Two voices, two guitars, decades of making music and centuries of cultural history merge in this new sibling songwriters project – hence the name Sechile Sedare, which translates to ‘my younger brother, my older sister’ in the Dene language. For 20 years, Leela Gilday has crafted confessional, raw and intimate northern stories about her people and land. Her rich vocals and bold, joyful songs dance across rhythmic beats that recall traditional drumming. Brother Jay Gilday's voice is a raw and gorgeous Canadian north siren that threads the colours of his own ancestral traditions: Dene spirituals, Irish ballads, Canadian folk and rock. Jay and Leela co-wrote and co-created a new contemporary roots repertoire that harnesses their talents as insightful, genuine storytellers. Their voices blend in perfect harmony, hitting notes of nostalgia, hope, humour and reflection. The songs, birthed during lockdown in 2021 and a Banff Centre residency, are stories about their family history, connection to the land and water, and the twists and turns of fate.
Biography by Kerry Clarke