Skip to main content

Maverick Ad

Home

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Cover Stories
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Legacy Awards
  • Past Covers
  • Weekly Archive
Indigenous Rocker Joey Nowyuk Looks Back To The Past With “Inuugama” Covers Album

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • Indigenous Rocker Joey Nowyuk Looks Back To The Past With “Inuugama” Covers Album
Indigenous Rocker Joey Nowyuk Looks Back To The Past With “Inuugama” Covers Album
Fri Sep 16, 2022
Cashbox Canada

From the lush geographic tapestries of Pangnirtung, Nunavut comes chart-topping, award-winning rock singer/songwriter Joey Nowyuk with his interpretation of a legendary Rankin Inlet artist with the riveting new single “Tappaani” – check it out on YouTube here:

Performed in his native language Inuktitut, heartthrob Joey Nowyuk’s spell-binding rendition appears on his kinetic new covers album, Inuugama. The album title translates to “I am Inuk” and is a sonic celebration of Nowyuk’s Inuit culture and language.

“Tappaani” is a meditative musical experience that continues to establish the rest of the album as a homage to popular Inuit music. The single is a stylish take on Ishmael Naulalik’s classic song with rhythmic sophistication, Inuktitut lyrics, and compelling guitar work that breathes new life into the original recording.

Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/1XKluVD9K20IwBcJyzv4Dc?si=5c10c2d08b754cf1&nd=1

Joey Nowyuk follows up his award-winning debut album, Tumitit (meaning “your footprints” in English), with the highly anticipated collection of culturally essential covers paying tribute to his Inuit and Indigenous musical inspirations, Inuugama.

The album was recorded at the Hitmakerz Compound in Ottawa, Ontario, under the astute guidance of producer Dale Penner (Nickelback, The Matthew Good Band) and executive producer Thor Simonsen (Kelly Fraser, Shauna Seeteenak, Angela Amarualik).  All of the Inuit throat singing on the album was performed by Qattuu; emerging solo artist and member of the multi-JUNO Award nominated group, Silla and Rise.

Channelling his indie rock and alternative pop roots, Joey Nowyuk harnesses the sound Plain White T’s, Goo Goo Dolls, John Mayer, One Republic, and Snow Patrol and effortlessly interweaves them with his confident, rewarding songs. The first Canadian performance of songs on Inuugama will be at the Folk on the Rocks festival in Yellowknife this summer.

In the opening track, Joey puts a contemporary spin on Charlie Ningiuk’s 1997 classic, “Inuuqatigigakkit.” The song sets the tone for the album with its driving rhythm and twangy guitar alongside Inuktitut lyrics.  Next is a playful cover of Qimujuit’s “Nunavut”; the perfect song for a summer day on the land. With plans to release the single on Nunavut Day, Joey Nowyuk will not only pay tribute to the artists that shaped him, but also Nunavut – which means “our land” – the place that was their home and inspiration. This energetic song also features Inuk throat singer, Qattuu.

Joey’s interpretation of Charlie Adam’s hit-song “Quviasupunga,” is sure to resonate with audiences around the world to a new generation of fans. Written in Inuktitut, with a translation meaning “I’m happy”, this chill, easy-listening song is sure to put a smile on faces.

In other songs, Joey sings about his hometown in “Panniqtuuq,” a song originally by Etulu and Susa, while “Quviagijara'' combines rock and country sound

A catchy cover of Sikumiut’s song, “Utirumavunga”, will have audiences sing along to this classic track, performed by Charlie Adams’ first band, while friendship comes full circle with Joey’s version of the title album cut originally performed by Inuk music icon, Looee Arreak’s “Sapiliqtailigit”, meaning “Don’t Give Up”. Looee was one of the main inspirations when Joey began songwriting, and both are originally from the remote Northern community of Pangnirtung, Nunavut and are labelmates at the Iqaluit-based record label, Hitmakerz.

Joey Nowyuk began his songwriting career at a young age telling the stories of his Inuk upbringing and bringing attention to the harshness of living in thorth and the mental health struggles that persist in those communities. His debut album, Tumitit, produced two songs, “Nalligigakku (Because I Love Her)” and “Pray (Tussiaq),” that rose to #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown.

Notable achievements in Nowyuk’s blossoming music career include being a three-time winner of the Qilaut songwriting contest and an Indigenous Music Award winner. Nowyuk now celebrates his latest release as a love letter to the richness of Inuit culture with the intent of spreading his messages of positivity and resilience to audiences worldwide.

hitmakerz.com/joeynowyuk

Reviews
Album
Joey Nowyuk
Month: Oct 2021
Delyn Grey Delyn Grey Stakes Claim to Passion & Purpose in New Single, “Set Me Free”
Kele Fleming Photo Credit Jen Barker Folk Artist Kele Fleming Laments Loss of Ecosystem in “Where the Rivers Meet…
Laszlo Jones Laszlo Jones Roams the Darker Side of Romance with Provocative “Out Of My Head”
Michelle Creber Michelle Creber Comes to Terms with the Past in “Like It Never Happened”
Ori Dagan Award-Winning Jazz Artist Ori Dagan Reimagines 80s Classic “Video…
Scott Cook Scott Cook Keeps from Exploding New Single “The Pin in My Grenade”
John Aualabaugh Veteran Recording Artist John Aulabaugh Utilizes Sonic Expertise…
Blazin Iron Rupert (Ojiji) Harvey Reggae Sensation Rupert (Ojiji) Harvey Works Closely With Family…
Shihori J-Pop Sensation Shihori Fuses Musical Eclecticism Into a Fluid Think…
The Nylon Admirals The Nylon Admirals Defy Norms With Dramatic Electronic/Orchestral Fusion…
Mattmac - Status Multi-Award Winning & Nominated Indigenous Artist Mattmac Releases “…
Crazy Taming Sari Taming Sari Releases Electrifying & Timely “Crazy” New Rock Anthem
Never Let Go Rozalind MacPhail Rozalind MacPhail Releases New Music Video for “Never Let Go”
PLAZA - Nocturnes R&B Artist PLAZA Releases “Nocturnes” ft. Single “Still Alive”
Laurie LeBlanc - When It's Right It's Right Canadian Country Star Laurie LeBlanc Places a Big Bet on Love with “All In”

Pagination

  • First page « First
  • Previous page ‹ Previous
  • …
  • Page 48
  • Page 49
  • Page 50
  • Page 51
  • Current page 52
  • Page 53
  • Page 54
  • Page 55
  • Page 56
  • …
  • Next page Next ›
  • Last page Last »

CEO/PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF
SANDY GRAHAM

email:sandygrahamemg@gmail.com 

Canadian Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Don Graham
email: dongrahamwriter@gmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Lisa Hartt
email: lisahartt87@hotmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada 
Michael Williams
email: greydread@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

International Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Malin Osth
email: malin@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Jonas Tancred
email: jonas@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - USA
Rob Durkee 
email: rockster2746@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Web Developer/Technical Support
Chris Wardman

email: info@chriswardman.com
website: chriswardman.com

Cashbox Cover Design and Graphic Artist
Jain McMillan

email: jainmcmillan@gmail.com

Contributing Photographer 
Tracey Savein - South Paw Productions
southpawproductions@rogers.com

 

 

 

Footer menu

  • Home
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Archive
  • Issue Archive
  • Past Covers