Wabanag is a Canadian-Finnish-Irish ethnic rock band based in Helsinki, Finland.
History edit:
Wabanag is a Canadian-Finnish ethnic rock band based in Helsinki, Finland. The Band was originally founded and formed by singer/songwriter Yovan Nagwetch in the early 1990s after he emigrated to Finland, after spending many years performing and travelling elsewhere in Europe, most notably in France. He is a Canadian Wabanaki Métis from Quebec. The homeland of the Wabanaki Métis consists of the eastern region of the North American continent, generally described as being New England in the United States, plus Quebec and the Maritimes in Canada. Their history dates back to the sixteenth century when the first Europeans, mainly French, married within local tribes and adopted the "Indian" way of life.
After arriving in Finland Nagwetch started to explore the musical heritage of his Wabanaki ancestors resulting in the creation of Wabanag, a concept band gathering young musicians of different ethnic backgrounds and playing Nagwetch's music.
Wabanag was nominated for Best International Album at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards in 2005 for their album Ulodi, for blending traditional native music and contemporary styles.
In the music of Wabanag, hand drums, rattles, bows, wooden sticks, flutes, and other traditional instruments are used sparingly along with vocals and strong rhythmic lines (bass, drums, guitars). Most of the songs are in Native American languages and refer to the natural elements and the spiritual world of the native people from the Maritimes, as well as to their traditional way of life.
At present Wabanag is active and touring.
Members edit:
Yovan Nagwetch : Lead singer, flute, frame drum,
Juha Jokiranta : Guitar,
Iivo Baric : Bass,
Jussi Nikula : Drums,
Former members edit:
Dáithí O'Cléirigh : Acoustic Drums and Various Percussion,
Esu Holopainen : Percussion, Guitar,
Jani Takkunen : Drums and percussion,
Aleksi Lausti : Bass Guitar
