Iskwē: The Powerful Voice of Canadian Art Pop

Iskwē is a Cree Métis singer-songwriter and visual artist from Canada who masterfully blends art pop, electronic, and alternative rock with profound Indigenous storytelling. Her compelling work, recognized with a 2018 Juno Award nomination for Indigenous Music Album of the Year, has established her as a vital and unique force in the North American music landscape.

Early career

Born in Winnipeg and based in Toronto, Iskwē (pronounced iss-KWAY) began her artistic journey not in music, but in visual arts and acting. Her pivot to music was a deliberate choice to explore and express her cultural identity and personal narratives. Her debut single, "Nobody Knows," arrived in 2013, introducing her atmospheric sound and setting the stage for her first full-length album.

Breakthrough

The 2017 album The Fight Within marked Iskwē's major breakthrough, earning a Juno Award nomination. Released through the independent label Ishkōdé Records, which she co-founded, the album received critical acclaim for its raw emotion and political potency. This release solidified her reputation as an artist unafraid to confront colonialism and celebrate resilience through a powerful musical lens.

Key tracks

Nobody Knows — This haunting debut single established the atmospheric and deeply personal core of Iskwē's musical identity.

Slave — A stark and powerful anthem addressing historical and ongoing Indigenous trauma, showcasing her fearless lyrical approach.

The Storm — Featuring a collaboration with Tom Wilson of Lee Harvey Osmond, this track highlights her ability to fuse rock intensity with poetic storytelling.

Little Star — A more melodic, synth-driven piece that demonstrates the breadth of her art pop and electronic influences.

Following The Fight Within, Iskwē continued to evolve, releasing the acclaimed album acākosīk in 2022. Her work often extends beyond audio, incorporating striking visual art and film, such as the powerful short film for "The Storm." She has collaborated with diverse artists including Tanya Tagaq and performed at major events like the 2019 Juno Awards ceremony.

Fans of Iskwē's genre-blending style and thematic depth might also appreciate Tanya Tagaq, another Polaris Prize-winning artist who creates intense, avant-garde Inuit vocal music. Buffy Sainte-Marie shares a legacy of activism and blending folk roots with contemporary electronic sounds. The atmospheric rock of A Tribe Called Red, now known as Halluci Nation, explores similar intersections of Indigenous culture and modern club music.

Iskwē's distinctive art pop and alternative anthems are featured in rotation on independent music radio stations and specialty programs across North America that champion powerful songwriting and diverse cultural voices. Her music is a staple on channels dedicated to contemporary Canadian talent and innovative genre fusion.

Listeners can discover the powerful music of Iskwē through the curated playlists of radio stations featured on onairium.com, where her genre-defying tracks are regularly broadcast to a global audience.