INUVIK
Juno award-winning singer Lights visited Inuvik last week to play two shows and soak in a little Northern culture.
Singer Lights, who played at the Igloo Church Jan. 11, said she is considering coming back to Inuvik in the future, but she wants to visit during the summer months next time. - Miranda Scotland/NNSL photo
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The Ontario artist landed in town Jan. 9 and in a few short days was given a whirlwind tour of the area. While sitting in the lobby of the Mackenzie Delta hotel just a couple hours before she was set to fly out on Jan. 12, Lights recounted some of her favourite moments from the trip.
The ice house in Tuktoyaktuk, she said, really captured her attention, along with the uniqueness of the Northern landscape.
"These stunted forests are just really incredible so (the day we landed) we just took some shots in front of that and went up to this hill where these satellite dishes are," Lights said. "You could see them moving, they're like 51 feet across and to see them catching satellites is pretty neat. You don't see things like that."
Lights also made a trip to the Arctic Chalet for some dog sledding. The petite singer was given a sled with six dogs to man on her own, which she said made her a bit uneasy.
"I was a little scared but it was fun," she said, adding that was the same day the sun finally emerged from behind the clouds. "Just the look on people's faces when they saw the sun for the first time. It's just something that we (southerners) take for granted."
This was Lights' first trip to Inuvik. Her visit was prompted by a desire by CBC staff to put together a concert at the Igloo Church and film it for broadcast. The singer's name came to mind and plans were made to bring her up to perform.
Lights said it was good timing for her because she has been working on an acoustic version of her album Siberia, which she is really excited to release.
"When you get to strip everything down and showcase your songwriting, it's like a new song," Lights said. "I think it reaches people … who aren't as into electronic music or fans that are already there that want to hear the songs another way because they love that song. It's just another spin on it and almost an indulgence because that's how I play when I'm at home alone."
The new album could be out as soon as March, she added.
Still, a lot of planning and work went into creating her acoustic set for the Jan. 11 concert in Inuvik, Lights said. She had to consider how many new songs versus older songs she should do along with what covers she wanted to play and where they should go in the set. Plus it was her first time working with cellist Kevin Fox. The evening before the performance the pair stayed up until 2 a.m. practising, she said.
Lights and Fox also had a chance to warm up at East 3 high school. The singer took song requests and answered a few of the students' questions. Afterwards she stuck around to meet with the high schoolers one-on-one before heading to the church to do a sound check.
Residents started to gather outside the Igloo Church at about 6:30 p.m., an hour before the doors were set to open. Lights said she wasn't sure what kind of turnout to expect and was pleasantly surprised.
"There was a whole span of age groups there. It was really bizarre to see that. I've played so many shows and there is a broad range, but last night there was everything from toddlers to grandparents. I think that was really special … It was also interesting playing a show to people who didn't necessarily know the music," she said. "The last song everyone sang along and I was pretty blown away by that. It was a special vibe."
Lights also shared the stage with Jay Gilday, a former Yellowknifer who now lives in Alberta. The folk rock musician said he was happy to be back in the North.
"I'm kind of getting sick of the city because the city is all slushy and mushy and it's beautiful and clean up here," he said. "I miss it."
Gilday is currently working on an album, which is expected to come out this summer.
