If It's Too Loud...

First Nations Ts'msyen artist Saltwater Hank has a new single that combines his love of blues and roots music with his heritage. "Ba'wis" is sung in the Ts'msyen language Sm'algyax, and is based on his great-great grandfather's experience with a Ba'wis, which is a Sasquatch of British Columbia. "Ba'wis" is a dirty blues song with plenty of fuzz, but rooted in more traditional music. The result is a fascinating and unique take on the genre that is endlessly compelling. There is also some indie rock and punk attitude in the song that gives it an even better edge. Saltwater Hank is going to be an artist to keep a close eye on. Saltwater Hank says of his great-great grandfather's encounter with a Ba'wis: "The mentioning of Hadi’ix comes from a story of what happened long ago. Hadi’ix is my great-great grandfather. He used to go for walks and smoke his pipe around the village by himself. People wondered why he was laying flat on h...

Saltwater Hank is a First Nations Ts'msyen artist that combines his love of country and roots music with his own heritage. His upcoming album is written entirely in the Ts'msyen language Sm'algyax, and the first single is "Nii Wila Waalt." The song defies anything that you're expecting to hear. It's driven by a heavy, electric blues guitar along with some country style fiddle. "Nii Wila Waalt" is surprisingly heavy, and the combination of blues guitar with country fiddle would be enough to sell us on the song. But then you add in Saltwater Hank's traditional singing, and it just adds in an entirely new element. Sure, you're heard blues songs, country songs, and traditional First Nations music before, but never put together quite like this. Saltwater Hank says of his new song: "This is a series of natural events that indicate when we are supposed to harvest things. These protocols have been passed down since time immemorial, and are r...