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Mike Bern and the Muskrat Singers Capture Indigenous Basket-Making Sounds in Rhythmic “Echoes”
On his new single “Echoes,” folk rocker Mike Bern guides you, like a soaring bird, over a stretching and breathtaking landscape where the sounds build in intensity and then become more vivid and enveloping.
In the valley
Where the ancient sounds reside
There’s a rhythm that echoes
Deep inside
From the past
They call out to me…
I feel so free
Bern is coming off yet another Top 10 on the Indigenous Music Countdown for his single “New World.” On this latest “Echoes,” Bern enlists the help of the drum group Muskrat Singers to create a richly textured and multi-layered soundscape meant to recreate the pounding of ash (the process of making ash baskets). The song shimmers, chants, builds and dissolves around the joyful rhythm of the ancient practice.
“The echoes would resonate throughout the valley,” Bern recalls of the practice he often observed in his childhood. “You don’t hear that anymore. It’s like the sounds disappeared.”
Now, the pounding of ash is, sadly, nearly obsolete. “There were a dozen basket makers in my small community in my younger years, of which only a few remain,” Bern says. “I wanted to express my love for my ancestors and community throughout the Wolastoq Territory.”
On “Echoes,” Bern was able to fulfill a dream he’s long nurtured of collaborating with a drum group. “This has always been what I wanted to do since I started my musical career,” he explains. “I got in touch with my friend from St. Mary’s First Nation Percy Sacobie and his drum group Muskrat Singers and asked him if he’d be interested in collaborating.”
Fortunately, the Muskrat Singers were enthusiastic, and so Bern also got in touch with Dylan Ward, a Mi’kmaq local musician in Fredericton who owns a studio and had him record the Muskrat Singers for the track. The rest is history, and “Echoes” truly captures a sense of vastness, awe, and majesty.
Mike Bern is deeply rooted in Tobique First Nation, situated along the Tobique and Wolastoq rivers, where the Wolastoqiyik people are known as the “people of the beautiful river.” His love for music began in childhood, when he was captivated by his late uncle playing the guitar and the secret music sessions held behind closed doors. This early fascination ignited a lifelong passion, leading Mike to self-teach himself acoustic guitar three decades ago.
What drives Mike’s musical journey is a strong connection to his ancestors, his personal challenges, and the healing power of nature. A turning point came during his time in rehab when a counselor recognized his talent for songwriting, noting that his writing felt like singing. This pivotal moment set him on the path to becoming a musician.
Mike refuses to be confined by genre labels, often blending folk and rock influences in his compositions, earning recognition and nominations, including three number one hits on the Indigenous Music Countdown. His discography features notable releases such as “Waponahkew” in 2020 and “Ancestors” in 2023, with his recent single “Reverberation” skillfully capturing the essence of the sweat lodge experience through an ethereal soundscape, and “New World” hitting the Top 10 again.
His new single “Echoes” is available now.
My Next Read: “Happy Forever: My Musical Adventures With The Turtles, Frank Zappa, T. Rex, Flo & Eddie, And More” by Mark Volman and John Cody
Mark Volman has led a storied life, and many of those stories are contained in Happy Forever. A true son of Southern California, he has gone from topping the charts with The Turtles (‘Happy Together’) to underground cred with Frank Zappa and beyond. As Flo & Eddie, Mark and his longtime singing partner Howard Kaylan were the not-so-secret ingredient on many other artist’s records, taking Bruce Springsteen into the Top 10 for the very first time and helping T. Rex dominate the British charts. Then came The Ramones, U2, Blondie, Duran Duran, and so many more; the list of credits is long and varied.
Happy Forever covers all of that, along with subsequent forays into animation, a stint as a radio personality in Los Angeles and New York, and a midlife return to academia, which led Mark to create and run innovative college programs in LA and Nashville. But this is not the world according to Mark Volman, and it is not your average musical autobiography. Alongside his own comments, this uniquely insightful book contains contributions from more than one hundred of Mark’s peers, friends, and lovers who share their thoughts on the man himself and on topics that span the social and cultural landscape of past half-century.
Happy Forever’s cast list reads like a who’s who of popular music, featuring members of The Doors, The Monkees, The Byrds, The E Street Band, and many more; producers Tony Visconti, Bob Ezrin, and Hal Willner; voice actors from The Simpsons and the Firesign Theatre; and key figures from the worlds of radio, animation, and academia. The book also includes previously unseen photographs and forewords by Alice Cooper and Chris Hillman.
Kristan Toczko Electrifies with a Mesmerising AC/DC “Thunderstruck” Cover On The Electric Harp
The immensely talented musician Kristan Toczko has taken AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” and reimagined it in a way that’s nothing short of spectacular. With an electric harp slung over her shoulder like a guitar, Toczko delivers a fabulous rendition that’s both powerful and utterly captivating.
