Grant Helps Artist Tour Western Canada With Buffy Sainte-Marie

Singer-songwriter Sebastian Gaskin melds hip-hop and R&B with traditional blues guitar to tell stories from his experiences living on a reserve and in Winnipeg.

Innovative performer straddles diverse musical worlds

In September 2019, Gaskin was able to take his show, Contradictions, on a western Canadian tour with well-known Indigenous singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie, one of his major influences. Gaskin’s music blends contemporary genres with traditional music archetypes to speak to audiences with thematically relatable material. The tour coincided with the release of his EP, Contradictions.

A tour that opens doors

The tour, which was supported by a Canada Council grant, was a tremendous success, helping Gaskin gain followers on social media and key music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. It was also an excellent opportunity for Gaskin to introduce his work to new promoters in high-profile venues across western Canada. Some have since discussed Gaskin returning for another tour, and he now has a confirmed publishing deal with Warner Chappell and an invite to the SXSW Festival. Touring with Sainte-Marie has made Gaskin an artist to watch.