RANKIN INLET
In the middle of an interview with Agaaqtoq outside the arena in Rankin Inlet, a family with small children pulled up with their windows rolled down and parked beside us, music blaring.

Agaaqtoq, otherwise known offstage as Abraham Eetak, paused briefly and turned his head toward the open window.

"That's my song," he said, before heading over to say "Hi" to his fans.

It was undoubtedly a good omen for Eetak, who has just returned to making music after taking time off to raise a family.

Speaking to Kivalliq News after performing to a packed house at Family Fun Day in Rankin, the Arviat-based singer-songwriter said there was never any question he would make a return to music.

"A long, long time ago I said I'm only going to what I love and that way I'll be happy," he said.

"I can't spend a long time sitting in one place, working at a desk. I can't do that."

Although it was tough to put his music aside, Eetak said the time off allowed him to mature as an artist and a person. Back when he was younger, Eetak wanted to be a rock star and he partied accordingly. But the birth of three girls in as many years required him to become more responsible. Since coming back that's translated into a renewed new drive to make it in the music business.

"Now that I have children I have no other option that to be successful in what I do," he said, adding that he no longer parties like he used to.

"I've gotten into being more of a good role model so I don't push away my fans."

Indeed, the birth of Eetak's children has also inspired him to use his voice to bring about positive change in the world.

"I used to love romantic love songs, you know, turn down the lights and cuddle stuff, but now I write more political than I used to be," he said.

"I feel like when I write a song I am expressing my opinions and my emotions and if I do that I'm going to make it matter."

One of his newest songs is about the government trying to limit the polar bear hunt. As an Inuit person who is proud of his heritage, he felt the need to speak out against the move.

"No matter what governments say, I will always hunt," he said. Eetak also stays true to his roots by only singing in Inuktitut. He won't even speak English on stage when he's playing down south.

Earlier this year Eetak kick started his return with a short tour with Iqaluit band The Jerry Cans, in what was one of his first public performances in years.

After playing in Rankin Inlet he was set to go on a short solo tour that would bring him to Iqaluit, then on to a festival Nunavik in Northern Quebec, before returning back to Iqaluit to record some tracks for a children's album with The Jerry Cans.

"A lot of my fans are young kids. Who doesn't want to sing for children?" he said.

Eetak is also planning to record a new album with Chris Coleman, who helped him with his previous album. The plan is to start working on it in the fall with a view to releasing it early next year.

"I have some crazy new songs that I'm eager to record," he said.

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