Fast rising northern stars, The Jerry Cans, create music inspired by their hometown of Iqaluit, Nunavut in Canada’s frozen far north. They fuse their unique mix of Inuktitut alt-country, throat singing, and reggae with a combination of musical influences from their roots in the Arctic where, the first European explorers from Scotland and Scandinavia brought their tradiDonal instruments including accordions, fiddles and bodhrans into the region.
In November 2016 The Jerry Cans released their third album ‘Inuusiq – Life’, in Canada. Now, they release in Australia on February 3, 2017. This chapter is all about the challenges and beauty of life in the Far North. The single from the album ‘Ukiuq’ (‘Northern Lights’) was recorded in both Inuktitut and English.
Nancy Mike says, “Releasing both versions of the song is something totally new for us! Both versions give me the feeling of being in the long cold Arctic winters. Sometimes it is hard to find that light and warmth in the winter and we hope this song give you a bit of that spark.”
“A great, epic, sprawling record. Passionate and thrilling with a drop of language bewilderment. A beautiful piece of work.” — Jim Cuddy, Blue Rodeo
The band perform many of their songs in InukDtut and are passionate about preserving the language even as the north and their home community of Iqaluit evolve. They are committed to representing northerners and to challenging common mispercepDons they have encountered about life in the Arctic; their music evokes the contemporary north and the spirited people that reside there. It is not only the political motives, but their rapidly developing reputation for getting elders and young people dancing, that has forced people to start noDcing this high-energy group. This band will take you on a stroll through the streets of Iqaluit to share a glimpse of life in Arctic.
The Jerry Cans are a distinctly a, ‘one-of-a-kind group’, Nancy Mike, the only Inuk member, featured throat singer and accordionist, grew up in Pangnirtung, a hub for InukDtut folk music. With the exception of violinist Gina Burgess, who travels between Halifax and Iqaluit, the rest of the Jerry Cans are all from Iqaluit, Nunavut’s fast-changing capital, where people from all over the ArcDc and the world collide.
Andrew Morrison, the band’s singer, main songwriter and engaging front man is a former Northern CBC Radio producer who’s lived in Iqaluit almost all his life. Morrison, the band’s main songwriter, has become fluent in InukDtut. Bassist Brendan Doherty and drummer Steve Rigby met back in grade school and grew up listening to Nunavut rock bands, along with tradiDonal performances at community cultural events. They picked up instruments and experimented with hard rock and metal before heading south for university.
“… what would happen if The Clash had grown up speaking Inuktitut…” — Penguin Eggs
They Jerry Cans have performed at fesDvals all across the world and were a huge hit at last year’s WOMADELAIDE fesDval and now they are heading to Australia again in March 2017.
“Clearly, they are a hardworking bunch and they were keen to fully immerse themselves in the festivals andengage with the local community as much as possible.Their unique and lively blend of altcountry, folk, throat singing and even reggae, all in language, was a massive hit with our audiences.” – Annette Tripodi WOMADELAIDE
Performance Dates
Friday 3 March Fly By Nite Club Fremantle WA Special Guest Mary G
Saturday 4 March Nannup Music FesDval Nannup WA
Sunday 5 March Nannup Music FesDval Nannup WA
Monday 6 March Nannup Music FesDval Nannup WA
Wednesday 8 March Grace Emily – Fringe FesDval Adelaide SA Special Guest Kahl Wallis
Thursday 9 March Grace Emily – Fringe FesDval Adelaide SA Special Guest Kahl Wallis
Friday 10 March Port Fairy Folk FesDval Port Fairy VIC
Saturday 11 March Port Fairy Folk FesDval Port Fairy VIC
Sunday 12 March Port Fairy Folk FesDval Port Fairy VIC
Monday 13 March Port Fairy Folk FesDval Port Fairy VIC
Wednesday 15 March Northcote Social Club Melbourne VIC Special Guest The Bean Project
Thursday 16 March Sooki Lounge Belgrave VIC Special Guest Spiritus
Friday 17 March Blue Mountains FesDval Katoomba NSW
Saturday 18 March Blue Mountains FesDval Katoomba NSW
Sunday 19 March Blue Mountains FesDval Katoomba NSW
Wednesday 22 March The Rails Byron Bay NSW Special Guest Real Jarrah
Thursday 23 March Sol Bar Maroochydore QLD Special Guest Tangarine Sky
Friday 24 March Black Bear Lodge Brisbane QLD Special Guests Jessica Sarah & Tangarine Sky
Saturday 25 March The Darwin Railway Sports + Social Club Darwin NT Special Guest Ben Allen