This week’s Song of the Day picks, as chosen by DJ Miss Ashley, coincide with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. While Indigenous Peoples’ Day is recognized on October 9, KEXP will be paying tribute to Indigenous artists throughout the whole week here and throughout the rest of our podcasts and programming. Learn more about our Indigenous Peoples’ Day coverage. 

Warning: This write-up touches on topics of suicide. 

In 2019, Statistics Canada delivered an alarming report about the Indigenous suicide rate crisis – finding that Indigenous people in Canada are three times more likely to die by suicide than non-Indigenous Canadians. This troubling data reflects the harrowing experience and conditions not just in Canada, but for Indigenous people across the globe. 

Jeremy Dutcher commemorates this experience in his heart-wrenching song “Ancestors Too Young.” The enigmatic songwriter is known for their dazzling blend of their classical training and pop songwriting. Dutcher, who is from the Tobique First Nation, will often sing in Wolastoqey. But on this song, Dutcher sings in English. Against a beautiful backdrop of piano, organ, strings, and smattering drums, Dutcher’s voice pleads and aches. Less of a sentimental song and more of a dire asking – why? Why does this have to be this way? On the chorus Dutcher soars with the refrain “Ancestors too young, where do they go?” 

Dutcher’s powerful plea is a needed revelation for the masses. As he says in the song, this epidemic is not something that should be ignored until more pass away. There is urgency in Dutcher’s voice, just as their should be urgency in all of us to wake up and make change and reconcile the perpetuated conditions that have led to this tragic moment in history. - Dusty Henry 

This week’s Song of the Day picks, as chosen by DJ Miss Ashley, coincide with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. While Indigenous Peoples’ Day is recognized on October 9, KEXP will be paying tribute to Indigenous artists throughout the whole week here and throughout the rest of our podcasts and programming. <a href="https://www.kexp.org/indigenous-peoples-day/">Learn more about our Indigenous Peoples’ Day coverage</a>. 
Warning: This write-up touches on topics of suicide. 
In 2019, <a href="https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/catalogue/99-011-X2019001">Statistics Canada</a> delivered an alarming report about the Indigenous suicide rate crisis – finding that Indigenous people in Canada are three times more likely to die by suicide than non-Indigenous Canadians. This troubling data reflects the harrowing experience and conditions not just in Canada, but for Indigenous people across the globe. 
Jeremy Dutcher commemorates this experience in his heart-wrenching song “Ancestors Too Young.” The enigmatic songwriter is known for their dazzling blend of their classical training and pop songwriting. Dutcher, who is from the Tobique First Nation, will often sing in Wolastoqey. But on this song, Dutcher sings in English. Against a beautiful backdrop of piano, organ, strings, and smattering drums, Dutcher’s voice pleads and aches. Less of a sentimental song and more of a dire asking – why? Why does this have to be this way? On the chorus Dutcher soars with the refrain “Ancestors too young, where do they go?” 
Dutcher’s powerful plea is a needed revelation for the masses. As he says in the song, this epidemic is not something that should be ignored until more pass away. There is urgency in Dutcher’s voice, just as their should be urgency in all of us to wake up and make change and reconcile the perpetuated conditions that have led to this tragic moment in history. - Dusty Henry

Finding good new music can be a full time job, so let KEXP help! In Our Headphones brings you five song recommendations every Monday, straight from KEXP’s DJs and Music Directors. We learn stories and insights about the artists, make connections between the music and the world around us, and get to know the diverse roster of DJs that make up the KEXP airwaves. Join hosts Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili on this never-ending journey of music discovery.

Finding good new music can be a full time job, so let KEXP help! In Our Headphones brings you five song recommendations every Monday, straight from KEXP’s DJs and Music Directors. We learn stories and insights about the artists, make connections between the music and the world around us, and get to know the diverse roster of DJs that make up the KEXP airwaves. Join hosts Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili on this never-ending journey of music discovery.

A never-ending journey of music discovery from KEXP.

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