“Through the Flood” debuts on July 29 at Indigenous Voices, Songs and Sounds
Winnipeg – (June 13, 2017) This morning, Winnipeg-based Indigenous pop band, Indian Cit y, released “ Through the Flood“, the second single from their third full-length album, Here & Now. The powerful ballad is a reflection on the numerous cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) across Canada paying tribute to the tragic losses in Indigenous families and acknowledging the gravity of this issue in our Canadian communities. In 2016, Indian City and Eagle & Hawk bandleader, Vince Fontaine and JUNO Award-winning singer-songwriter, Don Amero, began sketching musical ideas with the intention of honouring Canada’s MMIWG and their families with hope, compassion and love.
Well known for his commitment to highlighting important issues through music, Fontaine cites, “This was a very difficult song to write, but it is very important to continue the dialogue around this tragic issue. We want to remember those we have lost, and share the weight with families in pain. Socially, we want to foster a future of healing and positive change. Politically, we want to continue the conversation of equal weight to tragedies across all communities.”
Listen to “Through the Flood” on Spotify, iTunes, cdbaby
Download the single, Through The Flood (wav)
Fontaine felt the importance of including the feminine perspective in this tribute and Gabrielle Fontaine, emerging Indigenous musician and 19-year old daughter of Vince Fontaine, quickly joined the writing process. “Our song describes the hope emerging as we all stand together with these families in the midst of the healing process,” says Gabrielle Fontaine. “I am honoured to have been a part of bringing this song to life, and collaboratively, finding the words to say through song, we hope to bring more people together to stand with these families.”
St Johns Member of Legislative Assembl y (MLA), Nahanni Fontaine, an impactful and tireless MMIWG advocate, acknowledged Indian City’s commitment to this important Canadian conversation with the release of “Through the Flood”. “Artists are playing a role in both honouring MMIWG and their families while contributing to more public awareness on this Canadian tragedy through music and art. This song is but one part of that artistic agency we see across the country,” says MLA Fontaine. “ Meegwetch to Indian City on a loving tribute to MMIWG and their families.”
“Since 1980, over 1,200 Indigenous women and girls have been reported as missing and murdered. This is a prayer and petition for those that we have lost. This is our song of hope. We stand with those feeling the pain and turmoil and sing for justice and truth to prevail,” says Amero. This song makes it first public debut during the opening weekend of the Canada Summer Games (July 28-August 13) on Saturday, July 29 at Indigenous Voices, Songs and Sounds, an open-to-the-public event at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Released in February 2017, Indian City’s album, Here & Now points to important discussions within our Canadian communities including Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the legacy of Residential Schools and the treatment of the environment.
Through the Flood
Lyrics
Dark secrets
Darker lies
Fading heartbeat
Fading cries
Started sinking
Like a stone
Going down
Not going home
The tide has turned
The waters rise
Another day passes by
I could see them, I could see them
My love
I could see them I could see them
My blood
Rising through the flood
Glimpse of brightness
Ray of light
Rising up
Ending night
Never here
Never gone
Hope returns
When the dawn
The tide has turned
The waters rise
Another day passes by
I could see them, I could see them
My love
I could see them I could see them
My blood
Rising through the flood
Brothers stand
Sisters too
I am right here
Next to you
Won’t give up
Won’t let go
As waters rise
Through the storm
I could see them, I could see them
My love
I could see them I could see them
My blood
Rising through the flood
Founded by Vince Fontaine, leader of the Indigenous music group Eagle & Hawk, Winnipeg-based band, Indian City features an all-star cast of award-winning artists and rising stars. Their unique fusion of lyrics, music and personality captures the sound and colour of a vibrant Indigenous culture. Live performances have garnered the band rave reviews with 2016 highlights including Canada Day on Parliament Hill (Ottawa), a first performance with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and a featured performance in New York City at the National Museum of the American Indian to name a few.
Connect with Indian City
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/indiancity/
Twitter | https://twitter.com/IndianCityMusic
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/indiancitymusic/
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For further information and to arrange interviews, please contact
Jane Puchniak, Public Relations
E janepuchniak@gmail.com
C 204.951.7727
Vince Fontaine, Indian City
E vince@risingsunproductions.ca
C 204.227.5551
