Aysanabee facts for kids
Aysanabee is a talented singer-songwriter from Canada. He is a member of the Oji-Cree people. His first album, Watin, was released in 2022.
About Aysanabee
Aysanabee was born Evan Pang. He is part of the Sandy Lake First Nation. His mother chose a different last name for him. She did this to protect him from racism. He grew up in Kaministiquia, Ontario, near Thunder Bay. As an adult, he chose to use his grandfather's last name, Aysanabee.
Before becoming a full-time musician, Aysanabee worked in different jobs. As a teenager, he worked for a mining company. Later, he studied journalism. He also created digital content for CTV News.
Aysanabee played in bands for fun. He started writing his own music during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a way for him to express himself. He sent his music to the International Indigenous Music Summit. He was the first new artist to sign with Ishkōdé Records. This record label was started in 2021 by singers Amanda Rheaume and ShoShonna Kish.
Music Career
Aysanabee's album Watin came out on November 4, 2022. The album is named after his grandfather. It includes recordings of his grandfather's voice. These were from phone calls during the pandemic.
The song "Nomads" was released before the album. It became very popular. "Nomads" reached the top spot on the CBC Music Top 20. It also became #1 on the Canadian Alternative Rock chart in March 2023. This made Aysanabee the first Indigenous Canadian artist to top that chart.
CBC Music recognized Watin as one of the best Canadian albums of 2022. They also listed "Nomads" as one of the top Canadian songs that year.
Aysanabee was nominated for a Juno Award in 2023. This was for Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year for his album Watin. He performed his song "We Were Here (It's in My Blood)" at the Juno Awards gala. He performed with the Northern Cree group. His performance outfit, a long jacket with feathers, also received praise. The feathers represented the Canadian Indian residential school gravesites.
His album Watin was also chosen for the 2023 Polaris Music Prize. This award celebrates the best Canadian albums. In 2023, he released an EP called Here and Now.
Albums and EPs
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Watin |
| 2024 | Here and Now |
| 2025 | Edge Of the Earth |
Awards and Nominations
| Award | Year | Category | Nominee / work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juno Awards | 2023 | Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year | Watin | Nominated | |
| 2024 | Here and Now | Nominated | |||
| Alternative Album of the Year | Won | ||||
| Songwriter of the Year | "Alone", "Here and Now", "Somebody Else" | Won | |||
| Polaris Music Prize | 2023 | Polaris 2023 | Watin | Nominated |
