Beyond The Mic: Dave Boulanger

We've featured her in our DD Spotlight series, we've grilled her in our Behind The Beats blog series and we've joined her in the studio for DD Studio Sessions.

Now we're giving you a glimpse of her life outside of music. 

On this week's series finale of Beyond The Mic, we catch up with one of our all-time faves: Iskwé. See what she had to say about life as a student, collaborating on a graphic novel with award-winning author David Alex Robertson and more. 

Manitoba's Dave Boulanger may best be known as the award-winning front man of Burnt-Project 1, but accolades are the furthest thing from his mind. (Just ask his Juno, which currently serves as a paperweight on his mother's desk.) 

Whether he's writing music, painting on canvas or making drums, Dave uses art as a vehicle to not only express himself, but to share stories, connect with his culture and build community. On the latest episode of Beyond The Mic, see what he had to say spirituality, working with youth and much, much more. 

You may know Alberta rocker Bebe Buckskin for her raw vocals, authentic vibe and delightful fusion of genres. But did you know she's dabbled in theatre? Or that she used to barrel race at local rodeos?

On the latest episode of Beyond The Mic, Bebe talks about growing up on a Metis settlement, her love for nature, the law of attraction and a whole lot more.

On last week's edition of Beyond The Mic you met MC RedCloud, one half of the power couple behind California hip-hop duo Lightning Cloud. This week we introduce you to the other better half, Crystle Lightning. 

In addition to her mad rap skills, Crystle is an actress, a DJ, a bartender and a talented home chef. On the latest episode of the DD Podcast, she talks about her breakthrough movie role, her upcoming "Moosebumps" project and much, much more. 

Eighteen hours, one minute and fourteen seconds. That's how long California's MC RedCloud once rapped to break the Guinness World Record for longest freestyle. 

But music is just the beginning. In addition to spitting bars, RedCloud is a father, a visual artist and one half of hip-hop duo Lightning Cloud. He's also the author, illustrator and publisher of the incredible Indigenous Legends colouring book. 

On the latest episode of Beyond The Mic, see what he had to say about the "creator bug," his love for Lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) and a whole lot more.

With a slew of award nominations for her debut album, Everything and Nothing At All (2017), there's no doubt Métis singer/songwriter Celeigh Cardinal has a bright future ahead of her. But in addition to her budding music career, she also co-hosts her own podcast, runs a non-profit organization for emerging artists and loves to travel. 

In this week’s episode of Beyond The Mic, Celeigh chats about her competitive nature, opening for the Beach Boys and a whole lot more. 

From his blue-collar upbringing on the Kahnawake reserve to the brights lights of L.A. to the heart of Toronto's arts scene, Mohawk artist Brendt Thomas Diabo has been on quite the journey. But even though he's best known for his signature blend of roots, rock and old-time country, there's more to his life than just music.

Since getting his big break on APTN's Mohawk Girls, he's built himself an impressive acting resume and dipped his toes in the world of film production. As a carpenter by trade, he's also worked on set designs for a Star Trek movie, the TV show Suits and more. 

In this week's episode of Beyond The Mic, Brendt talks about stereotypes in the film industry, his love for Link Wray and a whole lot more.

At 19 years old, the daily injustices that Desiree Dorion saw as a social worker inspired her to pursue a career in family law. Today, she works as an attorney in rural Manitoba and defends parents whose children are being taken away. But between cases, travel and motherhood, Desiree still manages to make time for her country music career. 

In the latest episode of Beyond The Mic, Desiree dishes on living in the sticks, maintaining her work-life balance and much, much more.

Whether it’s on stage, in the studio, or behind the scenes, Winnipeg super bassist MJ Dandeneau is one of the hardest working artists on Canada’s Indigenous music scene.

In addition to touring with the likes of Xavier Rudd, The Good Lovelies, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Leela Gilday and Digging Roots, she’s also a successful producer/engineer, booking agent and tour manager. But her path to music was far from conventional. 

On this week’s episode of Beyond The Mic, MJ talks about her dashed badminton career, almost becoming an occupational therapist and much, much more. 

Attawapiskat is a remote Northern community on the west coast of James Bay, population: 1,549. It's also the home of Midnight Shine frontman Adrian Sutherland. 

Despite the logistical difficulties of carving out a career in music, Adrian and the band have released three albums, reached No. 1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown (three times!) and performed at major festivals across the country. Adrian has also been invited to play in the JUNO Cup hockey game for the past two years.

On this week's episode of Beyond The Mic, hear what Adrian had to say about connecting with nature, preserving his Cree culture, hitting the ice with former NHLer Daniel Alfredsson and much, much more.