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Toronto-based Mohawk singer sets EP launch to June 1045 Brant County Hwy 54 Ohsweken 519-770-3628
Semiah Smith showcases her talent with four self-produced songs and live performances JACE KOBLUN
jace@tworowtimes.com
TWO ROW TIMES
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Semiah Smith (@semiah. smith on Instagram) is a Mohawk Turtle clan Toronto-based indie-electropop artist and producer from Six Nations. Semiah grew up touring the world with Kaha:wi Dance Theatre and now lives and performs downtown Toronto where she is set to drop her first EP on June 30. Semiah’s songs ring with the energy of an international heart. Born with golden tones, she's had a wide spectrum of experiences ranging from hippie art festivals in the Australian outback to bathhouses in Japan. Semiah's upbringing has gifted her with unapologetic honesty and wisdom beyond her years. Growing up with a natural passion for music, taking piano and singing lessons, she strayed from music for a brief time to explore her visual art and animation interests. At 17 years old she began learning traditional songs from her community which reignited her passion for music. The Two Row Times caught up with Semiah this week to talk about the excitement behind her EP drop titled, After the Night Ends. The four songs on
miah Smith, singer/songwriter/producer, has regular gigs all over Toronto and the GTA with her band. DHARMIK SONI
Semiah’s EP are: “Celestial Bodies," "No Goodbyes,” “Nobody Knows Me,” and “Pay Me to Care (feat. Duosancti).” 2RT: Why name the EP After the Night Ends? Semiah: All of those songs are some of the thoughts that I have alone. When I’m all by myself. Late-night thoughts. That is the theme of those four songs. It’s kind of an introspective album. That’s why I called it After the Night Ends. Coming
back after a night out with friends. Coming back to yourself. What do you think about then? 2RT: What platforms is it being released on? Semiah: Spotify. Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music. Pretty much every music streaming service. 2RT: What were some challenges you faced? Semiah: These are the first songs I have produced myself. I never knew this but producing is
very technical. I received a grant to participate in an online songwriting and arranging course where I really challenged myself to focus on the details of producing and learning the software that comes with the job. That was a huge milestone for me. Most of these songs are actually homework assignments from that course. Overcoming self-doubt has also been a challenge but I started singing my songs at open mic nights and
the response from the audience really helped me in that area. 2RT: What sort of help and guidance from others did you receive? Semiah: Lots. I produced the song demos but Beau Cassidy, co-producer, took them to the next level as a masterful producer. I still don’t quite trust myself fully to take an album from start to finish but I took this EP pretty far on my own. T2RT: Where do you usually perform live? Semiah: All over Toronto and the GTA. I perform often on Six Nations at music festivals and other events too. I moved to Toronto to take my music to the next level; to reach new audiences. I make music for everybody and I think everybody should hear an Indigenous artist. I am a really big advocate for taking up space. At a lot of the venues I went to I was often the only Indigenous performer there or the first Indigenous person someone has met. 2RT: How much do the places you call home influence your music? Semiah: Six Nations is the essence of the moralities in my music. I try and represent our philosophy and culture within metaphors of the lyrics. I have moved around a lot
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