DonSA国际影视传媒檛 expect to know every song when rapper Crook the Kid, also known as Dylan Jones, takes the stage Saturday.
ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 because his Northern Arts and Cultural Centre performance is split between his signature hip hop and music no oneSA国际影视传媒檚 heard SA国际影视传媒� another body of work plucking guitar strings as a singer songwriter.
Jones SA国际影视传媒� who garnered attention and praise opening for rapper Logic at Ottawa Bluesfest this summer SA国际影视传媒� wanted the freedom of another genre. He doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 claim to be an expert guitarist, but he likes the new set of lyrics and wanted a venue.
Photo courtesy of the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
This isnSA国际影视传媒檛 new. Studying for an environment and natural resources technology development program at Aurora College and helping raise four children, heSA国际影视传媒檚 learned to make space for his music.
In a recent roughly 20 show swing through Yukon, he was simultaneously knocking out a technical project, a literature review, and a water resource management program SA国际影视传媒� all as he took the stage to spit out verses.
That could involve multiple shows per day, or travelling to two different places in one day. Once, he recalls, he was performing three different shows at two different communities in a single day while handling school.
SA国际影视传媒淚f you want to do it bad enough, youSA国际影视传媒檙e going to make the time and a way to do it,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Making time and music despite a lack of resources is a theme for him.
Regardless of the size of the stage, the songs performed on it were likely recorded on an inexpensive laptop with USB mic from Staples in someoneSA国际影视传媒檚 basement. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 not a fancy thing,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Put simply, a Northern music career heavily involves mastering a network of grants and managing opportunities, he said. When he was performing at Ottawa Bluesfest, for example, he was also up until 2 a.m. recording new music.
Logistics, exposure, finances all figure in as well.
Photo courtesy of Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
They make it difficult to leave for musicians leaving their hometowns, and potentially spending thousands on travel.
Despite all that, Jones enjoys a responsive audience. The challenge is simply steadily releasing music, he said.
Jones, meanwhile, doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 listen to much contemporary hip hop. He was turned off by lyrics detailing excessive lifestyles he couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 relate to, and the genreSA国际影视传媒檚 derogatory content about women.
In his music, however, Jones kept the genreSA国际影视传媒檚 emphasis on social issues. His lyrics appear autobiographical and owe a debt to growing up in Fort Good Hope, a community which largely remains his musicSA国际影视传媒檚 intended audience.
As he performs in southern Canada, like his summer spot opening for Logic in Ottawa, he said he hopes he can help clarify misconceptions those audiences have of the north.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 not that they donSA国际影视传媒檛 care whatSA国际影视传媒檚 going on up here. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 that they absolutely donSA国际影视传媒檛 know. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 no connection between this part of Canada and theirs. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 two Canadas: the one they all live in Ottawa, and itSA国际影视传媒檚 this happy place. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 the first world version, good for you,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
But the other side that we donSA国际影视传媒檛 hear about is the third world version of Canada. It takes up a lot more space than that little happy Hollywood world there,SA国际影视传媒� Jones continued.
That isnSA国际影视传媒檛 to say thereSA国际影视传媒檚 no talent out there, just barriers. For him, the best musicians are working away in relative obscurity, without the resources to show the world their music.
SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a million other people just like me outside the doors waiting,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
