The Music Gallery presents Ziibiwan Giizis Album Release + Phedre + Melody McKiver

Anishinaabe experimental-electronic producer Ziibiwan has travelled a long road in just a few short years. Whether in their own music or in DJ sets, their spacious rhythmscapes evoke tranquility, the natural world and wisdom from elder generations within modern contexts. For their much-anticipated debut album release Giizis, Ziibiwan has gathered a few of their close allies to celebrate the occasion.

Some of Toronto’s most brilliantly experimental pop comes from Phedre. Their richly-textured compositions have grown into instrumental sets of high-bpm rhythmic soundscapes, performed live using sequencers and synthesizers. The ever-changing bass-heavy sets pay tribute to club, breakbeat, jungle and techno, while maintaining Phèdre’s own unique sense of musical beat exploration.

Melody McKiver has worked with Ziibiwan for a number of years and is no stranger to the MG, having last appeared on our stage alongside Lido Pimienta. Melody’s musical work integrates electronics with Western classical music to shape a new genre of Anishinaabe compositions. Their debut EP Reckoning was nominated for an Indigenous Music Award, and they were a participant in the Banff Centre for the Arts’ inaugural Indigenous Classical Music Gathering. Melody is involved in their community as a mentor with the Indigenous Music Mentorship Program, and is employed as a youth worker in Sioux Lookout, providing mental health and cultural supports to First Nations students.