The Inuk throat singer recently announced she will be releasing a new EP, Toothsayer on March 1, 2019. The EP is a companion to Tanya Tagaq’s National Maritime Museum’s “Polar Worlds” exhibit in London, UK. The first single is “Snowblind” which also features UK electronic artist Ash Koosha. The tune deals with the effects of snow blindness.
“I named this Toothsayer because I always liked the term soothsayer, to look into the future and to speak wisely,” Tagaq said in a press statement. “Teeth represent protection and hunting in nature. We are going to have to get our fists up and our teeth out to carve our way to survival in this world.”
The compositions deal with the challenges of surviving the harsh winters in the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Tagaq goes on to say, “it’s so easy to succumb to death in the north purely by the elements, including the socio and political elements.” The music also explores similar themes that Tagaq explored in her 2018 acclaimed debut novel, Split Tooth.
Tagaq has long been a vital voice for speaking out on behalf of indigenous issues. She continues to use her platform to increase awareness of a culture that is historically overlooked and marginalized.