Review of Burnstick- Indigenous husband and wife duo Nadia and Jason Burnstick

Review by: Brian Adolph

Photo credits: Derrek Owen

From the haunting opening notes of Some Kind of Hell, Nadia and Jason Burnstick were captivating. Drawing from their two albums, Kîyânaw and Made of Sin, the Juno-nominated artists presented poignant and evocative songs with a sound often described as cinematic—unsurprising, given both Burnsticks’ background in film and television production.

On his much-vaunted, century-old Weissenborn lap slide guitar, Jason created bluesy, ethereal soundscapes, complemented by Nadia’s rhythmic acoustic strumming. Both powerful vocalists, the pair achieved the kind of tight vocal harmonies that often seem unique to husband-and-wife performers. Joining Burnstick was Daniel Roy, who added his creative percussive touches. Concertgoers may remember Roy from the Red Moon Road show earlier this season.

Much of the performance was a celebration of love, marriage, and family, as evidenced in co-written songs like Mother Father and Moonlit, as well as their beautiful cover of Johnny Cash’s Rose of My Heart. Their unassuming stage presence and married-couple banter were often upstaged by their seven-year-old son peeking out from behind the curtain.

The pair didn’t shy away from tragic subject matter either, addressing the undocumented deaths of 215 children at a Kamloops residential school in Made of Sin, and the fatal shooting of Colten Boushie in Pay No Mind.

Unique in the Canadian folk music scene, Burnstick is a made-in-Manitoba treasure.

Don't miss EMCA's next show: Allison Lupton, coming to the Pinawa Communty Centre on Friday, May 16 at 7:30 pm (doors at 6:45 pm). Tickets are available at www.emcaconcerts.com and at the Pinawa Solo (Adults/Seniors - $30, Under 30 - $15).