Award-winning solo artists Jay Gilday and Leela Gilday attract attention whenever either of their names appears on a venue marquee here or in the south. This spring marked the first time in their decades-long professional music careers that the pair have fused forces as a duo.
The last stop on the six-community NWT leg of their tour lands at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre on June 11.
Their concert is titled Sechile Sedare, which in Dene Ke translates as SA国际影视传媒渕y younger brother, my older sister.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淭here is no word for just brother or sister in Dene Ke,SA国际影视传媒� Leela explains. SA国际影视传媒淓very person is defined in relation to their other siblings.SA国际影视传媒�
With the artistsSA国际影视传媒� postal codes separated by 1,500 km or more since Jay was 15 and Leela was 17, the pair enjoyed sharing the X1A prefix for a stretch after Jay moved his family North in 2021.
SA国际影视传媒淚 decided to move up to Yellowknife for seven months last year and it became very obvious that this was the time to work on something together,SA国际影视传媒� says Jay. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e sharing some of those songs weSA国际影视传媒檝e written over the past year and a half.SA国际影视传媒�
The song-writing siblings began their collaboration with a joint writing residency through the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, with support from the NWT Arts Program
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a different format than either of us have done,SA国际影视传媒� says Leela. SA国际影视传媒淲e are both solo artists and we are both band leaders. To become a part of a duo SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 a wholly new experience.SA国际影视传媒�
Leela traditionally tours with a four-piece combo while Jay is equally at home fronting an eight-piece rock band or alone with just his acoustic guitar and a mic.
SA国际影视传媒淚 see it as enhancing and enriching my opportunities,SA国际影视传媒� says Jay. SA国际影视传媒淭he stories weSA国际影视传媒檙e telling are different.SA国际影视传媒�
Their repertoire for this tour, fittingly, finds inspiration in roots music and narratives that touch on their family history, a connection to the land and water, and the victories and vicissitudes of lifeSA国际影视传媒檚 journey.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 an exciting, fun, awesome project,SA国际影视传媒� says Leela. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 different touring with family.SA国际影视传媒�
Sechile Sedare has entertained audiences in Norman Wells, Inuvik, Fort Simpson and Hay River since debuting May 31. The tour is scheduled arrive at the SaltSA国际影视传媒橰iver First Nations Centre in Fort Smith on Thursday and conclude Saturday in Yellowknife at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre.
The performance also features original new solo work by both Gildays.
The show will be touring communities in southern Canada this summer and the siblings plan to record their music for a release in late 2022.