Luke Pickman’s Virtuosic Solo Masterpiece: A Stunning Reimagining of Donkey Kong Country 2’s “Stickerbush Symphony”
The prodigiously gifted Luke Pickman, known as InstrumentManiac, has delivered a tour de force performance that’s nothing short of awe-inspiring. Taking on the beloved “Stickerbush Symphony” from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, Pickman showcases his extraordinary talent by playing every single instrument on this breathtaking cover.
…and here’s the original!
David Byrne Teaches You The Epic Routine from “SOCIAL!” Dance Club
Get ready to groove like never before! David Byrne’s innovative “SOCIAL!” dance club brought people together in April 2021 for a safe, masked, and socially distanced dance party like no other. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just love to mess around, now’s your chance to be part of the magic and he teaches you the moves.
Bill McClintock’s Epic Mashup Blends Korn, Portugal. The Man, and Black Sabbath Like You’ve Never Heard Before
The genius of mashups, Bill McClintock, has done it again! He’s taken the raw power of Korn’s “Coming Undone” and seamlessly blended it with the infectious groove of Portugal. The Man’s “Feel It Still,” throwing in a dash of Black Sabbath’s “Into the Void” for that extra punch! This mix is nothing short of pure brilliance, creating a sound that will have you hitting repeat all day long.
Alana Springsteen Brings a Captivating Performance to Tiny Desk With A Surprising Setlist
Alana Springsteen made a striking debut at Tiny Desk, marking a year-long journey from her initial discussions about performing to the moment she finally took the stage.Springsteen was joined by a stellar band and delivered a setlist that truly made an impression. Her performance was full of surprises, including a unique take on Tiësto’s track “Hot Honey,” a song she featured on recently.
SET LIST:
“ghost in my guitar”
“Hot Honey”
“feels good”
“twenty something”
Scott Krahn and Robb Fischer’s Short Film Highlights A Bowling League For The Visually Impaired
Scott Krahn and Robb Fischer’s short film follows a trio of friends who take part in a bowling league for people who are visually impaired.
Hop Valley Partners with Kardinal Offishall to Produce Track-For-All, Creating Space for Canadian Originality
As a brand that proudly makes space for everyone, today Hop Valley Brewing is announcing the launch of Track-For-All in partnership with Kardinal Offishall. The track provides increased access for Canadians to collaborate with one of the country’s preeminent hip-hop producers and share their original sound, and features a verse from Kardinal, who has been a prominent advocate of self-expression throughout his career.
“Canada’s music scene is undeniably unique, as Toronto is known for its hybrid of East and West Coast melodies with a style and cadence derived from the Caribbean, Montreal for its French influence, Vancouver for its folk derivatives, and so on. Yet there’s always been an influence and effect from the USA and the industry beef that creates barriers to access,” says Kardinal Offishall, Record Producer and Global A&R at DefJam. “At a time when it feels like society is abandoning safe spaces, Hop Valley emerges with a new energy, a dope beer, and a vibe where everybody is welcome! Collaboration was the DNA for a lot of my success in music, and it feels good to open up the opportunity to people across the country. While the beat is hip-hop, the bars have no boundaries, and I’m hyped to see what artists contribute to Track-For-All!”
Starting today, Canadians of legal drinking age can rap or sing alongside the Canadian legend himself by remixing the video shared on Instagram Remix from @kardinalo and @hopvalleycanada Instagram pages. The track can also be accessed by visiting hiphopvalley.ca. Pick up where the hip-hop legend left off and carry the beat using your own individual sound and flair for a chance to be featured on the final track!
The Track-For All beat was produced using the unique sounds and essence of Hop Valley’s IPA, including elements of the can opening and the pouring and fizzing of the beer, before being mixed with traditional hip-hop drums and samples. However, it will be the verses that
show originality, diversity and self-expression in a way that represents and unites Canada that will make Track-For-All the song of the summer.
“We’re always looking for ways to create space for everyone, and we believe that
Track-For-All will provide Canadians with a platform to share their love of music – the same way everyone can love Hop Valley’s approachable IPA,” Steph McLarty, Senior Brand Marketing Manager, Six Pints Collective. “Our innovative, colorfully named and approachable beers show our true character and invite all others to do the same. Our goal for Track-For-All is to inspire music fans to discover what makes them stand apart and give them access to showcase their unique sound to the world.”
Submissions will be open until August 29. In September, Hop Valley & Kardinal will review the verses and announce which ones will be featured on the final Track-for-All. To learn more about Hop Valley Brewing and Track-For-All, visit hopvalleybrewing.com and follow Hop Valley on Instagram @hopvalleycanada.