Canadian singer-songwriter and activist, iskwē, has returned with a new single, “I Get High”, featuring German punk icon Nina Hagen; to offer a track that is a whimsically gothic tale that explores the depths of despair and the heights of triumph.
Produced by Damian Taylor, the track was recorded at Panoram Studio in Mexico City, and is the first taste of new music from iskwē in 2023, “I Get High” follows the release of her collaborative 2022 project, Mother Love, which showcased more of her ability to transport listeners into a world of electronic rhythms and Indigenous sounds, in which, iskwē continuously blurs the lines between sources and styles. The music she shares allows her creativity to soar as she spans a spectrum of emotions powered by resilience.
With “I Get High”, iskwē encourages listeners to let go of worrying about what others think and reminds us of the power of love and the importance of supporting each other in this lifetime. “I Get High” is a call-out for us to hold each other up as we attain our many successes in life, knowing there is room for us all to win. And while we’re at it, let’s exhale and get high!
“I grew up smoking weed, listening to Nina Hagen, and singing loudly when I knew no one was listening; always self-conscious, always self-aware”, iskwē says about her relationship with Nina. “This piece was written in response to a painful experience of mine, where I wanted to remind people of the power of love and the importance of supporting each other in this lifetime, rather than trying to cancel each other out.”
With her hauntingly beautiful voice, iskwē is more than just an artist; she is a storyteller who informs through her music, and “I Get High” is a showcase of her talent and willingness to tackle difficult subjects.
