Status/Non-status: Adam Sturgeon, fka WHOOP-Szo, releases 'Find a Home, announces EP "

By Will McGuirk

Adam Sturgeon has changed the name of his music project to reflect his own family history. The Anishinaabe community worker, activist and artist, is considered non-status as his grandfather, a residential school survivor, terminated his Indian Status which was a requirement to join the Canadian Armed Forces. Sturgeon’s exploration of his Indigenous identity within and without, informs the upcoming EP, ‘1, 2, 3, 4, 500 Years,’ which will be available (appropriately enough) on You’ve Changed Records.

The first track ‘Find a Home” has been released with a video directed by Olde Nightrifter aka Eyin Sof.

Sturgeon had previously explored his grandfather’s life on the Polaris Prize long listed ‘Warrior Down.’

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“It is within the small and simple things that we find ourselves. On a long drive, a quick walk down to the river, or cooped up in silence at home. It is in our language and in our names. When I started making this music, I didn’t know a whole lot about myself or who I was. Métis, they would call me. Part Ojibwe. Part this or that. Which part? Same old story for the mixed breeds. Never saw my true reflection staring back at me. 

On those long and lonely drives between tour stops, you can see life move but you only get a dusty windshield of a view. The occasional flat lets ya stop to peak the landscape. A snowstorm lets you know its history. These things shape you, give you ‘experience’. I’ve seen a lot of gas stations, no doubts there: informed.

Giving the time and reflection to do my best is what it comes down to. That, and driving overnight. Sometimes our best hurts. Hurts ourselves, hurts others. It always hurts you when it hurts someone else by the way. And so at night, out there ... nowhere, I’ve touched down and untangled the black roots of this strawberry heart. There were things I couldn’t see around the corner, not on this dark road. Not even on the brightest prairie day. At night, on the road, on and off stage I fill myself. Wake up new, on a floor, on the move, anywhere.

Music has helped me when I can’t find answers. For a long time I didn’t know where we were driving, and I mean all of us. This road put my mind together and maybe we all can too. Find a new way. Until then, I keep filling the tank. Reclaimed …” - Adam Sturgeon, Status/ Non Status

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Going to the #JUNOSldn; A guide to the city's indie scene by Adam Sturgeon of WHOOP-Szo

By Will McGuirk
with Adam Sturgeon

The annual movable musical feast that is the Junos travelling from coast to coast to coast, city to city to city, provides an opportunity to spotlight the host city, its music, arts, food and heritage.

However a machine that big takes up space and can cast a shadow on the work of those already present, building, creating and making in their hometown, long before and long after the country pays and stops paying attention.

Adam Sturgeon is one of those builder folks in London Ontario, the 2019 JUNOs host,. We asked Adam for a guide to the city he has been involved in and he kindly agreed.

So if London is calling you this weekend, make room for some of Adam’s suggestions and mos def checkout his band of pals, WHOOP-Szo at the Toboggan Brewing Company, with Howzat and Voivod. And when his band comes to your town, pay attention to them then too.

Thank you Adam, so what should a visitor check out to get the Londoner’s London?

”For galleries you gotta check out Forest City Gallery and it's neighbour Good Sport. These are the most community minded spaces. FCG has an illustrious history, not only is it one of Canada's first artists run centres and a main player in establishing artists fee's (via CARFAC) it is also the home to the Hear Here Music Series and also the home to the Nihilist Spasm Band. During the Junos I'd also hit up Museum London for their "women to the front" exhibit, Print Pop at DNA Artspace (123 Dundas St) happening all day Saturday.”

”Call the Office remains a staple, rain or shine, and new spaces like the Baker's Dozen (B13) play host to a number of community events and organizations. One of the longest running venues nowadays happens to be home at the corner of Oxford and Adelaide. It's been many things from the Out of Sound House, to the Foam Doam and now simply the DOAM. It's great that the neighbours have never cared and offers a bit of seclusion for young bands to let fly. Luckily, this week is London Girls Rock Camp at TAP (The Arts Project). These lucky ones are the next generation getting the type of support and empowerment this city truly needs right now.”

”Can't come to London and not get a late night Greek Fry at Sammy Souvlaki's (Richmond and York St) Food Truck. Alternately a Peanut Butter Burger from Prince Al's might move you. If you're looking for something a little nicer I might hit up the Root Cellar or Morrissey House (Meatloaf anybody).”

“I'm not a huge drinker but Anderson's sure makes a mean Cream Ale and London Brewing Co-Op might also host a show in their community minded space.

One thing London definitely has is awesome record shops: Speed City, Grooves, Village Idiot and Odyssey are all totally unique to themselves and bringing in the right digs for all the different music lovers in London.

Finally, you gotta get some JOE; Rebel Remedy Health bar might swoon you with their herbal tonics, kombucha's and etc, but sure do make a mean latte. Same goes for Back Roads, Juicy Tings and Bicycle Cafe.“