Busy summer for songstress
Inuvik's Leanne Goose is taking the stage across Canada
Meagan Leonard
Northern News Services
Thursday, July 9, 2015
INUVIK
Leanne Goose has come a long way since her first performance at 12 years old outside the Mad Trapper. She can't recall what the song was, but guesses it was probably Blue Moon of Kentucky - a classic bluegrass tune that would allude to her future country-rock style.
Inuvik singer Leanne Goose performs with her band in Edmonton June 20 as part of Aboriginal Days live. - Brad Crowfoot Photography photo
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Her latest stage was a little larger. She performed live on ATPN television for four million viewers during Aboriginal Day celebrations in Edmonton June 20.
She says it was the highlight of her career.
"I was really thankful to get so much feedback from people at home and everyone from around the world who watched on the Internet or listened on the radio," she told the Inuvik Drum.
Goose comes by her talent naturally as the daughter of well-known crooner Louie Goose, whose career spans some 25 years in the North. In this way, she says music has always been a major part of her life.
"I've been involved in music my whole life - as my dad's roadie, stage manager and agent, then making the transition to working for myself," she said.
"(The North) is a very tight-knit community with everyone willing to lend a hand and that's the spirit of music."
Goose released her first album in 2008 and has put out two more since. She is currently working on her fourth release and hopes to have it finished this fall. She says the community of Inuvik and Northern culture have been major sources of inspiration in her work and is grateful for the encouraging environment she grew up in.
"(Inuvik) is in the rhythm of my music, in the passion and storytelling," she said.
"If it wasn't for the people of the Beaufort Delta who supported me all my life, I wouldn't have the career I do."
Despite how far she's come, Goose says one of her first singles, Anywhere, is still one of her favourites and continues to resonate with her life today. Goose performed the track at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and describes the upbeat tune as one to listen to with the car windows rolled down.
"Wind in my hair, no fear in my eyes - no questions why, no compromise," Goose sings in her familiar country-rock style. She said the Dempster Highway was the inspiration behind the song.
"It's about being on that Dempster Highway and when we get trapped here in spring and fall because of break-up and ice road formation and it's that one song that keeps me thinking about how hard I've worked to get to where I am right now."
Recently she has made the foray into hip-hop, recording two tracks with Edmonton artist Rellik, aka Bill LeBlanc, who is up for a number of honours at the Indigenous Music Awards this summer.
She says although the sound is different, the process is not and working together is something ingrained in the North.
"Words and stories are what we're a part of here in the Delta," she said.
"That's what we do. We go and visit and hang out and write a song. When you're writing with a friend ... it's all about the energy and the vibe you have with the other person."
Goose says getting to where she is today was not an easy ride and encourages anyone with a gift to put it out there and not give up, adding success is the result of hard work and dedication.
"It's a tough go, but every day make time to practice and, regardless of what anyone says, don't let them get you down ... there will be a thousand people who tell you, you can't do it," she said. "If you have a gift, it's meant to be shared."
Goose will be performing at the Great Northern Arts Festival July 22 and the End of the Road Music Festival Aug. 14 to 16 in Inuvik and says there is much to be said for the vital role such events play in the music community.
"It's the one opportunity for local musicians to collaborate with artists from across the country and around the world," she explained. "You learn so much about being an artist ... you're able to share your songs and stories and learn from other musicians."
After she finishes her local gigs, Goose plans to travel to Winnipeg for Aboriginal Music Week and the Indigenous Music Awards Aug. 20. A number of Northern artists are up for awards this year including Inuvik's William Greenland and Fort Smith's Geronimo Paulette. Fans can vote for their favourites online.
