Aysanabee

Aysanabee (Ace-in-abbey) is a two-time JUNO award-winning alternative indie artist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer-songwriter. He is Oji-Cree, Sucker Clan of Sandy Lake First Nation, a remote fly-in community in the far reaches of Northwestern Ontario, Canada. He now calls Toronto home and began creating music under his mother’s maiden name when moments of stillness allowed him to slow down and create music that, he says, more accurately represents himself as an artist. With a swirling mix of indie, soul, and electronic sounds, and pulse-quickening fingerpicking, the music is both hypnotic and melodious. It has been compared to Bon Iver, Matt Corby, Hozier, Kim Churchill, and Kings of Leon, among others. On March 23, 2024, Aysanabee made history as the first Indigenous artist to win the JUNO Awards for Alternative Album of the Year and the coveted Songwriter of the Year, for his EP Here and Now. He followed up the wins with a memorable performance on the awards broadcast with a tribute to Robbie Robertson and Gordon Lightfoot alongside Allison Russell, William Prince, Julian Taylor, Shawnee Kish, Logan Staats, and the Rainbow Coalition. He was also nominated for Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year.

With Here and Now (Oct 2023), Aysanabee moved in a new direction toward his own experiences of love’s end and his process of unflinching self-examination. With high-voltage production, he shifted from his debut album Watin’s finger-picked acoustic foundation into soundscape waves that carried his voice forward. The album features six new songs, including the hit single “Somebody Else,” which reached #3 on the MediaBase Alternative Chart and delves into the theme of memory—a significant motif in his songwriting. His debut album, Watin (Nov 2022), named after his grandfather, includes ten tracks and nine interludes featuring the voice of his grandfather that combines music and journalism with artistry and expression. “Watin actually started out as a series of conversations between myself and my grandfather,” says Aysanabee. “We spent the first year of the pandemic talking about things we’ve never spoken about, his life on the trapline on Sandy Lake First Nation, falling in love, his life in residential school and then leaving everything behind…we never spoke of it until now. Even though we were over 1,000 kilometres apart, it was probably the closest we’ve ever been.” With the success of his debut album, Aysanabee made a name for himself as a unique and talented artist, proving that he is here to stay and will continue to be a major force in the Canadian music scene.

His music has garnered an extensive list of accolades and support. The single “Nomads'' charted on Billboard Canada, reached #1 on CBC Music, and #1 on the Alternative Radio Chart (March 2023). “We Were Here” charted on the Indigenous Music Countdown, was featured on an episode of Station 19 (ABC/CTV), and was performed live at the 2023 JUNO Awards. He has been short-listed for the 2023 Polaris Prize. He won three 2023 Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards for Artistic Video, Pop/Alternative/Rock Album of the Year, and Rising Star. He also won the 2023 Jim Beam Indie Award for Indigenous Artist of the Year. Additionally, he won the 2023 Canadian Live Music Award for New Touring Artist of the Year. Among his many accomplishments, Aysanabee was nominated for a 2023 JUNO Award for Contemporary Indigenous Group or Artist of the Year. Furthermore, he became the first Indigenous artist to hit Number 1 on Mediabase Canada's Alternative Rock chart in March 2023. Aysanabee has performed close to 300 shows on major stages, festivals, and venues across Canada and globally. His performances include appearances at Ottawa Bluesfest, Osheaga, Montreal Jazzfest, Tönder Music Festival, AmericanaFest UK, and many more. The Here And Now EP tour included two cross-Canada tours with Dan Mangan and Allison Russell. He has shared the stage with notable acts such as The National, Digging Roots, Amanda Rheaume, Sam Roberts Band, Our Lady Peace, DJ Shub, Jeremy Dutcher, Mavis Staples, July Talk, Half Moon Run, Tokyo Police Club, Aqua, and more.

Praise for Aysanabee “Here and Now reveals an artist deep in his groove. Aysanabee has rounded out his sound, blending elements of gospel, roots, soul and rock. The production and his earth-shattering voice put him in line with artists like Matt Corby, Hozier and Kings of Leon." - CBC Music “Aysanabee is a big presence even alone on stage…and the adoring crowd makes it clear it will follow him back after he departs to thunderous cheers.” - NEXT Magazine

“Aysanabee offered stories behind the selections of his heartfelt tales to the point where the audience didn't want him to leave the stage.” - Toronto Star

“Here and Now quenches the appetite as a sequel. Although the context of this record is different, the authenticity remains. Like a true artist, Aysanabee is always experimenting, growing and putting his heart into the music.” - Range "Aysanabee's music is always powerful, but his newest EP is especially emotionally gutting." - The Walleye “His solo set was stunning, as he deftly blended acoustic guitar with shimmery reverb trails and soulful, powerful vocals. It’s not very often you see an opening act get a standing ovation and shouts from the crowd.” - Apt613

“Aysanabee received his biggest cheers when he introduced the song ‘Somebody Else’, and he had quite a few singing along. This song is beginning to get a lot of airplay on alt-rock stations like Ottawa’s Live 88.5 It has catchy music, but with heavy lyrics about an emotional break-up.” - A Journal of Musical Things