This song will be made into a music video to promote Families of Sisters in Spirit !!! Please help us fund this project at http://igg.me/p/201877?a=1011401. It was  written in January 2012 in honour of missing & murdered Indigenous women. The song was premiered at the Families of Sisters in Spirit 2nd Annual Day of Justice Rally (14 Feb 2012, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, on Unceded and Unsurrendered Algonquin Land). We were honoured to contribute. This demo was made so that drummers at the Rally could take a listen and join in if they wished.

Lyrics & Vocals: Julie Comber.  Guitar & Drum: Alister Augé.  Recording & Creaky Floor: Josh Myles.
Another song: http://youtu.be/FspLGiplpXk

For Our Sisters (Feb 2012 demo)

This song is for the 300 year old Pine that will be cut down and the lovely Land around her blown up if the current plan for the Hwy 5 interchange is executed near Wakefield. The chorus came to Julie as she hugged the Tree goodbye on 7 Jan 2012 visit.

info & what you can do: http://www.a5x.org

Lyrics & Vocals: Julie Comber & Josh Myles. Guitar: Josh Myles. Musical Arrangement: Josh Myles & Alister Augé. Dedicated to those fighting to protect the Forest of the Ottawa Valley's High-Lands: Gatineau Hills and South March Highlands (http://wp.me/pLQ1L-5O).

300 Winters (Feb 2012 demo)

Sadly, this is just as relevant now during COP21 in Paris as it was four years ago during COP17. Will the new Canadian government be constructive towards reducing global warming? 

This song was written while Canadian representatives "participated" at the UN climate change summit (COP 17) in Durban, South Africa. An early version was the background for a video on an Oil Clean-up Crew's visit to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) to clean the oil industry's influence out of the Canadian government's foreign policy: http://youtu.be/3v6AoikETu8

Canadian pOILitics: Lyrics: Vela & Josh Myles. Vocals: Vela, Josh, & Alister Augé. Guitar: Josh & Alister. Drum: Alister. Recorded and mixed by Gareth Auden-Hole.

Canadian pOILitics (Dec 2011 demo)

"Hearts in the Snow" sprang from our experience of stopping the cutting Machine at Beaver Pond Forest on 8 February 2011.  it is dedicated to the beautiful, brave, wonderful people who made that human circle around the Machine possible.  the first time it was sung in public, two redtailed hawks soared overhead.  its an honour they chose to join us.

Urbandale/KNL cut down the Forest we fought so hard to protect later in Feb 2011.  this song is sad, but don't despair, there are more songs to come, a lot more of the South March Highlands left to fight for, and our resistance is beautiful.

we will continue to update this description with ways you can help protect this Sacred, Beautiful, & Irreplaceable Land.

Video: http://youtu.be/FspLGiplpXk
more info: http://www.southmarchhighlands.ca/
FB group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/southmarchhighlands/

"Hearts in the Snow" Lyrics: Julie Comber. Musical Arrangement: Julie & Alister Augé.   Vocals: Julie & Alister. Guitar: Alister. Piano: Matt Orchover. Sound Recording: Curtis Chaffey. For: YOU ♥

Hearts in the Snow (Sept 2011 Demo)

written in January 2011 by Julie Comber, sung at many rallies: "An irreplaceable & beloved Forest in Ottawa has been clear-cut and blasted to build houses. Will developers stop at nothing if the price is right? Will the requests of Algonquin Elders be respected? Why has the City of Ottawa, NCC, and Province failed to protect this urban old growth forest for future generations? These are the questions that drove me to write & record this song."

Lyrics, melody and vocals: Julie
Guitar, backing vocals: Ógui
Piano: Matt Orchover
Recording: Curtis Chaffey

Excerpt:
"Vote with your dollar
picket Urbandale 
prove this is the wrong way
to make a sale
Cut through the busy
You know its right
Save the South March Highlands
Come join our fight!"

another video: http://youtu.be/FspLGiplpXk

Rough Cut (AKA Beaver Pond Song, Sept 2011 demo)

This simple little song of gratitude for Grandfather William Commanda was written at his sendoff gathering at Kitigan Zibi in August 2011. This rough draft was recorded with Josh Myles' guitar arrangement in May 2012. I hope to record the song on my first album. Stay tuned!

Lyrics & Vocals: Vela. Guitar: Josh Myles

Migwetch Morning Star
by Vela,8 Aug 2011

You made the world a better place
Creating transformative space. 
You turned anger into peace
Taught forgiveness and release
Not to get stuck in our heads
To trust our hearts instead
You worked ceaselessly
Lifted by our energy

Grandfather you taught us so much
So many lives you’ve touched
Morning Star, we look to the skies
We’ll miss you this sunrise

Your spirit now soars high
And with you we still fly 
Migwetch our Morning Star
You’ve carried us so far
Now its our mission
To carry out your Vision
Honour Victoria Island
Save the South March Highlands

Grandfather you taught us so much
So many lives you’ve touched
Morning Star, we look to the skies
We’ll miss you this sunrise
We’ll be looking to the skies
And think of you at sunrise.

Migwetch Morning Star (May 2012 Demo)

Get the Oil out of Canadian Politics! 'Nough said. OK, a bit more: Canadian pOILitics was created to offer solidarity and support to Indigenous Communities fighting to be sovereign over their land. It is by Non-Indigenous folks. Four Indigenous communities are highlighted in the lyrics, but there are many, many others to applaud and support! The original song was written while Canadian representatives "participated" at the 2011 UN climate change summit (COP 17) in Durban, South Africa. It was revised in Nov 2012. The song has been watered and nourished by everyone on this track and many other beautiful souls.

You can download the song at: http://juliecomber.bandcamp.com/track/canadian-poilitics

Credits:
Lyrics: Julie Comber & Josh Myles. Lead vocals: Julie. Heavenly harmonies: Maria-Hélèna Pacelli. Backing vocals: Maria-Hélèna, Arif Jinha, Brad Dubinsky, & Kevin Guerette. Lead acoustic guitar, electric guitar, & bass: Kevin. Djembe: Brad. Atmospheric and solo acoustic guitar: Arif. Keyboard: Lily Polowin. 
Recorded, Mixed, & Produced by Kevin Guerette, kevinguerette.com

Canadian pOILitics - Vela

My singer-songwriter name is Vela, "candle". The candle is a symbol of hope. A candle casts a warm healing light. It lights up dark places. Even a modest candle can ignite a bonfire of change.

My songs shine an unflinching light on topical issues. I also revel in the delicious ridiculousness of life. I love co-creating exhilarating harmonies and soundscapes to share with you. These songs are collaborations with many wonderful gifted & gifting friends over the years: Kevin Guerette, Brad Dubinsky, John Lloyd, Johanna Paquin, Maria-Hélèna Pacelli, Lily Polowin, Ali "Ógui" Augé & Josh Myles. 

I hope my songs help inspire & nourish YOU, to support you in all you do to make this World a better place.
Lotsa Love & Light,
Vela ♥♥♥

Julie Catalyst (Vela)