First Voices Radio

Host Tiokasin Ghosthorse welcomes Edzi’u, a Tahltan and Tlingit artist based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. Edzi’u is an innovative songwriter and composer who paints stories of the past, present and future with textures, elders’ stories, words, and their ethereal voice. Edzi’u is the gentlest balance of hard and soft, a non-binary 2-spirit Indigiqueer femme, their strength of identity resonates in their music to create a fullness of fierce spirit combined with an elegant grace. Their new music is full of thick synths, drums dripping with reverb and a mix of a modern take on 80s and 90s sounds that blends the nostalgic essence of Stevie Nicks, the raw emotional depth of Sharon Van Etten, and the atmospheric electronic textures of DRAMA. The result is a sonic river of pain and beauty that sweetly soars into a singular, healing journey.

Tiokasin talks with Edzi’u about their new EP, “Tunnel Vision,” a poignant exploration of the cruelty of heartbreak, the painful truth of mistreatment, and the radiant journey of resurgence. With vulnerability and fortitude, each track lingers with the listener like a cherished memory. Edzi’u invites listeners into an auditory sanctuary where music serves as both refuge and revelation. In this sacred space, reclamation of self stands as the most powerful act of all. Edzi’u and their artistry is a beacon of auntie joy for queer and Indigenous communities and beyond, embodying resilience, grace, and unapologetic authenticity. Find out more about Edzi’ at https://www.edziumusic.com/

Production Credits:
Tiokasin Ghosthorse (Lakota), Host and Executive Producer
Liz Hill (Red Lake Ojibwe), Producer
Karen Martinez (Mayan), Studio Engineer, Radio Kingston
Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Audio Editor
Kevin Richardson, Podcast Editor

Music Selections:
1. Song Title: Tahi Roots Mix (First Voices Radio Theme Song)
Artist: Moana and the Moa Hunters
Album: Tahi (1993)
Label: Southside Records (Australia and New Zealand)

2. Song Title: Raven Clan Welcome
Artist: Edzi'u
Album: Potlatch in the Box (2023)
Label: Ts’ats’ée Sounds

3. Song Title: Can You Introduce Yourself in the Language
Artist: Edzi’u
Album: Potlatch in the Box (2023)
Label: Ts’ats’ée Sounds

4. Song Title: Not Enough
Artist: Edzi’u
Album: Tunnel Vision (2024)
Label: Ts’ats’ée Sounds

5. Song Title: You Don’t Wanna Know Me
Artist: Edzi'u
Album: Potlatch in the Box (2023)
Label: Ts’ats’ée Sounds

6. Song Title: Ego Death
Artist: Edzi’u
Album: Tunnel Vision (2024)
Label: Ts’ats’ée Sounds

7. Song Title: Warrior Song
Artist: Edzi’u
Album: Potlatch in the Box (2023)
Label: Ts’ats’ée Sounds

8. Song Title: Fly With Us (feat. Ara Eden)
Artist: Sarita
Album: Earth Anthems (2024)
Label: Ancient Future Productions

AKANTU INTELLIGENCE
Visit Akantu Intelligence, an institute that Tiokasin founded with a mission of contextualizing original wisdom for troubled times. Go to https://akantuintelligence.org to find out more and consider joining his Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/Ghosthorse