YELLOWKNIFE - Now it all makes sense. If you've seen Diga front man Jesse James Gon at Yellowknife cafes and restaurants, staring diligently at a laptop with headphones on, now you know why.

Diga, from left, Jesse James, Walter Girrior and Mike Bryant, practise for their upcoming CD release at the Raven Pub. - Adam Johnson/NNSL photo

In recent weeks, Diga released its third CD, Forest Fire. The album was a bit of a departure for Gon, as he did much of the mixing and recording himself.

"I recorded it in the Boom Boom Room," he said, the former private jam haven on School Draw, and then mixed it on his laptop at various locations around the city.

"I wanted to have the time to experiment."

That experimenting, which started last summer with then- bandmates Mel Sabourin and Dale Peltier, saw Gon exploring new sonic territory, while scaling things back.

"Earth is Crying was very dark, heavy and deep," he said of his 2005 Aboriginal Music Award-winning album.

"I wanted to approach (this album) totally opposite, to be light and fun."

A full album of raw, stripped-down, and undeniably rocking songs was the result.

Now Yellowknifers get to experience Forest Fire full-tilt.

Armed with the powerful rhythm section of Walter Girrior (Greasy Twigs, Mandeville Drive) on drums and Mike Bryant (Sex and Salvelinus) on bass, Gon said he's ready to give fans all he's got at the Raven tonight.

"It is going to be amazing," he said. "I've always wanted to play a (headlining) show at the Raven."

He will be backed up further by Max Deschesnes and Alex Beaudin on percussion.

The show could prove to be a milestone for Gon, as he prepares to relocate to Winnipeg next month, taking the next step in his career.

While he said he is thankful for the support he and Diga have received, Gon said Yellowknife isn't the place to make a career out of music.

"There's not a heck of a lot of venues in town for music, especially not for up and coming new artists," he said.

With that in mind, he said he wants a fresh start and a fresh approach.

"Basically, it will be what I did in Yellowknife," he said. "I'll just start from scratch and get myself established down there."

Of course, this isn't goodbye for Gon, who still has strong roots in Behchoko.

"My brothers, sisters and mother all live in Fort Rae," he said.

"I'm not gone forever. My family will always draw me back."

Diga releases Forest Fire at the Raven Pub 9:30 p.m. tonight.