kinnie Starr. Raven Kanatakta from Juno-winners Digging Roots lends his guitar savvy to “DNA”, a song about blood and ancestral connection. “Maskihkiy”, which means Medicine, is a traditional hand drum vocable song written by Ray Thunderchild and gifted to Sandy.
Red Earth is dedicated to the memory of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
Berk Jodoin
Saskatchewan-based, Métis singer/songwriter Berk Jodoin’s new album, Fly Away gives us a glimpse into the challenges he has overcome over the course of his life, and further unflinching observations of others in similar circumstances.
The album’s 10 songs are inspired by the sounds of classic country and blues, including the already released singles “Aces & 8s,” “One Child” and “Weather The Storm”. Jodoin turned Fly Away into a family affair with his children making significant musical contributions, along with members of his local Indigenous community.
From the tragic portrait of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in “Hastings & Main,” to the scathing, self-explanatory indictment, “White Man’s World (ft. Joey Stylez)” it’s no surprise that Jodoin has experienced much of what he sings about. After a promising hockey career was derailed by life-threatening alcoholism, Jodoin turned his life around in his early thirties with the help of a BC treatment centre. He then took up boxing, but after realizing that injuries were tempting him to return to his bad habits, Jodoin turned to music as his therapy, following in the footsteps of many of his heroes such as Steve Earle and Waylon Jennings.
Berk released his self-titled debut album in 2020 and followed that up in 2022 with Half-Breed, which earned him a Saskatchewan Music Award as Indigenous Artist of the Year, along with a 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year.
JC Campbell
JC Campbell is of Indigenous and European ancestry. Growing up with a father who sang the blues and a mother who loved classic soul and country, it seemed as if JC was predestined for a life of making music. With three albums now under his belt, the multi-award nominated, Winnipeg, Manitoba-born Campbell has hit his stride with his new release, Lately, a seven-song collection that brings together all of his influences, while offering powerful messages of hope in dark times.
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NADJIWAN
The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of NADJIWAN, the musical project and alter ego of Marc Meriläinen. During that time, the Toronto-based singer/songwriter, guitarist and producer has amassed an impressive body of work that reflects his heritage as a member of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Cape Croker, along with his love of alternative rock in its various forms.
The milestone will be marked with a new album, The Mission, with the first taste being offered in the form of “Not Undone,” a slow-burning single that once again showcases the trademark NADJIWAN sound rooted in traditional Indigenous vocals and Meriläinen’s dynamic guitar playing. The combination of ancient and modern approaches is what has always set NADJIWAN apart, and for the new record, Meriläinen and his crew went further than ever before in bridging those two worlds.
F-105
Din (formerly of The Soles), with his raw, expressive vocals, is the talent behind F-105. Din released 5 albums with The Soles, performing hundreds of shows and festivals across North America, and garnishing multi-national radio play, including on Sirius XM. As F-105, he released his first album in 2018. The lead track “Rebel Girl” made its debut on national CBC radio on July 21, 2018. It also received critical acclaim with Din’s global Star Wars fandom fan base - with wide coverage on popular Star Wars podcasts, which resulted in a headlining performance at Star Wars Celebration Chicago 2019.
F-105’s latest EP F-105 III incorporates pop-punk and ethereal sounds and explores what is being left behind for younger generations. This is most evident in the groovy yet cerebral lead single “Toys”.
Kelly Fraser
Meriläinen Müsic is known for releasing singles and albums people love listening to. This is one of their latest releases with the very talented Kelly Fraser. Kelly is a Canadian Inuk pop singer and songwriter, whose second album Sedna received a Juno Award nomination for Indigenous Music Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2018
Herbie Barnes
Herbie Barnes, an Anishnabe from Aundeck Omni Kaning on Manitoulin Island, is well known for his 30 year acting career with roles both on stage and in film. He has successfully filled the roles of director, actor, writer and teacher many times over, working throughout North America.
Although this is Herbie Barnes’ debut musical release, it has not come suddenly.
Faded Pages is a collection of songs that have been floating around for a while, in his head and around campfires and stages for over thirty years. They are about certain people who came into his life and left, but who still haunt him in wonderful ways. Music for Herbie has the power to heal and entertain. It takes him back to better times and inspires him to create new memories. If these songs can inspire others in the same way, he will be grateful.
Rosary Spence
Originally from the coastal Cree community of Fort Albany First Nation, off the coast of James Bay, Rosary Spence is a well-recognized Indigenous singer, steeped in time-honoured Aboriginal rhythms and styles. Spence has also studied vocals at The Banff Centre For The Arts, and has been a featured artist on a variety of albums and collaborations with artists throughout her musical career, including a 12-track compilation titled "Women's Voices For Attawapiskat" dedicated to the people of Attawapiskat First Nation. Rosary Spence currently resides in Toronto, Ontario.
The new single "I Fell In Love" is Spence's first release since her debut album (released May 2015) titled “Maskawasiwin”, a Cree word for Strength.
Voimaa
Voimaa is a new form of expression. Straying from tradition, performing dance and pop, Voimaa won’t permit expectations to dictate her creations. Voimaa has become the identity and process. She arose from the need to rebel against disappointed expectations – Voimaa is strength, and I am Voimaa.
STOiK
In 2042, Earth becomes uninhabitable and humans are forced to evacuate. Some refuse, most of them Indigenous, and move underground. Their descendants survive into the distant future, anchored by ancient knowledge and practice. It is in this future where we meet STOiK, a group of Indigenous artists & warriors led by Gidochige which translates in Anishinaabemowin to "He plays music."
1gram
1gram of love should be added to everyone’s daily intake for a happier & more rewarding life! This is the philosophy that drives this exciting new band and EP. The release contains a mix of high energy dance and downtempo grooves that are sure to keep you moving. While a new band and new release the song-writing team behind 1gram has years of experience.
Stella Rose was born to a musical family, so it's no surprise that music is in her blood. Stella writes and sings about a collection of all sorts of eclectic subject matter that she skillfully blends into an original repertoire that is both unique and captivating.
The other half of 1gram is acclaimed Indigenous musician and producer Marc Meriläinen. Over the years Marc has worked on numerous projects and in a variety of musical genres. Whether it’s rocking out with his multi-award nominated band Nadjiwan or producing new and emerging artists one thing is for certain, Marc is always looking to create new and innovative works.