Elisapie Covers Metallica

Photo by Leeor Wild

Back in April we brought you Inuk artist Elisapie's reworking of Cyndi Lauper's iconic "Time After Time" in Inuktitut. She's released a new cover, and this time it's of Metallica's "The Unforgiven." Retitled "Isumagijunnaitaungituq (The Unforgiven)," Elisapie's version is a slow and folk based version. The melody is unmistakable, but this is a true reworking of an iconic song. It's a slow take on the song that is filled with an unexpected foreboding. It's a truly unique version of a song we all know, and adds some depth and range to the classic track.

Elisapie says about her choice of covering Metallica:

“When I was 14 years old, I applied for a job at TNI, the first Inuit TV-radio broadcaster, and I was thrilled when I was chosen for the position! Everyone at the station dreamed big, and they put in a request for an interview with Metallica. The band was so loved in Salluit that we had to give it a shot. Metallica accepted only two interviews on their Québec tour, and TNI was chosen. In my boys' eyes, I was the coolest!
 
"As a teenager, I only wanted to hang around the gang of boys in my village. We would all go to my cousin's house and smoke weed while listening to Metallica. The band's music allowed us to delve into the darkness of our broken souls and feel good there. Men's roles in our territory had been challenged by colonization, and it had become confusing what life was supposed to look like for a man. My boys were seeking new roles, and subconsciously, I allowed them to be my bodyguards so they could feel strong. Looking back, I was trying to give them the strength to find their place.
 
"‘Isumagijunnaitaungituq (The Unforgiven)’ incorporates throat singing, known as katajjaq in Inuktitut. It felt like katajjaq was so appropriate, says Elisapie. It is Inuit women who throat sing. Inuit women, mothers and grandmothers had to be the nurturing ones during the hard times, as men were struggling emotionally due to colonialism. Through this song, I wanted the feminine strength to balance the men's challenges.”

You can watch the video for "Isumagijunnaitaungituq (The Unforgiven)" below. Inuktitut is due out September 15 via Bonsound, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Elisapie, check out the artist's website.

Elisapie Covers Cyndi Lauper

Photo by Leeor Wild

Inuk artist Elisapie has released a Inukitut adaptation of Cyndi Lauper's timeless "Time After Time." Her version is titled "Taimangalimaaq" and keeps the bare bones of Lauper's original intact while reinventing the song in her language. The melody is still there, and the song is still instantly recognizable even without it being sung in English. It's more of a traditional and deconstructed version that is absolutely stunning. It's always fascinating to hear a completely new take on a song you've heard countless times, and when it's done as brilliantly as Elisapie has, it's the kind of art you'll keep going back to.

Elisapie says of her version of "Time After Time:"

“I was able to get through my pre-teen years, thanks to my Aunt Alasie, as my mother had neither the knowledge nor the experience to give me a crash course on puberty, fashion or social relationships. In addition to entering a new chapter in my life, we were in the midst of the 80's and modernity was shaking up our traditional methods. My mother’s generation had lived in Igloos, and the cultural changes were too swift. 
 
"Despite her struggles, my aunt ensured I felt accepted and exposed me to new and modern things like TV, clothes, dancing, Kraft Dinner and make-up! 
 
"Whenever I went to my aunt's house, I was in awe of my older girl cousins. They were all so cool and stylish, and they loved pop music and the crazy makeup of the 80s and early 90s.  One of my favorite memories is listening to the radio with them and hearing Cyndi Lauper's 'Time After Time' for the first time. It was like a lightning bolt, and I couldn't separate the song or the artist from my older cousin Susie. For me, the song was all about her search for beauty, connection, love, and rising above pain.”

You can watch the video for "Taimangalimaaq (Time After Time)" below. Inuktitut is due out September 15 via Bonsound. The album also includes covers of songs by Blondie, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, and more, and can be pre-ordered here. For more on Elisapie, check out the artist's website.