Isaac Murdoch (Fish Clan, Serpent River First Nation) grew up in the traditional setting of hunting, fishing and trapping. During his many years living off the land, Isaac has learned many of the stories and legends that accompany many of the Sacred Sites and Values placed on Mother Earth and has become a wonderful narrator and advocate for these precious treasures. His many years of experience of conducting ceremonies have helped him maintain a special balance between people and nature and he is known for his advocacy for getting the younger generation in-touch with the land and these Sacred Sites. Isaac has traveled internationally as an advocate and spokesperson and has had the opportunity to meet with people such as Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth & Prince Charles as well as many Canadian dignitaries including Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
New album You Were Chosen to Be Here kickstarts a grassroots unity-seeking movement through collaborative live performances between Isaac Murdoch & Matt Epp under the name Revolution of the Heart. International touring artist Matt Epp is the quintessential troubadour of the Canadian prairies, an award-winning songwriter whose performances encourage a sense of connection. Together, they create a true weaving of community, storytelling, art, and healing to encourage a reclaiming of our relationships with each other, the lands and the waters.
Who are some of your musical influences?
ISAAC MURDOCH: Bear Creek, Northern Cree, Bruce Murdoch.
MATT EPP: Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams.
Explain the title of your album.
ISAAC MURDOCH: The album is called You Were Chosen To Be Here because I believe we are chosen to be here during this time of climate crisis. We are the chosen ones to help save the earth.
Tell us about the first song you wrote.
ISAAC MURDOCH: It was an Ojibwe song. It was about beavers and how they gather their wood for winter.
Do you have any songwriting tips you can share?
ISAAC MURDOCH: Practice practice practice.
MATT EPP: Set aside a week or two to write a song every day from start to finish. Have someone to send your demo to at the end of the night before you sleep, and then don’t listen to any of the songs until after the challenge period is over. I’ve been doing this for years, and it trains the writer to stop judging the work too early and stifling the process.
Who would you love to collaborate with? why?
ISAAC MURDOCH: Bif Naked. She has great energy.
MATT EPP: Emmylou Harris, because I love her voice, her grace, the unique paths she takes her harmonies to create an emotional depth that no one else seems to match, for me.