When Alexa Dirks started describing her latest album as Begonia, Powder Blue, (2023) she turns to vivid imagery: her baby blanket, the airiness of clouds on a summer day, chlorine-filled water in a hotel pool, circa-1970s Elvis Presley wearing an ill-fitting jumpsuit, her collection of faded denim jackets.
“Powder Blue is more of an emotion,” explains the Winnipeg, Canada, native. “The name of this album needed to be something that encompasses all of the feelings that these songs give me when they are put together. When I listen to them as a unit, they send me back to the words, the colour.”
Fittingly, Powder Blue’s music feels timeless and classic, as well as eclectic. Trip-hop beats and propulsive grooves pulse throughout the album, shadowing Dirks' stunning voice; she alternates between a dusky croon and an expressive, belting delivery. The album nods to vintage soul ("I'm Not Dying," "Crying") sunny R&B ("Bleeding Heart") and soaring balladry ("Chasing Every Sunrise"). Yet the album is firmly in the realm of contemporary music: Standout "The Only One" is modern, keyboard-polished pop that features Dirks' most powerful vocal performance on the album.
Don't miss this pop powerhouse Saturday, June 24th at Long Day's Night! Tickets are $37 and available at Swift Current Pharmasave or eventbrite.com.
Opening for Begonia is Indigenous Super Stars’ Canada 2022, Best Emerging Artist, Robin Cisek: a Metis artist from the Edmonton area who creates melodic electro-pop with an alternative flair. Cisek’s music has been compared to BANKS, Ariana Grande and Robyn. Robin Cisek emerged into her music career after years of struggles with health problems. “My inspiration comes from my experiences and my Indigenous heritage which takes form in my music through concepts, alternative beats, and lyrics,” says Cisek.
Her latest single, “Hey Disaster” (August 2022) has resonated with many people at live shows and through streaming. “Hey Disaster” is Cisek’s highest streaming song across all streaming platforms. Her latest release, “Zeus” (June 2022) has created a buzz in music blogs and has been published in 21 different articles with raving positive reviews. The song also charted at number two on the Indigenous Music Countdown (August 2022) and was nominated for “Best Vocal Category” in the Unsigned Only Music Competition (2022).
