Quantum Tangle are a Juno Award-winning Canadian musical group who combine traditional Inuit throat singing and spoken word storytelling with blues-influenced folk rock, consisting of vocalist Tiffany Ayalik, Kayley Inuksuk Mackay as drummer, vocalist and throat singer, and singer and guitarist G. R. Gritt.[1]
Quantum Tangle | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada |
| Genres | Folk rock, blues, Inuit music, Throat singing |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Members | Tiffany Ayalik Greyson Gritt Kayley Inuksuk Mackay |
History
editGritt and Ayalik met at the Northern Scene arts festival in Ottawa, Ontario.[2] Formed in 2014, Quantum Tangle are based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.[1] Ayalik, who is Inuk, is a native of the city, while Gritt, who is Ojibwe-Métis, was born in Sudbury, Ontario and raised in the outlying community of Warren.[3] Gritt has lived in Yellowknife since 2009.[4]
As a solo artist prior to the band's formation, Gritt was a regional finalist in CBC Music's Searchlight competition in 2013 and 2014.[5] For four years, they were a mentee of Yellowknife's Northern Arts and Cultural Centre.[6] Gritt came out as transgender in 2014, and uses gender-neutral pronouns.[7] Ayalik also performs as a stage actress.[8]
Quantum Tangle released their EP Tiny Hands in 2017 and their first full-length album, Shelter as we go..., in 2017. Both recordings were released on the Coax label.[9]
Quantum Tangle won the Juno Award for Indigenous Music Album of the Year for their album Tiny Hands at the Juno Awards of 2017.[10][11]
Mackay was introduced as a band member in May 2018 when the band performed at the Indigenous Music Awards.[12]
Ayalik and Mackay also separately perform under the name Piqsuq, and composed the soundtrack for the 2024 film Sunburnt Unicorn.[13]
Social justice work
editIn addition to making music, Quantum Tangle facilitates a series of school workshops and performances on the topic of Indigenous issues in Northern Canada.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ a b "'I’m in disbelief’: Yellowknife duo nominated for Juno Award". CJCD-FM, February 8, 2017.
- ^ "Yellowknife performance group blends song and spoken word into storytelling". This Magazine. September 1, 2017.
- ^ "Northern Ontario musicians welcome Juno nominations". CBC Sudbury, February 10, 2017.
- ^ "Transgender people in NWT may soon legally change gender without surgery". APTN National News, June 30, 2016.
- ^ "Five NWT musicians illuminated by Searchlight" Archived 2018-03-23 at the Wayback Machine. Northern Journal, April 28, 2014.
- ^ "Five Questions With… Quantum Tangle". FYIMusicNews. July 19, 2017. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
- ^ "Going through changes" Archived 2017-04-04 at the Wayback Machine. Northern News Services, February 21, 2014.
- ^ "Lovers reunite across borders at Nunavut's Alianait Arts Festival". CBC North, June 28, 2016.
- ^ Gordon, Holly (June 29, 2017). "First Play: Quantum Tangle, Shelter as we go". CBC Music.
- ^ "Quantum Tangle win Indigenous album of the year, first Juno award for Yellowknife duo". CBC North, April 2, 2017.
- ^ Lynn Saxberg and Peter Hum, "Gord Downie wins three Junos at music awards gala dinner Saturday night". London Free Press, April 1, 2017.
- ^ Ollie Williams, "Quantum Tangle adds new member at national awards ceremony". Cabin Radio, May 22, 2018.
- ^ Kate Taylor, "Sunburnt Unicorn’s coming-of-age tale depicts the inner landscape of adolescence". The Globe and Mail, June 6, 2024.