Lighting the 8th Fire: Gig Review

On March 2nd, 2023 people gathered from near and far to experience Ishkōdé Records presentation of Fire Starter: Songs for the 8th Fire at Toronto’s Axis Club. This overwhelmingly talented line-up of breakout Ishkōdé artists included Morgan Toney, Sebastian Gaskin (brand new Ishkōdé artist!), Amanda Rheaume, Digging Roots, and Aysanabee.

Not only did this showcase tap into the raw musical talent held within this women-led Indigenous label, but it also brought a powerful message as it tapped into the prophecy of the 8th fire. A prophecy where the ancestor prophets say that to light the Eighth Fire Indigenous People will come forward with their knowledge connecting with the western knowledge and from this union a new people will emerge lighting the Eighth and final Fire".

I believe to my core that this message and calling is what brought me in front of these incredible songwriters and storytellers. Experiencing each artist tap into their unique story left a cellular impact and brought a strong sense of communal wisdom to all of those in attendance through a reclamation of power through the music.

The two special guests for the evening consisted of Fiddler Morgan Toney whos fiddle sorcery sent your body into a trance that was unable to stay still.

The second guest was Sabastian Gaskin who completely captivated the audience with his angelic voice. You could hear a pin drop in the room anytime he took a pause.

Next to hit the stage was Ishkōdé Records cofounder Amanda Rheaume who nurtured the seed of captivating the audience that was planted on the stage before her. Amanda's light was contagious and her gift of storytelling was beautiful to witness.

Amanda and her band put on a flawless performance, with a cameo from fiddler Morgan Toney. Her setlist included "Supposed to Be", "Do About Her", "100 Years", and closed with "This Love".

As the crowd continued to trickle in, the time came for Digging Roots to take over. The band opened with their playful and seductive track "Tall Grass" from their latest release Zhawenim.

The energy the band brought to the stage was pure magic. Vocalist and Ishkōdé Records co-founder ShoShona Kish was the definition of a woman in her power behind that microphone. You could feel the passion and love shared between all members on that stage.

Digging Roots' setlist also included a loving performance of "Sweetwater" that flowed through the room like an entrancing wave.

When the band made it to "Cut My Hair" from Zhawenim, vocalist Raven Kanetakta told the crowd "It's been 2 years since they found our babies... Now there's 10,000 of them."

Raven shared that after having long hair his whole life, he made the decision to cut it for those babies. He said that he also plays music for those little ancestors that couldn't. You're a beautiful soul Raven, thank you for sharing your story.

"Skoden" filled the room with more communal power and when the time came for the band to finish their set, they bid farewell with "Spring to Come".

ShoShona shared that "Spring to Come" was written for this time of the year... "For the water to start moving and seeds to start sprouting."

Finally, after moving through an incredibly talented line-up, the time came for Aysanabee to take the stage.

Aysanabee opened with "Seeseepano", the first song on his latest release Watin, that tells the story of his Grandfather, Watin; who was forced to attend McIntosh Residential School in northwestern Ontario.

The lyrics filled the room and hit bone deep as he sang:

"They took me from you father
With a fist full of dollars
A weapon that could starve us
I don't even know my name
They took me from ya mother
They took me from ya sister
Oh brother
I don't even know my name

Oh won't you tell me (tell me)
Is it God's plan?

They took me from my mother's land
They took me from my brother's hand
Oh father
I don't even know your name
They took the words from my mouth
And put 'em in the ground
I tried to dig them out
But fading is their sound

Oh won't you tell me (tell me)
Is it God's plan?

Oh father
What have they done to me?
Can you tell me what you see
When you turn and look to me?
Oh mother
I don't recognize ya
Can you tell me what you see
When you turn and look to me?

Oh won't you tell me (tell me)
Is he a good man?

I don't even know my name"

Aysanabee's album Watin integrates his Grandfather's voice sharing his story in-between each song as it weaves a heart pulling web of raw storytelling of his Grandfather's experience. Watin's voice filled the room during "Nomads" and gave me goosebumps with his honesty and vulnerability.

Aysanabee had the crowd singing along during "Bringing the Fire" and when the time came for him to perform "Here I Am", he shared that this song is about how Watin and the other victims of residential schools were promised an education but were put to work planting food and chopping wood instead.

Aysanabee's voice will stop you in your tracks. Hearing him live is truly a gift to experience. You can catch him performing in the upcoming Juno Awards broadcast that is set to air live on CBC on Monday, March 13th. This is just the beginning for him.

Ishkōdé Records (Ishkōdé meaning fire) truly aligned the audience with that intention. Fire Starter: Songs for the 8th Fire was a raw and powerful tapping into of the prophecy of the 8th fire.

This is our time to listen to the stories and teachings of Indigenous people. To step back and question everything we've been taught up until this point and to break free from the chains of evil doers. To steer away from greed and materialism. To choose peace and love. To respect the Earth. This is our time for union. Our time to ignite the eighth and final fire.