Self-described, “fiery, female, Indigenous, two-spirit music artist,” Shawnee Kish released her first full-length studio album, “Chapter 1,” July 25, 2025. Aimed directly at the alternative-country genre, the chart busting album is guaranteed to win the heart and soul of fans and new listeners alike. Filled with eleven fist-pumping, foot-stomping, electrifying anthems, delivering influential messages of home, hope and finding true happiness in a tumultuous world, Kish’s soulful, authentic vocals resonate powerfully over some tasty rock-country grooves that just make you want to jump and shout.
Independent recording artist, Shawnee Kish, a Mohawk singer-songwriter from Welland, ON, and now working out of Edmonton, AB, has garnered massive well-deserved recognition for her stunning, captivating singing and songwriting since winning the 2020 CBC Music’s esteemed Searchlight competition – the first Indigenous winner in its 12-year history. Her 2023 “Revolution” EP earned multiple JUNO Award nominations. Shawnee, in collaboration with (and featuring) several young Indigenous artists who have never performed on a stage presented “Music is my Medicine,” a symphonic work performed with the National Arts Centre Orchestra for CBC Gem’s Undisrupted, furthering her presence as a rising shining star in mainstream country music.
From the opening song, “Take Me Home,” to the blistering finale, “Tequila Knows Me,” Shawnee’s vocals dominate and drive each track forcefully to their highest degree of emotional impact. Soaring like an eagle one moment and then filled with tenderness the next, the album focuses mainly on up-tempo and high-octane performances, clearly intended to grab audiences and bring them along. “Chapter 1” is designed sleek and fast for live shows and building momentum.
Highlights abound on “Chapter 1,” each track meriting attentive listening, showcasing Shawnee’s firm grasp and ingenuity as songwriter and musician, but the last three tracks are hard to ignore and exemplify the album’s virtues – driving, non-stop, kick-ass knockouts – songs that make you want to move.
In a slow, six-eight blues waltz, “What If You Fly” is rich with feeling as the singer stares alone, deep in contemplation at the past and the future. “Sun goes down, the moon in the night / Steady, ever looking off at the sky, I wanna know what the stars feel like / What if you fall / Oh darling, it’s you for the sky, time to survive / What if you fall, oh darling, what if you fly?” – and fly she does, transcends, ascends, skyrockets.
“Long Drive Home” and “Tequila Knows Me” are pure adrenaline, hair-flying, arms-out-the-window, feel good, carefree, sing-out-loud, acoustic laden dance songs, and they cap the album with such joyous energy, it’s hard to resist not putting them on endless repeat. Like on many of the tracks in this set, Shawnee knows how to write pleasing and fun songs, each celebrating an element of her life experience and sassy positivity.
Shawnee Kish has much to celebrate. As a new mom in a loving marriage, with a fast-paced independent, highly followed Tik Tok fueled career, the release of “Chapter 1” boldly signifies the territory Shawnee plans to inhabit and make her musical stand. Can’t wait for “Chapter 2” and beyond!
Photo Credit: Artist Website / EPK
Douglas McLean fell in love with music at a very early age and has worked as a musician and songwriter since his early teens. He has a deep love for the written word and has spent his life in pursuit of language as a means to convey what Van Morrison once called “the inarticulate speech of the heart”. He lives deep in the Almaguin Highlands with his wife and their dog. Douglas is active in local radio, recording, producing and writing, in and around Huntsville, Ontario.
His website is:
http://www.douglasmcleanmusic.com
