Canadian roots outfit Diyet & The Love Soldiers have released their acoustic EP, Seeds Of Dreaming. We asked Diyet the BIG questions . . .
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Drifting between Americana, alt-country and folk, the new EP draws deeply from Diyet's upbringing in Kluane, Canada and her life as an Indigenous woman navigating two worlds.
"When a new song begins to take shape in my mind, it often starts with a melody and rhythm, guiding the harmony and structure that follows," she says.
"There's a magical quality in transforming a thought into a fully mixed and mastered song. In this acoustic recording, we aimed to capture that raw, unedited moment in a single take, inviting you to join us on the journey of songwriting and music creation - a journey that is often forgotten when we listen to the final, polished version."
Also featuring multi-instrumentalist Robert van Lieshout and Juno Award-winning producer Bob Hamilton, the band have toured extensively across Canada and Europe.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I was born in a tent.
My name is an old traditional family name and it took the Elders in my community two months to decide on it.
During my formative music years, I studied classical voice at university, listened to Radiohead non-stop and was a hired songwriter for a pop music publishing company. LOL.
How would you describe your music?
Diyet and the Love Soldiers' music is a reflection of our combined influences and tastes. However, we agree that a song needs to stand up on its own. Sung acapella, played acoustically or with the full band. For me, melody and songwriting are the basis of our roots, Americana, alt-country and distinctly northern (as in circumpolar north) sound. Not sure what northern sound is? I like to think that it’s the vibration of the land.
Who are your musical inspirations?
So, so many. I come from a traditional community of storytellers and songs. So the melody and stories of our Elders are a huge inspiration. As a band we love the soul and music of the 70s to the 90s. The tour van play-list will always include, Waylon Jennings, The Staples Singers, Van Morrison, Wings, Van Halen, Carole King, Radiohead, and Soundgarden.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Rolling Stones, Voodoo Lounge tour in 1994 in Vancouver. I almost saw Michael Jackson in '88, but my siblings and I had to draw straws and my brother won - then he slept through the concert. I’m still mad about that!
What was the first record you ever bought?
Haha. I was 10. I bought a Tiffany cassette in the gas station. I couldn’t get enough of I Think We’re Alone Now.
What’s your favourite song right now?
La Perla by Rosalía. She is so refreshing and there is a darkness behind the whimsy of the song that is intriguing.
Favourite lyric of all time?
I’m a words person so that is too hard to choose just one lyric. One that I’ve sat with a lot and can see so clearly in my mind’s eye: "I was riding on my mother’s hip, she was shorter than the corn, All the years I took from her, just by being born" - Children of Children by Jason Isbell.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Today that’s Jason Isbell’s Live Oak. To me it’s the height of great Americana songwriting - story, history, emotion and musicianship.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Our website or anywhere you stream your music.
Alan Corr
