In 2018, Logan Staats of Duncan catapulted his music career through The Launch a competition that led to his big break with his single The Lucky Ones.

Five years later Staats indeed feels like a lucky one as he is bestowed the 2023 TD Indigenous Songwriter Award. Staats will be honoured this June at the SOCAN Annual General Meeting in Vancouver. This event will bring together music creators, publishers, and music industry stakeholders to see Staats unleash his talent on stage. Those unable to celebrate StaatsB次元官网网址檚 achievement and performance in person will be able to stream SOCANB次元官网网址檚 AGM live.

B次元官网网址淚t is so validating for me,B次元官网网址� said Staats. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e won awards before B次元官网网址� best folk album, best radio single, even best rock B次元官网网址� but IB次元官网网址檝e never been recognized for my songwriting specifically. It means a lot because the writing is really where my heartB次元官网网址檚 at.B次元官网网址�

Staats, an acclaimed Mohawk artist from Six Nations of the Grand River shares that he was asked to audition for The Launch in 2018, which was filmed in Toronto and open to artists Canada-wide. This not only skyrocketed StaatsB次元官网网址檚 career but led him to places such as Los Angeles and Nashville to work with stars of the industry. Staats has impressed many with his music at local venues such as the long running Islands Folk Festival.

READ MORE:

B次元官网网址�The Lucky Ones is actually my only song that I didnB次元官网网址檛 write myself; it was a single connected to The Launch,B次元官网网址� said Staats. B次元官网网址淣ashville in particular was awesome and I got to write with a ton of amazing artists while I was there.B次元官网网址�

This was not StaatsB次元官网网址檚 first, or last brush with inspiring musicians. Since embarking on this journey his path has enabled him to create authentic music through raw reflection and honest storytelling on his new label Red Music Rising. Staats said he is beyond grateful to have found mentorship along the way with Indigenous icon Buffy Sainte-Marie who he has been blessed to open for, on many occasions.

B次元官网网址淏uffy has been just so supportive of me since day one, and weB次元官网网址檝e become good friends over the years,B次元官网网址� said Staats. B次元官网网址淣ot only with my music but with land defence too. I was arrested at gunpoint last year for defending WetB次元官网网址檚uwetB次元官网网址檈n lands, and when I got out of jail she called me and told me she was proud of me. ItB次元官网网址檚 again something thatB次元官网网址檚 so validating, to be recognized by someone like her.B次元官网网址�

Staats wishes to pay forward the guidance heB次元官网网址檚 received by connecting with Indigenous youth through his own music, songs like his latest single Deadman which earned him his first TD Indigenous Songwriter Award.

B次元官网网址�When I sing B次元官网网址榞ive me back my loveB次元官网网址� people assume IB次元官网网址檓 singing about a girl, but itB次元官网网址檚 really about my culture, my people,B次元官网网址� said Staats. B次元官网网址淎ll the things that residential school took from us. Music is medicine to me, and I hope people feel that too when they listen to my stuff. That itB次元官网网址檚 healing, itB次元官网网址檚 inspiring. Music is my gift from Creator, and I believe everyone is given a gift, whether itB次元官网网址檚 painting, poetry, carving, whatever. I hope people are inspired to use their gifts from Creator.B次元官网网址�

Staats is the fifth Indigenous artist to be recognized with the TD Indigenous Songwriter Award since 2018, and will also receive a cash prize of $10,000 in addition to a performance opportunity in front of music industry professionals. Indigenous artists who received honourable mention awards in the amount of $1,000 this year include Aysanabee, Ila Barker, Kaeley Jade, Uncle Joe, and Twin Flames. All submissions to the award are adjudicated by Indigenous songwriters and industry leaders.

Staats said when it comes to memorable moments, being the recipient of this award is high on his list, but his real reward is sharing his talent and gift with others.

B次元官网网址淚 am blessed, that I get to do music workshops at a lot of the places I travel to,B次元官网网址� says Staats. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just fun to hang with the kids and meet new families.B次元官网网址�

chadd.cawson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
Like us on and follow us on .