Aysanabee is an Oji-Cree singer-songwriter from Canada, whose debut album Watin was released in 2022.Jonathan Ore, "Aysanabee's pandemic phone calls with his grandfather inspired his debut album". Unreserved, November 4, 2022.
Background A member of the Sandy Lake First Nation, he was born Evan Pang, with a non-inherited surname his mother chose in an attempt to protect him from anti-indigenous racism by portraying him to the community as Asian instead of indigenous, and raised in Kaministiquia, Ontario, outside of Thunder Bay.Lynn Saxberg, "Meet Aysanabee, the first artist signed to Ottawa-based Indigenous label". Ottawa Citizen, November 4, 2022. He reclaimed his grandfather's surname, Aysanabee, as an adult. He worked for a mining company as a teenager, later studying journalism and working as a digital content creator for CTV News.
He played in various bands as a sideline, and began actively creating his own original music as an outlet during the COVID-19 pandemic.Sarah Burke, "10 Indigenous artists to discover". Indie 88, August 9, 2022. He submitted his music to the International Indigenous Music Summit after making enough money on a cryptocurrency trade to cover the submission fee.Brennan Leffler & Mike Drolet, "‘Who is this guy?’: Aysanabee’s improbable path from crypto jackpot to Juno stage". Global News, March 11, 2023. He was the first outside artist signed to Ishkōdé Records, a new label launched in 2021 by singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume and ShoShonna Kish of the band Digging Roots.
Career Watin was released November 4, 2022.Calum Slingerland, "Aysanabee Details Debut Album 'Watin,' Shares Video for 'Nomads'". Exclaim!, September 12, 2022. Named for his grandfather's first name, the album features several recordings of his grandfather, recorded in phone conversations during the pandemic, as spoken interludes. The album was preceded by the single "Nomads", which reached #1 on the CBC Music Top 20"CBC Music Top 20 with Grant Lawrence". CBC Music, October 6, 2022. and charted on the Canadian rock radio airplay charts, reaching #1 on the Alternative Rock chart in March 2023 and becoming the first indigenous Canadian artist ever to top that chart."The story behind the gorgeous jacket Aysanabee wore at the 2023 Juno Awards". CBC Music, March 13, 2023.
CBC Music named Watin as one of the 22 best Canadian albums of 2022,"The 22 best Canadian albums of 2022". CBC Music, November 21, 2022. and "Nomads" as one of the ten best Canadian songs of the year."The top 100 Canadian songs of 2022". CBC Music, November 28, 2022.
Aysanabee was a Juno Award nominee for Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year for Watin at the Juno Awards of 2023."Here are all the 2023 Juno nominees". CBC Music, January 31, 2023. He performed "We Were Here (It's in My Blood)" at the live gala on March 13, backed by the traditional indigenous round dance group Northern Cree;Danielle Paradis, "Aysanabee and Northern Cree play the 2023 Juno awards". APTN News, March 14, 2021. he also received praise for his performance outfit, a long jacket designed by Travis Shilling with feathers representing the Canadian Indian residential school gravesites.
Watin was shortlisted for the 2023 Polaris Music Prize."Here's the 2023 Polaris Music Prize short list". CBC Music, July 13, 2023.
He followed up in 2023 with the EP Here and Now.Megan LaPierre, "Aysanabee Announces 'Here and Now' EP, Shares 'Alone'". Exclaim!, September 6, 2023.
Discography Year Album2022Watin2024Here and Now2025Edge of the Earth
Awards Award Year Category Nominee / work Result Ref Juno Awards 2023 Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year Watin 2024 Here and Now "Junos 2024: full list of winners". CBC Music, March 23, 2024. Alternative Album of the Year Songwriter of the Year "Alone", "Here and Now", "Somebody Else" 2026 Alternative Album of the Year Edge of the Earth Natalie Harmsen, Melody Lau, Holly Gordon, Kelsey Adams, "Junos 2026: full list of winners". CBC Music, Mar 28, 2026. Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year Polaris Music Prize 2023 Album of the Year Watin Canadian Folk Music Awards 2026 Indigenous Songwriter of the Year Edge of the Earth "Here are your 2026 Canadian Folk Music Award winners". Roots Music Canada, April 12, 2026. Single of the Year "Edge of the Earth" Heather Kitching, "Here are your Canadian Folk Music Award nominees for 2025". Roots Music Canada, October 31, 2025.
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