Status/Non-status: Adam Sturgeon, fka WHOOP-Szo, releases 'Find a Home, announces EP "

Will McGuirk April 28, 2021

By Will McGuirk

Adam Sturgeon has changed the name of his music project to reflect his own family history. The Anishinaabe community worker, activist and artist, is considered non-status as his grandfather, a residential school survivor, terminated his Indian Status which was a requirement to join the Canadian Armed Forces. Sturgeon’s exploration of his Indigenous identity within and without, informs the upcoming EP, ‘1, 2, 3, 4, 500 Years,’ which will be available (appropriately enough) on You’ve Changed Records.

The first track ‘Find a Home” has been released with a video directed by Olde Nightrifter aka Eyin Sof.

Sturgeon had previously explored his grandfather’s life on the Polaris Prize long listed ‘Warrior Down.’

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“It is within the small and simple things that we find ourselves. On a long drive, a quick walk down to the river, or cooped up in silence at home. It is in our language and in our names. When I started making this music, I didn’t know a whole lot about myself or who I was. Métis, they would call me. Part Ojibwe. Part this or that. Which part? Same old story for the mixed breeds. Never saw my true reflection staring back at me.

On those long and lonely drives between tour stops, you can see life move but you only get a dusty windshield of a view. The occasional flat lets ya stop to peak the landscape. A snowstorm lets you know its history. These things shape you, give you ‘experience’. I’ve seen a lot of gas stations, no doubts there: informed.

Giving the time and reflection to do my best is what it comes down to. That, and driving overnight. Sometimes our best hurts. Hurts ourselves, hurts others. It always hurts you when it hurts someone else by the way. And so at night, out there ... nowhere, I’ve touched down and untangled the black roots of this strawberry heart. There were things I couldn’t see around the corner, not on this dark road. Not even on the brightest prairie day. At night, on the road, on and off stage I fill myself. Wake up new, on a floor, on the move, anywhere.

Music has helped me when I can’t find answers. For a long time I didn’t know where we were driving, and I mean all of us. This road put my mind together and maybe we all can too. Find a new way. Until then, I keep filling the tank. Reclaimed …” - Adam Sturgeon, Status/ Non Status

Buy/stream here ->

Slowcity.ca Open Mic with Whoop-Szo/Zoon, Alex Cuba, Alexandra Lost, Zaac Pick, Fresh Breath, Lynn Jackson, and the Airborne Toxic Event

Will McGuirk May 25, 2020

By Will McGuirk

Finding your own way alright? Are you ok here inside the looking glass? Are you managing to navigate the cats and rabbit holes in this place where time seems upside down and sideways, this place of mad leaders. Are you taking your chances on pills and potions? Are you missing Outside?

<a href="http://thenoisymountain.bandcamp.com/album/warrior-down-remixes">Warrior Down Remixes by WHOOP-Szo</a>

“We had already been working and reworking a version of our song ‘Cut Your Hair’ and were craving some interaction from our space of self-quarantine after cancelling well over 50 shows. We decided to reach out to contemporaries who also do their ‘own thing’ in the electronic world “ - Adam Sturgeon/ Whoop-Szo

Alexandra Lost · 04 Trying 2 Grow

““Atmosphere” acknowledges the space in between, how it expands and contracts, blurring and coming into focus over time.” - Zaac Pick

<a href="http://lynnjackson.bandcamp.com/album/lionheart-2">Lionheart by Lynn Jackson</a>

Slowcity Open Mic: Leaders debate edition with WHOOP-Szo and Jeremy Dutcher

Will McGuirk October 11, 2019

By Will McGuirk

We are here now but now we must remain here but grow louder. The growth is vocal. Amplify the voices who have survived the silencing.

“My cousin Gerry was shot by a cop. Murdered. In his own home. While the circumstances surrounding his death are unclear, there has only ever been one side to the story, that of the RCMP. No external investigations took place and our family is left without answers.” - Adam Sturgeon.

“This song calls back and reaches forward across time. Concerning indigenous continuation and what it can mean. For all those who have gone before and all those who are yet to come. ‘ciw nihkanipasihtit naka weckuwapasihtit.” - Jeremy Dutcher

Dutcher’s Table of Indigenous Excellence, photo by Peter Hadfield

1) Lido Pimienta: 2017 Winner of the Polaris Music Prize, of Afro-Colombian and Wayuu descent.

2) Alanis Obomsawin: legendary 86 year old filmmaker who has made over 50 documentaries with the National Film Board of Canada that explore the lives and concerns of the First Nations Peoples of Canada. She has also been singing professionally since the 60s and has recorded many records. She is a member of the Abenaki Nation.

3) Leanne Betasamosake Simpson: Leanne is from Alderville First Nation, and is an award winning songwriter, poet, and activist, who has collaborated with A Tribe Called Red, Cris Derksen, and Sean Conway.

4) Tim ‘2oolman’ Hill: & Bear Witness: JUNO and MMVA award winning Indigenous DJ duo - A Tribe Called Red.

5) Asinnajaq Weetaluktuk: Asinnajaq is a multimedia visual artist, filmmaker, and curator whose short-form documentary “3000” was made in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada. She is from Inukjuak, Nunavik.

6) Arielle Twist: Arielle Twist is a Nehiyaw, Two-Spirit, trans woman, and works as a poet and sex educator, and released her first book of poetry, “Disintegrate/Disassociate” in 2019.

7) Chief Lady Bird: Chief Lady Bird is a First Nations (Potawatomi and Chippewa) artist from Rama First Nation. Her Anishinaabe name is Ogimaakwebnes, which means Chief Lady Bird. Through her art practice, she strives to look to the past to navigate her Anishinaabe identity whilst living in an urban space as well as advocate for Indigenous representation as an integral aspect of Canada’s national identity.

8) Emma Hassencahl-Perley: Emma is Wolastoqiyik, and shares the same first nation as Jeremy Dutcher (Tobique First Nation), Emma’s artwork explores themes of legislative identity, the truth about our shared history between Indigenous nations and the Settler state and society of Canada and her own identity as a Wolastoqiyik woman.

Slowcity.ca Open Mic with Whoop-Szo, Leela Gilday, Jom Comyn, Girl Band, Moonchild and Young Clancy

Will McGuirk September 10, 2019

By Will McGuirk

There are two very chunky thrash pandas scaling the neighbour’s fence. They are slow and hang on the wood like saggy bags filled with liquid. They take one backward glance, their eyes flash in the streetlight, before disappearing down the other side. I can hear their nails clawing at the splintering planks. It is garbage night. I wonder where the predators are.