iskwē – I Get High

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) How would you describe your sound? 

A) Evocative, alternative, orchestral, experimental, and pop.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Definitely Nina Hagen, Kate Bush, Bjork, Erykah Badu, David Bowie, Florence and the Machine and Prince.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “I Get High.”

A) I grew up smoking weed, listening to Nina Hagen and singing loudly when I knew no one was listening; always self-conscious, always self-aware. This piece was written in response to a painful experience of mine where I wanted to remind people of the power of love and the importance of supporting each other in this lifetime, rather than trying to cancel each other out. I realized it was finally time to let go of worrying about what people thought of me and my art. As the legendary Peter Tosh sings, “I am who I am who I am.” This song is a call-out for us to hold each other up as we attain our many successes in life, knowing there is room for us all to win. And while we’re at it, let’s exhale and get high!

Q) How did you come to connect with Nina Hagen for a feature? 

A) Would you believe me if I said it was because I wrote her a letter?! It was as simple as that! She was such a wonderful influence on me as a child and growing up, so when I drafted a letter asking her permission to sample one of my favorite songs, “Cosmic Shiva,” I hadn’t thought we would necessarily hear back. But she responded right away and loved the song! So, the lesson in this moment was definitely “it can’t hurt to ask.”

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) When Elena (Vazintaris, Director) and I started talking about the direction of this video, we immediately arrived at a place of euphoria and release. “I Get High” is a song about letting go and freeing oneself from the grips of others’ reality to a place of peace within, and we both wanted to find a way to convey those feelings. Each of us envisioned what could be described as another dimension – a space between reality and dreams, bringing with it a kaleidoscope of light and the blending of realism with animation.

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) It really depends on the song. Some tunes I have both written and produced the demos, which I then brought to Damian Taylor (my producer) and had him help get the songs to where I was hearing it in my head but perhaps didn’t have the full chops to produce on my own. Others are entirely Damian’s production. Of course, I am a part of the entire creation process, inch by inch, so I have my hands in the direction of each song from start to finish.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) I don’t really have any one way of writing. Sometimes I’ll have poetry that I’ve written, and I’ll chop and splice it up, re-imagining it in a melody, while other times begin with a bass line looping through my head, and I build up from there. I really just let it take me where and when it wants to. I’m not the type of songwriter who is always writing. I wish I was!

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

A) There might be. [winks] But I have to hold on to that secret for a little bit longer…

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) Oh wow – I have loved so many places, it’s hard to sum it up into a small answer, so I would say that one of my favorite touring moments was sitting out at the edge of the lake in Yellowknife, NorthWest Territories, Canada at around 1am. The sun was kissing the horizon, the lake was shallow and as warm as bath water, and everyone was sitting out on the beach enjoying the never-ending sunset. This was after a day of incredible music (some of my favorite sets I’ve played!) at the Folk on the Rocks Festival. It was such a moment of pure happiness, where I really noticed how special my job could be. I’ll hold that moment with me forever!

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) At this very moment, I would absolutely say Systema Solar! They are an incredible sound system from Colombia, and I absolutely admire their ability to champion causes and important social conversations all while getting people moving on the dancefloor.

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) In this EXACT moment, I’ve been listening to Buena Vista Social Club ALL afternoon, and I have loved every drop of it! Such an incredible collection of musicians/artists/players! My heart.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Yuhuuuuuu!! THANK YOU for being a part of this journey with me! I only hope we continue to share our love of music and art together.