The National Music Centre (NMC) is excited to announce that Brettyn Rose, Darrian Gerard, Grace Clark, Jarrid Lee, Kaeley Jade, and Osani Balkaran have been selected as participants in the OHSOTO’KINO Music Incubator program for Indigenous musicians. The program kicks off later this month and will culminate in a live showcase and reception on October 4 at Studio Bell.
Hailing from the Foothills of Alberta, Brettyn Rose is a Métis country-pop who weaves honest lyrics and powerful vocals with a hint of pop sparkle.
Métis pop-rock virtuoso Darrian Gerard, from Duncan, BC, crafts her anthemic sound drawing inspiration from luminaries like Avril Lavigne, blink-182, Halsey, and Taylor Swift.
Growing up in Yellowknife, on the edge of the Arctic Circle, Métis artist Grace Clark draws inspiration from nature and seasons in the North to concoct a dynamic indie-pop sound.
A rising country-rock sensation, Plains Cree musician Jarrid Lee, who is based in Saskatoon, has been hailed for his unique blend of authentic narratives and compelling melodies. Fans of Don Amero, Brett Kissel, and Chris Stapleton will find a kindred spirit in Lee’s artistry.
Kaeley Jade is a Métis singer-songwriter, actor, and multidisciplinary artist based in Edmonton. Able to move between ballads and bops with ease, her brand of pop-forward indie-folk music has earned her multiple awards and nominations.
Osani Balkaran (aka The O.B.) is a Guyanese/Cree abstract rapper and music producer from Winnipeg. Incorporating influences from both of his cultures, he paints pictures of everyday anxieties through his music.
“We are excited to welcome an extraordinary group of artists from across Canada for the OHSOTO’KINO Music Incubator,” said David McLeod (member of the Pine Creek First Nation in Treaty 1), NMC Board Member and Chair of NMC’s National Indigenous Programming Advisory Committee. “What stands out about this year’s participants is not only their immense talent but also the rich diversity of their backgrounds and musical influences. From the Foothills of Alberta to the Arctic Circle, and from pop-rock to country and abstract rap, these artists bring a wide array of stories that represent the breadth of Indigenous expression today. We look forward to supporting their creative journeys and also showcasing their work at the upcoming live event.”
The six selected artists will converge at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre in Mohkinstsis (Calgary), for five days to learn new skills, connect with music industry experts from across the country, and hone their craft and professional chops. Artists for the music incubator were selected by NMC’s National Indigenous Programming Advisory Committee, which includes First Nation, Métis and Inuit representation, and acts as a guiding voice for NMC Indigenous programs and content.
Launched in early 2022, OHSOTO’KINO is an Indigenous programming initiative supported by TD that emphasizes three key pillars: creating new music in NMC’s recording studios, fostering artist development through a music incubator program, and amplifying Indigenous voices through storytelling in NMC’s exhibitions, including the annually updated Speak Up! gallery and NMC’s online platform, Amplify. The name OHSOTO’KINO, a Blackfoot phrase meaning ‘to recognize a voice of,’ honours the Blackfoot people and the land on which the National Music Centre stands.
Earlier this year, country singer-songwriter Chelsie Young and the powwow and round dance group Warscout were awarded OHSOTO’KINO Recording Bursaries, granting them the opportunity to record a commercial album at Studio Bell. In June, the Speak Up! exhibition was also updated to feature a new lineup of Indigenous trailblazers, including Willie Thrasher, Leela Gilday, Edmund Bull, and The Bearhead Sisters. The current exhibition will be on display until June 2025.
The OHSOTO’KINO Music Incubator Showcase and Reception takes place on October 4 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $10 or $5 for NMC Members. Visit studiobell.ca/whats-on to get your tickets or to become an NMC Member and save on events, visit studiobell.ca/members.
