Aysanabee discusses recent album release and upcoming tour dates

On Edge of the Earth, Oji-Cree singer-songwriter Aysanabee’s recent release, he offers listeners a peek into who he is as an artist. It comes not even three years after Aysanabee released his first album, which launched his career and garnered him national attention.

That first album, called Watin, was named for Aysanabee’s grandfather. Based on stories Watin told Aysanabee about his life, it led to Aysanabee’s first JUNO nomination. His second album Here and Now — which “for all intents and purposes was kind of a breakup record” — won him two JUNO Awards.

On Edge of the Earth, Aysanabee reflects on the past few years of his life, “being on this trajectory and actually being able to chase [his] dreams.”

“It was written when things were just kind of starting to take off for me. I was journaling a lot about and talking a lot about the imposter syndrome I had and dealing with all the things attached to that,” Aysanabee said. “[I was] just kind of asking myself whether I have the strength to just keep going and see how far this music will take me.”

Music has taken Aysanabee far beyond Canada. Writing for the album’s title track began in Italy. While on tour, he had a rare morning to himself and decided to go on an early morning walk. Seeing vendors setting up their fruit carts, elderly men drinking espresso, and hearing the sounds of broken bells on his way to a castle was surreal for Aysanabee. 

“I just had this moment of realizing I’m finally for the first time in my life on this path going to a place that I want to get to.”

Edge of the Earth Aysanabee’s most contemporary sounding record to date

Rather than sticking to one sound, Aysanabee prefers to experiment and figure out what each project calls for. Watin drew from folk, roots, and gospel music. Here and Now has a more folk rock sound, while leaning towards contemporary. Edge of the Earth however, is Aysanabee’s most contemporary project to date.

“We were playing with all these different kinds of synth flares, big guitars, and soundscape-y guitars.”

While working on “Without You,” Aysanabee noted listening to a lot of British artist Labrinth’s music. 

“I just really love artists like that who just make slower songs, but they still sound gigantic. They almost feel anthemic or cathartic. I think I’ve always had it in my mind like  ‘oh I need to make fast songs.’ But I enjoy making slow songs that just sound big.”

In terms of standout songs from the record, Aysanabee noted particularly enjoying performing “Home,” “the least melancholic song on the record.” The song was written with Lala Noel, an artist whose voice Aysanabee said can be heard on his previous records. 

“The Way We’re Born” resulted from saying goodbye to someone because of “wildly different ideals and wildly different beliefs in society.” While Aysanabee tried sincerely to understand this person’s perspective, eventually he realized “it was kind of like this brick wall.”

“I was never going to get through and never going to have them understand why being alt-right is a bad thing.”

ASKO to join Aysanabee at Edmonton tour date in November

In October, Aysanabee will resume touring Edge of the Earth, this time focusing on western Canada. While he spoke about his excitement to perform, he also talked about another benefit of touring. Namely, getting to enjoy what makes each location unique. Vietnamese food in Calgary, walking the Rocky Mountains in Banff, and sushi in Vancouver all received honourable mentions.

“But also playing the new songs for everybody. I feel like people felt left out when we announced the first half of this Canada tour and none of the west coast was included. And I remember having to bite my tongue just being like ‘we’re coming, I swear.’”

For each tour date, Aysanabee has asked a local Indigenous artist to open for him. At the Edmonton’s Double Dragon on November 6, he will be joined by ASKO, a project lead by Marek Tyler.

“It’s really, really incredible artists who I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with and who will be joining me. [There will be] a different act at every show.”