Evan Redsky - The Language Of Fishermen (2025)

Today, punk-rocker / folk storyteller Evan Redsky is releasing his new LP, The Language of Fisherman, via Victory Pool Records. Seeking inspiration for this new record, Redsky happened upon the works of celebrated Ojibwe author Richard Wagamese. Many of the songs on The Language of Fishermen were inspired by Wagamese’s stories, especially those from his autobiographical book One Native Life.

Redsky, like Wagamese, is Anishinabek, and the two share the experience of growing up in the bush, on reserve, and navigating between cultural worlds. Between honouring Wagamese’s words and sharing his own reflections, Redsky’s The Language of Fishermen contains a lifetime of feeling—including honouring the often overlooked positive moments of simplicity and fulfillment.

“Contemporary Indigenous life experience doesn’t have to be rooted in trauma,” Redsky explains. “The little moments we experience, and the land we come from, are rich with inspiration.”

This soft, reflective state is captured on the album’s title song, “The Language of Fishermen”, as the crew on the boat in the middle of the lake share “a smile, a nod, to the mystery of the land” as “The loons and shorebirds sang their songs.” Track two “Watching” (also inspired by Wagamese) conjures this sense of peace in everyday life, as a “foster kid from the fly-ins” learns by observation and comes to the conclusion: “If love and work is enough for them / It’s good enough for me.”

Growing up on the Mississaugi First Nation reserve of Blind River, Ontario, Redksy was often compelled to hitchhike to Toronto to immerse himself in the city’s burgeoning punk and hardcore music scene. Redsky recalls sleeping under bridges and on construction sites, dedicated to making music happen. At 19 years old, Redsky started performing with punk outfit Single Mothers, going on to perform with the JUNO Award-nominated group everywhere from local clubs to Primavera Sound to the Pitchfork Music Festival. However, as the group saw increasing success, Redsky felt more and more empowered to explore other musical paths and tell his own stories.

These days, it’s tough to keep up with all of Redsky’s eclectic projects. He’s a member of “Turtle Island Hardcore” band Indian Giver; he performs with folk-rock duo Altameda and he plays bass with groups like country ensemble Nicolette and the Nobodies. A stalwart of the Toronto scene, Redsky’s commitment to collaboration is evident in his impressive musicianship and impassioned songwriting, as he showcased on his debut solo album, 2022’s Oblivion.