The Guest List
Thursday August 6th, 2020 with Joe Reilly
Interviews with Silla and Rise & Blakdenim - two Ottawa groups appearing at Canada Performs at the RBC Bluesfest Drive In this weekend

Today we talk to two awesome local groups that combine a variety of cultural and musical influences to make great music. Both acts are also appearing this weekend in LIVE concerts as part of #Canada Performs at the RBC Bluesfest Drive In. This is weekend number 2 for these live concerts and they were a blast last weekend. The shows are presented on the Zibi site just across the Portage Bridge in Hull. You need to buy tickets in advance and you have to attend in a car. Get all the information you need here: https://canadaperforms.ottawabluesfest.ca/ First up we talk to Rise Ashen about the fantastic musical project Silla and Rise, which brings together Rise Ashen's electronic music production with two stunning Inuit throat singers/vocalists - Cynthia Pitsiulak (Kimmirut, NU) and Charlotte Qamaniq (Iglulik, NU). Rise Ashen tells us how they first came togther and how they create this amazing hybrid music together. He also tells us what to expect at the Drive In on Friday night (August 7) when they perform. https://www.qaggiavuut.ca/en/artist-world/silla-rise https://riseashen.bandcamp.com/ Then we connect with Kenny Precise Creole and Garret Warner of Ottawa's Blakdenim. As they like to say "one word, no C" to help you find the band on the Internet. The 8-piece outfit just released a new album entitled Usual Suspects Volume III. It's a powerful mix of funk, soul, hip hop, jazz and rock and even features a guest vocal by DMC... yes that DMC from Run DMC. Kenny and Garret talk about how many of their songs grow out of jams and how the myriad of influences in the band come together to make an uplifting and grooving sound. Blakdenim performs at the Drive In on Sunday night. https://blakdenim.bandcamp.com/album/usual-suspects-season-iii-2 http://www.blakdenim.com/ Don't forget it's a Bandcamp Friday on August 7 and all purchase proceeds go directy to artists and/or their labels. It's a great way to purchase some music and to know that every penny of your purchase is going to artists who need the support during these challenging times.