Quantum Tangle

Quantum Tangle
OriginYellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
GenresFolk rock, blues, Inuit music, Throat singing
Years active2014–present
MembersTiffany Ayalik
Greyson Gritt
Kayley Inuksuk Mackay

Quantum Tangle are a Juno Award-winning Canadian musical group who combine traditional Inuit throat singing and spoken word storytelling with blues-influenced folk rock, consisting of vocalist Tiffany Ayalik, Kayley Inuksuk Mackay as drummer, vocalist and throat singer, and singer and guitarist G. R. Gritt.[1]

History

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Gritt and Ayalik met at the Northern Scene arts festival in Ottawa, Ontario.[2] Formed in 2014, Quantum Tangle are based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.[1] Ayalik, who is Inuk, is a native of the city, while Gritt, who is Ojibwe-Métis, was born in Sudbury, Ontario and raised in the outlying community of Warren.[3] Gritt has lived in Yellowknife since 2009.[4]

As a solo artist prior to the band's formation, Gritt was a regional finalist in CBC Music's Searchlight competition in 2013 and 2014.[5] For four years, they were a mentee of Yellowknife's Northern Arts and Cultural Centre.[6] Gritt came out as transgender in 2014, and uses gender-neutral pronouns.[7] Ayalik also performs as a stage actress.[8]

Quantum Tangle released their EP Tiny Hands in 2017 and their first full-length album, Shelter as we go..., in 2017. Both recordings were released on the Coax label.[9]

Quantum Tangle won the Juno Award for Indigenous Music Album of the Year for their album Tiny Hands at the Juno Awards of 2017.[10][11]

Mackay was introduced as a band member in May 2018 when the band performed at the Indigenous Music Awards.[12]

Ayalik and Mackay also separately perform under the name Piqsuq, and composed the soundtrack for the 2024 film Sunburnt Unicorn.[13]

Social justice work

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In addition to making music, Quantum Tangle facilitates a series of school workshops and performances on the topic of Indigenous issues in Northern Canada.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b "'I’m in disbelief’: Yellowknife duo nominated for Juno Award". CJCD-FM, February 8, 2017.
  2. ^ "Yellowknife performance group blends song and spoken word into storytelling". This Magazine. September 1, 2017.
  3. ^ "Northern Ontario musicians welcome Juno nominations". CBC Sudbury, February 10, 2017.
  4. ^ "Transgender people in NWT may soon legally change gender without surgery". APTN National News, June 30, 2016.
  5. ^ "Five NWT musicians illuminated by Searchlight" Archived 2018-03-23 at the Wayback Machine. Northern Journal, April 28, 2014.
  6. ^ "Five Questions With… Quantum Tangle". FYIMusicNews. July 19, 2017. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  7. ^ "Going through changes" Archived 2017-04-04 at the Wayback Machine. Northern News Services, February 21, 2014.
  8. ^ "Lovers reunite across borders at Nunavut's Alianait Arts Festival". CBC North, June 28, 2016.
  9. ^ Gordon, Holly (June 29, 2017). "First Play: Quantum Tangle, Shelter as we go". CBC Music.
  10. ^ "Quantum Tangle win Indigenous album of the year, first Juno award for Yellowknife duo". CBC North, April 2, 2017.
  11. ^ Lynn Saxberg and Peter Hum, "Gord Downie wins three Junos at music awards gala dinner Saturday night". London Free Press, April 1, 2017.
  12. ^ Ollie Williams, "Quantum Tangle adds new member at national awards ceremony". Cabin Radio, May 22, 2018.
  13. ^ Kate Taylor, "Sunburnt Unicorn’s coming-of-age tale depicts the inner landscape of adolescence". The Globe and Mail, June 6, 2024.