Pamyua, hailed as Alaska’s preeminent Inuit ensemble, stands at the vanguard of honoring and disseminating indigenous Inuit cultural legacy and ancestral traditions. These performances entwine the melodic tapestry of traditional Inuit drum and dance with the contemporary allure of R&B and soul, giving rise to a distinctive auditory experience often dubbed as “tribal funk” or “Inuit soul.”
On the global stage, Pamyua serves as ambassadors of Inuit culture, their music and dance concerts unfurling the rich tapestry of indigenous knowledge and history. The hallmark of their distinct style and sound is found in the fusion of venerable melodies with contemporary vocal expressions and instrumentation, while the graceful choreography, artful inclusion of symbolic, native masks, and traditional dances accentuate the enthralling shows.
Conceived in 1995 by the visionary Blanchett brothers, Phillip and Stephen, the group’s lineup includes Ossie Kairaiuak, alongside guest musicians. With unswerving pride, the band represents and reveres indigenous heritage, recognizing music and dance as conduits to foster unity. Each member, with remarkable finesse, delivers joyful and sincere interpretations of cherished Inuit traditions. The overwhelming response to their resonant message bears testament to their significance as a symbol of Alaskan indigenous pride, evoking admiration from all fortunate enough to witness their performances.
Recognizing the eminence of Pamyua’s contributions, the Library of Congress commissioned the group to create a music video for its prestigious “Homegrown Concert Series.” It now graces the Library’s American Folklife Center and permanent video archive, accessible for public appreciation free of charge.
Beyond these feats, Pamyua has further amplified the indigenous sounds of Alaska through prominent appearances on national television. Their original music reverberated on the popular ABC-TV series Alaska Daily, starring the celebrated Oscar winner Hilary Swank.
Additionally, the ensemble crafted distinctive musical compositions for multiple episodes of the Emmy-winning Nat Geo docuseries Life Below Zero: First Alaskans, and were sought after by the BBC to contribute their melodic artistry to yet another widely acclaimed program. This weekly British series chronicles the journey of Alaska Natives as they endeavor to thrive amidst the unforgiving Alaskan environment, armed with wisdom passed down through generations, all while grappling with the challenges posed by the ever-accelerating specter of climate change.
Furthermore, Pamyua lent their melodies to the theme of the beloved PBS children’s show Molly of Denali, and crafted original compositions for Discovery Channel’s Flying Wild Alaska.
Discography:
Mengluni (Ellavut Records, 1998)
Verses [Apallut] (Arctic Voice, 2001)
Caught in the Act (Arctic Voice, 2003)
Drums of the North (Arctic Voice, 2005)
Side A / Side B (Arctic Voice, 2012)
Author: Douglas Sanders
