Diyet and the Love Soldiers playing the Empress
Diyet and the Love Soldiers will perform at Fort Macleod’s Empress Theatre, as the second show in the 2023-24 Centre Stage Concert Series, on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
The Yukon trio’s blend of alternative country, folk, roots and traditional music features catchy melodies and stories deeply rooted in Diyet’s Indigenous world view and northern life.
Diyet sings in both English and Southern Tutchone (her native language) and plays bass guitar. She’s backed by husband and collaborator Robert van Lieshout (acoustic guitar, drums and percussion) and Juno Award-winning producer Bob Hamilton (electric guitar, pedal steel and mandolin).
Together, they have a sound that can fill a big-stage venue or capture an intimate room.
Diyet was born in a tent and spent her childhood on the ancestral lands of the Kluane First Nation in the Yukon. Coming from a family rooted in traditions, but tempered with adventurous hippie attitudes, Diyet has created a musical presence as diverse as her Southern Tutchone, Tlingit, Japanese and Scottish heritage.
She discovered her voice singing on the school bus, went on to acquire a degree in music, then became a published songwriter in Vancouver. When the pull of the North was too strong, she packed her bags, and her Dutch husband, moving back to her village of 90 people without a plan or a pub to play in.
This unlikely career move resulted in international collaborations, extensive touring and three acclaimed albums: The Breaking Point, When You Were King and Diyet & The Love Soldiers.
The third album, released in 2018, led to nominations for Folk Album of The Year at the Indigenous Music Awards, Indigenous Artist of The Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards, and Indigenous Songwriter of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards.
During the last decade, Diyet and the Love Soldiers have performed across Canada and Europe, with highlights including major folk, jazz, world and multidisciplinary festivals.
With her feet firmly planted in two worlds, Diyet’s adventurous and sometimes chaotic life is on full display in her music. She often says, “Yesterday, fishing for our dinner on the ice; the next day, on the stage singing for you!”
Tickets to see Diyet and the Love Soldiers are $37.50 each and available online at MacleodEmpress.com, by calling 1-800-540-9229, or at the box office on Main Street in Fort Macleod.
Still to come in the Centre Stage series are Ryland Moranz, Nov. 10; David Francey with Terra Spencer, Feb. 8; Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys, Feb. 29; John Reischman and the Jaybirds, April 19.
