The sounds of the far north will come south to Yorkton with Diyet, performing in the city October 22 as part of the Stars for Saskatchewan series.
Diyet’s life in the far north is a big part of the inspiration for her music, but she says that it’s still something that people can relate to no matter where they’re from and who they are. She says that the far north is a great environment to be creative in.
“I think it’s safe to say that 95 per cent of the music that I write is quite personal, about the experience of being raised here and kind of living a traditional life... I think that anyone who lives in a rural place will say this, you kind of live in a microcosm and it’s a reflection of global times, but in a very condensed and small environment.”
The songs themselves often have a contrast between frustration and optimism, something that Diyet says reflects her world view, and her desire to keep thing things on the positive side.
“As an individual, I certainly struggle because my disposition is sunny and positive, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look at things and be frustrated and angry, and upset about the way things go in your life and around you.”
The most recent album, When You Were King, was a long process, and she says it was a process that reflected the time she wrote it and both in her community and the world.
“I wanted to say something, maybe say some things that aren’t quite comfortable to some listeners, but also maintain that message of hope.”
One of the unique things of this tour is a chance to speak to young people about music and touring, something that Diyet says that she is excited about. She says that one of her priorities is to foster creativity in people.
“We lose the ability, if we’re not nurtured with it, to be creative and go inward, to find inspiration. I do a lot of work with First Nations youth, and I’ve gone into a lot of public schools in the Yukon here... It doesn’t really matter your medium, and how you express your creativity, but what is important is you learn to recognize when creativity is sparked and you capitalize on it. It is balance and it helps you remain with your feet on the ground.”
This will be a first for Diyet, as while she has been in the province before she has never been in the rural parts. She admits that it is a bit of an adjustment, because she’s grown up around mountains.
“The first time I went to Saskatchewan I remember feeling very naked, it was kind of scary at first. But, after a day or too, you kind of feel really liberated as well.”
Diyet will be performing as part of the Stars for Saskatchewan series on October 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Yorkton Arts Council or Welcome Home Gift Shop
