It's been quite the ride for young musician Kayden Mercer since he decided to pick up a guitar to learn how to play and write songs less than a year ago in Rankin Inlet.

Mercer, 14, could look back upon his musical career one day and make a strong case for the saying SA国际影视传媒渕other knows best,SA国际影视传媒� considering he first started learning the guitar in October of 2018 after his mom, Holly Mercer, saw his attraction to the instrument and asked him if he'd like to learn to play.

Kayden said he was fortunately in the mood to try something new at the time, so he took up his mother on her suggestion.

He said playing guitar did not come all that easily to him and his heavy practice routine had his fingers full of calluses and blisters SA国际影视传媒� but he started making good progress on the instrument thanks to a little help from his friends (and fellow performing artists), Sam Tutanuak, Martin Walach and Jennifer Wakegijiq.

SA国际影视传媒淚 got a bit of help from other musicians in the community while I was learning and that felt just great,SA国际影视传媒� said Kayden.

SA国际影视传媒淭heir help had me feeling humble, to be honest, because a number of them had toured around Nunavut and other parts of the country.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was really nice of them to find the time to help me begin my journey.SA国际影视传媒�

Kayden cites classic rock from the 1970s and 1980s as his favourite grooves; being particularly influenced by the likes of The Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, ZZ Top and John Mellencamp SA国际影视传媒� with a dash of Queen thrown-in for the sizzle.

He said he began writing song lyrics about a month after he began studying the guitar.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was always interested in writing my own songs once I got good enough on the guitar to begin the process.

SA国际影视传媒淔or me, every song I write seems to be different when it comes to the process, but I lean more towards coming up with a riff I like first and then trying to write lyrics to fit the riff.SA国际影视传媒�

For now, Kayden said, he plans to stay focused on improving both his guitar playing and lyric writing, while constantly being on the lookout for venues to play.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was pretty lucky to be included in both Solfest and the Nunavut Day concert during my first year,SA国际影视传媒� he said.