OHSWEKEN – Rumble: A Tribute to Native Music Icons is the latest album by Derek Miller that has been nominated for a Canadian JUNO. It features songs that were originally performed by indigenous artists such as Link Wray, Robbie Robertson, and Charley Patton.
Miller says, “This tribute album is a blueprint of the origins of American rock and roll.”
In an interview with the Two Row Times, Miller said that he “felt surprised” when he heard about the nomination because, “it’s a tribute album, but at least I can now talk about how Natives have always been at the forefront of the evolution of modern music.”
Rumble, which was released by the Smithsonian Institute, will be up against some pretty stiff competition. Also nominated in the Aboriginal Album of the Year category is: The One by Armond Duck Chief, Come and Get Your Love: The Tribe Session by Black Bear, Power In The Blood by Buffy Sainte-Marie and Refined by Don Amero.
Power in the Blood by Sainte-Marie won the coveted Polaris Prize in 2015 and is the front runner for the 2016 JUNO.
The Aboriginal Album of the Year category helps indigenous artists receive Canadian exposure that they normally wouldn’t get, according to Miller.
“I think the Aboriginal category has the most talent consistently and it’s a good way to promote artists that normally wouldn’t get the time of day in the machine,” said Miller.
The award ceremony takes place in Calgary from March 28 to April 3. Derek and his band are planning to attend.
“I’m stoked to go and hang with Buffy, since I played on that album as well and she helped form the Aboriginal award (category) so I’m just glad to be nominated with everyone but I expect Buffy to take it.” Miller continued, “We’re just going to celebrate!”
